Pinoy science diplomat inducted into UK’s The Royal Society of Arts

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The renowned Filipino scientist Glenn Banaguas has just been inducted into the prestigious The Royal Society of Arts (RSA), also known as The Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, becoming the first science diplomat from the Philippines to become a Fellow alongside historical luminaries such as Nobel Prize laureates Nelson Mandela and Marie Curie, astrophysicist Stephen Hawking, the inventor of the World Wide Web, Sir Tim Berners-Lee, and one of the United States Founding Fathers and US Declaration of Independence signer Benjamin Franklin.

“Our vision is a world that is resilient, rebalanced and regenerative,” the RSA said in its official communication to Banaguas. “It is people like you who make our work possible. We believe that by bringing you and your expertise, we can transform the world's economic, social and environmental systems,” they added.

Founded in 1754 by English social reformist and inventor William Shipley, the RSA was granted a Royal Charter in 1847 and the right to use the term "Royal" in its name by King Edward VII in 1908. Members of the society became known as "Fellows" from 1914 onwards. The RSA's Patron was Elizabeth II and its president is The Princess Royal, who replaced her father, The Duke of Edinburgh, in 2011. Its Chairman is Tim Eyles, and its Chief Executive since September 2021 is former Bank of England Chief Economist Andy Haldane.

“My heart is filled with gratefulness for this gift. I am deeply humbled to walk in the shadow of such great minds,” Banaguas said upon news of his Fellowship. “I hope to be able to contribute even just a fraction of what they have given to the world.”

“I pray that this service will amplify the spirit of peace and reconciliation. And I also hope that the atmosphere of positivity will create the power of compassion among nations,” he added.

Banaguas is a distinguished scientist and science diplomat, and one of Asia’s leading experts in environment, climate change, and disaster risk. He is the Chairman of the ASEAN Science Diplomats and the US-ASEAN Fellows for Science and Technology, and the Climate Diplomat of the EU-Asia Expert Panel for Climate Diplomacy and Environmental Security. He is also Lee Kuan Yew Senior Fellow in Public Service in Singapore and an Executive Fellow of the Geneva Centre for Security Policy in Switzerland. He is the first Filipino recipient of the prestigious United Nations (UN) Sasakawa Laureate for Disaster Risk Reduction and The Outstanding Filipino (TOFIL) Laureate for Environmental Conservation and Science Diplomacy as well as the Sustainability Leadership Honoree of the Asia Leaders Award.

Ways to Set Your Business Up for Success in 2023

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Considerably if starting a business is difficult, successfully running one is even harder. Businesses must adjust to the unpredictability of economic and technological developments if they want to stay competitive. Entrepreneurs need to start planning for 2023 as we enter it and set up their companies for success. If you want to learn more about these things, here are some of the most important strategies to help you get your company ready for 2023.

 
Create a clear and concise business plan

For your firm to be successful, you must write a clear and comprehensive business plan. It offers a road map for your company, outlining your objectives, target market, and success-oriented techniques. In order to help you make wise decisions, a well-defined business plan also contains thorough research of your industry, competitors, and market trends. Your company strategy should be adaptable so that you may adjust it to market developments and change your methods as necessary. Regular evaluation and updating are necessary to keep your business plan current and in line with your company's goals.

 
Embrace technological advancements

Embracing technological advancements is crucial for businesses to stay ahead of their competition. You can use different technological tools to streamline your business processes, improve communication, and enhance customer experience. For instance, cloud-based software can help you manage your business operations efficiently, while AI-powered chatbots can handle customer queries, saving time and resources. Social media platforms can help you engage with your customers and build brand awareness. Investing in technology can also help you reduce costs and improve productivity, making your business more efficient and competitive.

 
Focus on customer experience

For businesses to keep ahead of their rivals, embracing technology improvements is essential. To improve communication, customer experience, and corporate processes, you can employ a variety of technical tools. For instance, AI-powered chatbots may answer client inquiries, saving time and money, while cloud-based software can assist you in managing your business operations effectively. Social media platforms can aid in client engagement and brand recognition development. Investing in technology can also help you lower expenses and increase productivity, increasing the effectiveness and competitiveness of your company.

 
Build a solid online presence

In the current digital era, having a good online presence is crucial for businesses. Your website, social media accounts, online reviews, and other digital channels all contribute to your online visibility. Create a user-friendly website that is search engine optimized so that your company shows up on the first page of search results in order to have a strong online presence. On social media, you may also produce and distribute interesting material that will entice users to follow and interact with your business. Additionally, you can encourage your clients to post favorable reviews about you on other websites, which can raise your authority and visibility online.

 
Manage your finances

To make sure you stick to your spending limit and refrain from going overboard, managing your money is crucial while traveling. A travel wallet or money belt can help you keep your cash, credit cards, and other valuables secure while you're on the go, making it a great travel item in this sense. It's also crucial to let your bank and credit card provider know you'll be traveling so they won't mark your transactions as suspicious. A credit card with no international transaction fees might also be something you want to think about having since these costs can quickly mount up when you travel abroad. You should also make sure that all your suppliers and collaborators are happy and satisfied, which is why you need to find a financial solution that’s going to give you a chance to pay them all on time. For instance, you can look into the practical Trade Finance solution to help you pay your suppliers whenever you need to, without forcing them to wait. This way, you’ll show them how much you appreciate them and they’ll help your company grow in the future as well.

 
Invest in marketing and advertising

In order to draw in new clients and raise brand awareness, marketing, and advertising are essential. To reach your target audience, you can invest in various marketing tactics including SEO, PPC, email marketing, and content marketing. It's crucial to set aside money for marketing on numerous traditional and digital platforms, including radio, television, print, and social media. You may assess the success of your marketing initiatives using data analytics and make any necessary adjustments. An effective marketing and advertising strategy can provide you with a competitive advantage, bring in more clients, and boost your market share.

 
Build a strong team

The success of your company depends on the strength of your workforce. Your staff is the foundation of your company, so it's essential that you choose capable, capable people who share your vision and values. Maintaining the skills and knowledge of your team while keeping them informed of the most recent market developments and industry best practices is also crucial. If you are, for example, opening a real estate business, make sure to find the best realtors in order to have a strong team on your side. You can enhance productivity, provide better customer service, and streamline your business processes with the aid of a competent team. In order to keep your staff engaged and motivated, it's critical to cultivate a healthy workplace culture that promotes cooperation, innovation, and creativity.

 
Stay ahead of your competition

For your firm to succeed, you must stay one step ahead of your rivals. You must be informed of the tactics, advantages, and disadvantages of your rivals in order to adjust your business. Regular market research can give you a competitive edge by assisting you in identifying new trends and modifications in consumer behavior. By including special features, better quality, or greater value, you can further distinguish your goods or services from competitors. Because devoted consumers are less likely to switch to a rival, maintaining a great relationship with your customers can also help you remain ahead of the competition. Continually developing and enhancing your goods or services can also aid in keeping you at the forefront of the market.

A thorough and deliberate approach is needed to position your company for success in 2023. You may grow your market share, draw in more clients, and operate more efficiently by putting these methods into practice. Keep in mind that success is a journey and that long-term sustainability depends on ongoing innovation and development. Your company can prosper in the years to come with the appropriate strategy and attitude.

Filipina scientist-entrepreneur bags international awards

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Filipina scientist and entrepreneur Dr. Jen Elmaco has just been feted by the Global Women Inventors and Innovators Network (GlobalWIN), which recently bestowed on her the Global Exemplary Education Double Gold Award and the Global Exemplary Innovative Leadership Diamond Award.

Based out of the UK, GlobalWIN shines an international spotlight on brilliance, creativity, and innovation by and for women. Awardees are known for their tenacity, determination to succeed, commitment, and extraordinary potential. Their positive influence is something worth spreading and transcending borders, s contributing to the world’s overall quality of life and our shared future.

Also, as the official partner of the Royal Society for the Encouragement of the Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce (RSA), GlobalWIIN endorsed Dr. Elmaco for induction into the latter's prestigious and elite Fellowship. Aside from Dr. Elmaco, the RSA also counts among its ranks Alexander Graham Bell, who was inducted in 1902 for the invention of the telephone; Marie Curie in 1910 for the discovery of radium; and Stephen Hawking in 1999 for improving public awareness of physics, and the first Filipino science diplomat Glenn Banaguas for his Climate Smart Philippines: Science for Service program.

Dr. Elmaco is the Regional Coordinator of EURAXESS - an EU Commission initiative for research and innovation. She is Chair of the Marie Curie Alumni Association in Southeast Asia. She also sits on the Board of the Young Environmental Journalists. Her passion project, Girls Congress, aims to equip the next generation of female leadership in the Philippines.