For the Filipino upwardly mobile, being an employee forever is not an option. Everyone wants to be his or her own boss – to control their own time, to dictate their own pace. As such, having a business can be considered as the pinnacle of one’s career.

Locally, franchising has been one of the most popular ways to engage in business. "A franchise is a high ticket item," says Philippine Seven Corporation (PSC) Business development Manager Francis Medina. "A franchise gives the entrepreneur a higher chance of success in his venture by partnering with a well established franchisor, against starting his own business from scratch. But entrepreneurs who would want to engage in this particular kind of trade should do careful research to manage the risks involved."

7-Eleven, the largest and leading convenience store chain in the country, has proven to be one of the most viable investments in the franchising industry. With the core purpose of making daily living easier for its customers and patrons, 7-Eleven has been gaining nods of approval from other franchisors and its own franchisees.

There are many reasons that make 7-Eleven a good business investment, and these are summarized in the following seven points:

REASON 1: 7-Eleven is a market leader

7-Eleven is the dominant name in the convenience store arena. With 27 years of retailing experience and 400 stores in the Philippines, it is part of the biggest retail store network worldwide with over 36,000 stores and growing everyday (82 years in the US).

REASON 2: 7-Eleven is a multi-awarded franchisor

7-Eleven has been awarded with the International Franchise of the Year given by the Philippine Franchise Association (PFA) three times in a row and was thus elevated to hall of Fame status. Just recently, the company was bestowed with the Franchise Campaign Marketing of the Year Award for Retail, Food Category. This indicates that 7-Eleven has not only gained the trust of its consumers, but of the industry it belong to as well.

REASON 3: Good training program

7-Eleven has designed a training program to provide its franchisees with its most successful method in running the business. The company also provides reference materials to assist its franchisees in dealing with any situation while managing the business.

REASON 4: Innovative promotions and value-added services

7-Eleven has a dedicated team to provide franchisees with tools and strategies for attracting and retaining customers. Exciting promotions like the recently launched Big Bite Match – the largest hotdog eating contest in Southeast Asia – constantly gives customers new reason to visit 7-Eleven stores.

REASON 5: Efficient in turning investments into profit

7-Eleven has laid down the basic infrastructure and systems (both here and abroad) with over 82 years of experience. Although no franchise business offers guarantees, 7-eleven is proud to say that its franchise offers a better chance of success in attaining entrepreneurial and financial goals. Its pre-store support, comprehensive training and partnership for the whole length of the 10-year term effectively mitigates start-up jitters and gives entrepreneurs a clear picture of the business, an advantage most businesses do not have.

REASON 6: Service to the community

7-Eleven, through the PhilSeven Foundation, has in its core the propensity to give back to the communities that host the stores. Some noteworthy socio-civic endeavors that the company is involved are: tree planting in La Mesa Watershed, tie-up with Bantay-Bata, a comprehensive waste management program and a company-wide book drive. Acquiring a 7-Eleven franchise is not only having a profitable business, but a means to support the greater good.

REASON 7: Part of a dynamic community – 24/7

Every franchise plays a key role in inspiring communities and making people’s everyday living easier.

The opening of 7-Eleven’s 400th store in the Philippines is a manifestation of franchisees’ confidence in the company. True to its vision of serving more Filipinos, the company is targeting to hit the 500-store mark by 3rd or 4th quarter next year, making it the undisputed market leader in Luzon. The company is also eyeing to broaden its reach in Bicol in the South and in Pampanga, La Union, Zambales and the Ilocos region in the North.

To those who follow the buzz in the fashion world, the name Giorgio Armani is synonymous with the largest and most successful design houses in the world. They also knew that the Italian-born designer is worth several billion dollars and has built his fortune on simplicity, style and great design. Armani clothes are coveted by both men and women for their flattering style and simple elegance, and Armani Exchange is a staple of many a fashion-lover’s wardrobe.

Armani Exchange denim is a stand-alone brand within the Armani Empire. Other brand groups include Emporio Armani, Armani Jeans, Armani Junior and Giorgio Armani. Armani Exchange is one of the company’s most successful lines, and differs from the other brand lines in several ways:

• Price – although not the most expensive Armani range, Armani Exchange has 'New Premium Denim' starting at US$ 98.00. Most can easily afford other authentic Armani Exchange denim for between US$ 98.00 - US$ 150.00, especially if the purchase is made online. And for those who purchase a full price pair of denim from Armani Exchange, in store or online between 7-19 July 2009, they will receive a gift card of US$ 20 off their next purchase of US$ 100 or more. This offer is valid only from 30 July 2009 through 15 August 2009.


• Style – branding on the Armani Exchange denim range is usually bolder than on any of the label’s other lines. This is largely to fit in with the casual market, but also because denim jeans is one area where branding can be added without affecting cut and the typical Armani style. It was inspired by street-chic culture, fashionable dance music and everything that signifies freedom and personal style.


• Availability – whilst Armani Exchange does operate its own specialist stores, everyone can also buy the collection from Armani concessions at large department stores as well as from dedicated designer label stockists. This makes it as easy as possible for anybody to invest in classic Armani style.

The sensual and unique style created by Armani Exchange for the young, urban and sexy is exemplified by the Indigo Rinse Slim Fit (J127), the Grey Wash Straight Leg (J65) and the Studded Slim Fit (J127).

The Indigo Rinse Slim Fit (J127) gives the wearer the right amount of rock-star style and attitude. The low-rise style keeps them masculine and makes them easy to wear. Meanwhile, the Grey Wash Straight Leg (J65) has a moderate distressed appearance achieved by sanding and tinting. The grey tint heightens the vintage appearance and the novelty maroon stitching adds cool contrast. The straight leg cut highlights the brand's after-dark attitude. On the other hand, the Studded Slim Fit (J127) has a mix of studs and grommets that add a rocker edge to this casual style. The slim cut gives the wearer the right amount of style and attitude.

Another good thing about Armani Exchange is that this month, they have this "Text AX contest" SMS campaign which will allow their avid supporters to win a pair of denim every day of July by texting the keyword "DENIM2" to ARMANI (276264). Again, all one needs to do is text A|X now to take part in this amazing promo.

For more info visit http://clk.atdmt.com/K01/go/159833558/direct/01/ or check this informative site, A|X Blog.

Microsoft Corp. is giving a select group of technology-savvy testers an early peek at its Office 2010 software, but it's keeping a key development — free Web-based versions of programs such as Word and Excel — under wraps a little while longer.

Monday's (13 July 2009) launch of this "technical preview" indicates Office 2010 is still on track for release in the early part of next year.

Microsoft is updating the highly profitable desktop software package to add more ways for people to work simultaneously on documents, organize their e-mail and edit videos and photos, among other changes. And for the first time, Microsoft is adding free companion versions that run in a Web browser.

Microsoft Office is by far the most popular software package worldwide for making presentations, spreadsheets and other documents, and its dominance is in no immediate danger. But the company is trying to defend against a long-developing trend in which software is moving from the desktop to the Web. Google Inc. has been pushing its own free, Web-based programs for more than two years, though it has yet to gain much traction with corporations.

With Office 2010, Microsoft must decide how much software it can give away online without undermining its lucrative desktop software business. If it doesn't make the right calculation, the software maker could find itself in the same position as newspapers that gave online content away and now are struggling to replace print revenue.

In Microsoft's case, the "Home and Student" version of Office 2007 is listed at $150, though it can be found on Amazon.com for US$ 90. Such sales deliver attractive margins — in 2008, the division responsible for Office logged US$ 12.4 billion in profit on nearly US$ 20 billion in revenue.

The Office 2010 Web programs will be Microsoft's first real attempt at an online office package. In 2007, Microsoft launched something called Office Live Workspace, which let people view and comment on documents, but it lacked tools for creating and editing files.

The browser-based programs are on a different development cycle from the desktop programs, and Microsoft says the Web versions' "technical preview" will be ready in August.

The Web version of Office 2010 will be free to consumers, in a version supported by advertising. Microsoft will let companies with long-term Office licensing agreements install the online programs on their servers for no extra charge. Companies will also be able to buy subscriptions to access the programs through Microsoft-operated data centers.

Microsoft has not said how much Office 2010 will cost, only that it will sell five variations on the suite, two for big corporations and three available to consumers and small businesses.

Microsoft says people attending its annual partner conference this week in New Orleans will be among the tens of thousands invited to try the new software.

Shares of Microsoft gained 84 cents, or 3.8 percent, to close at US$ 23.23 Monday (13 july 2009).

It's every young girl’s dream to be like Hannah Montana.

Ever since it debuted in 2006, the Emmy award nominated American television series on Disney Channel, which chronicles the adventures of Miley Stewart, an average teenage schoolgirl by day who becomes a famous pop star Hannah Montana by night, has inspired millions of young girls throughout the world.

Now, in line with the upcoming Hannah Montana The Movie girls can have the chance to sing and perform like their idol as the SM Department Store and Disney launch the Hannah Montana Search for the New Rock Sensation this July at SM Department Stores and Supermalls nationwide.

The contest is held in cooperation with Cignal Digital TV, Banco de Oro, Toy Kingdom, and Universal MCA Music.

The search is open to girls five to 12 years old, and the Grand Prize winner will get the chance to win a trip to the US, P50,000 BDO cash card, and TV appearances. Twelve finalists will receive SM Gift Cards, BDO Junior Savings Account, and special gift packs from Toy Kingdom and Universal MCA Music.

Every PhP 1,000 purchase of Disney items, inclusive of HM apparels, at SM Department Store’s Children’s or Pre Teens Wear departments. Children’s Shoes, Character Shop, Toy Kingdom Express, and SM Record Bar entitle one to join the contest.

A one-minute audition will be held at SM malls beginning with SM Southmall Storyland on 27 June.

It will then proceed to SM stores and malls in Rosales, Sta. Rosa, and Bacolod on 28 June; Fairview, Naga, Taytay, and Iloilo on 4 July; Baguio, Sucat, Sta. Mesa, and Harrison Plaza on 5 July; and Manila, Lipa, and Davao on 11 July.

The popstar search will then go to SM City North EDSA, SM City Cebu, and SM City Batangas on 12 July; SM City Bicutan, SM City Lucena, SM Cubao, and SM City Bacoor on 18 July; and SM City Marilao, SM City Cagayan de Oro, and SM City Baliwag on 19 July.

It will also make stops at SM Megamall, SM City San Lazaro, and SM City Pampanga on 25 July; as well as SM City Marikina, SM City Clark, SM City Dasmarinas, and SM Makati on 26 July.

The Grand Finals will take place at the SM Mall of Asia on 8 August 2009.

Criteria for judging are 30 percent for vocals, 25 percent for stage presence and professionalism, 20 percent for appearance, 15 percent for authentic movements, and 10 percent for connection with the audience.

This is the second year that SM has spearheaded the search for the Ultimate Popstar.

Last year’s contest was a success, drawing many contestants who dressed and performed like their idol Miley/Hannah Montana.

It was a dream come true for last year’s winner Beryl Rene Lopez, who sang the Best of Both Worlds and Rockstar tracks from Hannah Montana, who truly idolizes Miley/Hannah, considering her "a role model for kids my age."

This year, young girls like Beryl can also make their dreams come true by joining the Hannah Montana Search for the Ultimate Popstar at SM.

A few months ago, Nesting Buddy, Seek No More, PolitEkon and SLR Archives joined a couple of other sites in signing up with Adgitize, an affiliate advertising company. It was was founded by Ken Brown to provide an alternative advertising platform for bloggers in the summer of 2008 by the developer of the successful web site You Can Learn Series.

It has a social gathering area where bloggers can share ideas for blogging, advertising, earning revenues and raise blog traffic. Adgitize has a unique point system that translates into real dollars for bloggers with blogs of all sizes big or small.

According to the site, the name is a combination word coming from Advertising and the word Agitate. Agitate means to give motion to or to move with irregular or violent action. It also means to arouse public feeling.

Advertise, on the other hand, means to make something known publicly. It could also mean to announce by notice or broadcast or to arouse a desire for action.

Adgitize then is to arouse customers into action. To get people to take action by writing in their blog, by visiting other blogs and by clicking on ads.

As a publisher of several ads and sponsored posts, Adgitize will be an interesting project to explore since it offers another option in earning extra money with this blog. Meaning, through Adgitize, this blog hopes to utilize its network of publishers to earn money for blog page views, ad views, writing articles and visiting other member blogs.

In the future, this blog will try to use Adgitize to get the much-needed exposure by advertising on its member network. The network is expected to help this blog get the clicks it needs a couple of times per day by interested readers. These are people that want to read the posts at Nesting Buddy, place meaningful comments and subscribe via rss.

For the publishers, there are literally no hidden costs at all in accepting ads of 125px by 125px and ads of 468px by 60px sizes. They could come up with new sizes in the future once they are finished with their evaluation to see what works best.

Anybody can become a member of Adgitize just by entering the Member's Lounge with only their email addresses. If the intention was to become a publisher, then just get the code and place it on the blog. The script must be properly placed to earn any money. Payment for the earnings can be coursed through PayPal or by check.

Earnings are determined by the level of involvement in their network community. The more page views, the more the earnings. The more ads displayed, the more chances of reaping some profits. The more blog articles written, the more payments received. The more blogs in the Adgitize Members Network visited, the higher the pay-out.

Specifically, benefits as an Affiliate are the following:

• US$ 5 New Advertiser Commission
• US$ 1 Monthly Commission per Advertiser
• Excellent Creatives That Can Be Use Today
• No Expiration Date on Monthly Commission
• And it is FREE to Join!

Benefits as a Publisher:

• All the Benefits of an Affiliate +
• Adgitize pays for writing on the blog what the writer wants to write, unlike PayPerPost.
• Only one article per day is required to earn 100 points even when you have registered more than one blog as long as they are under one e-mail address.
• It pays for Adgitize page views. The more Adgitize ads placed on the blog, the more the bloggers earn!
• It pays when other blog on the network are visited, just like EC but the difference is that Adgitize converts credits to cash!
• It pays on Page views alone!

Benefits as an Advertiser:

• All the Benefits of a Publisher +
• Advertising cost is always the same
• Earn cash rebates on advertising
• No Bidding on ads
• No payment required for click fraud
• Spending time blogging and Adgitize will send the traffic

NOW is the time to JOIN!

Google Inc. is working on a new operating system for inexpensive computers in a daring attempt to diminish Microsoft Corp.'s longstanding control over people's computer experience.

The new operating system, announced Tuesday night (7 July 2009) on Google's Web site, will be based on the company's 9-month-old Web browser, Chrome. Google intends to rely on help from the community of open-source programmers to develop the Chrome operating system, which is expected to begin running computers in the second half of 2010.

Shares of Google jumped US$ 6.92, 1.8 percent, to US$ 403.55 in morning trading Wednesday (8 July 2009), while Microsoft fell 15 cents to US$ 22.38.

Google is designing the operating system primarily for 'netbooks,' a lower-cost, less powerful breed of laptop computers that is becoming increasingly popular among budget-conscious consumers primarily interested in surfing the Web.

Google has already introduced an operating system for smart phones and other mobile devices, called Android, that vies against various other systems, including ones made by Microsoft and Apple Inc.

The Android system worked well enough to entice some computer makers to begin developing netbooks that will run on it. For instance, Acer Inc., the world's third-largest PC maker, said last month it would make netbooks that run Android instead of Windows. Acer said Android would make the computers less expensive and possibly help them boot up faster.

Google, though, apparently believes a Chrome-based system will be better suited for netbooks.

That is a direct challenge to Microsoft, whose next operating system, Windows 7, is being geared for netbooks as well as larger computers. And it would be Google's boldest confrontation yet with its biggest nemesis.

Several reviews recently released put very high expectation on what the next generation of PayPerPost can do. The Izea-launched version 4.0 has thrilled many blogger and publishers because of its unorthodox method of generating quality reviews at reasonable price. It may still be in Alpha, but the buzz it stirred had everyone excited.

For many bloggers, they do not have to contend anymore with busy dashboard, Advertiser set prices and long approval process. For advertisers, they will now have a more control over the opportunities they post, the invitation they sent and also the payout approval.

Other features include a 'price per link' and 'price per word' options. Price per link refers to the minimum amount a blogger is willing to accept per link. Now, careful thinking should be taken when setting the price because the blogger will not be offered more than this amount. The default amount is US$ 0.50 per link.

Price per word, on the other hand, refers to the minimum amount a blogger is willing to accept per word. The default amount is US$ 0.03 per word so, for a 200 word post, a blogger will earn US$ 6.00. This is exclusive of the payment for the ‘price per link’.

The most welcome feature though is one that concerns the posting rule. In the new version of PayPerPost, bloggers have 3 days to decide and submit the post after an offer is given. It may take only a few minutes to a couple of hours to write a regular review, but with the new feature, writers are expected to provide well-research posts and quality articles.

Advertisers also have 3 days to approve the post compared to the regular practice of about a month before they inform the bloggers that their post was accepted. The payment period is still 30 days, but the whole process from approval to payment has significantly decreased.

PayPerPost v4.0 is now moving in a more critical situation by experimenting on features that were not available before. Hopefully, in the next succeeding months, improvements can be made to give more opportunities to blog sites with Google ranks of 0 and 1 since writing sponsored posts and paid reviews is not enough reason to penalize a site with lower page rank. The disclosure policy is aggravating the problem since if paid sites require this to be included in blogs, then it is short of admitting to Google and asking them to give the blog 0 page rank for trying to earn a modest income.

Also, the new version of PayPerPost does not necessarily mean an automatic increase in blog earnings. Bloggers still need to work hard on improving their sites and attract better offers from both paid sites and advertiser.