Philippine Retailers Association
Making the digital pivot
“Necessity is the mother of invention” and many associations found this rightly so when the COVID-19 global pandemic struck. With lockdown restrictions enforced, those putting off plans to pivot to digital platforms suddenly found themselves thrust into the digital world.
“A podcast for the association has been on the backburner even before the pandemic happened. We were looking for the right platform and partners to successfully execute the project but then the global health crisis happened,” said the Philippine Retailers Association (PRA), the recognized national organization of retailers in the country.
To cope with the lockdown restrictions, PRA launched “Let’s Talk Retail,” a 45-minute to 1-hour podcast featuring the key movers and shakers in the retail industry. Conceived in July 2020 at the height of the pandemic, its primary objective is to inspire and motivate retailers and partner industries by providing relevant, up-to-date and insightful information on the developments in the retail arena around the world. The podcast also features the industry’s “who’s who” and their inspiring success stories.
“It aims to provide streamlined, engaging and inspiring conversational episodes to help retailers and allied industries stay ahead of the competition through relevant information provided by industry captains, as well as uplift and motivate macro and micro businesses especially in these trying times,” PRA said.
“The common salient point that a lot of us could relate to is that having humility is the key ingredient into leading by example, staying resilient amidst the unprecedented changes that is happening around us and trying to find innovative ways to rise above the crisis,” it added.
The podcasts were uploaded on PRA’s YouTube Channel which enabled the association to reach retailers, shopping centers, and its partner industries around the globe. “Having a digital presence is an advantage especially if you want to stay in touch with your members and to let them know that you are with them every step of the way. ‘Let’s Talk Retail’ podcast did not only strengthen PRA’s digital presence, but (also) became our avenue to deliver world-class and inspiring content and at the same time gain a wider audience reach,” PRA said.
For its success in sparking change through a digital platform, the PRA was recognized in the Change Catalyst Category of the ANG SUSI Awards, the first and only search for the best associations and association executives in the Philippines which shines the spotlight on the association sector’s contributions to national sustainable development. The award was bestowed by the Philippine Council of Associations and Association Executives (PCAAE), the “association of associations” in the country.