Family Business Approach

Yesterday, I encountered a lady in the MRT who was forcing me to give her space. Since there wasn’t any space anymore inside the train, I fought for my place in the packed car. When we arrived at Cubao station, she violently pushed me just as passengers were leaving the train. I fell on the guys who were seated before I hit the floor. I was in shock, but luckily, I didn’t sustain any injuries and I didn’t lose anything.  

I made it AIM in Makati in one piece!  

I was able to attend the invitation-only Developing and Growing the Business Family Segment Forum. 

It was amusing to see my middle name on my nameplate instead of my surname. I guess the intern mistyped my name! 

My key takeaway for this forum is that risk management is an important part of assessing the family business. By capitalizing on areas with potential for earnings and managing risks, businesses built by families can survive financial and personal obstacles. There is a science behind developing family businesses, and it’s more than just ensuring that its members are having harmonious relationships. Because as it was discussed in the forum, harmony does not equate to unity. 

Future of Work

Yesterday, I started my morning with some taho! 

I was in a cheerful mood for my conference at AIM.  

The conference, entitled Transformation of Work in the Asia-Pacific in the 21st Century: Key Policy Implications discussed how the workforce should adapt in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. 

As a freelance writer and blogger, I am confident that I am using technology wisely in promoting my message of mindful living and handmade life. However, I am also jobhunting, so it’s important that I am aware of the skills that are necessary to continue being relevant in the workplace. I am happy that there are conferences like this, and that I am able to learn that soft skills are the key to staying on top of the automation of work.  

5th BIRLA Breakfast Forum

Yesterday, I attended the 5th BIRLA Breakfast Forum at the AIM. I woke up early to commute from Quezon City, and I must say that it was worth it.  

AIM hosts insightful conferences and seminars to the public, and I always attend them whenever I’m free.  

Being in a classroom is also fun, and I enjoy asking questions to noted professionals.  

I knitted before yesterday’s forum began.  

And I enjoyed the session as it was all about Jewelmer, a company that I believe in. I purchased a pendant from them during my first year of working in 2009, and I am impressed that the company’s principals has instilled corporate values to its second generation family managers employees. 

I have learned that to overcome international borders, one must take advantage of technology,  social media to entice millennials, and still host events for the primary market in order to not alienate them. I am truly thankful to have been invited to this forum, and I’m sure that I can apply all my learnings to my future job. 

SWS Survey Review 2019

Yesterday, I started my day with a P2P ride to Makati.  

I bought puto from the vendor at the bus station, and it was very good!

I went to AIM for the 2019 SWS Survey Review and it was insightful. 

Then, I proceeded to Barkin’ Blends Dog Cafe to play with my doggo buddies. 

I ended my day with some kimchi rice at the weekend bazaar near my parking space.  

I had a productive Friday which was a balance of learning, cuddling, and eating! Hopefully, I’ll receive more invitations to learning opportunities and seminars. 

Risk Management Masterclass Day 3

Yesterday was the third and last day of the Disaster Risk and Crisis Management Masterclass. 

I learned that rather than have survival hacks, we must implement systems in order to reduce or contain risks during disasters. 

After class, I went straight to Barkin’ Blends Dog Cafe for some cuddle time with Ella and the other resident doggos.  

And for dinner, I had binatog! 

Life is all about the systems we put in place, and the places we go to in order to live to the fullest. Let’s maximize our resources and opportunities in order to create possibilities not just for ourselves, but for others as well. 

Risk Management Masterclass Day 2

Yesterday was the second day of the Disaster Risk and Crisis Management Masterclass series at the Asian Institute of Management. I had the Sicilian Pasta Salad with pesto dressing at Juju Eats to kickstart my day.  

I reached my destination in a heartbeat thanks to the improving MRT.  

A case study got everyone in the Masterclass awake and in high spirits for the information that was going to be imparted to us. 

I learned that there are careers in risk management, and there is a need for people to lend their expertise in preventing mayhem from ensuing before and after each disaster. Communication also plays a key role in improving systems in place and informing the general public. 

After the class, I went to Landmark Makati to buy some essentials for my family.  

It was nostalgic as my family and I used to shop for groceries here when I was a kid.  

I also went to St. Clare Monastery to offer eggs and pray for my special intentions.  

Again, the MRT wowed me with cool AC and efficient crowd control on the way home.  

I ended my day with some Fried Chicken Master!

I am thankful for yesterday’s learning opportunity, and I look forward to the last day in the masterclass series!

Risk Management Masterclass Day 1

Yesterday, I got to attend the first day of the Masterclass Series on Disaster Risk and Crisis Management. Before commuting to Makati, I ate my usual pesto pasta salad from Juju Eats. 

It was gloomy when I reached the venue, AIM. 

The classic staircase greeted me again. 

And I was welcomed by learning. My key takeaway is that disaster risk management should start at home and it should be a personal responsibility. Some examples of these are knowing earthquake safety procedures and converting to energy-efficient appliances. 

I had a productive afternoon and it’s always fabulous in Makati.  

I knitted during the P2P ride going back to Quezon City.  

I can’t wait to learn more in the coming days at AIM!

Future of Work

Yesterday was a productive one. I had a conference on Developing a Future-Ready Filipino Workforce for Competitiveness and Shared Prosperity organized by the Asian Institute of Management and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung. 

My key takeaways are: more than producing new jobs, employers must improve tasks in order prepare their workforce for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Tasks which involve empathy, compassion, and human touch such as massage can still be handled by people. Other tasks such as training and manufacturing may be handled by machines and computers, but people are still the ones who think behind the process and operate them. People must continue to work together to build a more human-centric workplace in an age of automation and cloud systems. 

Before going home, I received kisses from this fluffy doggo at Vertis North. I don’t know him and his humans, but I think he likes me!

As I rejoin the workforce in the coming months, I look forward to lending my opinions, expertise, skills in communication, and thirst for knowledge in order to continue to be relevant in the digital age- and to still be likable to both people and dogs!

2nd Dev Forum: Disaster Risk and Crisis Management 2018

Yesterday, I attended the 2nd Dev Forum hosted by the Asian Institute of Management. It was a day of learning and networking, but first...

...I had delicious Tapa Queen from Tapa King for brekkie.  

Then, I heard early morning mass at Greenbelt Chapel. 

Finally, it was time for my conference! 

My key takeaways are that we can only primarily rely on ourselves for help in these rapidly changing times, so we need to be prepared for disasters and crises. Shifting our mindsets and doing our part to effectively communicate what is happening will be helpful not only to save our own lives but to governments and NGO’s as well. 

It was an honor to be there again, AIM! Here’s to more learning opportunities to come! 

SME Competitiveness

Yesterday, I had the privilege of attending the SME Competitiveness Under Institutional Reform and Technological Change conference. It was organized and hosted by the Asian Institute of Management and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung. 

But first, I enjoyed my morning commute by taking the P2P to Makati. I slept comfortably during the two-hour traffic.  

It was my first time to go to the Makati Diamond Residences, and it was really nice!

Since it was an SME event, I wore my Marikina-made Renegade Folk sandals with pride. 

My seatmate, Esiel, is a Management lecturer at the University of Perpetual Help. It was helpful to have a teacher beside me as we got to exchange insights throughout the day. 

Another SME product that I proudly wore was my Noah fanny pack from Rags 2 Riches.  

AIM also partners with ADB on several studies, so we had a regional take on the industry landscape as well.  

Lunch was a networking event, and it was a delicious way to digest all the learnings that were presented by the esteemed panel.  

By the time the ensaymada was served, I was already inspired to continue supporting SME’s, especially those that help marginalized communities through social entrepreneurship. I sell Human Nature items through my online store, so I know first-hand how important technology is in business today. If the private sector and government will continue to work together to ensure that everyone has access to the right resources to setup their own businesses, then more Filipinos will be able to become thriving entrepreneurs. At the same time, the academe should continue researching on ways to support entrepreneurship in the country and the region. Lastly, we must all utilize the technology that is available to us to patronize business that have a heart and are locally-made. 

Together, we can all build a competitive atmosphere for businesses to thrive! 

ADB-AIM Hackathon

Yesterday, I was fortunate to attend the ADB-AIM Hacksthon. The actual hackathon has already happened, so what I witnessed was the final pitches of the nine finalist groups. Also, this was the pre-event to the Digital Development Forum, which is scheduled for today and tomorrow. 

I had my traditional photo by the Asian Development Bank sign. 

I got to crochet at the ADB library after having nasi goreng for lunch at the cafeteria. 

I am always honored to represent my blog in events, and yesterday was no exception. 

I enjoyed these quiches and frittata during the first coffee break. 

I learned that a hackathon is a creative marathon that bridges tech startups and stakeholders. The goal is to solve existing problems through technology. 

I was amazed with the pitches by tech startups to solve health, ID, and KYC (know your customer) problems in developing Asia. 

For the second coffee break, I had ADB’s famous crinkles. I personally think that it is the best in the country.  

I also tried other ADB cookies such as ube and Chocnut. Both were also delicious. 

It was a treat to eat my snacks in the iconic garden, which is an oasis in the middle of busy Ortigas. 

I also got to crochet again while waiting for the next phase of the event. 

There was a cultural show, then it was time for cocktails and dinner. 

Their chocolate crinkles cupcake was the yummiest dessert I’ve ever had!

I had an incredible time. I look forward to the two-day Digital Development Forum, and I am excited to learn, interact, and network. 

Thursday Learning

Yesterday, I managed to keep my cool amidst the traffic from Quezon City to Makati. I opted to ride the P2P so that I could relax and nap on the road. 

Before I knew it, I was already in Makati for the Birla Breakfast Forum.  

I enjoyed learning from the family behind Palawan Pawnshop. It was interesting to know that the five children currently run the business, and they still prefer to spend their free time together.  

The Asian Institute of Management never fails to fascinate me as there is always a fabulous learning experience every time I’m there. 

For lunch, I opted to have Indian food at Glorietta.  

I ordered this delicious chicken tikka masala.  

I had a lovely day at a conference and of course, a yummy Indian meal. I am thankful that I get invited to events that enable me to interact with business leaders and listen to insightful talks. I look forward to more conferences and seminars to spark my creativity! 

AIM Masterclass

I was invited to attend the 4.0: - 4th Industrial Revolution and Development Management Masterclass at the Asian Institute of Management yesterday. 

I learned that yesterday’s solutions are today’s problems in developing countries. An example of which is the sachet economy, which was introduced decades ago to give the poor access to shampoo and other basic needs. However, sachets are non-biodegradable and have become landfill problems in the past years. Now, companies are challenged to come up with solutions to this problem. An example of which is the option for refillable bottles. 

I also learned that emotional intelligence, cognitive flexibility, and creativity are currently the most in-demand skills in business. 

As the 4th Industial Revolution draws near, the challenge is for us to come up with ways to apply these skills in order to be indispensable in the workplace. 

I also crocheted while listening to the lectures.  

The class was concluded with a hearty lunch and dessert.  

I make sure that my blog remains current and true to my interests and values. Blogging has given me a venue to use technology to my advantage. Because of my blog, I get industry exposure through events and seminars. I also get to share my thoughts, and connect to people. Real human connections require creative thinking, and this can never be replaced by machines. I am eager to witness the changes in business and technology, and I can promise you that for every new development, I will continue to speakoutsam!

World Competitiveness Yearbook Results 2018

Yesterday, I was able to attend the World Competitiveness Yearbook Results conference for this year at the AIM. I am a keen follower of competition in business, and I was eager to learn about the position of the Philippines in the ASEAN region and among the world.

While our country has been performing well these past few years, I have learned these key points from the conference:

1. We need to strengthen our SME’s as this will drive innovation.  

2. We need more master and doctorate graduates in STEM in order to sustain innovation.  

3. We need to educate OFW’s and BPO workers (two of the most productive types of contributors to our economy) on how they could sustain their livelihoods outside of their jobs. This could be done by proper financial education, further academic studies, setting up their own businesses, and even being involved with trade organizations in their field. 

4. We need to learn how to learn, and in order for the Philippines to effectively sustain its competitiveness, we need to learn fast.  

It was an insightful conference, and I am sure that I will be able to apply these lessons as I continue blogging and exploring corporate opportunities. I look forward to attending more conferences and seminars to sharpen the saw and engage with business leaders. 

Business Insights Over Breakfast

Yesterday, I was fortunate enough to attend the BIRLA Breakfast Forum at the Asian Institute of Management. The topic was Traversing the Family Business Path: Insights from Non-Family Leaders. I was there early, so I was able to register and eat brekkie before the event began. 

The speakers were business leaders from the Philippines’ top corporations. 

I have learned from these leaders that trust is important in a family business. Non-family leaders do not necessarily have to use (and show) their talents all the time. They must be good listeners and balanced thinkers in order to win their employer’s trust and confidence. A family business cannot grow if they will not hire the best talent, and this means expanding beyond their family ties. It is also important to hire people with skills who could complement the family’s vision and values.

I have learned heaps from this morning, which I will eventually apply on my future corporate job. Most of my roles were in family businesses, and as a non-family employee, I did have to earn their trust by listening to their requirements and advice. I look forward to attending more business forums at the AIM.  

Learn, Knit, Nom

Yesterday, I finally finished the scarf I was knitting for my best friend. 

It was my first time to make a man scarf so I hope this works well during an overseas trip or two. 

I started another scarf, this time for one of my closest girl friends. I am using the popular Shawl in a Ball yarn. 

I was giddy because I was also wearing my new leather mules which I purchased from local brand Tutum. They looked fab with the floor at Pablo. 

I continued knitting at Pablo. Their mini chocolate cheese tart was delicious with their coffee. 

Their coffee maker was also adorable!

After finishing my coffee, I proceeded to the Asian Institute of Management to attend the lecture on Technology and Big Data lecture I was invited to. 

More knitting ensued as I waited for it to begin. 

The professor’s credentials and the topic of our talk are on the screen. 

It was an insightful lecture and I was happy to attend it!  

I was craving for pasta after class so I went to Cibo for my favorite Farfalle Alla Genovese.  

I also had a chill P2P ride home where was able to knit and nap. 

I had a lovely Friday and I couldn’t ask for more! I look forward to more opportunities to learn, try new food, and knit in colorful spaces. 

Day 14: Resilience as an Opportunity

I worked as a Senior Risk Officer of an Australian mortgage firm for five years. As a Risk Management professional, I have learned that managing risk is best done through careful planning. This mindset has trickled into every aspect of my life. I find it difficult to proceed with any major decision without conducting a SWOT analysis, making mind maps, and consulting experts if needed. 

Risk management has become integrated into my personal life. Now that I am on my fourteenth day into my self-improvement project, it is worth noting how I have shared risk management practices in my life. By uncovering my skills, I became aware of my abilities, which are crucial in furthering progress. By learning HOW I can develop my career with resources I already have access to (spoiler alert: advanced degrees and money are not initially needed), I am able to plot my next course of action to improve my circumstances. By empowering myself as a woman, I am able to act on my mission to blaze a trail by inspiring myself (because everything begins in the self) and eventually, inspiring others. And by attending a disaster risk conference, I am able to learn how to approach risk in my daily life through preparedness and a change in mindset.

On a personal level, it is crucial to shift my approach to risk management from response to preparation.

Anticipating and planning are important in personal development. Disasters come in the form of struggles which are usually preventable. This is why I advocate careful assessment and calculation before making any major decision. I approach failure rationally, because I know that life is not perfect and there is still a chance to fail especially in circumstances beyond my control, such as relationships, friendships, the weather, the traffic situation, etc.

It is important to rise above the chances to fail by making the necessary precautions and preparations to minimize or transfer the risk to fail. 

I am thankful for this opportunity to be exposed to the scale of Risk Management today in disaster management, crisis management, and big data. By listening to distinguished speakers from the public, private, and international development sectors, I was able to see that risk management at its very core is all about planning and preparation. If it is feasible to plan for disasters, wars, and even disease outbreaks, then it is practical to be a calculated risk-taker in my personal life. After all,  it is when the risk pays off that life becomes a sweeter deal.

 ***Comments are welcome at speakoutsam@gmail.com***

Always a note-taker.  

Glad to have made a friend! Photo from Donna.