A Peek About What is Data and Its Importance

The importance of data has proven its worth in today’s digital age especially in the fields of ecommerce, business, or almost anyone who uses a computer. Business leaders nowadays heavily rely on their gathered data to make better decisions for their company in terms of profit.  Data collection used such as phone surveys, email marketing, or even people-to-people meet ups on malls are essential for the business to learn more about their customers’ wants and needs.  Whatever the method, most data had to be collected manually for businesses to understand their customers and market better. Because of the financial cost, time, difficulty of execution, and more associated with data collection, many companies operated with limited data.

I personally sometimes participate in online surveys that companies hire to get data from people. Surveys would often ask about job, income, what products you have bought in the last 6 months or so, and sometimes they would show a video of their newly-made commercial and you input your thoughts, reactions, first impressions about it. I really thought it was cool to participate in one of those once in a while, but getting them done every month is quite tiresome.

Data and Databases

As I am writing this article, I instantly use data when I save this article in my computer. Its data consist of the date I made it, the author’s name, etc. It’s the same with business. Any business with a website, a social media account, an online form that accepts electronic payments of some form, etc., has data about customers, user experience, web traffic, and more. All that data is filled with potential if you can learn to utilize it to improve your business.

Data that has been given by a customer will be stored in a place called a database. There are different types of databases. There are small databases used for simple data storage for single users and there are big databases that store huge amounts of data and information from big businesses or commercial vendors such as in ecommerce websites, financial institutions with banking features, and more.  

Big companies or enterprises need big databases to store information that is not open to the public such as employee records, company files, contracts, and more. Master data is typically shared by multiple users and groups across an organization and stored on different systems. Databases such as Microsoft’s SQL uses master data services which is Microsoft’s solution for managing master data.  

Data is Good for the Environment, Too

Data is not only limited to enterprises and big companies. Did you know that the waste and recycling industry stands to benefit from utilizing data as well?  For developed countries, the use of data allows for garbage trucks to determine the best route to take, which not only reduces emissions but increases operational efficiency as well. This is really beneficial to all countries and I hope more truck companies would consider using it. I have to admit, the utilization of data seems to be in the early stages of the waste and recycling industries. I just hope that data systems can one day expand to improve recycling rates.

I Had My Impacted Wisdom Tooth Removed: Did It Hurt?

I hate dentists. Well, it's not that I hate them, I'm just afraid of having an oral surgery because the word, surgery, scares me. I always thought that the procedure would really hurt (according to the movies I've seen) which is why I'm scared of them. 

My first wisdom tooth started to come out during my college days and I had no problem with it initially. It just went out perfectly. Until now, it still functions normally as my molar's assistant in terms of grinding food. The problem is my second wisdom tooth that appeared during my 20s on the left side of my gums. It was really painful while it was growing, but since I didn't have the money nor the resources to go to the dentist, I just took some pain killers and waited for the pain to go away. The pain did went away after a few days so I just ignored the said tooth thinking that it will all be okay. 

Korea’s Billion-Dollar Travel Group Yanolja Doubles Down on ZEN Rooms to Create Future of Hospitality in Southeast Asia

Korea’s Billion-Dollar Travel Group Yanolja Doubles Down on ZEN Rooms to Create Future of Hospitality in Southeast Asia

Highlights:

•      Yanolja, Korea’s billion dollar travel group, double down on ZEN Rooms one year after investing US$15M in 2018. Through this transaction, Yanolja is investingadditional funds in the Company, purchasing stakes from early investors and announcing a wide strategic alliance between the two groups
•          ZEN joins forces with one of the most technologically innovative travel groups and its backers Booking Holdings to create the first full service budget & mid-range hospitality group in SEA
•          ZEN willheavily deploy technology to continue to improve Southeast Asia’s hospitality sector, enhance customer experience and lower hotels’ operating costs
•          ZEN has achieved market leading customer satisfaction ratings in its franchise business, quadrupled revenue in the past year and became in Q4 2018 the largest hotel chain in the Philippines

Singapore, October 16th 2019 -- ZEN Rooms (“ZEN”, “Company”), one of the leading economy and mid-range hotel franchises in Southeast Asia, today announced it had signed a definitive agreement with travel group Yanolja regarding additional investment, acquisition of early investors’ stakes and the signing of a wide strategic alliance. Yanolja is the leading travel group in South Korea, backed by Booking Holdings and GIC, among others. Yanolja was the lead strategic investor in the company’s US$15M funding round in 2018, with rights to invest further. Early investor Asia Internet Holdings (Joint Venture of Rocket Internet and Ooredoo Telecom) has agreed to exit its stake to Yanolja. RedBadge Pacific and SBI Korea remain investors, and Access Ventures join as co-investors.

The alliance of ZEN and Yanolja creates the leading economy & mid-range hospitality group in Southeast Asia.It combines ZEN’s top-ratedbudget hotel franchise business with Yanolja’s scale, hospitality technologies and the backing by the global leader in Online Travel, Booking Holdings (behind Booking.com, Agoda, Priceline.com, Kayaketc), thus granting ZEN unique competitive advantages in both hotel technology and sales distribution. The groups will work to heavily deploy automation technology to enhance customer experience, further reduce budget hotels’ operating costs and reinvent budget hospitality across Southeast Asia.

ZEN Rooms is today one of the largest hotel franchises in Southeast Asia, with 13,000 rooms under franchise. Since Yanolja’s investment in mid 2018, ZEN has grown revenues 400% and has becomein Q2 2019 the largest hotel chain in fast-emerging Philippines, with 5,500 rooms under franchise.

Southeast Asia is today the world’s fastest growing travel market, fueled by exponential domestic and regional demand of young travelers and millennials (e.g. the number of Chinese visitors has quadrupled in the past decade^[1]). Yet, the value-for-money proposition of its budget hotel sector has historically been defective, plagued by several issues: fragmentation, poor hygiene & safety standards, lack of training and low technology use.

ZEN was founded in 2015 to improve the state of budget hospitality and bring much needed operational and technological efficiency to the estimated 2 million independent economy rooms in the region. Thousands of hotel owners have since joined ZEN’s franchises to improve their revenue, optimize their cost base and increase the long-term value of their property. These efficiency gains ultimately benefit travelers who can enjoy safer and better value-for-money stays.

With a deep emphasis on customer satisfaction, ZEN franchisees have enjoyed the best average guest ratings on Booking.com for two years in a row.

Nathan Boublil, co-founder & CEO of ZEN, comments: “We started ZEN exactly 4 years ago to make budget accommodation in Southeast Asia more affordable and safer. We have proudly built ZEN into the top-rated budget hotel franchise in the region and were honored to be Yanolja’s 1st international investment. With this strategic alliance, we are joining forces with one of the most technologically innovative travel groups and its unique backers Booking Holdings to create the first full service budget & mid-range hospitality group in SEA, able to deploy world-class technology infrastructure in IoT R&D, automation, hardware and software to all hotels in Southeast Asia.This alliance will greatly benefit our ability to serve our hotel clients and ultimately the travelers of the entire region”. 

Jongyoon Kim, CEO of Online Business at Yanolja, adds: “Since first investing in ZEN, we have shared the same vision of operational excellence and customer centricity to radically improve the SE Asian hospitality market. In the last 12 months, the ZEN team has taken major steps to fulfill this vision and has grown exponentially while displayingtop inventory quality. With this exciting agreement, Yanolja plans to fully support ZEN to solidify its status as the market leading full-stack hospitality company in the region".   

For enquiries, contact: Nathan Boublil, co-Founder & CEO - nathan@zenrooms.com ; Nika Plana, PR - nika.plana@zenrooms.com

***

About ZEN Rooms

Founded in 2015 by entrepreneurs Kiren Tanna and Nathan Boublil, ZEN Rooms was founded to improve the state of budget hospitality in Southeast Asia, making travel more affordable and safer. ZEN is now one of the fastest growing hospitality companies in the region, the #1 hotel chain in the Philippines and Top 3 budget hotel chain in Southeast Asia. ZEN helps budget & mid-range hotels operate more efficiently and increase the value of their property through a range of operational & technological solutions. ZEN contributes daily to democratizing access to safe and affordable travel with millions of travelers staying at ZEN's franchised or operated properties each year. ZEN has raised US$23M equity funding from leading institutional investors Rocket Internet, Ooredoo Telecom, RedBadge Pacific, SBI Investments Korea and Yanolja.  

About Yanolja

Yanolja is Korea's No.1 leisure platform leading the industry in providing travelers with real-time travel –and –stay booking services connecting them to a comprehensive database of hotels, motels, private lodgings, guesthouses, and international accommodations. Yanolja is driving innovation in the travel and tourism industry by utilizing and integrating new technologies such as IoT, AI, and AR, to offer enhanced solutions for all stakeholders involved. Yanolja will continue to develop and introduce innovative solutions that enables users to enjoy leisure most efficiently and conveniently. In June 2019, Yanolja announced a capital raise of $180M funding from GIC and Booking Holdings at a valuation of over US$1bn.

Find your Pinoy Freelancer at Rakuboss

Every day, I would often look at lots of employment websites to see what job openings are available. Sometimes it gets tiresome because I get to see the same job openings even after applying for them or the job listing suddenly disappears because they already found the right candidate. Yes, it's frustrating, but that's part of job hunting. Sometimes I'd wish that there a platform for us, Filipinos, to post our skills online instead and then clients would be the ones who would reach out to us. Good thing, Rakuboss is here!

Puerto Princesa: The Perfect Place for Palawan First-Timers

Image from Pinterest

Puerto Princesa is Palawan’s urbanized capital city, one that is perfect for first-time visitors to the province. Why? For one, the tourism industry here is very organized. There are associations for tour guides, tricycle drivers and operators, and other sectors, which means everything is monitored and regulated. It also means that all sectors work seamlessly with each other to provide the best experiences for visitors.

Puerto Princesa City also has a perfect balance between urban attractions and natural wonders. It doesn’t have as many beaches like Coron and El Nido, but what it has are definitely beautiful and enchanting in their own right. In the city proper itself, you’ll find plenty of places to explore and fall in love with. Simply put, finding and booking a cheap Puerto Princesa tour package will be definitely worth every peso you spend. 

So without further ado, here are a few suggestions on what to do in Puerto Princesa.

Right X For You But BIGGER and BETTER

In celebration of MyPhone’s 12th Anniversary, the first Filipino phone brand is back at its game and released its BIGGER and BETTER Octa-core Android phone.

Be Casually Preppy with Zilingo's September 2019 Collection

Garb up this season with Zilingo’s latest clubhouse cool and preppy looks!

This September, leading online fashion platform Zilingo, released their latest trends selection. Doused in plaid and preppy looks, the collection boasts different cuts and arresting foray of silhouettes.

The brand marries chic styles and clubhouse cool collection, featuring preppy threads in Khaki, Cream and Beige accentuated by season’s colors of chartreuse and turquoise and red. Fashion fans will also be thrilled with the platform’s take on layers and cardigans and playful pleats in White, Black and Brown matched with modern looks and textured sheets.

Zilingo will provide customers with coveted pieces suitable for all occasions. “We are ecstatic about this season’s trends that combine style and comfort, and the best part is that these fashion essentials are available at the click of a button,” says RyzaDipatuan-Razo, Marketing Director, Zilingo Philippines.

Recognizing the continuous growth and potential of the online retail market, and the need to constantly provide its customers with new and exciting options, Zilingo aims to showcase a unique shopping experience to its customers and enable brands to expand their reach to fashion enthusiasts across the region.

Fashionistas across the country can purchase the collection anytime and anywhere via Zilingo’s website and app, and have them delivered to their doorstep at no extra charge, with multiple payment methods including cash-on-delivery.

About Zilingo

Zilingo is a commerce platform that is making the fashion and beauty supply chain more efficient through technology. With over 50,000 merchants on the platform Zilingo connects businesses across the entire supply chain and empowers them with everything they need to run a business - from design, product development, fabric procurement, manufacturing, cataloguing, marketing, inventory management, distribution, billing, customer service, working capital & trend forecasting. With over two million product listings on Zilingo.com, users can effortlessly shop from a selection of indie labels, local designers, international and celebrity brands – all in one place. Founded by Ankiti Bose and Dhruv Kapoor in 2015, the company has offices in 8 cities globally with over 600 staff representing 20 different nationalities.

Zilingo is available for download for free on the App Store and Google Play across Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines and Thailand.

For more information, please visit www.zilingo.com