Thursday, September 29, 2016

Leadership and Inclusive Growth (speaker #1)

Our guest speaker last night (September 28, 2016) was Ms. Maria Yolanda B. Capistrano Sevilla (aka Yoling). She is the CEO of The Leather Collection, Inc.  She graduated in UP Diliman, with AB and MA major in Philosophy and MA in Family Ministry in Ateneo de Manila. At the age of 52 she took her Masters in Entrepreneurship in AIM. She become an entrepreneur from 35 years. 

photo credit: Ms. Pia Manalastas


She talked about the leadership and how to address the issue of inclusive growth from the point of view of business. The Leather Collection is an entrepreneur. She shared the company experience in promoting and inclusive growth. From the point of view of the company, inclusive growth simply means equal opportunities for productive employment. Productive employment means increase in income and raise standard of living. Also, she talked about the Integral Humanity Development, access to market and resources thru inclusion in the value chain.

Applied/Address Integral Human Development  (sa loob muna magsisimula)
1)  "Hanap Buhay" is the big word in their company. It is full flourishing of mental
       capabilities, emotional capabilities, materials needs and spirit capabilities.

      She became the better person because of her role in the enterprise. Her skill was behold and developed, from enterprises to masters, and from single skill to multi skill as well as actively engaged in the enterprise.

      The teamwork and relationship is important to the company. They build relationship to their employees such as they share common room/cubicle and eating with the same place. They have weekly assembly, discuss issues and bond to them even they have different faith. They also show their commitment - "hindi pwede ang pwede na". They also pay performance based on the income of the company.

2) "Magkabalikat"
        They know what to expect from them and responsible for it. Also, "hindi ito trabaho lang" - everyone is involve in the company with expected output.

The Leather Collection Interventions
 - Taught women to weave leather
 - Provide appropriate work tables and solar lights
 - Provide leather strips, jigs and molds to ensure consistent quality of output and
                increase productivity
 - Assist women in pricing their output.
 - Income based on their output/weaver/day

With the help of Ayala Foundation, The Leather Collection (TLC)  was established. Its' objective is to taught women in marginalize community; women in the countryside. The most important part of their intervention, they do not intervene with their lifestyle. In addition, they enhance their skill as well as increase their income.

We also learned that her husband is a graphic designer. They are couple entrepreneur with vision and mission to help the community such as during the eruption of Pinatubo. They project to build a relocation in Pampanga by borrowing a land; and raise the fund for housing. They are also working for Itas, for the last 23 years and sponsor scholarship. 

At the age of 27 she's already an entrepreneur and she's the eldest. Women as leaders are very nourishing. She advise that -  know to bring out the yin and bring in the yang.

What's amazing about her is her relationship with God, husband, customers, suppliers and employees. As well as she build trust to their employees. She overcome the bankruptcy by praying to GOD and told him that she does not like to go bankrupt...and at the end of the day.... its' faith, hope and trust with GOD. And everytime she pray, may dumarating na order. "It's never say die until pantay ang paa mo". But her prayer is to continue the company to survive then lead in financial growth and turnover the manufacturing to the employees as a cooperative and continue to manage. This is true, in our journey in this life, only GOD knows what the best for us. Prayer can move mountains.

And the most important thing I learned is her dream to turnover the company to their employees. I salute her because she truly value her employees. Dreams come true and hard work does pay off.



Sunday, September 18, 2016

Love and Integrity in Business


Image Credit: http://quoteaddicts.com/topic/love-and-loyalty-quotes/

We watched Oonagh Harpur talks on "Love and Integrity in Business" for my CEO Series class a few days ago. The video has such a powerful message, and this is where Oonagh's inspiring talks come in, when she talked to their clients, customers and employees, she found out that they came to them because of who they were. Clients feel respected while employees feel trusted by the firm. She mentioned that, if they tell values of their company, they will attract people who will like them. People will work for them and clients go with them. Hence, it will good for their business. I truly believe in this statement, when you feel trusted, you enjoy working with them and you will stay longer with the company.

Oonagh site 3 examples of her experience:
1) Loving Clients - business more with clients will result business grow and create job
2) Recession during crisis - experience done during recession, help people to find a job
3) Loving people during good times -  ask four questions:   (1) Is it legal? 
             (2) How does it smell?  (3) What if it hit from the front page news? 
                     and (4) How would you tell your mum?

To relate my experience in #2...
During my previous work in Ayala Life, BPI take over to Ayala Life. Our Department (Mortgage Loans) was closed down by BPI. Some of my colleagues transferred to other department but most of them resigned including our executives. I was transferred to Group Department. It was disappointing because nobody talk to us on what will happen to the company. After a year, when BPI HR Manager, meet us and discuss about our salary and benefits.

Another experience I encountered, during the joint venture between BPI (Ayala Life) and Philam Life, our Sales Department was closed down while other departments stayed in joint venture. Our Sales executives and staff were given an early retirement. Some of them, re-apply to BPI and fortunately they were hired. Some of the staff that were hired, are now BPI officers. 

As parting message of Oonagh, people look to the leaders. Business is all about relationship between us human being, furnish by love and integrity.  This is true, a good leader is not all about how you will gain more money in the company. A good leader should also build a good relationship to co-workers and clients; by loving and respecting them as well as operating the business with integrity.

Reference:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CObOhORvaYA


Wednesday, September 14, 2016

1st day class in CEO SERIES

This is the first day of our CEO series class, September 14, 2016. I'm so excited to listen to CEO's experience and advice.

Today, there are so many new and interesting things I learn from our class. Our Professor discussed the ten of the best known leadership theories, and asked "What kind of a leader would you like to be?"

According to Dr. Kurt Lewin, there's nothing so practical as a good theory. To improve our ability to lead, below are the ten of the best known leadership theories in five minutes.
Image Credit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKUPDUDOBVo&list=PLXWdKqyVt7JCsSqNKaUXdjQndxONcJGC-

1)  The Great Man Theory:
        -  Good leaders are born, not made 
        -  Some have more leadership gift than others
2) The Trait Theory:
        -  Determined which traits needed to lead effectively
        -  Problem it's identified dozens of traits 
3) The Skills Theory:
        -  Practical skills needed rather than just general qualities of a leader
        -  There are 3 types of skills - technical skills in your field; people skills and 
                            conceptual skills
4) The Style Theory:
        -  Best known style-based theory is called "The Managerial Grid";
                     concern for people vs concern for performance
        -  Goal: people-friendly and uncompromising on performance. 
5) Situational Leadership theory:
        -  No "one-size-fits all" leadership
        -  Must adapt to situation, assume static 
6) The Contingency Theory:
        -  Situational leadership approach
        -  Situation is static and leader should adapt to it
        -  Effective leadership is contingent on matching the leader's style to the setting
7) Transactional Leadership:
        -  There's a reciprocity of behavior between the leader and the follower
        -  Leader's job is to find the right mix of rewards and punishments
8) Transformational Leadership:
        -  Leaders encourage, care and inspires them toward a vision
        -  Cultivating followership rather than paying for it or punishing non-compliance 
9) Leader-Member Exchange Theory:
        -  Basically about leadership is fair exchange between the leader and the member
        -  However, exchange creates an in and out group that lowers the performance 
                            and retention
        -  Leaders must not alienate people
10) Servant Leadership Theory:
        -  Leaders ask "How may I help you?"
        -  Leader creates an environment of trust, cooperation. reciprocal service and 
                          higher performance
        -  Started and much of Jesus's influence; that result of compassion, service 
                          and sacrifice
        -  People follow out of love and gratitude rather than out of compulsion or fear

For me, I rather be a good servant leader. A leader that focus on the need of others first before considering my own. When people know that I care about them; in return, they will trust me. Trust of people can be earned by the way you behave toward them. Trust conquers all - it is important especially when it comes to our relationship with our clients and customers as well as our employees. In addition, a good leader ensures the team morale remains high and they are motivated to perform well to achieve company objectives.


Image Credit: http://www.thoughts4.com/uploads/3/7/7/0/37709085/servant-copy_1.jpg

References:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKUPDUDOBVo&list=PLXWdKqyVt7JCsSqNKaUXdjQndxONcJGC-
https://sethtan.wordpress.com/2016/05/10/summary-ten-leadership-theories-in-five-minutes/