Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez has urged graduates of DTI’s online mentoring program in Western Visayas to “think out of the box” for their businesses to survive amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.

During the 41 Kapatid Mentor Me (KMME) online graduation, Lopez said graduates should continuously innovate using the online technology during this time of crisis.

“The DTI is also pushing for e-commerce under the new normal,” he said.

Lopez said online business has thrived amid the pandemic when people could not easily go out of their homes to buy essential necessities.

Meanwhile, Presidential Assistant for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion said the KMME graduates should have a vision for their business “regardless how big it is”.

“As entrepreneurs, you should also have the passion, industry, and persistence,” he said.

Concepcion said continuing business innovation is “very important”.

DTI regional head Rebecca Rascon congratulated mentees who underwent the 10 KMME modules, which were taught online for the first time by their lecturers from July 15 to Aug. 28.

It culminated with the presentation of their business improvement plan (BIP) to panelists last Sept. 16-18.

Their modules comprise entrepreneurial mindset and values formation, marketing mindset, product development, market growth and expansion, business model canvas, operations management, supply and value chain, human resource management, entrepreneurial accounting and finance, taxation, and business law.

“Teaching online is not easy because of the challenge of connectivity,” she said.

Rascon said while mentees at times could lose the concepts being discussed because of the internet connection, they still finished the KMME sessions and were able to graduate.

KMME is a program of the DTI in partnership with the GoNegosyo and the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship aimed to equip the micro-small and medium entrepreneurs on entrepreneurship fundamentals. (PNA)