Entrepreneurs should think of ways to provide more value to the customer and be better in what they are doing if they want to survive the challenging environment brought about by the global economic slowdown.

This was the call made by renowned enterprise guru Francis J. Kong during the SME (Small and Medium Enterprise) Speaker Series sponsored by Planters Development Bank (Plantersbank) held recently at the Tierra Montana Hotel in General Santos City.

"SMEs should have a determined approach to improve, be better and provide more value to the customer,'' Kong said.

He said entrepreneurs should come up with strategies to manage difficulties caused by the present crisis. They should, however, remain alert for opportunities which could turn around their business.

More than ever, Kong said, an entrepreneur's competence, character and consistency are put to the test during difficult times.

Earlier in Cagayan de Oro City, motivational speaker, productivity consultant and tri-athlete Anthony Pangilinan urged entrepreneurs to develop personal courage, passion and vision to guide their companies through the challenges, and achieve profit and success.

Pangilinan was the guest lecturer at the Plantersbank SME Speaker Series held in Cagayan de Oro in coordination with PhilExport 10-A, Growth Equity in Mindanao (GEM) and Globe Business.

For his part, Pangilinan gave tips to attendees on how to survive and thrive as well amidst the challenging business environment worldwide.

His lecture provided entrepreneurs with the opportunity to revisit company values, management mind-set and core strategies.

The General Santos City forum was presented in partnership with the local Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Globe Business.

In Cagayan de Oro, more than 200 entrepreneurs turned up for the lecture with a number of participants coming from as far as Butuan City, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and Sulu province.

Now on its second year, the Plantersbank SME Speaker Series has been touring key cities nationwide, sharing with local entrepreneurs the winning management techniques and life skills of today's top business gurus. The advocacy program is aligned with the bank's goal to promote SME enablement.

It aims to provide Filipino entrepreneurs with a venue to equip themselves with the latest management trends and learn valuable tips, as well as expand their network and build possible partnerships.

"We conceptualized the SME Speaker Series as part of Plantersbank's mission of Enabling Entrepreneurs and we hope that through this initiative, we can help the Filipino entrepreneur be acquainted with innovative approaches to wealth management, entrepreneurship and self-mastery," says Plantersbank chairman Ambassador Jesus P. Tambunting.

The Plantersbank SME Speaker Series is an added dimension to Plantersbank's portfolio of innovations for enabling entrepreneurs – among them are SME.com.ph, offering web-based business solutions for SMEs; the Small Business Forum, the SME social networking site Bizster.com.ph and the SME Business Park, the country's first business park dedicated to SMEs.