April 19, Monday
8:00 AM
Smartly clad in corporate attire, the 30 students began the first day of the BOP bright and early with breakfast and opening remarks by Ms. Carol Dominguez, BOP Committee Chairman, while Mr. Rob Sears, Executive Director of AmCham, gave an overview of the Chamber.
After breakfast, Mr. Rick Santos, President of CBRE dropped
by the
AmCham Hall to give the students a talk on leadership.Early on in his speech, Mr. Santos asked them a soul-searching question: “If time and money were no object and success were guaranteed, what would you do?” He went on to give the students an overview on the definition of being a good leader, several of which consisted of the following qualities and insights:
- Leaders know their mission statement, core values, big goals.
- Never, ever give up. There are no shortcuts to success. Persistence and hard work are omnipresent.
- Leaders thrive on competition, and win. It is a lot like coaching in sports.
- Leadership is lonely at the top, but it’s crowded at the bottom.
- Leadership is a mosaic of talents, a result of experience.
- Leaders make good choices, based on personal core values. Make a choice, make a difference.
- Being in charge means making decisions, no matter how unpleasant.
- People will respect a leader who holds them to a high standard and pushes them to the limit—as long as they see the worthwhile objective.
- A leader owns up to mistakes early. Doing the wrong thing will eventually catch up with you.
- Enthusiasm is a ‘force-multiplier’. Be positive, exude confidence. Compartmentalize emotions.
- Don’t be often swayed by ‘elitists’ or so-called experts. Trust your instincts. Judgment through experience is priceless.
- Make an example of your personal life outside the office.
- In a leader, look for intelligence, loyalty, integrity, passion, a balanced ego… and heart.
- Make sure your team is prepared.
- People want the title, the promotion, not the hard work behind it. Leaders step up and take responsibility.
- Leaders show up!
- Leaders are the brand.
- Managers muddle—leaders inspire.
Mr. Santos also encouraged the students to find mentors, and to remember the ones they already have in their lives, since they did not get into the BOP on their own. In conclusion, he revealed the answer to the question at the beginning of the hour: “Be the change you want to make.”
10:00 AM
The students hopped off the bus and ventured into the Citibank Tower along Paseo de Roxas for their first company visit of the week, where Citibank executives such as Ms. Lillib
eth Fajardo and Mr. J. Antonio Itchon spent the next two hours giving the students a look-see of Citi’s operations, structure and organization, as well as encouraging them to validate their own career choices and determine if the banking industry is what they want to be a part of.Citibank is one of the pioneer sponsors of the BOP, having supported the program for the past eight years. The company is celebrating 108 years in the Philippines and is unmatched in global presence, or global footprint.
The students listened attentively and asked questions on Islamic banking for Muslim sectors in the Philippines, managing risks, maintaining trust and confidence of clients, lessons learned in the financial crisis, as well as inquiries on career advancement and performance appraisal measures.
The visit was wrapped up with a photo op on the 34/F balcony with a breathtaking view of Makati City, and lunch with the Citi executives.
1:30 PM
Next stop was at 6750 Bldg along Ayala Ave. for the Chevron visit. The students took pictures of the old gas tank at the reception area before filing into the conference room to join
Mr. Mark Quebral, the company’s Policy, Government and Public Affairs Manager, and other Chevron officers, who presented them with an eye-opening discussion about the status of the oil industry in the Philippines, new demand for energy in Asia, building biothermal energy and the downside of it, and Chevron’s stand on biofuel.Engaged in the presentation, the students asked questions on possible sources of renewable energy in the Philippines, building organizational capability, nuclear energy, striking a balance between energy production and protection of the environment, dealing with critical organizations who are staunch advocates of the traditional sources of energy, and cartelization.
Like Citibank, Chevron (Caltex) is also one of the BOP pioneer supporters in the program's entire 8 year-run. The company has been in the Philippines for the past 90 years.
3:45 PM
The group trooped back to the AmCham office where representatives from Hopkins International were waiting to conduct the TOEIC exam, a three-hour test in English proficiency skills.
Tonight, Atty. Lagera will be hosting dinner at the AmCham Hall for the students. The students will conclude today’s activities by working on their case study, before rising tomorrow at the break of dawn for their field trip to Clark, Pampanga.
-Marge F. Friginal
Official BOP Writer
