I was fortunate to attend the Competition Policy for Shared Prosperity: Developing SMEs and Maximizing the Digital Economy Conference yesterday at the Discovery Primea. It was organized by the Asian Institute of Management. I attended the conference because I wanted to be aware of how technology could be used to further business in today’s competitive environment. As a blogger and jobseeker, it is important to be at the forefront of today’s trends in commerce, fintech, and economics. I am pleased that there are plenty of opportunities like this event to be exposed to industry leaders. I enjoy listening to what they can share, as this could help me shape my career trajectory. I am fascinated with how all this knowledge could contribute to my growth. It is my hope that I could use this to help in my personal development and enhance the content I write.
I used to work in a BPO for five years as a Senior Risk Officer. My employer used technology to outsource the back office operations of mortgage management. The Philippines is already a leader in outsourcing because we are proficient in English and we have a highly educated workforce. My experience in the company was enriching because I was exposed to Australian culture, business, and attitude towards money. Now that I have decided to move on to another employer, I am determined to select a company that has a desire to grow their reach by maximizing technology. Not only that, I am also looking for a company that supports an advocacy. It is not enough to just focus on the bottom line. I am keen on looking for a balance between business, employee support, effective communication, and social conscience.
As a design thinking enthusiast, I am excited that the Competition Law is promoting innovation in the industry. The growth of business today means that there is a need for companies to be creative and continue to improve. It would mean constant streamlining of processes and updating of products. In terms of job creation, companies are now engaging potential employees in their hiring process by digitizing testing, and HR procedures. Social media accounts and blogs are also perused to determine if applicants are perfect for the roles they are applying for. It entices the applicants because they are in control of the digital procedures in their hiring, and in the end, they feel that the companies are involving them more in their employment. On the other hand, those who are unemployed who do not feel like joining the workforce are forced to innovate by putting up their own businesses or developing their own brands, often starting with an app or a website.
It is noteworthy that our economy is continuously developing and is enjoying the fruits of foreign remittances from overseas Filipino workers. We also have a highly digital market, as we have a young population who mostly engages in online shopping, learning, and social media. As a part of this demographic, I am on the lookout for practices which go against competitiveness. I also support companies which continuously innovate along with the demands of the market. As a jobseeker, I am aware that choosing the right career is more than just a personal choice. It is also a commitment to innovation and problem solving in this digital age. And it is up to me to evolve and improve myself in this highly competitive workforce.
My goal is to have a stable and innovative career. I cannot afford to be tied down to a job wherein my boss refuses to embrace technology and on the other side of the spectrum, with a boss who perceives me as a mere machine (and refuses to give me time to take vacations and take restroom breaks). I realize that a dynamic career fosters sustainable growth for both me and my employer. If this is achieved somehow, then I can say that a culture of competition is already imbibed in me. Of course, I do know that my primary competition is myself, and I should always surpass my last achievement.
As I continues jobhunting and blogging, I am preparing myself to shine in the workforce by educating myself. During lunch, I overheard an AIM professor saying that the number one skill right now is learning how to learn. I am now at the crossroads of my life, my career, and my online niche. It is up to me to learn how to absorb, process, and utilize the knowledge presented to me.
