As technology reshapes the way people pay, one truth remains: understanding your customers is more important than chasing the latest trends. In this episode, Lawrence Ferrer of Bayad shares how businesses can build lasting trust by creating solutions that reflect how people actually live, work, and transact. From serving customers who still prefer in-person payments to embracing the expectations of a digital-first generation, the conversation highlights why adaptability is essential for sustainable growth.

We also explore the value of doing your homework, developing products that solve real problems, and earning credibility through consistent execution.

Episode Timeline:

00:01:06 – The Philippines as a high-touch and high-tech payment market

00:03:50 – Lawrence’s hustle and early career in payments

00:05:16 – Returning to transform Bayad into an omnichannel payments company

00:08:56 – Smart Money, PayMaya, and pioneering fintech in the Philippines

00:12:47 – Mentors, hard work, and building foundational skills

00:18:32 – Discovering sari-sari stores as the key to Smart Load's success

00:24:17 – Why entrepreneurs must continuously talk to customers

00:25:43 – Transitioning from Smart to PayMaya and Voyager

00:35:35 – The challenges of growing PayMaya before the pandemic

00:41:21 – Customer Frontline Solutions and support services

00:49:24 – Using technology to improve customer experiences

00:55:14 – Educating consumers about Bayad's digital transformation

00:57:40 – Partnering with banks, wallets, and fintech companies

01:01:06 – Building teams and combining legacy and digital talent

01:06:45 – What's next for Bayad and expanding nationwide payment access

01:08:41 – Maintaining customer relationships through digital channels

QUOTE/S FROM LAWRENCE:

“People say that when you grow older, you know how to work smart, you have the experience. But my advice for people that are starting up, it's about working harder. Nothing beats the experience…The amount of experience is really based on how you spend your time being productive... The good thing [was] that my parents really encouraged me rather than give money, you just work for it. Hustle for it.”

Resources:

LinkedIn (Lawrence Ferrer): https://www.linkedin.com/in/lyferrer/

LinkedIn (Bayad): https://www.linkedin.com/company/cis-bayad-center-inc-/

Website (Bayad): https://www.bayad.com/

Links/Sponsors:

OneCFO: https://www.onecfoph.co/

Paymongo: https://www.paymongo.com/

PLDT Enterprise: https://pldtenterprise.com

- MSME Fiberbiz: https://bit.ly/pldtenterprise-ROId-nbsi-fiberbiz

- 5G SIM Only: https://bit.ly/pldtenterprise-ROId-nbsi-smart-postpaid

This episode is brought to you by Villgro Philippines: , Paymongo, GoTyme Bank & SeekCap

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Episode 390 - The Hustle Behind Bayad with Lawrence Ferrer

Episode Timeline: