Entrepreneur 9: RAFFY DAVID

RAFFY DAVID

Business: Pilipinas Teleserv

Category: The Young Millionaire

"If there's one thing any company should have, it's a clear vision of what it is, what it does, and where it's going."

His friend who is an electronics and communications engineer, and an information technology professional and himself started the Teleserv in the year 2000. They had been toying with an idea of putting up an internet business since each of them have an experience on the field. Like his friend Jun Yupitun who designed and managed the United States Visa appointment system. Inspite the thought that they are young but they found that their skills and backgrounds complemented each other.

Their first job was creating a website which is the e-census.gov.ph and a telephone service  the NSO Helpline Plus its aim is to help the Filipinos obtain census documents faster. Some potential clients balked at their youth, while other resisted their novel business concept. But they persevered. they continue working for the government, setting up DFA Passport Direct, a passport renewal service, and an express passport delivery service. Then they created telephone and delivery services for McDonald's and Superbowl of China.

In November 2004, they worked with the Philippine Overseas Filipino Workers in launching the express application service wherein vacationing Overseas Filipino Workers can avail of an express application service for their Overseas Exit Clearance on their onsite office at the POEA's Balik Manggagawa Processing Division. Then in 2005, they launched the the two-way service wherein vacationing migrant workers can apply for their Overseas Exit Clearance by phone without having to go through the POEA.

Their systems require little or no altering and together with the excellent service they provide, their business has attracted a lot of clients and as many imitators.

A lot of their clients are referrals or repeat customers. Their business gets promoted without having to spend for costly print ads and television commercials. It also shows that they've proven themselves to the customers because they gain their trusts.

The company exceeded its growth targets in the first year, and now they're looking for several avenues for growth, one of which is putting up a joint venture with an international partner to serve international market for call centers. Another options that they have is to expand locally to serve more private and government clients. They have upgraded their systems and renovated their office facilities to increase the number of workstations.

"Success is always there at the horizon. To get there, know how to chart the surest path, and follow it no matter what happens along the way."

GOLDEN RULE:

"Understand how competitive the business is. You can provide something, but then there are 10 people doing exactly the same thing. That's why you have to come up with something different to add value to your business. That way, your customers will trust you more."