Tag: robbie antonio

by Robbie Antonio

PHILIPPINE architecture is in the eye of a storm of disruption, driven by architects
whose modern techniques are greatly influenced by a highly globalized culture and
environmental consciousness.

These are the Generation Z, aged 10 to 25; and Generation Y or the millennials, aged 25 to 40.

They are joining the workforce at a time when the industry is facing a myriad of
challenges from climate change to unaffordable housing.

Their generation values civic-mindedness and doing noble work that makes a
difference, as many young architects feel that the current system of designing the built environment does not adequately address their social and economic needs.

This group prioritizes practicality and is focused on finding their social purpose, as
influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic downturn.

The pandemic’s mobility restrictions also drove the ongoing shift in urban design and architecture, which have redefined how people interact and use space.

Global culture

As digital natives, these young Filipino architects do not just master computer-aided design software easily, but they also instinctively turn to the web to look for answers — watching online tutorials and discussing in chat rooms with their peers from all over the world.

Instead of seeking authority figures in education, they prefer just-in-time and peer-to- peer learning in this 24/7 culture.

They function well in collaborative settings such as in design studios, with team-
centeredness being a millennial trademark.

They also enjoy the camaraderie and joint efforts in site models in architecture.

Generations Y and Z have embraced the sharing economy, which may shape the future of architecture and urban planning.

Aside from shared living and co-working, this model also bred a new system of short- term habitation that responds to the needs of mobile citizens and digital nomads.

This generation’s reliance on digital tools resulted in data-driven design practices, such as in planning smart cities, eco buildings, and intelligent mobility.

Sustainability

This generation of Filipino architects is distinct due to their even more heightened
environmental consciousness, which bodes well for the country as it is constantly
ravaged by natural disasters.

Architecture is playing a crucial role not just in shaping our physical world, but also in solving these pressing environmental challenges, not only in ensuring our structures’ ability to remain resilient to calamities but also in designing form and function that significantly reduce our carbon footprint.

A key to this is studying structures from the past that remain resistant to floods and earthquakes until now, which is a testament to their sustainability.

The lessons gleaned from them can be applied when modeling the structural behavior of real buildings when subjected to these hazards.

At a time of numerous challenges from rapid population growth, dense cities, and
climate change, it is laudable that this new breed of architects is rising to the challenge.

They are exerting efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of our civilization and adopting eco-friendly innovations such as alternative energy sources.

Aside from adaptive reuse, they are also conscious of material sourcing and sustainability.

Industry stakeholders must be aware of the great disruption that lies ahead, and
position themselves to take advantage of the changes and opportunities it will bring.

I believe that if their generational characteristics are harnessed, this new breed of
architects have the capacity to transform the industry and allow Philippine design and structures to be more influential in the international arena, and in the evolving human civilization indeed.

by Robbie Antonio

INSTEAD of casting a wide net towards a mass audience, solopreneurs have benefited from focusing on a specific niche — by identifying a gap in the market, becoming an expert in that, and offering a unique product.

So as the year draws to a close, let us take a look at niche products that trended and see how they appealed to the small and specialized segments of a market that is also now dominated by the values, choices and purchasing power of Generations Y and Z.

Remote work essentials

The younger generation prefers flexible work arrangements, leading to the boom of the gig economy and digital nomads: from influencers, web designers, and virtual assistants, to content writers, online English teachers, and digital event planners.

This resulted in growing demand for tools that help improve remote workers’ productivity, such as home office equipment, ergonomic desks and chairs, laptop stands, and video conferencing accessories like clip-on webcams, lighting kits, and noise-cancelling headphones.

This also spurred unexpected innovations for products that increase comfort and convenience: portable briefcase workstations, tech bags and electronics organizers, home office clothing, as well as armrests and footrests.

The hospitality and tourism sectors benefited from this trend, with the popularity of aesthetic coffee shops, as well as rentals in Airbnbs with co-working spaces that cater specifically to digital nomads from all over the world.

The rise of influencer commerce also gave birth to an industry focused on content creation and reputation management, opening opportunities in social media marketing, aerial and drone photography, video editing, blogging, and podcasting. 

Since digital nomadism is possible anywhere with internet connection, this market should continue growing amid the development of 5G networks worldwide.

Sustainable products

Studies show that Generations Y and Z are not only more environmentally conscious, they are demanding the same from the companies that they patronize and sustainability affects their purchasing decisions.

To capitalize on this trend, many startups are positioning themselves as champions of the environment and are highlighting how their processes and products are good for the earth. 

These include small steps like using natural or recyclable materials and adopting sustainable programs within their organizations. 

Eco-friendly merchandise items are also gaining momentum, from metal straws, bamboo toothbrushes, and biodegradable dental floss, to reusable feminine products, eco-friendly kitchen tools, and recyclable shopping bags. 

On a larger scale, this includes big-ticket items such as electric vehicles and solar panels.

Companies said they plan to invest more on these initiatives so this niche should continue gaining widespread adoption moving forward.

Pet products

Several studies show that the younger generation has been waiting longer to marry and delaying having children, with many opting to become “fur parents” instead. More people also adopted pets during the pandemic to ward off the lockdown blues.

Generations Y and Z have become the largest segment of pet owners and are spending more on them since the pandemic. Pet products have become consistent purchases, particularly food with new flavors, vitamins and supplements, treats, and interactive toys.

Eventually, the market further grew with unique offerings such as orthopedic beds for dogs, pee pads, and black light pet urine detector, as well as pet feeders and automatic water dispensers, grooming kits, and customized collars.

Fitness

For generations Y and Z, strong is the new sexy. 

Home gym equipment rose in popularity, driving online purchases of weights, rowing machines, and stationary bikes. 

Workout attire or “athleisure” became commonplace, alongside a growing demand for fitness accessories such as trendy tumblers, abdominal toning belts, smartwatches, and fitness trackers.

These examples show that finding your niche may help your business stand out from competition amid the millions of stores available online. By targeting a specific audience and product line, you can reduce your marketing expenses, optimize your warehouse space, and control inventory storage costs.

by Robbie Antonio

THE PANDEMIC has become a purification process for businesses, giving birth to many startups amid the death of certain industries and failing companies.

It weeded out those that failed to keep up with the rapidly changing landscape, while giving rise to entrepreneurs with out-of-the box thinking in solving society’s problems. 

Entrepreneurs in this era are joining a digital revolution, which drastically changed consumer behavior and enabled new economic activities. 

What has changed?

Market transactions switched from offline to online. Industries that used to depend on physical proximity shifted to the digital realm.

For example, companies are redeploying their sales teams to online calls instead of personal client meetings, and real estate brokers are now offering virtual tours of properties instead of the traditional site visits. 

Households are getting more reliant on online shopping and deliveries, with cash payments increasingly becoming contactless transactions. 

This has opened a broader market for buyers and sellers, one that is not constrained by geographical distance and other logistical hurdles.

More companies are allowing their employees to work remotely, launching the gig economy and merging labor forces from different countries into one global ecosystem.

This highly volatile and uncertain environment pushed many small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to the brink of failure, or to permanently shut down and exit the playing field – while others demonstrated resilience and adapted their operations to the evolving landscape.

And some not only coped with the disaster — but even thrived. There are agile startups that are able to take advantage of their entrepreneurial skills, build upon their experiences from the pandemic, and find opportunities in the crisis. 

So, what explains the stark contrast between these businesses?

In the past, the key obstacle to SMEs’ survival was the lack of resources. Now, it is the lack of digital presence.

Best practices for establishing your presence in the new frontier

With changing consumer demand and preferences, businesses are under immense pressure — coming from both internal and external sources — to have an omni-channel presence and to establish a digital strategy.

Entrepreneurs should explore all digital tools available, such as social media, search engine optimization, email marketing, and associated mobile applications — and decide which ones fit well with their digital roadmap.

Since online shopping may be viewed as automated, impersonal, and lacking in human warmth, companies should focus on interactions that nurture relationships with their customers. 

For reputation management, assess what potential clients will find if they search for you online. Will they see positive customer feedback or dissatisfied comments? 

Do not ignore negative reviews, no matter how unfair they seem. 

Always keep in mind that what consumers say has more impact than what you say about your own brand. The public trusts third-party information more than the company itself.

Take advantage of big data to improve your operations and get to know consumers’ needs better to predict their future behavior and introduce innovations. 

Since all these digital transactions leave a trail, these create a wealth of real-time data at reduced costs. 

These should allow businesses to review previous transactions, make their production process leaner and more efficient, and to come up with complementary products. 

A digitally- enabled firm takes advantage of business intelligence to measure the effectiveness of digital campaigns, as well as in choosing the appropriate key performance indicators to gauge returns on digital investments.

Lastly, big data also enables firms to engage in more meaningful communication with stakeholders and to become more competitive.

Hopefully, these points will empower SMEs not just to survive in this post-pandemic world, but to also play a vital role in accelerating economic recovery coming off the crisis.