Should I buy a condominium unit in the Philippines? What investment opportunities are there? What brands should I consider if I want to franchise? Is a condo unit a more sound investment than a house and lot? I’m planning to retire in a few years, how can I invest my hard-earned savings properly? When is the best time to invest?
If you or your friends have been asking any of these questions – either when you’re in a group having drinks or dinner or when you’re at home imagining about retiring comfortably in the Philippines – then you should attend the upcoming business forum at the Fiesta in America on August 13 and 14.
Prof. Eric Soriano, a National Agora Awardee for Excellence in Marketing Education by the Philippine Marketing Association, will hold a forum on business and franchising at this year’s Fiesta In America, which will celebrate its 18th anniversary on August 13 and 14 at the Meadowlands ExpoCenter in Secaucus, New Jersey.
The forum is designed for heads of family businesses and entrepreneurs on the lookout for investment opportunities in the homeland.
Prof. Soriano is returning to the east coast next month to conduct this forum, a follow up to the successful seminar and book launch he held at the Philippine Center last year.
There are plenty of franchising and business opportunities in the Philippines where overseas Filipinos can invest their hard-earned money, according to Prof. Soriano, who teaches business at the Ateneo Graduate School of Business and a business adviser to many corporations all over Southeast Asia.
“There is an opportunity for every budget,” Soriano said. “There are brands that are compelling and are worth every single penny that you invest.” He explained that his suggestions don’t include million dollar franchises like the top brands in the Philippine fastfood industry like Jollibee and McDonald’s.
He talked about affordable business opportunities with emerging brands starting at 500,000 peso investment (soft serve ice cream) with the maximum at five million pesos (convenience store).
“If you’re going to invest, invest on a brand, a franchise that has a great story and a powerful value. Check the company’s track record. As it is in franchising, caveat emptor, or let the buyer beware,” he explained. “A lot of scams happen everywhere. They tell you it’s a good franchise but you end up with just a kiosk. The key is look at the track record. ”
Soriano’s talk also focused on his experiences as an expert in real estate and family-owned businesses and his learnings while working with the country’s top taipans, including Andrew Tan, John Gokongwei, Lucio Tan and George Ty. He was a Vice President at Unilab/Greenfield Corporation at the age of 29, became the chairman of Eastwood City in 2000 when he was 32 and became the first president of Travelers International (Resorts World Manila) when he was 35.
Learn more about small businesses, franchising and other business and investment opportunities that abound in the Philippines today. Find out about the scams to avoid to make sure that you don’t gamble your life savings away.
