Though at first I was pessimistic about 2012 because of what’s happening in Europe, I’m beginning to change my view and don’t think things will be as bad. America seems to be recovering, which is important, and I can see that Asia will still do fine. The Philippines will definitely do very well and we should see this upward momentum continue. What’s important is we not only see big businesses grow, but also see the micro and small enterprises move up to become medium and large. We want to encourage more Filipinos to start a negosyo, and this is why Go Negosyo will be more aggressive this year.

To be able to inspire and change more lives, we are modifying some of our existing programs while also introducing new ones. As a start, we are holding the most number of summits this year, primarily because we are bringing the summit to different provinces in the country. Just like our provincial caravans, where we bring our Negosyo Seminars (Negosems) to the countryside, we are organizing this year’s youth summit in four areas around the country, i.e., North and South Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. And of course, you can also expect once more our annual Women Entrepreneurship Summit, happening this March 2 at the World Trade Center as we recognize the active role of women in the world of entrepreneurship. With the success of last year’s joint project with the Villar Foundation, we are also planning to do a second run of the OFW and Family Summit towards the fourth quarter of the year.

You can expect to feel Go Negosyo’s presence in many events, just like last year, as many organizations invite us to be among those who can truly promote the spirit of entrepreneurship. This will include the country’s largest awards for entrepreneurs such as PLDT SME Nation’s MVP Bossings, a prestigious recognition given to various top entrepreneurs who are leaders in the their respective industry. And this is apart from our very own awards that we usually give to outstanding youth individuals, women and other negosyantes. In this light, let me also take this opportunity to encourage you to nominate an outstanding woman for this year’s Women Starpreneurs, whom will be awarded at the Women Entrepreneurship Summit this March. If you know of a Filipina who is enterprising, creative, and inspiring, then send us your nominations with her complete profile and story at feedback@gonegosyo.net until Jan. 20.

Our Negosems will still be a staple the whole of 2012, through our Negosem Basics here in Metro Manila and through our provincial caravans with the DTI. Last year, Go Negosyo and the DTI visited around 12 different provinces. We were also able to conduct special Negosems for institutions such as the University of Iloilo, Cebu Business Chamber, Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry; for universities and schools, and for other foundations such as the Sisters of Mary Boys and Girls Towns; and the Rory Peck Trust (UK) and the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility, the groups helping the families of the victims of the Maguindanao massacre. This year, we hope to meet, if not surpass that same number of Negosems.

Our first Negosem Basics will be on Feb. 17 at the RFM Auditorium in Mandaluyong City. Aspiring entrepreneurs can still expect us to host one in the NCR at least every other month. Our Negosems will also be augmented this year by level-up Negosems/workshops to provide continuity to those who have attended any one of our Negosem Basics. We will be integrating our MBA (Magandang Business Advice) program as their next and more advanced step to being an entrepreneur. We shall also develop mentoring workshops with our partners PLDT SME Nation Bossings, to allow them to directly share their advice and learnings to aspiring entrepreneurs and micro SMEs.

The loyal viewers of Go Negosyo: Kaya Mo! can also expect a more dynamic TV program as we re-format the segments of the show. Get more up close with the country’s most influential entrepreneurs and join us as we explore more negosyo ideas around the country. This new direction will not only make the show more entertaining and inspirational, but also provide a more educational and insightful experience for our viewers.

Apart from this, Go Negosyo’s eighth book is already in the works, and we will be featuring again some of the biggest and most inspiring entrepreneurs in one of the country’s largest industries—agriculture. Look out for this newest book which is set to be launched in July.

2012 will also be the year we will meet the first few batches of out-of-school youth who have graduated from our newest program Negosyo Mo, Bukas Ko. We have set to officially launch this program in February, though we already have had a soft launch last November, presenting the details of the program to key entrepreneurs. All of us are looking forward to see how these young people will make a better future for themselves and their family, by continuing and completing their education, while our Go Negosyo entrepreneurs provide them employment to help them finance their school fees. And as we learn from the first batch of OSYs, we will be involving more entrepreneurs to the cause and hopefully be able to enhance this corporate social innovation program.

This is just a blueprint of what we have in store for aspiring entrepreneurs, and new ideas may come up as we go along. To our existing followers, thank you very much for believing in our cause, and together, let us continue to uplift the lives of many more Filipinos.