Just in time for a special #ThrowbackThursday, on this edition of "Love thy Customer," we'll talk about our beloved video rental store, Video City. Most of you won't see a Video City nearby, but at a time where renting DVDs were common, they were a go-to place for movie lovers who want to watch their favorite movies over and over again at the comfort of their home.

Video City lends a wide variety of local and foreign films on DVDs, VCDs and even VHS tapes, and they have a membership card where you can get discounts and good deals on movie rentals. What they do is a good example of implementing Customer Rewards practices - you can rent three movies for the price of two using your membership card.

Most of your parents have known Video City through the years, and they will remember that special place, so go ask them. In a world where YouTube and Vimeo are the choices to watch videos, the nostalgic feeling of renting a movie is priceless.

This is the fourth part of our "Love thy Customer" series as part of the preparations leading to the 2016 Customer Love Fest. This series will look back at the best customer relationship, rewards, loyalty and experience practices done by various businesses over the years. There's more case studies to reminisce to, and we'll be talking more about it in the next few weeks.

The Customer Love Fest will happen at the New World Hotel, Makati on October 20 to 21, 2016 from 9am to 5pm. This event will feature key resource speakers and the latest concepts in customer loyalty, rewards and experience. Join in on the fun and don't be left out.


This event is produced and organized by Ex-Link Management and Marketing Services Corporation, a business organizer in the Philippines. For more information, call telephone numbers 633-01-53, 643-38-87, mobile number 0920-981-4376 or send an email at info@exlinkevents.com.

Ex-Link Events is also on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

John Gokongwei, Jr. Henry Sy, Sr. Andrew Tan. Lucio Tan. Tony Tancaktiong. Manuel V. Pangilinan. Manuel Villar. All of these people are businessmen, and they have endured years of challenges and obtained years of experience in their fields.

You, as a budding businessman, are inspired by these people and their successes. Imagine yourself in the starting points of your work as a businessman, and think about the things that are happening around you. To help you, here's a quick quiz that will ask you questions about your business behaviors.

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If you want to know more about doing business in the Philippines, come to the 7th Philippine Business & Entrepreneurs' Expo this August 26 to 28 at the SM Megatrade Hall in Mandaluyong City.

This event is organized by business event organizer Ex-Link Management & Marketing Services Corporation. For inquiries and partnerships, call telephone numbers 633-01-53, 643-3887 or email info@exlinkevents.com. Ex-Link Events is also on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You're just about to go home when your boss told you to re-send the email that you sent him earlier. the problem is, you don't have a data connection. You see a silver lining in the form of a 7-Eleven store which has a WiFi connection open for those who have their Every Day! Rewards card. Lucky you.

7-Eleven Philippines introduced its Every Day! Rewards three years ago, and one of its features is their points-to-WiFi data conversion, where 1 reward point is equal to 20MB of WiFi data. to get points, buy items at 7-Eleven stores, show your Every Day! Rewards card or CLiQQ app before the transaction, and get points for every Php50 spent. This approach is simple.

While the speed varies from branch to branch, this feature is loved by its customers, and this is among the reasons why some go to 7-Eleven frequently.

Combined with the CLiQQ mobile application, this has made transactions more convenient, as the mobile app doubles as a rewards card as it includes the card's bar code. Tapping into users with mobile phones is very effective for 7-Eleven, and eventually other brands will try and follow the same effort that they've done. That's what you get by loving your customers.

This is the third part of our "Love thy Customer" series as part of the preparations leading to the 2016 Customer Love Fest. This series will look back at the best customer relationship, rewards, loyalty and experience practices done by various businesses over the years. There's more case studies to reminisce to, and we'll be talking more about it in the next few weeks.

The Customer Love Fest will happen at the New World Hotel, Makati on October 20 to 21, 2016 from 9am to 5pm. This event will feature key resource speakers and the latest concepts in customer loyalty, rewards and experience. Join in on the fun and don't be left out.


This event is produced and organized by Ex-Link Management and Marketing Services Corporation, a business organizer in the Philippines. For more information, call telephone numbers 633-01-53, 643-38-87, mobile number 0920-981-4376 or send an email at info@exlinkevents.com.

Ex-Link Events is also on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

To serve our clients and customers better, Ex-Link Events are going to utilize Facebook's latest features.

Facebook Shop

If you have noticed the "Shop" part of our Facebook page, you can see the different events that we market the booths for - and clicking on one of them shows you the full details of each event or promotion that we offer. There are more featured offerings on the Shop section of our Facebook page.

Messenger Code

[1] See the 'Friends' tab on your Messenger app, [2] scan the code with your camera, and [3] it will automatically direct you to the person/business you wish to chat with.

The latest addition in the evolving Facebook Messenger is the Messenger Code which you can scan through your phone's camera, making connections to businesses and people much easier.

If you have a quick message to us, or if you would like to inquire about our services, just scan the code below using your Messenger app and let's have a talk. (We usually monitor messages during office hours, 9am to 7pm, Mondays to Fridays).


These two new features are available on our Facebook page, facebook.com/exlinkevents. We're looking forward to good conversations with you here at Ex-Link Events, further enhanced by Facebook's up-to-date services.

If you prefer to talk to us via phone, no problem - call us at 633-01-53, 640-12-80 or send us an email at info@exlinkevents.com. Aside from our Facebook page, we're also on Twitter and Instagram.

In just two weeks, we'll witness the biggest pop culture event in the country, ToyCon 2016. Let's take a peek at what will happen inside ToyCon 2016.

The Biggest ToyCon Yet

For years, the ToyCon has been held at the SM Megatrade Halls, but this year, its organizer, the Asian Comics, Toys and Hobbies Collective, Inc. (ACTHCI) has decided to conquer all halls in the ground level of SMX Manila in Pasay, making it the biggest ToyCon yet.

This is the 15th year of ToyCon

ToyCon's been with us for fifteen years. Imagine, a small gathering of toy collectors have assembled to hold a small event somewhere in the metro, only to become one of the major events that fans look forward to every year.

Hodor is Coming

As part of this year's event, ToyCon has partnered with PopLife Entertainment to being the POP! Life FanXperience in Manila, the first one in Asia. Aside from artists such as Bronson Pellitier, Kiowa Gordon, Frankie J, and Mario Maurer, Kristian Nairn (who is well-known as Hodor from the hit series "Game of Thrones") will be coming to Manila.

Yes, Hodor is coming - no, don't hold the excitement in your hearts. You know you want to see him up close.

Big Exhibits coming through

As part of the POP! Life FanXperience, ToyCon will be bringing us the following exhibits:

• Stan Lee's Excelsior! Exhibit, featuring his works from Marvel Comics,
• Kotobukiya and Enesco Exhibit, featuring figures from notable Japanese hobby shop Kotobukiya,
• The Suicide Squad Movie Exhibit,
• POP! Life Exhibit, featuring Funko POP! Vinyl Figures, and
• The Voltes V 40th Anniversary Exhibit, which is expected to be the tallest one (25 feet high) to be done inside ToyCon.

In addition, GMA Network's Encantadia 2016 will be at ToyCon as well! Not only that, this year's event will have the biggest dealer floor, so if you think that last year's exhibit is too small for you, wait until you see for yourself the biggest gathering of toy collectors, sellers and enthusiasts which makes ToyCon THE toy event of the year.

CosFanX

Calling all cosplayers! Also a part of the POP! Life FanXperience, the CosFanX Cosplay Competition will be held inside ToyCon, and the champion will go to Thailand to compete in the grand finals.

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This is the next level of the Philippine Toys, Hobbies and Collectibles Convention as it sails forth to become a world-class event, and we hope everyone joins us in being a part of another milestone in the making.

ToyCon 2016 will be held at Halls 1 to 4 of SMX Manila in Pasay City this June 10 to 12, 2016. Tickets are on sale at SM Ticket outlets and online at smtickets.com.

Ex-Link Events is the Expo Manager for the 15th Philippine Toys, Hobbies and Collectibles Convention. For inquiries and partnerships, contact us at 633-0153, 640-1280 or send us an email at info@exlinkevents.com. Ex-Link Events is also on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Last Tuesday on our "Love thy Customer" series, we talked about the Starbucks Philippines Planner and how they made use of the brand's experience to reward their loyal customers. As promised, we'll talk about another planner that made full use of its experience to build a community - ladies and gentlemen (especially ladies), we'll talk about the Belle de Jour Power Planner.

Ten years ago, Viviamo, Inc. released the first BDJ Power Planner which aims to help women conquer the world. Included in it are full-color pages filled with inspiration, spaces to jot on, and coupons from different brands. The Power Planner's users love it, and with their support, Viviamo set up websites such as www.ilovebdj.com and www.bdjbox.com. They even have their own series of events like the BDJ Fair!

What should brands take note of about the BDJ Power Planner? In the case of Starbucks, the planner is more of a reward for staying to drink; but in the case of the Belle de Jour Power Planner, the planner is more of a benefit to those who got one.

Vivamo focused on targeting its market of passionate women through it and then expanded it further through below-the-line activities (such as events). They've reinvented "Customer Experience" further.

This is the second part of our "Love thy Customer" series as part of the preparations leading to the 2016 Customer Love Fest. This series will look back at the best customer relationship, rewards, loyalty and experience practices done by various businesses over the years. There's more case studies to reminisce to, and we'll be talking more about it in the next few weeks.

The Customer Love Fest will happen at the New World Hotel, Makati on October 20 to 21, 2016 from 9am to 5pm. This event will feature key resource speakers and the latest concepts in customer loyalty, rewards and experience. Join in on the fun and don't be left out.


This event is produced and organized by Ex-Link Management and Marketing Services Corporation, a business organizer in the Philippines. For more information, call telephone numbers 633-01-53, 643-38-87, mobile number 0920-981-4376 or send an email at info@exlinkevents.com.

Ex-Link Events is also on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

This is the third part on our Road to PBEX 2016 series. Our Google+ Page will be showing all posts from this series of features.

Do you remember the time when you are trying to register your business and you've had a hard time processing papers just to make your business official? Fortunately, those days were gone, as Republic Act 10644 is signed in 2014.

What does this Act mean? The development of Negosyo Centers in the country. What makes Negosyo Centers interesting? Will it be able to help budding micro, small and medium enterprises to do business in the country easier? On this segment, we will point out five (5) things you need to know in a Negosyo Center.

Who made the Negosyo Centers possible?

The RA 10644 or "AN ACT PROMOTING JOB GENERATION AND INCLUSIVE GROWTH THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT OF MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES" (also referred to as the "Go Negosyo Act of 2013") has Senator Paolo Benigno "Bam" Aquino IV as its sponsor, and it was filed by various house committes to the First Regular Session of the 16th Philippine Congress in December 2013.

It was then co-sponsored by majority of the Philippine Senate the following year, and was then signed by President Aquino III in July 2014. The process took around seven (7) months from the Senate to the President's table.

What are the models of the Negosyo Centers?

According to the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (which also refers itself to "Go Negosyo," its brand), the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has set four types of Negosyo Centers with different features:

• Model A: A facility ideal for provinces, cities, and first-class municipalities with 3 to 5 business counselors plus support staff. Facility includes a reception area (receiving counter, PBR kiosk, computers, lounge, and library), consultation and meeting room, working area, and a training room
• Model B: A facility ideal for second-class municipalities with 2 to 3 business counselors plus support staff. Facility includes a reception area, consultation and meeting room, and working area.
• Model C: A facility ideal for third- to fourth-class municipalities with 2 business counselors plus support staff. Facility includes reception area and 3 desks.
• Model D: A facility ideal for fifth to sixth class municipalities with 1 desk officer LGUs and the private sector are encouraged to assign personnel to support the Negosyo Centers. They are also allowed to host the facility should they have available space that is accessible to more entrepreneurs.

Does it help in making business in the Philippines better?

Where are they located?

The DTI website has a directory of Negosyo Centers around the country - in Metro Manila, there are Negosyo Centers in Manila, Mandaluyong Parañaque, Makati and Pasay cities. The DTI has just opened 155 centers all over the country, and they are planning to add 144 more, according to the Manila Bulletin. If you know an existing DTI Business Assistance Center, it must have been converted into a Negosyo Center as well.

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If you want to know more about doing business in the Philippines, come to the 7th Philippine Business & Entrepreneurs' Expo this August 26 to 28 at the SM Megatrade Hall in Mandaluyong City.

This event is organized by business event organizer Ex-Link Management & Marketing Services Corporation. For inquiries and partnerships, call telephone numbers 633-01-53, 643-3887 or email info@exlinkevents.com. Ex-Link Events is also on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Planners. These are the things that scatterbrains need in order to keep standing. These include the tasks that you jot, the things needed to take note of, and the important dates which you should not miss - well, it's you who will mark these out. Brands can take advantage of planners by adding their touch to it.

There are lots of planners available today, but we'll be showing two examples of how brand leveraged the planner into something more than just what it looks like - we're going head first with the Starbucks Philippines Planner.

Starbucks Philippines started this concept in 2003 with these words: "[...] we’ve thought of creating something to keep you company as you begin your day with a fresh cup of coffee, something to plan your day with or cherish your moments with. Something that will tell our story. And keep yours as well."

They've been doing this before the year ends, and there's been widespread positive and negative reaction about this. Even Fitz Villafuerte, an influential blogger on personal finance, has stated his advice to those who would like to get it; not to mention the satirical news website "So, What's News?" shed humor into this.

What seems to be appeal of the Starbucks planner? Let's get back to what they've said before: It's about Experience. Starbucks has positioned itself as the "third home," and part of this positioning is the look and feel of their stores.

This also rubs off on the planners that they are giving away in exchange of their continued visits to Starbucks stores. In this case, they've used Customer Experience and Loyalty methods, and they've improved this over time by partnering with notable brand Moleskine last year.

In the next post, we'll talk about another brand which leveraged the planner not just as a tool but also as a gateway to building a community.


This post starts our "Love thy Customer" series as part of the preparations leading to the 2016 Customer Love Fest. This series will look back at the best customer relationship, rewards, loyalty and experience practices done by various businesses over the years.

The Customer Love Fest will happen at the New World Hotel, Makati on October 20 to 21, 2016 from 9am to 5pm. This event will feature key resource speakers and the latest concepts in customer rewards. Join in on the fun and don't be left out.


This event is produced and organized by Ex-Link Management and Marketing Services Corporation, a business organizer in the Philippines. For more information, call telephone numbers 633-01-53, 643-38-87, mobile number 0920-981-4376 or send an email at info@exlinkevents.com.

Ex-Link Events is also on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

"No man is an island." "Walang sinuman ang nabubuhay para sa sarili lamang. (Nobody lives only for himself)" These messages imply that one cannot do anything alone, so everyone has to find pathways to make sure they will be seen.

Trade fairs are pathways to let your business be seen by your potential customers, clients or partners - and the Philippine Business & Entrepreneurs' Expo is one of them. If you're part of the Small and Medium Enterprise industry, you are very much welcome here.


The video we've shown you in this post comes from the previous PBEXs at the SM Megamall Megatrade Hall from 2014 and 2015. On its 7th year, we are planning to widen the path for SMEs to gain everyone's attention. With that said, we need your help.

We are looking for successful Small and Medium Enterprises all over the metro and nearby areas that will showcase what they do and what they have, and we will feature them as part of the "Road to PBEX 2016" series on the Ex-Link Events Blog and our new YouTube channel.

We are looking forward to your cooperation, and we hope that your business will be selected to be part of our Road to PBEX 2016 series!




The 7th Philippine Business & Entrepreneurs' Expo will happen this August 26 to 28 at the SM Megatrade Hall in Mandaluyong City.

This event is organized by business event organizer Ex-Link Management & Marketing Services Corporation. For inquiries and partnerships, call telephone numbers 633-01-53, 643-3887 or email info@exlinkevents.com. Ex-Link Events is also on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

In every business, there are two parties: The customer/client and the businessmen. In every deal with both parties, the customer/client needs something that the businessmen provides. This was how simple deals are done.

Through the years, we see three things that are related to doing business: Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Customer Loyalty and Customer Experience (CX). Yes, these are related to each other, but what's the difference between them?

Customer Relationship Management (CRM)

The resource website SearchCRM of TechTarget defines CRM as "a term that refers to practices, strategies and technologies that companies use to manage and analyze customer interactions and data throughout the customer lifecycle, with the goal of improving business relationships with customers, assisting in customer retention and driving sales growth." (Emphasis ours)

A great example of implementing a CRM is Amazon.com, in which they have your details and the list of purchases that you bought from them. They, in turn, can recommend you the things you might want to add to that shopping card of yours.

Customer Loyalty (and Rewards)

According to UK-based Customer Experience consultancy and training company Beyond Philosophy, "Customer loyalty is the result of consistently positive emotional experience, physical attribute-based satisfaction and perceived value of an experience, which includes the product or services." (Emphases ours)

Think of it this way: You're using your preferred brand of detergent because it cleans better than the other brands as if it's brand new. You kept using it for that reason, and it consistently gives you the same great effects that made you love the said product.

If your company makes that detergent brand, then you have a loyal customer. Now what if your business is a grocery store? How can we apply customer loyalty in that case?

Imagine this: Your customer has been buying fresh vegetables from your store for so long, and you want to reward him for coming back to your store - then you decided to give him a little extra - a bottle of Hundred Island dressing to complement the packs of Lolla Rosa lettuce that he bought.

The next day, another customer bought three tubs of ice cream for a party, and as a reward, you gave him a pack of wafer cones. The next customer who followed him bought packs of sausages and you gave a bonus pack of barbecue sticks.

Rewarding your customers consistently gives them the feeling being welcomed always, and that is where we go into the last part,

Customer Experience

According to a market insight published by US-based SAS Institute, "Customer experience is defined as your customers’ perceptions – both conscious and subconscious – of their relationship with your brand resulting from all their interactions with your brand during the customer life cycle." (Emphasis ours)

From the earlier part, we can see that the customer enjoys his/her experience at the grocery, and they will recommend their friends to come to your store. Customers who refer their friends to come to your store have become advocates for your store, serving as a guide of sorts for those who have no idea what your store looks like, what you offer and how do you fare well with them.

Now that you have a grasp of what CRM, Customer Loyalty and CX means, let's simplify it further by going back to the grocery store that we've talked about earlier:

By rewarding your customers (Customer Loyalty), you are creating your own ecosystem to track the customers who deserved to be rewarded (Customer Relationship Management) and by doing so, you think of a special way to reward them (Customer Experience).

If you want to know the latest in CRM, Customer Loyalty and Customer Experience, attend the Customer Love Fest, which caters to the Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Customer Loyalty & Rewards, and Customer Experience Management industries.

The Customer Love Fest will happen at the New World Hotel, Makati on October 20 to 21, 2016 from 9am to 5pm. This event will feature key resource speakers and the latest concepts in customer rewards. Join in on the fun and don't be left out.

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This event is produced and organized by Ex-Link Management and Marketing Services Corporation, a business organizer in the Philippines. For more information, call telephone numbers 633-01-53, 643-38-87, mobile number 0920-981-4376 or send an email at info@exlinkevents.com. 

Ex-Link Events is also on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.