Story Behind the Revamp

Originally, the PIGMATA logo was in white, then orange, then by a fateful mishap oversight at the printing press our business cards turned out more red than orange. The upcoming rendition will show strength and belief in good work ethic.

Teasers:

Red gets attention.

On homepage: Prominent call to action. We structure most of the homepages of our clients to have a prominent call to action right from the homepage. It’s obvious, makes it easy for visitors to get what they need by requiring less clicks, and ultimately, higher conversion for the clients! Oddly enough, we haven’t had a chance to do this for our company site till now.

Fresh copy. It seems thinking up the new look comes easier to our designer than does the iterations on copywriting for me.

Why is copywriting to help clients sell so much easier than writing for my own firm? There’s always a conflict because I naturally write lengthily (obvious much?) but copywriting for the web requires me to trim it to the barest sentence and use ‘buzz words’ – which are admittedly, very effective. Then there’s the common requirement for “corporate speak” and formal business letter writing such as when we speak with university placement offices or business prospects who ask for a “corporate profile”. So I’ll be setting aside a few more hours to tweak and to rewrite our site copy to be authentic yet easy to understand.

Find out the latest on Philippine tech news or read about tech-entrepreneurship at Pinoy Web Startup. Follow on twitter(pinoywebstartup)

The 700 Club interviewed us last week on Getting Started with your Website and Internet Marketing Strategy for your Business, whether it’s a startup, an existing one, offline or online. With the crisis and layoffs happening everywhere, the producers of The 700 Club wanted to encourage their viewers to educate themselves in finance and entrepreneurship.

Scorching TV Shoot

Wow, those halogen lights are WOW. I felt like the sun were staring, glaring at me. No wonder TV actors have to pack on makeup! I did a 1-on-1 interview, sharing how Pigmata got started with user interface design and web development, troubles and triumphs, our web projects and how we help our clients by making them effective websites that increase their bottomline.

From 700club

JP used our great white board to explain the basics of setting up your business online. He gave a great overview of free alternatives and paid options, and corresponding advantages and disadvantages.

From 700club

Flicker Happy Wedding and Event Photography and Jamie Bee were kind enough to get behind-the-scenes photos. We’ll keep you posted on when the Online Marketing for Startups will air.

Find out the latest on Philippine tech news or read about tech-entrepreneurship at Pinoy Web Startup. Follow on twitter(pinoywebstartup)

For those who haven’t heard yet… This is the 3rd Mini Web Design Conference organized by the PWDO

WHAT: <form> function() & .class — 3rd Mini Web Design Conference

WHERE: 5th flr. CTTM Square Bldg, Timog cor Tomas Morato, QC. (view map)

WHEN: January 22, 2009, 7:00PM

HOW MUCH: FREE

Who’s talking and what are they talking about

• Starting out with Concrete5 CMS — Jan Pabellon (IT Group, Inc.)
• Visual Aesthetics — Errole Gutierrez (168Media)
• SEO and Web Design — Alfredo Palconit
• How to Write a Good ALT Text — Jojo Esposa
• Overview on front-end optimization and best practices — JP Dela Torre (Pigmata Media Inc.)
• Innovation — Kevin Leversee (DesireMesh)
• surprise — Eugene Alvin Villar (CodeGraphic)

With a little help from

• Cosmopoint Philippines — providing the venue
• Philippine Web Accessibility Group – raffling 10 copies of book “Basic Web Accessibility Guide for Filipinos”
• MunchPunch – raffling 5 munchpunch shirts
• EdsaHosting – Raffling off 1-year “EDSA 1” hosting package
• Car stickers for the first 29 registrants
• more to come

Sign up NOW and meet us

If you’re new and you don’t know anyone, just approach me. I’ll be happy to talk to you and even introduce you to the rest of the community.

Image credits: Stellify.net

Find out the latest on Philippine tech news or read about tech-entrepreneurship at Pinoy Web Startup. Follow on twitter(pinoywebstartup)

Image credit: mihai dragan

We recently updated our website. The changes were more on the content and back-end rather than the design. Basically we just realigned our site. On the design aspect, we retain the background and made a small changes on the layout and typography. We also retain the URL structure for search-engine purposes.

The biggest part of the relaunch was moving from Wordpress to FrogCMS.

Why we switch

One reason was that we needed something that is flexible. Something easy to customize on every pages. Although wordpress might probably have a workaround for that, it’s not very straightforward and obvious. I found out about FrogCMS a while back and started using it on client websites. After a few tinkering on the platform, I got sold with the simplicity and ease of use in terms of customization.

What I like about FrogCMS

• Creating templates is like doing a simple site with php includes — The page structure of FrogCMS is straightforward. You have a page, snippet and layout. The layout would be the main container of the page, snippets are those elements that you can reuse on different pages and layouts, and pages that contains the actual content.
• Great control on just about everything on the site — FrogCMS allows you to write a custom PHP code on any of those elements(pages, snippets and layouts).
• Neat admin interface — This is one of our considerations when choosing any application that we use. We’re obsessed with pretty interfaces… Although the way the navigation and page list are structured could pose a few issues if you’re using too many plugins or have hundreds of pages-if not properly structured. But it’s something that can be easily fix.
• Lightweight — The core modules are very lean. Making it ideal even for a simple 5-pages site or something that requires a blog/news functionality. It doesn’t have much built-in modules that some won’t probably use. Added functions are implemented as plugins. Wordpress is great for blog-type sites and it is built for that purpose. Although we needed a blogging functionality on this site, we don’t want to use a separate system for our blog and static pages.
• Flexible page content — You can choose to use different sidebar or other elements on each pages.

What I don’t like

• Creating templates have to be done on the web interface. This is different from most CMS wherein you just upload the template source code and activate it on the web panel. This makes hard to develop a template if you’re doing the front-end directly on the CMS. The ideal way is to finalize and build first the UI and front-end before putting it on the CMS.
• Few available plugins… being a young CMS, not even in version 1 yet, there are just few plugins available that you can just download and install on your site. But this should surely grow over time and we’ll be happy to contribute plugins that could be useful to others.

Overall, although no CMS solution fits all, I’m happy with FrogCMS and how this site turned out. I think it’s perfect for this site. I’m looking forward to new improvements on FrogCMS and kudos to Philippe Archambault and the rest of the team for putting up FrogCMS. Just check out FrogCMS website for more info.

I’ll try to post a follow up on this to illustrate the flexibility FrogCMS offers. Also, we’ll be brewing some useful plugins for the community to use soon. So be sure to subscribe to our blog to get updates if you haven’t yet.

Find out the latest on Philippine tech news or read about tech-entrepreneurship at Pinoy Web Startup. Follow on twitter(pinoywebstartup)

First, a refresher on some basic accounting:

The Imprest System

Small or miscellaneous amounts are paid in cash out of a Petty Cash Fund (say P5,000 or P10,000 depending on your spending behavior). And all other expenses, including electricity, salaries, broadband, rent, etc are paid by check.

Checking Account

So, you need to open a checking account. Here are the minimum amounts for just the regular non-interest bearing checking account. Just a place to store and spend your money.

• Metrobank, Unionbank, BPI – P10,000
  
• UCPB: P20,000
  
• HSBC: ~P300,000
  

From our TITF Account Example, you have to deposit the entire P62,500 into this new account.

Who are the Signatories?

Most likely, you’re investing with friends so you want to be careful with each other’s money. Always have at least two signatories — that’s AND, not AND/OR. Better if the Treasurer is always one of the signatories.

Which bank?

Considerations might be online banking, maintaining balances, proximity to your office, affiliation with Paypal.

I sent an inquiry fax and/or email detailing our concerns to the branches of all the major banks within walking distance.

• BPI – emailed and faxed to the Buendia branch. No response.
• BPI Family Bank – emailed and faxed to the Mayapis branch. No response.
• Chinatrust – faxed to Buendia branch. Sales officer visited our office to explain options and requirements.
• Export and Import Bank – tried to fax to Chino Roces/Main branch. I finally got tired of calling to get their fax number.
• Landbank – faxed and emailed to Dela Rosa branch. No response.
• Metrobank – faxed. Branch manager visited our office with Lawrence from the Head Office’s Cash Management department to explain their online banking service.
• Planters Development Bank – emailed to Buendia/Main branch. Branch manager visited our office discussing options. Really geared toward SMEs.
• PNB – emailed and faxed to Buendia branch. Branch manager emailed in a matter of days, called, and was willing to set an appointment. I know PNB to be always crowded though so I didn’t pursue.
• Security Bank – quick email response by the Dela Rosa branch manager. Their online banking starts at P500,000. When I replied that we can’t maintain that much and what were our options, she didn’t get back to me.
• UCPB – I made an OTC deposit once and left my card with the sales officer. She followed up and then visited our office with the branch manager.
• Unionbank – faxed and followed up thrice at the Vito Cruz branch. Relationship Officer visited our office. Online banking, 1hub.gov pay to SSS, Philhealth, and Pag-ibig.

Prepare your Requirements

You’ll need:

1. SEC Certificate of Registration — remember I told you to make about 20 copies of your SEC documents?
2. Photocopy of Articles of incorporation
3. Photocopy of By Laws and all other SEC docs
4. Photocopies of 2 valid IDs each of the signatories
5. List of Stockholders
6. Roster of Officers
7. Notarized Secretary’s Certificate – request for the template from the bank. Each bank has a different format.

Requirements may vary from bank to bank. Call the branch to check. Best if you meet with the branch manager when you open your account.

The Secretary’s Certificate just says that “your Board of Directors has decided to open a checking/savings/term deposit/etc account at Bank X Branch Y” and so on. The authorized signatories are Name – Position – Sample signature and so on. This is certified to be correct by the Secretary by his signature and then notarized.

Keep a copy of the Secretary’s Certificate in a folder labeled “Bank Account – Bank X”. Keep another one in a folder labeled Secretary’s Certificates. You’ll only need to submit 1 copy to the bank.

You fill out account opening forms of the bank and deposit the P62,500. For now, pay out of your own pocket the checkbook fee which is P250-P500 and just reimburse it when you establish your petty cash fund. You now have a business checking account.

Tips for Hassle-Free bank account management

• Store the account number on your phone or PDA — always good to have it handy.
• Store 5 to 10 deposit slips so you come to the counter prepared.
• You don’t need withdrawal slips because all cash disbursements will be made by check.
• Reconcile your checkbook every month with the statement given by the bank. I picked the statement up personally with our old bank. Together with the statement are the canceled checks, i.e. checks that have cleared.

How I wish someone had told me all this before we started!

Find out the latest on Philippine tech news or read about tech-entrepreneurship at Pinoy Web Startup. Follow on twitter(pinoywebstartup)

Let’s talk about your new corporation; and I’ll give illustrative amounts. The authorized capital stock which is the ceiling amount for the capital that can be invested in the company is P1 million. The Corporation Code requires that 25% of the authorized capital stock is subscribed and 25% of the subscribed capital is paid-up. Did I lose you?

So, we’re talking about the P1 million right? You and your fellow incorporators (5 to 15 incorporators are allowed) subscribe or promise to invest at least P250,000 (25% of the P1 million).

If you guys don’t have that amount yet, that’s okay. You can start with P62,500 (25% of P250,000) cash. It’s really just easier to use cash, because if you guys invest property (like a car, or a computer, or furniture) there’s a lot more documentation needed. You don’t wanna go there.

To open the TITF account you’ll need:

• P62,500 cash investment
• Notarized Treasurer’s Affidavit (From SEC Online Registration)
• Completely signed and Notarized Articles of Incorporation and By Laws (From SEC Online Registration)
• Two valid IDs of the Treasurer and ID photos
• Roster of Officers – certified by the Secretary
• Board of Directors – certified by the Secretary
• List of Stockholders – certified by the Secretary

Requirements may vary from bank to bank. Call the branch to verify the requirements, speak in English — DON’T walk in to inquire. We did ours with BDO Bagtikan and it was the biggest hassle.

Be sure that when you fill out the Treasurer’s Affidavit form, you specify the bank name and branch. Check the amount and of course the treasurer’s name and notarize.

So they open your TITF account and you get a passbook. The amount is on hold until you submit a copy of your Certificate of Registration given by the SEC. You pay around P100 to P300 for a Certificate indicating that you have P62,500 in a TITF account at their branch. You have to notarize this paper too. You bring this together with your other SEC registration papers to Greenhills.

Once you get your SEC Certificate of Registration — it’s green and there’s a gold seal, make about 20 copies. You’ll submit one copy to the bank so you can close your TITF account and open your real business checking/savings account. You can do that in the same bank or somewhere else, but be sure to keep the P62,500 intact.

Next, we’ll talk about how to open your real business account.

Find out the latest on Philippine tech news or read about tech-entrepreneurship at Pinoy Web Startup. Follow on twitter(pinoywebstartup)

Like here, I personally handle the applications that come in from the job ads that also I posted. I’m a 1-woman HR department. Since we’re bootstrapping, same as Zappos, we can’t afford to hire someone who doesn’t believe in the startup experience. He/she has to have an entrepreneurial spirit, have the good sense and initiative to work on his own in our office even if he’s alone because the others come in late or have proven that they can work from home, and of course mad skills in programming/business development/UX/customer service.

Discovered via Good Experience and JP has mentioned this in passing:

This (Zappos) is a company that’s bursting with personality, to the point where a huge number of its 1,600 employees are power users of Twitter so that their friends, colleagues, and customers know what they’re up to at any moment in time. But here’s what’s really interesting. It’s a hard job, answering phones and talking to customers for hours at a time. So when Zappos hires new employees, it provides a four-week training period that immerses them in the company’s strategy, culture, and obsession with customers. People get paid their full salary during this period.

After a week or so in this immersive experience, though, it’s time for what Zappos calls “The Offer.” The fast-growing company, which works hard to recruit people to join, says to its newest employees: “If you quit today, we will pay you for the amount of time you’ve worked, plus we will offer you a $1,000 bonus.” Zappos actually bribes its new employees to quit!

Why? Because if you’re willing to take the company up on the offer, you obviously don’t have the sense of commitment they are looking for. It’s hard to describe the level of energy in the Zappos culture—which means, by definition, it’s not for everybody. Zappos wants to learn if there’s a bad fit between what makes the organization tick and what makes individual employees tick—and it’s willing to pay to learn sooner rather than later. (About ten percent of new call-center employees take the money and run.)

Continue reading “Why Zappos Pays New Employees to Quit — And You Should Too“ or watch Bill Taylor’s interview:

As much as I’d like to emulate how Zappos keeps employee turnover down, I’m not sure we always have instant USD 1,000 just lying around. Since web-based products are fundamentally unique and not the same as working in a bank or a consumer goods company, this could potentially be a good practice.

Find out the latest on Philippine tech news or read about tech-entrepreneurship at Pinoy Web Startup. Follow on twitter(pinoywebstartup)