Who does not have Twitter and Facebook account in this “new generation” that we have? In case you were born yesterday, let me tell you what is Twitter and Facebook’s about and why most small, medium and giant firms use these two social networking site as an outlet to reach millions of people worldwide.

Facebook

- Facebook was created by Mark Zuckerberg in his dorm during his sophomore years in Harvard University in 2004. He launched it on February 4, 2004 with having his school mates as its first members. From 2004 up to present, Facebook became popular worldwide especially for ages 16-40 years old. It draws attention not only to normal low-profile people but also to the big names in politics and business industries.  Facebook now has more than 350 million active users and  has more than 35 million users who update their profile everyday.

- On business aspect, Facebook now has more than 700,000 local business firms which created their own “pages” to reached out to people worldwide. Facebook is so powerful that it can actually let your business be known worldwide in just a simple click. Facebook also offer “banner ads” which are posted on the site simultaneously. The ads rate start with USD10-up. The best thing about Facebook is the interaction. You can . It is also very ideal for small-time businessmen to post their services online and tagged as many people as they want to get more views. Facebook let members to create their “page (fan page, business pages, etc), groups (political, friendship, etc.) and private or public profile for FREE. Facebook is now accessible through mobile use.

Twitter

-  How can you put together a sentence, and make it a strong statement if you only have 140-character to do so? Twitter was tagged as the “sms in the internet” due to it only allows you to create a statement or phrase with just 140 character-same with SMS or text messaging.Twitter is created and founded by Jack Dorsey in 2006. Twitter now has 18 million users worldwide.

-Twitter became an outlet of expression. Most of the users use twitter to express their opinions on politics, day to day activities, entertainment, etc. It also became a forum site for those who want to have an interaction with other users. The objective of twitter is for you to be heard so the best thing to do is to follow more people and to have more followers as well. Especially for businessmen or bloggers who wants to promote their services or blogs, they often follow more or tweet more to get attention. Hence, the best thing to get attention from the “twitterworld” is to interact with fellow tweeter users.

Facebook and Twiiter are predicted to be bigger this year as more and more people get hooked with social networking. The two social networking sites are eager to get more members this year now that the two are getting more intrested companies that are willing to invest.

Social networking sites are now the best way to advertise your product, and it’s free. But the key to your success using facebook and twitter still lies in your skills to get noticed.

The biggest threat to the Apple’s Iphone franchise is finally launched.

Google in partnership with Taiwan’s HTC brand launched “Nexus One”, tagged as the superphone with its sleek design and applications that can blow your mind.

Here are some applications that Nexus One offers:

• Text messaging WITHOUT typing. Nexus one is built with a voice-enabled keyboard which let you send your message via voice-recording. The message will be sent as a text.
• Wi-Fi connection that lets you surf the next 24/7.
• 3.7 touch screen
• accelerator and compass
• 5 megapixel camera with flash
• 800×400 resolution and 16.7 million  color
• Qualcomm QSD 8250 1 GHz
• Android Mobile Technology Platform 2.1 (Eclair)

Review from CNET.com:

The good: The Nexus One has a gorgeous display, a lightning fast processor, and a loaded feature set. The enhanced voice capabilities worked flawlessly, and the phone delivers solid performance.

The bad: Like other Android phones, the Nexus One forces you to store apps on the internal memory. The media player remains boring and it’s missing some wanted features like multi-touch support, dual-mode capability for GSM and CDMA networks, and tethering.

Google Nexus one is not yet available in the Philippines, but in US it costs USD180 if with contract or USD530 if unlocked.

The Philippines has suffered a third degree burn and and a round-house beat up last year in terms of our economy and political dilemma not to mention the natural calamity that caused deaths and lost  livelihoods in most part of Luzon and Metro Manila.

As year 2009 now a ‘history’ and 2010 is finally here, we just hope that people will not let  ‘history repeat itself’ for the country have suffered much, and so as the Filipino people.

Natural calamities can now be predicted but cannot be stopped yet we can do something about preventing global warming, the main cause why we are suffering natural disasters.  The government should act first about this by teaching people on how to be environmentally-aware, by building Eco-friendly schools and establishments and additional education about the environment to students.

Look, if we don’t give priority to our environment, who will suffer? us. Aside from it will greatly affect the economy, the livelihood of our people and the ecology itself, the greatest victims are still us, who unfortunately, also the great offenders. So fast forward Philippines to become a “Greener Nation”.

Now came the political dilemma, over all for 2009 though we cannot put all the blame to the government, their lack of action about their said to be “solution” to the poverty, unemployment, and other problems is just obvious and cannot be denied. The government does have a very strong program for changes, yet a program will never be successful if action was not done.

Unemployment is still rampant though DOLE and POEA have created job programs. Nurses and doctors still opt to to abroad though we have a NARS program which made for them to stay and other programs for the benefits of all distressed yet it all said to be unsuccessful due to some who does not act but instead corrupt. So, fast forward Philippines to a new administration and hopefully great leaders as we vote this May elections.

And lastly, the economic crisis. It seems like the world was hit by a magnitude 8 earthquake after most top countries and developed countries have suffered a global financial crisis including the Philippines (though the government has obviously denied that we’re affected). The Philippine market was down and that the number of local and internationally-owned businesses closed down. The effect of the crisis in the country was seen after thousands of Filipinos were laid-off from work, Filipinos abroad faced the same fortune in some countries.

The economic meltdown main effect is the lack of jobs being offered to the Filipinos. Thousand of newly graduate Filipinos only add the previous number of the unemployed and failed to give each a decent jobs. So, fast forward Philippines to a better economy and decent employment ahead.

I am very positive that the Philippines will bounce back from failure last year but I’m not sure if major issues like employment will finally resolved. Let’s just wish that people’s vote for RP’s next leader will have a stronger platform and a great will to take actions.

Some say that siomai is the new fishball, which I must admit true. The number of siomai outlets is growing from LRT and MRT stations to malls, schools and other public places. Slowly, it is outgrowing other street foods like fishballs, kikiam, squidballs and calamares.

I would say that we are in a “Siomai” phenomena. Can you still count the total number of siomai outlet in Metro Manila alone? A lot of people loves siomai so if you want a business that would really profit, then why not go with the trend?

• Siomai House- Siomai House is the most established and most recognized siomai franchise in the country with hundreds of outlets nationwide. Franchise fee is as low as Php200,000 which includes the following:
  • Basic designed booth, advertising signs and signage
  • freezer, steamer and beverage dispenser
  • Two (2) sets of uniforms
  • Free delivery 3x a week and other provisions to conduct the business.

The best thing about Siomai house is that people recognized it. When people know the product, it is easier to market your business. Other positive point about Siomai House is that franchisers allow franchisee to choose their location. However, Siomai House is not allowed to operate in any SM Malls, the biggest mall in the country.

For more information contact Bernabest Food Products, Inc. at tel. 363-0226 or email them at siomaihouse@yahoo.com.ph.

• Master Siomai- Another big name in Siomai franchising is the Master Siomai. Before moving into franchising, the people behinf Master siomai used to supply siomai in top hotels in the country. Franchise fee is Php230,000 which includes:

o        1 unit Japanese inspired food cart

o        1 unit 5 cu. ft. chest freezer, 1 unit stainless siomai steamer and 1 unit single burner electric stove

o        1 acrylic plastic juicer

o        Complete food cart kitchen wares and plastic wares, initial food and paper products (approx. P 7,000)

o        complete set of crew uniforms

o        Cleaning supplies

o        Marketing collaterals

For more information contact 282-4941, 0917-7962185 or send your inquiries at master_siomai@yahoo.com.

• Shanghai Siomai- The Shanghai Siomai business franchise is the newest franchise business in the country. People behind Shanghai Siomai started out as a small business that supply frozen meat, siomai and shark’s fin dumplings to their neighborhood. More and more people got fascinated with the product which is why owners transformed their simple store to a huge siomai franchise. Franchise fee for Shanghai Siomai is Php210,000 for indoor outlet and Php230,000 for outdoor. The franchise fee includes:

o        1 unit Shanghai Siomai cart

o        1 unit storage box, gulaman dispenser, stainless steel steamer and ice box.

o        1 unit 5 cu. Ft. Chest freezer and electric/gas stove

o        Utensils/office supplies/cleaning materials

o        Initial inventory and consumables worth Php6,000

o        Initial personnel training service

o        Assistance for site evaluation

o        Central purchasing

o        Opening Assistance