Crisis or not: Cash Management Services help business thrive during pandemic

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) serve as the lifeblood of the economy. Thus, support for these enterprises is essential to keep the economy going.

One of these businesses is that of Alex Ong, who operates Transorient Container Terminal Services (TCTS), a customs bonded warehouse, and trucking service. Essentially, TCTS acts as an extension of port storage services outside of the ports themselves.

Mr. Alex Ong, who owns Transorient Container Terminal Services (TCTS), said BDO’s cash management services allowed his company to continue its operations despite quarantines. 

Knowing how valuable it is to ensure smooth and speedy operations, Alex applied for BDO Unibank’s Cash Management Services’ (CMS) suite of offerings, including SME Business Online Banking.  This helped TCTS run smoothly and continue operations despite the disruptions caused by movement restrictions and social distancing regulations, resulting from the pandemic.

Essential business partners

Ong points out that during a crisis, like what happened when the pandemic hit and the government was forced to declare an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), it is vital for essential businesses to work together.   In the case of TCTS, the help it got from BDO allowed the company to continue its operations.

Ong said that he was very concerned about their messengers who still had to go to banks and other premises to collect or deliver checks so he instructed his staff to shift to online transactions.

Employees of TCTS observe healthy and safety protocols to ease the spread of COVID-19. 

His next dilemma was how to continue operating as close to normal as possible. According to Ong, BDO’s cash management services allowed him to resolve both the issue of safety and business continuity, as his company was able to make payments to shipping lines, port management companies, suppliers, and other billers using BDO's e-payment facility.

TCTS warehouse in Sta. Ana, Manila

"ICTSI made it mandatory for clients to pay online. So it's good that we already have the SME Business Online Banking facility of BDO," Ong explained. Soon, he hopes to activate the online collection facility so that TCTS would be able to collect payments online as well, from their consignees.

Relying on CMS

Cash Management Services involves managing the flow of funds in an organization or business. Every business has collection and payment needs which if not managed may cause funds to be misplaced, lost, or untracked.

A CMS provider becomes a key partner in terms of assistance in the management, tracking, and reporting of funds so he can focus on running the business.

In the case of Alex Ong, it was easier for them to adapt to BDO’s cash management services because they were already transacting online with the port management companies. TCTS is a good example of how openness to change, new technologies, and new processes can benefit a business.  It also shows that having the right bank partner helped them thrive during a crisis. 

For more information on BDO’s Cash Management System, call (632) 88407500; email cms-sme@bdo.com.ph; or visit www.bdo.com.ph. 

FEATURED STORY: Pampanga's Best owner on how to balance life and work during these challenging times

The new normal posed even more challenges to people we rely on: parents and bosses. Denise Alelis, third-generation owner of Pampanga’s Best can relate.

Helping mommies balance life and work during challenging times

Denise Alelis helps run a family business that’s a half-century old: Pampanga’s Best, arguably the most recognized brand when it comes to tocino (salty-sweet cured meat), a favorite Filipino dish. While running and sustaining a business has become quite difficult during the pandemic with all the community quarantines, times are especially challenging for mom-entrepreneurs like Denise.

According to her, months of living in the so-called new normal have been stressful because of multiple challenges and concerns that she has to face daily.

Her greatest challenge during the pandemic is the community quarantine. For 53 years, their business depended on transacting with various dealers in cities and provinces all over the Philippines and nearly all of these transactions were done face-to-face, with payments made in cash.  Their customers would also go to supermarkets to buy their favorite tocino. 

The lockdowns and quarantines, however, made it very difficult for their sales agents to travel to dealers. Even customers were unable to go to the supermarket to buy Pampanga’s Best products. Dealers had difficulty making payments in cash because of travel restrictions.

The obvious solution was to shift as many transactions as possible to online but it was not that easy. “There were dealers who did not welcome this shift right away, like our dealers in the palengke.  They were saying that they didn’t have any mobile banking or that they didn’t know how to use it. We were able to solve that by giving them training. There was a learning curve that we had to hurdle.”

Online selling meant that payments would have to be made online as well.  This meant shifting more of these transactions to mobile banking.

“We had an incident during the start of the ECQ where one of our sales agents was unable to trace a cash payment made by one of our dealers. Hindi namin mahanap yung deposit slip ng payment. So, after that we decided to shift all payments online through mobile banking because they can be monitored and tracked more easily,” she said.

Shifting transactions online began as a response to pandemic restrictions but it turned into an opportunity, eventually.

“It was actually during ECQ that we posted our highest sales. By going through these online channels and transactions, we were able to sell more products,” she said.

According to Denise, she and her team have become more dependent on the mobile banking services by BDO.  For their employees, they now get their salaries through cash debit cards.

“Before the pandemic, I had to go to the office to release our employees’ salaries. Now everything is released through their cash debit cards. Going cashless limits face-to-face contact so that helps prevent transmission of disease: we’re not holding on to cash that could be contaminated and we’re preventing close-in physical contact as well.”

Denise has been with her branch for years. She opened her first savings account when she worked at her first job (before she joined the family business). She appreciates how her bank is helping her cope with the challenges of the pandemic because it spares her from a lot of stress and anxiety. 

“Even though we’re in the middle of a public health crisis, my bank has always been there for me; very reliable and dependable during these challenging times,” she said.

BDO continues to provide products and services that help mompreneurs like Denise get the relief, ease, and convenience they deserve so that they more easily attain work-life balance. For more information on how BDO can help keep your business running in good or bad times, visit www.bdo.com.ph/keepbusinessmoving

You may check the different BDO products and services that have helped mompreneurs like Denise.

BDO Cash Card – https://www.bdo.com.ph/accounts/cash-card BDO Credit Cards – https://www.bdo.com.ph/personal/credit-cards BDO SME Loan – https://www.bdo.com.ph/loans/sme-loan BDO Digital Banking - https://www.bdo.com.ph/mobile/personal/ebanking BDO Savings or Checking Accounts - https://www.bdo.com.ph/personal/accounts Cash Management Services - https://www.bdo.com.ph/business/cash-management-services

Do you have your own story to share on how you were able to find ways in these challenging times? Click here to share your own story. 

We can now do bank transactions on a weekend as BDO Mall-based branches open on Saturdays

Given that not all bank transactions can be done online, banking on weekends has been very important for us since this is the only time we can actually visit our branch. This also a common predicament of those who have an 8-5 job Mondays to Fridays since most banks are all already closed by the time they get off from work. 

I remember that there were some instances where I had to skip lunch just to go to my old bank. Thus, we are happy to share that the mall-based branches of BDO are now open on Saturdays. 

This is in line with the bank's move to open all branches nationwide to aid in the gradual economic recovery. BDO Unibank Inc. has re-opened its mall-based branches for Saturday banking until 4:00pm, since December 5. 

In the photo is the BDO branch inside SM Mall of Asia A. 

About BDO Unibank, Inc.

BDO is a full-service universal bank, which provides a wide range of corporate and retail banking services.  These services include traditional loan and deposit products, as well as treasury, trust banking, investment banking, private banking, rural banking, cash management, leasing and finance, remittance, insurance, retail cash cards and credit card services.  

BDO has the country’s largest distribution network, with over 1,400 consolidated operating branches and more than 4,400 ATMs nationwide.  It also has full-service branches in Hong Kong and Singapore as well as 15 overseas remittance and representative offices in Asia, Europe, North America, and the Middle East.

BDO ranked as the largest bank in terms of total assets, loans, deposits, and trust funds under management based on published statements of condition as of March 31, 2020. For more information, please visit www.bdo.com.ph. 

Gift Your Loved Ones this Holiday Season with UNIQLO’s 12.12 Special Offers

Can't help but excited after learning that our favorite brand, UNIQLO is geared up to treat shoppers with 12.12 special offers, providing a one-stop-shop for holiday gifts for the whole family. Shoppers can find the best present for themselves or for their loved ones —LifeWear items, designed to fit anyone's everyday clothing needs.

Shoppers can enjoy the following deals online or in all stores nationwide. So, if you are just like me who's still doesn't want to go out to shop, shopping online is your best option as it is very convenient and easy. We were able to order twice already and had no problems at all. 

So, without further ado, here are some special 12.12 deals you shouldn't miss: 

• Women’s Wireless Bra - The Women’s Wireless Bra lineup features a molding cup design that contours and fits any shape and size of a woman’s body comfortably. The padding provides support and lays flat to the body creating a beautiful bust line. It is also constructed seamlessly making the bra invisible under the clothes. 

Offer: Php 990 from Php 1,290, exclusively available at UNIQLO Online Store from December 11 to 13.

• Kid’s and Girl’s Easy Shorts - Made with 100% cotton material, the Kid’s and Girl’s Easy Shorts give a cool and sleek feel. It also has an elastic waistband to make it comfortable and easy to move around when doing daily activities. 

 

Offer: Php 390 from Php 590, exclusively available at UNIQLO Online Store from December 11 to 13.

• Women’s Joy of Printed (JOP) Lounge Set - The Women’s Printed Lounge Set’s top is made out of breathable cotton material and its bottoms are made out of stretch jersey material. The geometric patterns make it wearable indoors and even outdoors. 

Offer: Php 790 from Php 990, exclusively available at UNIQLO Online Store from December 11 to 13.

• Men’s DRY-EX Designed Polo Shirt - The Men’s DRY-EX Designed Polo Shirt is made with DRY EX fabric that dries sweat or moisture quickly. It also features anti-microbial and anti-odor technology for a cool and fresh feel.

Offer: Php 790 from Php 990, exclusively available at UNIQLO Online Store from December 11 to 13.

As an additional treat, shoppers can also get a free medium-sized Eco-Friendly Bag when they shop online from December 11-13, either by using the Click and Collection delivery option or by purchasing a minimum spend of P5,000 (single receipt). 

For more updates, please visit UNIQLO Philippines’ website at www.uniqlo.com/ph and the UNIQLO App. You may download the UNIQLO App via Google Play Store or Apple Store.