FBP 016: Let’s Get Digital with Janette Toral of DigitalFilipino.com

When I was briefing Ms. Janette Toral — founder of DigitalFilipino.com and considered “The Mother of the E-Commerce Law in the Philippines” — prior to the interview about the program flow of the Freelance Blend Podcast, she said something like, “I already listened to the previous episodes so I already know how the show works.”, I literally almost fell off my chair. I wanted to shout from the top of my lungs: “The Digital Filipino listens to my show!” But of course, I didn’t. Did I want to scare her and ruin the highlight of my brief podcasting career? But in my excitement, I think I failed to give her the proper introduction by not citing the milestones of her illustrious career. And so, here are the mentionables that I failed to mention during the show:

1997 > Co-Founded and became President of the Philippine Internet Commerce Society; Lobbied for the passage of the E-Commerce Law and Y2K Law.

2002 and 2004 > International Schools Cyberfair Ambassador Award given by Global Schoolnet USA

2008 > E-Services E-Champion Awards 2008 – Policy and Legal Category by the Department of Trade and Industry, CITEM, Board of Investments; Co-founder and Board Member of the Internet and Mobile Marketing Association of the Philippines

2009 > Digital Elder Award from Globe – 2009 Philippine Blog Awards

2010 > Champion of Philippine Internet and E-Commerce Hall of Fame Award from the Asian Institute of E-Commerce

2011 > Featured as 1 of the 6 Women Innovators at the APEC Women and Economy Summit 2011 in San Francisco, USA

Being one of the biggest influencers not only in our country but also in the global internet landscape, I am very sure that Janette will be receiving more awards and acclaim from distinguished groups for many years to come as she continues to touch peoples’ lives. And as a newbie in this space, I look forward to joining her prestigious program and becoming a proud Digital Filipino myself. Let’s get Digital!

Key Takeaways

The different methodologies in assessing the top websites for the Digital Filipino web and blog awards.
How she first started using the internet in the Philippines in 1995.
Her first speaking engagement about the internet and her writing gigs for PC World Philippines and The Web.
Her first website and domain name.
The advantages of being a writer-columnist in becoming a resource speaker.
The role of the private sector in the development of e-commerce in the Philippines.
Janette’s role in the formation of the Philippine Internet Commerce Society in 1997 that led to the creation of the Y2K Law and E-Commerce Law.
Her book on e-commerce that paved the way for the creation of DigitalFilipino.com in 1999.
How she taught herself different software programs through books in the early days.
Her mentors and influencers when she was just starting.
Why was it important for Janette to spread e-commerce in the Philippines.
The E-Commerce Law and why Filipinos need it.
What DOST Secretary William Padolina said during a forum that became a life-changing moment to Janette.
How her writing gigs supported her during her lobbying days.
The effect of the internet bubble during the early 2000s.
The current state of e-commerce in the Philippines.
One of the biggest hurdles to e-commerce in the early days and how we surpassed that.
What Filipinos should appreciate about e-commerce and how they may be performing e-commerce transactions without even knowing it.
The challenges related to the growth of e-commerce in our country and why regulators need to catch up.
E-commerce Law, Data Privacy Act and Cybercrime Law – laws that were designed to protect the e-commerce environment.
Tips on how to become an e-commerce entrepreneur for newbies.
Factors to consider when shifting your brick-and-mortar store to e-commerce.
Why maintaining a relationship with clients is the toughest task for most businesses.
Business lessons she got from Nike apps.
Why a merchant needs to grow with the customer.
How a “buy-one, take-one” promo from her web host got her to form her membership site, Digital Filipino Club.
The benefits of becoming a member of the Digital Filipino Club.
The different courses and modules offered by Digital Filipino.
Her focus for Digital Filipino this year.
Her goal for the Startup 100 project.

Resources and Links

Digital Filipino Web Awards
Top 10 Emerging Influential Blogs
Wayback Machine
Influentialblogger.net -> authors and books that she read
Paypal.com
Dragonpay
DigitalFilipino.com – with free e-commerce workshops and free digital marketing training
DigitalFilipinoClub.com
Nike Running App and Nike Training Club
E-commerce Bootcamp
Digital Influencer Bootcamp
E-Commerce Entrepreneur Program
E-Commerce Summit
Digital Influencers Marketing Summit
Certified Blog and Social Media Entrepreneur Program – digitalfilipino.com/bsm
DigitalFilipinoClub.blogspot.com – blog post about happenings for the year
iMetrics Asia Pacific Corp. – first startup
Startup100 Project

Connect with Janette

@digitalfilipino (Twitter)
digitalfilipino (Facebook)

Authors and Books

Robert Greene – 33 Strategies of War and 48 Laws of Power
John Maxwell – Failing Forward
Steven Covey – 8th Habit and 7 Habits
Edward de Bono – Thinking Course
Nance Duarte
Tony Buzan
Sally Hogshead – Fascinate
David Vimey – Get to the Top on Google

*Kindly note that the above links may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you purchase something, but in no way will you be charged more for your purchase. Just think of it as giving support to Freelance Blend. Thanks.

Quote-Unquote

“Blogging kasi is always related to influence. It’s always tied in to the person.”

“May book ako noon na Wordstar 4, talagang sinunod ko lang yung nasa libro and doon ko na-realize na kung susundin mo lang talaga yung nasa libro, marami kang matututunan.”

“Doon mo ma-rerealize na you can only ask government so much. Kaya nga pag may nakikita ako na nagko-complain: “Wala tayong ganitong batas, wala tayong ganyang batas.” Pero they don’t go naman to Congress to lobby, parang walang mangyayari.”

“Talagang puwede mong masabing malayo na ang nararating ng E-commerce.”

“Ang challenge mo is…of the many customers that you can possibly have, ilang percent yung magkakaroon ka ng repeat business from that same person or from that same company.”

“From the point of view of the merchant, kailangan meron kang something na binibigay in between until that person makes the next purchase.”

“We’re one of the few online programs right now or if not the only one that is very output based. You have to do a live project. You have to do a live campaign.”

“Hindi naman ako kagaya nung mga typical na startup movements na kailangan masyadong groundbreaking yung mga idea.”

How is e-commerce affecting your life today? Do you see e-commerce growing in the Philippines in the near future? Please share your thoughts in the Comment Box below.

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