2. Group photo officiating guests on stage
The “2016 MFE Forum on Chain and Franchise Business Opportunities of International Brand” was held yesterday (29th) in the Sicily Room in Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel. The Forum was under the theme “New Vision of Chain and Franchise in the Internet Era. Guests had the opportunity to gain a further understanding on the related market profile and development trends according to the speakers’ successful experiences in international franchising chain and the development of the Internet. Officiating guests included: Jackson Chang, President of Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, Irene Va Kuan Lau, Executive Director of Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, Glória Ung, Executive Director of Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, Albert Kong, Committee Member of Franchising and Licensing Association (Singapore), Chief Executive Officer of Asiawide Franchise Consultants Pte. Ltd. Amelia Wang, Member of Franchise Committee of China Chain Store & Franchise Association, Richard Li, Chairman of Association of Chain and Franchise Promotion, Taiwan, Gustavo Orlandini Schifino, President of Ethic Commission, Brazilian Franchising Association, Kyo Ito, Chairman of Franchise Committee in Japan Small and Medium Enterprise Management Consultants Association - Tokyo branch, Ana Correia, Founder of MORE Group, Portugal, Choi Ka Lun, Merchandising Manager, Hong Kong & Macau of Vipshop International Holdings Limited and Lei Lam Leong, Chief Executive Officer of MacaoFood Ltd. Increase in Competitiveness through Increase in Internet Information Mr. Jackson Chang said in his opening speech that nowadays business models like brand agencies and franchising have won favour amongst investors, especially youth start-ups. He hoped that through the speakers’ successful experiences in international franchising chain and the development of the Internet, as well as joint discussions on challenges and opportunities encountered during the process of expanding their Internet businesses and by providing everyone with the latest information on brand operations from various places and that of chain business, the competitiveness of local middle and small-sized enterprises would be improved and opportunities in the Internet Era would be seized. An Irresistible Trend: Brands on the Internet After the seminar, Mr. Choi Ka Lun stated that the Internet can increase the offline-online interactions of many local brands in Macao, which will help develop the real brand value. Through MFE, merchants can learn of the latest business models on the Internet, which in turn does them the favour in being able to expand their Internet market. Mr. Gustavo Orlandini Schifino stated that Brazil was a big food production country and by using Macao as a platform, tourists from all over the world, especially those from Mainland China, would get to know Brazilian food better. This gives a good impression on Brazilian brands. He also believes that the Internet is indispensable to modern products and therefore Brazilian brands were all actively developing an Internet business model. Follow Web Trends to Avoid Elimination in the Market In addition, speakers mentioned in the market seminar that with the maturity of information technology and the rapid development of the Internet chain enterprise, both the thoughts of operators and those in management level positions were much different from those in the past. In order to continuously have a share in the market, entrepreneurs must keep pace with the development of the Internet, or they will be eliminated. Mr Richard Li said that regions with a small population like Taiwan, Macao and Hong Kong should make full use of the advantages of the “Internet +” to expand the scope of their enterprises. The Internet should not only be used by the end-consumers but also used by everyone from business administrators to customer service providers. Offline & Online ---- Complementary Advantages The second session was an integrated discussion on the topic “Why Customers Cannot Get Feedback Offline after Buying Things Online?” The speaker indicated that the use of the Internet was necessary for merchants and for chain-like alliances, taking their products from online to offline is an important issue. The Internet allows merchants the chance to come into contact with more customers and provides channels for merchants to display products. Meanwhile, OTO plays an important role in the business’ development; offline services can effectively supplement the limitations of online services. Macau’s e-commerce is in a nascent stage and can only grow with the aid of online payment. Over 200 people attended the Forum and participants had an interactive and in-depth discussion about various ideas related to Chain and Franchise model in the Internet era.
