Not much money in doing extra work

When she returns this weekend from Las Vegas, Philippine Franchising Association president Alegria Sibal Limjoco will be able to attach CFE (short for certified franchising executive) after her name. Ditto for Ricardo Mercado, a director of Red Ribbon Food Corp.

This simply means that Ms. Limjoco and Ricky Mercado – the first Filipino CFEs – can now charge foreigners the earth for their consulting services.

It look Ms. Limjoco close to two years to earn the 3,500 points needed to complete the doctorate-equivalent program of the US-based Institute for Certified Franchising Executives. Some of those points were earned with actual franchising experience and work done in promoting the franchising concept in the Philippines.

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Did you know 1: Perfect Solution Trading president Antonio Galvez is the same Tony Galvez who owns and operates an upscale hair salon and a school which offers an associate degree in cosmetology.

Perfect Solution is a trading company that basically imports Japanese hair products, which Mr. Galvez believes is best suited to Filipina hair.

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Did you know 2: The margin in the food business averages at 10 percent to 15 percent while the margin in services is a higher 30 percent. Then again, the food turnover or sales is faster than services.

As part of a reorganization initiated by Trade Secretary Cesar Purisima, Bureau for Small and Medium Enterprises director Rhodora Leano will concentrate on SME advocacy and will transfer the running of the annual national trade fair to the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions.

While consolidating both local and international fairs (to promote Philippine-made products) seems logical, CITEM isn’t exactly happy about the additional assignment.

Aside from the extra work and that not much extra money to get the work done, CITEM hasn’t had an executive officer for close to a year. Running the show as officer-in-charge is deputy executive director Lita Madulid.

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Bank notes 1: When Luzon Development Bank chairman Felix Limcaoco Jr. retired, it wasn’t his namesake, venture capita-list Felix Limcaoco III, who took over the job but another son, Teodoro Limcaoco.

As everybody knows, Bingo Limcaoco runs the family’s chain of car dealerships. TJ Limcaoco is one of those hotshots that Aya-la Corp. president Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala II likes to surround himself with.

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Bank notes 2: Manila Banking Corp. president Benjamin Yambao likes to report for work by 7:30 in the morning so he can get some of the paperwork done before the corporate day begins and he has to meet both his senior staff and important clients.

Well, Ben Yambao is till going to report early for work today before heading for the annual convention of the Chamber of Thrift Banks. You see, Mr. Yambao is this year’s convention chairman.