CCCI: Innovation key to business success

CEBU, Philippines - In its aim to strengthen local businesses to be more globally competitive, the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) believes that innovation plays a vital role for companies to stay in the game.

With its theme “Competitive Advantage through Innovation,” the Cebu Business Month 2012 Expo was intended to develop new business opportunities through innovation and enterprise.

CBM 2012 Expo chairman Francis Dy said in an interview that a company should innovate its products and services in order to stay competitive.

“Basically, the business world is very competitive. We need to innovate. Without innovation, we will be left behind. Our theme says a straightforward idea on the survival of a business in the competitive world,” he said.

He noted that innovations could be applied in various sectors of a certain company which includes the marketing or finance department.

He further said that the three-day exposition was participated by different exhibitors and stakeholders from a cross-section of industries, intended to establish networking, meet new prospective customers and promote synergies among businesses.

 “They were happy because they were able to gain inputs with co-exhibitors as well with customers. They are not just there to showcase and sell their products and services but also to show their innovations. As long as you can exhibit your innovation then this expo is fit for you,” he added.

Meanwhile, Systemat-PackEDGE Director Lito Bunag said that the company which is a first-time participant of the CBM Expo believes that innovation is needed for higher productivity in a dynamic industry.

Systemat-PackEDGE has over 40 years of experience in the fields of graphic design, brand management, and packaging development. 

Considering Cebu as an interactive hub and biggest market in Visayas, he said that successful companies and various brands started in the province which makes the Queen City of the South a premier city outside Manila.

However, he noted that there are some businesses that need technical assistance in order to sustain their industries due to insufficient and substandard packaging.

“Packaging is one industry that is almost in all industries. It is vital to a province like Cebu that has many products. Packaging itself is innovative. Innovate the product, the process and the packaging. Innovation gives you the “edge”. If you innovate, you’re the best,” he stated.

On the other hand, Security and Systems Monitoring Inc. General Manager Leonardo Sylianco Jr. said that the company decided to join the expo for the 6th time to raise awareness on the significance of alarm systems.

He added that the public consciousness on security systems could just be estimated to less than 2%.

“Filipinos don’t see the value of alarm systems compared to first world countries. A lot of people don’t know so we have to educate the market. In this expo, we really don’t sell our products and services but more to raise awareness and education for having safer homes and peace of mind,” he stated.

He noted that alarm systems are mainly intended to save life and detect burglary for home security while helping the authorities and the fire department at the same time.

As one of the exhibitors, Sylianco further said that the company also features its innovation such as the integration of video camera and alarm system which is called the video alarm verification and the fire suppression system for commercial cooking applications.

“In whatever business you are in, you should innovate by using the technology abroad and know how to suit it to the local conditions,” he added.

SSMI has 16 years of experience in the industry, monitoring more than 3500 accounts nationwide and 1008 clients in Cebu

The CBM 2012 expo has a total number of 66 exhibitors with approximately 800 registered walk-in guests from June 15 to 17 at SM City Cebu Trade Hall.

—(FREEMAN)