Christmas Beyond Commodities: How Entrepreneurs Can Promote Meaningful Gift Giving

by Robbie Antonio

IN MODERN capitalist societies, Christmas shopping and gift giving has turned into a dreadful labor of love — a commercialized and exhausting retail frenzy.

Sad because throughout history, this symbolic exchange ritual has been crucial in developing relationships and in shaping social, economic, and moral aspects of human society across diverse cultures.

To rekindle the fundamental spirit of the Season of Giving — marked with goodwill, generosity, and altruism — we must go back to the most cherished elements of gift-giving rituals: personalization, thoughtful exchange, exciting unwrapping, and expression of gratitude.

Personalized approaches to touch hearts and minds

Christmas is a season for home and family, and exchanging gifts with family members usually involves more intense affection and sentiment.

But for these close relationships where it’s the thought that counts, material objects may come across as cold and impersonal commodities, purchased with money in crowded stores, and not given out of love and affection.

This could be why there is immense growth potential in the market for personalized gifts, or items with the name, photo, or caricature of the recipient. 

The potential products are limitless: mugs and tumblers, purses, pens and notepads, cell phone cases, stickers and keychains, as well as home decor and jewelry.

For friends, personal concern can be conveyed through trendy kits promoting mental health and self-love. 

For example, healing or self-care packages with essential oils, relaxing tea, fuzzy socks, bath essentials, eco-friendly toothbrushes, and face masks. These are usually presented with motivational labels, words of affirmation, and personalized notes.

Classy Christmas for the corporate world

Moving beyond the family and personal relationships, we see the practical function of gifts at work and in business. 

This can range from corporate Christmas tokens and gift giving at office parties, from student to teacher, from patient to doctor, and to those who provide services such as delivery men and door attendants, in recognition of good service.

In these settings, Christmas gifts may represent more than their economic value. They can also signify hierarchy, position, and intent.

Gifts have a social value in connecting with business partners, and it is essential for companies to understand this to effectively manage their reputation and the signals they send to their business network.

Trendy gift sets for work associates include bundles of whisky and flask, wine with bottle openers, tea leaves with automatic heating pots, or coffee beans with French press and mugs. 

When packaged in luxurious wooden boxes, they highlight the element of delightful unveiling, as one unspoken rule about Christmas gifts is that they must be wrapped before they are presented.

This adds to the surprise factor and the anticipation of unwrapping, which also drives demand in a submarket catering to aesthetic packaging. 

For example, a famous stationery company set up an online shop that offers customized gift wrapping, with materials specifically tailored to the giver’s requests.

Digital platforms for thoughtful exchanges

The internet has reduced physical barriers in gifting, facilitating virtual exchange regardless of time and distance. These include subscriptions to streaming services, gift cards for fun experiences and online classes, and food and wine delivery vouchers.

But in replacing the physical exchange , entrepreneurs who want to foray into the digital gifting market may do well to address the rituals of gift giving, such as the unveiling part, as surprise plays a key role in gift exchange.

Digital entrepreneurs must also consider other elements such as the effort exerted in preparation, thoughtful exchange, unexpected receipt, and expression of immediate gratitude — and provide online platforms for such interactions, including the ability to share these experiences on social media channels.

Generations Y & Z: The New Breed Of Filipino Architects

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.

What’s In For Gen Y and Gen Z: Niche Market Trends in 2022

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.

An Entrepreneur’s Guide To Treading The Post-Pandemic Market

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. 

Court Dismisses All Complaints Against Revolution Precrafted

by Globe News Wire

Following complaints stemming from unavoidable complications brought on by the global pandemic in early 2020, the Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) first cleared Revolution Precrafted and its CEO Robbie Antonio of any wrongdoing in November 2021. Now, the noted real estate businessman and his company have scored yet another legal victory as the Makati RTC Office of the Prosecutor once again dismissed the second, and only remaining case on April 7, 2022. The court declared both cases as unfounded.

Cited in its resolution (NPS no. XV-05-INV-21J-1918), the court determined that “there is no evidence to support a complaint for syndicated estafa or violation of P.D. 1689,’’ and neither was there evidence to conclude that “Revolution, through respondents as officers and directors, committed or performed acts of defraudation and misappropriation.”

“Of course, there is a sense of vindication as the court’s decision supports the fact that we have always honored our legitimate commitments to all connected business parties,” Antonio said. “While this was just an unfortunate and unavoidable situation, we are happy to have sorted out all issues and now turn our focus to exciting developments ahead. With the world slowly beginning to return to normal, we are in the process of studying our operations, and considering plans to explore all-new areas with Revolution Precrafted.”

Founded by Robbie Antonio in 2015, Revolution Precrafted is a collaboration of almost one hundred of the world’s foremost creatives in architecture, art, and design which produces a full suite of limited-edition precrafted living spaces, adaptive amenity spaces, pavilions.

Robbie Antonio Partners with And Studio to Release Series of NFT Designs

Tech entrepreneur and CEO of Revolution Precrafted Robbie Antonio today announced a joint venture with international architecture firm And Studio in the release of limited edition NFT offerings. The NFT series will feature a wide variety of inspired renderings, including exclusive designs from And Studio contributed to the portfolio of home structures available through Revolution Precrafted.

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Real Estate Entrepreneur Robbie Antonio Announces New Spec Home Developments Planned for Connecticut Markets

Real estate businessman Robbie Antonio today unveiled his upcoming plans for spec home development projects throughout popular housing markets of Connecticut, USA. Tapping into the massive shifts in market trends, the spec home projects are set to develop within areas that have recently experienced significant interest from new movers seeking move-in-ready homes.

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Lazada Holds Biggest Online Shopping Sale Yet On Its 7th Year

by Luigi, Pinoy Tech Blog

Lazada is celebrating its 7th birthday on March 27 and it’s  giving customers plenty of reasons to shop on Lazada, starting with jaw dropping discounts up to 90% off.

Some amazing deals from Lazada’s brand partners that are up for grabs are:

  • Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink Un-Nude Liquid Lipstick at P193.
  • Abbott Ensure Gold Vanilla 1200g (Bundle of 6) at P9,702.
  • Kamiliant Waikiki 3P Set – Raspberry Red at P8,299.
  • Honor Play Smartphone at P13,290.
  • Pampers Baby Dry New Born Taped Diapers 40 pcs x 4 pack (160pcs) at P594.

Major partners are also joining the shopping party with the following offers:

  • Shop with your BDO Visa card and get up to P5,000 off on LazMall gadgets.
  • Pay with GCash and PayMaya for instant discounts on quick purchases.
  • Be the first in the country to purchase real estate online! Revolution Precrafted and Robinsons Land will be giving their reservation fees at 50% off on March 27 only.
  • Get a chance to win travel packages care of Sunlife.
  • Win yourself a discount voucher when you play Lazada’s very own Facebook game called Over Easy: Laz Edition.
  • Get a free Shakey’s pizza when you shop on March 27.
  • Don’t forget to download the Lazada 7th Birthday Sticker pack on Viber.

Lazada is also blending shopping and entertainment, ushering in a new era of ‘shoppertainment’. Get additional discounts and attractive vouchers when you play LazGame, pop as many balloons as you can with Popping Balloons, blast all the cakes and fun gifts with Birthday Blast, and slash your way to the top with Fruit Slash. Earn cupcake points with every game and exchange these for your favorite brand vouchers.

On March 26, there’s an in-app livestreaming of the “Super Party” concert. Grammy and Brit Awards winner and British popstar Dua Lipa shares the stage with some of Southeast Asia’s brightest stars, including the Philippines’ Nadine Lustre, Sam Concepcion, and Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach.