Business Trends For 2007

Entrepreneur came out with its hot list for 2007 business trends. Let's see if some of those will work on the Philippines.

Food Industry

I think coffee houses will continue to make a splash. In the Philippines, the cafe crowd has not yet peaked. Everyone wants to be seen having coffee. Note the operative word, seen. Because Filipinos - unlike their European or American counterparts - don't drink coffee in the coffee shops because they like coffee there. It's all b.s. Filipinos drink coffee in coffee shops because they want to be seen. Period.

Slowly, though, we are beginning to appreciate the virtues of Arabica versus Batangas coffee. The arrival of coffee shops in the provinces is a good sign. Personally, I can't wait for the day that a Starbucks or Seattle's finds its way to my neck of the woods.

Upscale burger restaurants? I don't think so. We remain a happy Jollibee country. Not even McDonald's can bring The Bee to its knees.

Wine, then? Are you kidding me? Filipinos are not wine drinkers no matter what the press releases say. They cannot identify the difference between a Merlot and a Pinot Noir if their life depended on it. More to the point, they are not willing to know the difference. Filipinos would opt to gulp down a San Mig Lite as opposed to daintily sipping a cabernet.

Healthy foods are worth thinking about. But, really. Why spend a fortune on an organic chicken when you can have the very same thing from your neighbor's backyard for free? All you need to do is run after the damn fowl.

Dessert-Only Restaurants? Oh yes, yes, yes! Filipinos adore sweet stuff and the advent of patisseries is the answer to every Pinoy Sweet Tooth's wet dream. And did 'ya see the line at Krispy Kreme when it opened?! Yes, yours truly was among the faithful.

Technology

Blue Tooth is a definite yes. You cannot be hip and happenin' in this country without the latest techie gadget. It explains the happy smiles on many a Nokia distributor. And, for the record, Filipinos will not mind going on debt if it means having the latest Xbox.

As for me, I cannot wait for TIVO and Slingbox to land at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Ugly Betty, Ugly Betty! Move over, Desperate Housewives and Grey's Anatomy. And if you don’t know Ugly Betty - she's the American version of our very own...Bakekang.

I'm not a disciple of online gaming but Angel is. I have, however, a Second Life membership. My avatar looks hideous. Virtual economies are probably going to be a hit here soon but I really wouldn't know. After trying to get a peco-peco on Ragnarok, my brain cells just died. The Priest could not bring it back to life.

Nanotechnology? What the hell is that?!

Senior Services

For once, the United States is behind us. Non-medical home care for senior citizens via what they quaintly refer to as "pre-assisted living." In Tagalog, yaya. Sus. Yaya lang pala, e. Pinaganda pa. Filipinos have always had yayas. Who cares if they can't afford food? We can schedule food later like...you know, when we're dying of hunger. But, a yaya is vital to our existence. End of discussion. This pre-assisted living thing? Spell bankruptcy.

Kids Businesses

Definitely, tutoring. My wallet can attest to that. I am happy to report, though, that the hunt for Angel's statistics tutor ended last August. And not just tutoring for kids. Compared to their Southeast Asian brothers, Filipinos have a good command of English. There is a high demand for English tutors especially from Koreans living here. After hearing JS Min speak, I cannot help but agree. The man gave me migraine.

Check out the rest of the list. Who knows? You might find something there that I didn't see.

Labels: business trends, Entrepreneur

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