For this week, I have invited a dear friend, Rosemarie “Ut” Rafael, a highly successful businesswoman to take center stage anew in my column. Ut, through street smarts, hard work, laser-focused energy, with guts hard as steel, and blessed with an effusive personality that makes it difficult for anyone she deals with to say no, has built a thriving logistics business which eventually caught the eye of the mammoth SM Group and culminated in a joint venture.

Recently appointed Ambassador of the Filipina Women Network, a thousand-strong membership organization of successful Filipinas from all over the world who have made it big in business, government and top corporations, Ut represented the organization a week ago at the ASEAN Women Entrepreneur Network held in Berlin, Germany.

Fresh from her trip, she shares below her experience:

Making it Happen, by Rosemarie Rafael

The Global Summit of Women this year was held in Berlin last 2-6 July which happened to be their 35th anniversary marked with the theme Restoring Values in the Digital Age. AI and digital tools are definitely transforming global entrepreneurship and we all need to work together to make sure that no women will be left behind.

To further promote international inclusion, women entrepreneurs must be equipped not just to adopt but to lead the tech driven innovation. There are several initiatives in different countries to make sure that women are more adept in technology through webinars sponsored by the government and private sectors.

One example is Women Business Councils Philippines’ annual trade fairs where SMEs get together to showcase their different products for three days onsite and are featured on a platform called kh-ph.com where products can be purchased online. There is visibility and availability of products by doing the one-stop shop like delivery of items not only locally but also globally. We are able to work on the permits needed to be able to export. This gives SMEs the opportunity to sell their products online. There are other platforms like Shetrades that uses AI to connect women entrepreneurs with global buyers.

AI is not just for tech companies. It can simplify logistics, product market demand, and personalized customer experience even for smaller businesses.

Going digital helped SMEs survive the pandemic and some even grew beyond borders. The forum focused on bridging the gap and having affordable accessible tools. There is a need to invest in awareness and training so that women at all levels from farmers to freelancers can use tools like Canva, ChatGPT and Shopee analytics. Resellers in different countries use Facebook Live and messenger bots to sell directly to customers.

AI is all about Data. If we are not seen in the data, we are invisible in the outcomes—that is why we need women in AI development and leadership. It has been reported that only 22 percent of AI professionals are women. Women leaders must embrace technology. But tech without training is a missed opportunity.

More than all these learnings, when women of different cultures, nationalities and background get together, the room becomes vibrant and you can feel the energy! It fosters cross-cultural collaboration and broadens our perspectives by understanding what works. This can definitely strengthen the development of strong collaborative and supportive relationships. Women working together, supporting one another despite diverse backgrounds can make things happen!

Until next week… OBF!