Best meets the Best

2011-12-19T00:49:00.000-08:00

The American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (AmCham) is seeking applicants for the position of MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR

Business description: AmCham Philippines is the oldest American Chamber abroad –and the first in Asia. It has been a premier business organization for over 100 years; initiated in 1902 and incorporated in 1920. It is committed to the promotion of US-RP relations at all levels and boasts 23 standing committees and two Foundations that cover all aspects of business and industry in the country.

Membership Coordinator

Responsibilities:

1. Solicit new members

2. Arrange induction and orientation of new potential members

3. Assists the Committee Chairman; oversee the monthly meetings of the membership comm.

4. Monitor unpaid members/yearly membership incoming and outgoing members

5. Solicit sponsors / donors for activities

6. Gather/update the database with new changes of members info, photo for the annual publication of directory; distribute news members list and changes to different departments.

7. Arrange special projects / social events for the members (Networking Night, Welcome Breakfast)

8. Disseminate info to members and assist in monthly membership meetings.

Accountabilities:

1. In charge of updating annual Directory in coordination with all the departments (The list of members are updated, analyzed and expanded)

2. Prepare notice, agenda, minutes of the meeting, Interim report and disseminate to the members of the comm.

3. Closely coordinate special activities to be able to achieve its objectives

4. See to it that sponsors receive the equivalent of their sponsorship through proper exposure in the AmCham magazine.

5. Provide database and photo for the publication of the directory on time.

6. Scheduled meetings are held

8. Feedback is received and acted upon (accommodate member’s request, handle complaints and respond to queries related to membership)

Requirements:

1. College graduate , preferably Business Administration, Mass Communications or Public Relations with a service oriented skill. 2. Should have at least 2 years experience in project management or selling and an understanding of the customer relationship process and basic professional selling and marketing skills. 3. Candidates with pleasing personality, totally fluent in written and oral English, confident, outgoing, smart, team player but self-starter, with the maturity to handle the pressure of the job.

4. Must have strong organizational and interpersonal skills.

5. Computer literate

Please email a copy of your resume with a recent ID picture to rachel@amchamphilippines.com and CC: divina@amchamphilippines.com with “Membership Coordinator” in the subject line and a short cover email message of application.

The interested applicant must be available to start work in January 2012.

For more information visit the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines website (http://www.amchamphilippines.com)

THE AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF THE PHILIPPINES, INC 2/F 121 Corinthian Plaza, Paseo de Roxas, Makati City 1229 Tel: (63)(2) 818-7911 - 13; Fax: (63)(2) 811-3081

Seeking interns for Accounting Department

2011-11-15T21:33:00.000-08:00

The American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (AmCham) is seeking interns/on-the-job trainees for their Accounting Department

Business Description:

AmCham Philippines is the oldest American Chamber abroad –and the first in Asia. It has been a premier business organization for over 100 years; initiated in 1902 and incorporated in 1920.

It is committed to the promotion of US-RP relations at all levels and boasts 23 standing committees and two Foundations that cover all aspects of business and industry in the country.

INTERN- Accounting Department

Responsibilities:

1. Sorting/Filing/Creating Files

2. Assisting and compiling audit requirements (to include digging up records for audit

3. General Typing (Confirmation Letters for Accounts Receivables and Accounts Payable, Bank Confirmation Letters on all types of deposits and other correspondences)

4. Follow-up of responses on confirmation letters

5. Photocopying of pertinent documents for the Auditor

6. Proofreading of schedules and other supporting documents against trial balance

Requirement/s:

1. BS Accountancy-preferably 3rd year student

Duration: 2 months

Please email resume to rachel@amchamphilippines.com and write “INTERN-Accounting Department” in the subject line.

For more details you may call or visit:

The American Chamber of Commerce of the Phils., Inc.

2/F Corinthian Plaza Building Paseo de Roxas Makati City

Tel: 818-7911 Fax: 811-3081

Website: http://www.amchamphilippines.com

BOP ALUMNI TESTIMONIALS

2011-11-08T19:29:00.000-08:00

Jenny Bonnevie- Bautista

University of Asia and the Pacific- BOP 2003

Exposure to several Multinational Companies - participants are acquainted to vast network, probably future high-paying employer or a business partner. Participants are also made aware of key international economic issues faced by these companies as well as challenged to suggest possible pragmatic courses of action. An eloquent addition to your CV- a major attraction for American-supported or US-organized company as well as local companies. Building of Networks -who knows... you might have met the future billionaire in this program. Developing the maturity in participants and understanding the realism of the business world and not just the theory. I would have not been this open-minded and optimistic in facing day-to-day challenges in our business if not for AmCham BOP! Building self-esteem and confidence- to be chosen and participate in this program is already an accomplishment. Pushing for excellence as an entrepreneur and a corporate leader- this program boosts you to excel, after all, you've already made it to join the program so you got to do the best when you are already out there in the business world. I can truly say that boundaries are endless with the opportunities provided for us (participants) member of the first batch of BOP

Christine P. Belmonte

University of Asia and the Pacific- Batch 2004

Having been given the opportunity to be part of AmCham's Business Orientation Program was such an honor for me. When I entered the program the only thing I knew about the different business industries was their book definition, after which, I was able to delve deeper into their fundamental meanings. I learned how to appreciate challenges; challenges that made me realize the value of disciple, hard work, patience, and most of all, teamwork. Not only did I gain theoretical knowledge, but I realize the career path I would really want to follow as well. In turn, the program gave me the motivation to strive and reach my goals.. I am fully indebted to the program for the level of success I am experiencing now.

Neil C. Eustaquio

University of Asia and the Pacific- Batch 2004

My experience with AmCham BOP is INVALUEABLE. The lessons I have learned, I still carry with me today. I will never forget the words of our mentor in AmCham; They still ring in my ear: "Your experience here is only as good as you make of it". Today, I always remember that the organization that I am in is only as good as I make of it. If I don't perform, who else will? And AmCham has given me concrete examples of people who embody this idea that still serve as my inspiration. So, to all those who have contributed to AmCham 2004, Thank You! And to all that have a chance to experience it- Please, absorb it like a sponge. Take down well-written notes like a diary. Then o back to them as you take "baby steps," and make your mark in the people's lives.

Mary Carmel Magleo

University of Asia and the Pacific- Batch 2004

Before I begin my testimonial, I'd like to congratulate the organizing committee of this annual business orientation program. This once in a lifetime opportunity can be likened to the famous program "30-seconds to Fame", where you can showcase your talents and get warm appreciation from your audience. I was at my senior year when I joined this activity. We all underwent a rigid screening and having to pass them, all I could say is that, it was a privilege to be chosen as one of the participants. First, we visited different American companies based here in the Philippines, and interacted with the "higher-ups" of those companies. During our visits, they explained to us how their business model works and how they were challenged to adapt to the Philippine business environment given their established structure and processes. This activity was very enriching especially for students about to graduate and scout companies to work for. It helped us expand our horizon about these companies, understand better their business set-up, and above all, gave us points on what to look out for that will aid us chart our career paths-- that includes if there's opportunities to work abroad. Another highlight of the program worth taking note was when we took up the English Proficiency test. The result of this exam ha two years validity which one can use for job applications. Indeed, I was able to use this at one of my job applications. It was a helpful tool to have this at hand since to take this exam will already cost around three thousand pesos. During the BOP program, it was given to us for free. Monetary, and time savings were given to us openly. Finally the most exciting activity in the program was the Business Plan Competition. Here one will be grouped with other students from notable schools. We were given a scenario which we should build a business plan from, and defend it from a panel. A lot of interaction through brainstorming, and research were done to come up with a sound business plan. To cap it all, it was really nurturing and notable experience to join this event. There are different lessons that one can learn beyond classroom walls that are also relevant to work like teamwork, work perseverance, humility, and having a sense of achievement or goal.

Pryma D. Cabbigat

Lyceum Philippines- BOP 2005

The Business Orientation Program was really a combination of a blessing in disguise and an educational adventure. It was overwhelming to see CEOs , Presidents and high officers of prominent companies spare their time to educate students and even tour us around their plants, considering the fact that they are very busy people. Their employees are also very accommodating and friendly in satisfying our endless queries about their company. The most wonderful part is that we are from different colleges and universities, yet, we blended well like coffee and cream. There was no school discrimination, and no persecutions or whatever. It was challenging yet fulfilling to be with the best students form different schools. The fact that we still have communication even after the event, proves that the friendship and the sense of belongingness in the family were genuine. The BOP has also opened our eyes into the reality that indeed, student life is very different from the professional environment. The program has taught us a lot, and gave us ideas how to be prepared to enter the different career paths that we have chosen. It is with deep gratitude that we always look back to that week in April 2005 and hope that I will always inspire the next batches as it did to us. To all the people who made the Business Orientation Program a blessing and a worthwhile experience, thank you and God bless!

Stephanie Chan

De La Salle University -BOP 2005

One week was all it was, yet that one week was more than enough for us BOP alumni to learn about life itself. And I realize that figures that seemed reasonable on paper and in school were useless in the real world. Markups I once thought conservative were deemed as "a dream" in the real world. Apparently it is not easy to make money. And even more so if one is not equipped with the proper leverage. Some of the ideals I held dear turned out to be next to impossible. All that happened under the scrutiny of a very real board of directors.

Paul Nathan Reyes

Master of Science in Management Program

University of Asia and the Pacific- BOP 2005

Holistic in the sense that it covered and integrated diverse topics. Engaging in the sense that it encouraged participation and involvement through Q&A portions and a business plan competition, an opportunity to interact with top companies (e.g. P&G, McCann Erickson, Citibank, FedEx) In the end of the day, you'll realize how varied and rich the world of business is- and that in BOP, you are able to partake and experience it many sides.

Ruth Tacneng

BS Economics

University of the Philippines, Diliman -BOP 2005

Barely one year had passed since the Business Orientation Program (BOP) was help, but the memories are still fresh, the experience are still kept within me. Yes, I am indeed lucky to be chosen among hundreds of achievers. It was like undergoing a job application, and lucky enough to be hired. Though bit hassled because I had to travel to Makati for the screening, I can attest that it was really worth the time and effort. But what really overjoyed me was the 6 sleepless mornings and nights and having to survive right in time for the culminating activity. It was tiresome and challenging, but it was really worth the fun, plus the able and accommodating staff and sponsors, not to mention the great food and free coffee. The AmCham experience has numerously changed my life- my beliefs, my understandings and especially on how things in my life now. I discovered that culture takes big chink of how companies differ- on the way they organize things, on the way they manage the organizations, and most especially on their perspective of time, space and work. It is noteworthy that I really gained friends from other universities. We weren't really hard up coping with each other because every delegate was friendly, and indeed has a good sense of humor.

The AmCham experience really rocks!

Carissa Caparas

BS Business Economics

University of the Philippines, Diliman- BOP 2005

BOP- one of the most enriching summers of my life.

For the one whole week, the batch had experienced a rare chance of being able to hear lectures from and interact with prominent figures in the business community. We were treated with tours to international companies. We had intellectual discussions, and lunch, with big-time CEO's and company executives! Being in the Program also gave me the chance to meet students who are in the same field of study that I am in, people who could very well one day be my own colleagues at work. One of the activities that I like the best during the week was business proposal competition. Sharing insights and ideas with the brightest of them all was a delight to people like me who enjoy working in teams. It was a blast to come up with a plan, do it for a whole night and present it to a panel of experienced executives the following day!! The AmCham Philippines' Business Orientation Program gave me a wonderful preview of where my chosen career can take me. I saw classroom theories coming into life. The week after the program's conclusion, I had my internship in a multi-national corporation. But I did not get nervous, for I had a head start. The BOP has impressed in all of us the right attitude. As I leave the university ad become part of the country's labor force in just a few months' time, I'll definitely look forward to fun and fulfilling business career.

Alyannah Bantaus

Mindanao State University- BOP 2011

Reminiscing my week-long BOP journey and all the priceless inputs I gained from it, I cannot be more grateful to AmCham for giving me the opportunity to experience a life-changing program I cannot find elsewhere. The on-site visits and dialogues with top officers of various multinational companies are truly beneficial to a business major student like me especially that I am from the south where exposure to real corporate world is very limited. In addition, the program gave me a memorable chance to interact, and learn together with students of different backgrounds and perspectives. Indeed, this journey had developed a better version of me mentally and socially. On top of it, the AmCham Business Orientation Program has endowed me a remarkable advantage which I can proudly reap in the years to come. Thank you AmCham and more powers!

Camille Angela Marie Aquin

De La Salle University- BOP 2011

The American Chamber of Commerce Business Orientation Program is the most comprehensive, complete and thorough business leadership program that I have attended among all other programs offered in the country. Not only will the BOP expose you to more than 10 companies, but it will give you the chance to interact with CEOs, executives, and other business leaders who will give valuable insights on leadership, business, and life in the corporate world. The experience of interacting with other young leaders from all over the country will make one competitive yet collaborative, and the experience of mingling with executives will train one on how to act professional and proper. Only this program offers several plant and company visits that span a wide range of industries, allowing business leaders to truly see the inner working of a company. All in all, the BOP offers everything that a young business leader would want and need to be prepared for the business world.

Joanna Clarisse O. Young

Ateneo de Manila University- BOP 2011

AmCham's BOP has got to be the most amazing 8 days of my life. Before I was very narrow-minded in only wanting to work in the top 4 FMCG's in the company-- P&G, Unilever, and the like, but afterwards, I got bowled over by the potential of all these other companies that existed in the Philippines. All of a sudden, I could actually see myself working not merely for the prestige of a good company name (which of course still helps), but for a cause I actually believed in. Hearing from all these brilliant minds positively inspired me to work and be LIKE them one day, turning highfaluting words such as "success" or "leadership" to concrete and very much tangible goals I could actually work for. When I first heard of BOP, I didn't pay much attention to all these alumni's raves about it. Thinking it to be mere exaggeration, hype, overfeeding from the scrumptious food (or the combination of all three), I set all these aside and just prepared myself for whatever was in store for us that week. After everything I've been through though, I can honestly say that I know now what's the hype about, and you can consider me as one of your many BOP Believers. Looking back, I'm floored by the amount of work AmCham put in for us. I'm amazed by the generosity of our host-companies, selflessly opening their doors to the curiosity of these 30-odd students, and answering all these questions we could throw their way. The word 'comprehensive' can't begin to describe the experience that is BOP-- I believe the proper adjective would be 'rich'. I came back richer in so many aspects- gastronomically (I think I speak for everyone when I say the good food was never ending), personally, (I seriously believe I'm better equipped to handle the world, now that my horizons have been broadened) and relationship-wise. From the get-go, we were constantly told to network and meet new people! "Be ma-PR and start mingling!" Now, with so many acquaintances and new friends, I can say that they were right. I'm very much honored to have met these 31 people, who forgive the hackneyed phrase, I believe will actually effect change in the next 5 or 10 years. My sincere gratitude to the American Chamber of Commerce for sponsoring this week-long field trip and learning experience steroids; rest assured that the seed you plant every year will bear much fruit soon, and we will do you proud. More powers and thank you so much for everything.

Alexia Marie Ramos

BOP changed my life a lot. I am now more confident whenever I talk to people especially during interviews. Many opportunities came my way after the week activity. BOP is really a once in a lifetime opportunity that incoming senior college students should not miss if they want to change their lives forever for the better.

Athena O. Plaza

University of San Carlos- BOP 2011

I felt truly blessed that I became part of the 8th AmCham BOP, at first, it seemed like reaching the summit but it turned out that the unique BOP experience was a door to more opportunities, bigger dream, and, most importantly, stronger values. For me, this is the most significant impact of AmCham BOP. It does not end after the week-long program because the learning and realizations that I acquired have become part of who I am today. My AmCham BOP experience continues to be an inspiration and, in my endeavors, I am constantly reminded that I was given the rare opportunity to become part of the program I must aim for no less than excellence. Last August 2011, I was recognized a one of the Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines and I want to express my utmost gratitude to AmCham BOP for instilling in me the passion, courage and disciple to attain my goals. I am proud and happy to be part of the AmCham BOP and I hope the Program continues to mold future leaders of the industry and the nation.

Nikki Laynes

BOP 2007

The invitation for the American Chamber of Commerce Business Orientation Plan was sent in one to yahoo groups from an orgmate (Russell- Batch 4) who attended the seminar the previous year before. Nobody paid any attention to it, because there wasn't much publicity aside from the email. It was totally unknown, and mot of them thought maybe it was just one of those free seminars offered by other organization. What made me apply was because it sounded different and fun. And I was right; it was fun. I met a lot of new people- the organizer, the CEOs, fellow students from different schools all over the Philippines. And they were all so nice and friendly that you think you know them for such a long time already. The BOP was held on the 2nd week of April was a stepping stone for me. I didn't know then how it would all work out, but they all just did. Because at the end of my internship with PLDT during that same summer, there was also a business plan competition- and of course, since I learned a lot from doing the AmCham project, I was ahead of the other people already. My team won the AmCham business plan competition, and also the PLDT Revalida. Then classes started and business plans were required. I got good grades from these subjects, and then I was selected to be a part of the team for a finance competition. We won the Philippine national finals, and we ended up as a finalist in the Asian regional finals. With these academic credentials, I was able to get a job in Mead Johnson (whose HR Manager I met in an AmCham press con last year), which prepared me for my next job as a teacher in Vietnam, thereafter another job as a Financial Analyst in a local company in the Philippines, and now I'm here in Canada working for a private Immigration Consulting Firm. So what did I get from the week-long AmCham BOP? Probably the best years of my college life, and the very exciting first few years of my career.

ALL ABOUT BOP

2011-10-18T02:33:00.000-07:00

ABOUT THE BOP

The AmCham Business Orientation Program (BOP) aims to make tomorrow's leaders aware of the contributions of multinational businesses to the country's development.

It offers well-qualified undergraduate Filipino student an opportunity to gain a new understanding of key global business and economic issues, through a program of site tours plus in-depth discussions with management professionals from a wide spectrum of top AmCham member companies and facilities in Manila.

In addition, the BOP aims to:

Promote a venue for the constructive competitive exchange of ideas among aspiring young leaders from various universities across the country.
Harness students' analytical and problem-solving skills in the context of real-life business environment; and
Help student enhance mutual understanding, cooperation, and communication skills, especially with AmCham member companies.

PROGRAM COMPONENTS

The BOP is a week-long program for university students, consisting of company visits, meeting with CEOs, and a mentored business project.

This year's BOP will be on April 14 to 21, 2012.

Company Visit

Participants are exposed to the real world operations of multinational company through site visits and meetings with top company officers. The program provides a rare opportunity for students from different universities and background nationwide to learn together and interact with corporate executives of prestigious international firms.

Companies to visit cover various industries, including banking, business process outsourcing, consumer products, hotels, hospitals, information and creative communication technology, manufacturing, energy, development and logistics.

During the site visits, a senior company executive meets for discussions with the students and discusses with them, among others, the company's operations and the situation of the specific industry.

Talks

Throughout the week, the students will also attend interactive talks by key officers from AmCham member firms and partner organizations on various topics ranging from current issues, viewed from a multinational business perspective, to practical concerns, such as leadership management, business ethics, and how a job search works in the real world.

Business Project

During the week participants will also be asked to apply their knowledge and work together on a project (for example, a marketing plan) based on Harvard Case Study. They will be divided into teams (composed of students from different schools) and present their output to a panel at the end of the week. The three best projects and a best individual presenter will be recognized in a ceremony during the closing awards dinner.

Details of the project guidelines shall be provided and explained to the participants.

Other Activities

Aside from the above, students will have an opportunity to interact with the alumni of the BOP, US Embassy officers, the AmCham Board of Director, BOP Company Partners, and other AmCham members during a pre-program cocktail reception and the closing awards dinner. These are excellent opportunities for students from difference BOP batches to network with one another, as well as with the guest from AmCham member firms.

BOP participants may also have the opportunity to attend AmCham activities (e.g., Committee meetings, or a General Membership meeting) during the week and interact with AmCham members. Moreover, successful candidates will have the privilege to be administered the prestigious TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication) and receive a Certificate.

Schedule

The week-long BOP kicks off with a Welcome Launch and Team building on April 14, 2012 followed by a Pre-Program Cocktail at 6:00 p.m.

Daily activities begin at 7:00 a.m. daily at the AmCham office in Makati.

There will be breakfast meetings with CEO/s, company visits and talks scheduled every day. A schedule of activities will be given to each participant.

Students return to the AmCham office at the end of each day around 7 p.m. (depending on their schedule for the day).

The program closes with Awards Dinner on April 21 at 6:00 p.m. after the Case Study Presentation.

ADMISSION TO THE PROGRAM

Eligibility Criteria

a. Filipino Citizen

b. Incoming Senior, Business Major or enrolled in any business-related course, in Academic Year 2012-2013

c. Excellent English Language Skills

d. Documented Outstanding Leadership Qualities

e. Top Scholastic Records

Application Process

1. Applicant must submit the following:

a. Temporary Transcript of Records and Certification of latest Grade Point Average (GPA) or Certification of General Weighted Average from Registrar -and with this, must also provide his/her school's grading system and procedure for computing the GPA/GWA. (Without the information on the computation method, the applicant will not be considered; it is imperative to the selection process.)

b. Resume

c. Completed Application Form

d. Essays (Topics are noted on the Application Form)

e. Letter of Personal Recommendation from the Dean, or appropriate school official

2. Documents must be submitted to appropriate school officially (eg. the faculty Dean or Program Director) or review and consideration for submission to the AmCham BOP Committee. Only a maximum of 5 students per school will be selected.

3. The BOP Committee will then make an initial selection of student submissions based on he above criteria. (All criteria must be observed when documents are submitted - otherwise the applicant will be disqualified.)

4. Those students initially selected will be advised and called for an English Proficiency and Personality test, to be administered by the AmCham BOP Committee. Students who successfully perform in the above tests will then be called for an personal interview.

5. Based on this interview and the other criteria, a final selection will be made and the students and the schools will be notified in writing.

Deadline for Applications to the AmCham office - December 9, 2011

ONLY 30 STUDENTS WILL BE SELECTED, NATIONWIDE

COST AND OTHER EXPENSES

There is no cost for applying and participating in the BOP 2012

All BOP participants will be housed at a hotel in Makati area throughout the week and with subsidized costs of transportation to and from Makati (by land for those for Luzon and air for those from the Visayas and Mindanao) for the duration of the program.

AmCham will provide transportation and meals for the activities during the program.

UNIVERSITIES

The student participants of BOP 201 were from: Luzon: Centro Escolar University, De La Salle University, De La Salle - College of St. Benilde, Far Eastern University, Miriam College, University of the East, University of Asia and the Pacific, University of the Philippines - Manila, University of Santo Tomas, Polythecnic University of the Philippines, Southville University, St. Louis University of Baguio, University of Cordilleras, University of Baguio, Ateneo de Naga University. Visayas: Siliman University, Dumaguete and University of San Carlos, Cebu. Mindanao: Ateneo de Davao University, University of the Philippines Davao, Xavier University Cagayan de Oro, Ateneo de Zamboanga University and Mindanao State University, Marawi City.

PARTNERS

The AmCham 2012 BOP is co-sponsored by PEREGRINE DEVELOPMENT.

To date, the program's supporters include: Mead Johnson Nutrition, Thomson Reuters, John Clements Consultants, Inc., Sunpower Philippines and Pointwest Technologies.

2011-09-15T23:37:00.000-07:00

We are pleased to announce that Peregrine Development International will co-sponsor (Premium Platinum Partner) the AmCham Business Orientation Program (BOP) 2012.

Thank You...

2011-09-12T17:44:00.000-07:00

Announcing....

The Launch of the 10th ANNUAL 2012 BUSINESS ORIENTATION PROGRAM (BOP) for Future Business Leaders

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

The chamber has begun planning for the 2012 BOP to be held April 14 - 22, 2012. We invite the support of all members for this prestigious student program - specifically as a part of the Chamber's 110 year anniversary!

A new category/ level of sponsorship is available this year --
Premium Platinum at Php 150, 000 (Two special events)
1) Opening Welcome Cocktail Reception
2) Closing Gala Awards Dinner

This category / level of sponsorship will entitle the donor to be listed on all correspondence, flyers, press releases etc. as the BOP Official Sponsor (s), as well as a guaranteed Company Visit/ Tour and all other listed benefits.

Due to past experience, with so many wishing to host a company visit and a finite time available for this activity within the program, it is necessary to limit the number of visits to a total of 12 sponsors - to ensure more time with each company, for a more meaningful visit. Thus, the first 10 Platinum sponsors to confirm their support by January 31, 2012 will be assured of a Company Visit/ Tour too.

In addition, we invite any sponsor of the Platinum and Gold categories to join committee conducting the selection interviews of the candidates, if they wish too.

Sponsorship Categories:

Premium Platinum - Php 150,000.00
Platinum - Php 100,000.00
Gold - Php 75,000.00
Silver - Php 50,000.00

To date, AMCHAM 2012 BOP Partners are:

Silver Sponsor:

9TH AmCham BOP Day 3: Learning first-hand

2011-04-08T21:24:00.000-07:00

9th AmCham BOP Day 3:

Learning first-hand

by Aldwin Chester Yap Dumago, AmCham BOP 8 Alumnus

Everyone was excited for the first round of company visits of the 9^th AmCham BOP. They had breakfast together with Mr. Rick Santos, President and CEO of CB Richard Ellis, at the AmCham Hall on Monday morning.

Mr. Santos focused his talk on leadership. He posed the question to the delegates, “If time and money were no object and success were guaranteed, what would you do?” and asked them to write their answers on a sheet of paper. He asked the delegates to send him an email of their answers to the question. The best answer will be recognized during the Awards Night and the winner will receive a mobile phone.

He continued to expound on his topic by citing famous leaders like Efren Penaflorida, Warren Buffett, Tony Meloto, Manny Pangilinan, Henry Sy, Jack Welch, Walt Disney, and Mahatma Gandhi. He also showed a video clip from the movie “Remember the Titans.”

“Be ready to change and adapt to the international world. If you want to be successful going forward, you look back to the piece of paper you’ve written on this morning,” he said. Apart from sharing other leaders’ success stories, he was also very generous to share to the delegates his personal story.

He then talked about the positive outlook of the Philippines under the administration of President Aquino. He cited the boost in investor’s confidence and financial health of the country. “Now is the best time for the Philippines; now is your best time to shine as leaders,” he said.

The delegates were all excited for their first company visit—Mead Johnson Nutrition at its headquarters in Makati City. The group was warmly welcomed by Mr. Paul Richards, MJN Country Manager, and his management team. He presented the history of Mead Johnson Nutrition worldwide as well as its local unit which has been in existence for more than 60 years. MJN Philippines is the fourth largest MJN subsidiary around the world and the second in Asia.

The delegates became more interested when Mr. Richards explained the different MJN products and how they are being marketed commercially. He said MJN’s strength is on strategy. “Marketing has no science; it’s all about creating a demand for your product and getting them to buy it,” Mr. Richards shared to the delegates.

He discussed the career opportunities in MJN. While they do not recruit new graduates, he was quick to add that MJN will be very happy to get BOP alumni after they get sufficient work experience from other companies. He also gave an unsolicited advice to the delegates, “Leap frog while early than to move from one company to another after 20 years.”

Lastly, he reminded the students of the significance of having a long-term goal but living life one day at a time. “Don’t sacrifice your health, your peace of mind, your friendship, your relationship, your family; you may be missing out on life trying to achieve your goal.”

The delegates were given a tour of its state- of- the- art facility. There, they were able to see first-hand how the milk products are placed in foil packs, then into cartons and, finally, into the boxes which are ready for warehousing and distribution. The fully-automated process made the delegates understand how an assembly line format of manufacturing works.

A buffet lunch was hosted by MJN. The executives sat down with the delegates to entertain their questions. The delegates wasted no time asking as many questions about product development, marketing strategies, company outlook, people management, and the whereabouts of the iconic Susi and Geno mascots of Sustagen, one of MJN’s premium brands.

The next stop for the delegates was Chevron Holdings at RCBC Plaza in Makati City. They were welcomed by Mark Quebral, Regional Manager for Human Resources, and Chevron employees to its training room. The topic on fuel and energy picked the interests of the delegates in view of the rising oil prices and looming power crisis. “It’s getting harder and harder to look for petroleum; oil in the Philippines is scarce,” Mr. Quebral said.

Chevron’s corporate strategy of enabling people has become an effective tool in achieving the companywide mission. “To ensure we have the right people with the right capacities at the right time, we create a world-class, high- performing, diverse global workforce, develop and manage our talent to ensure we have the organizational capacity to execute our strategies,” he explained.

Mr. Quebral took time to explain the Chevron Malampaya Asset, the biggest investment in the Philippines to date, and Chevron’s geothermal plants in Tiwi, Albay and Makban, Batangas. Chevron is the world’s leading developer of geothermal energy and the Philippines is the second largest producer of geothermal energy in the world after the US.

In Chevron, everyone puts a premium on safety according to Mr. Quebral. To prove the point, he presented a video on the companywide effort to ensure the safety of all its employees and stakeholders.

Tom Miclat (BOP 2 alumnus) and Jonalyn Andal (BOP 7 alumna), now Chevron employees, were present throughout the presentation. Ms. Andal shared her work experience on her six months of working with Chevron.

By 400pm, the delegates were back at the AmCham Hall to take the Test of English for International Communications (TOEIC) by John Hopkins International. The two- hour examination tested the listening and reading skills of the delegates. Results of the test are to be released and special citations will be given to the top scorers during the Awards Night on Saturday.

Shortly after the test, they had a forum on business integrity and corporate values by Ms. Grace Sorongon, Vice President of John Clements Consultants, and Mr. Richard McGonegal, President and Managing Director of RCG Information Technology Philippines. One delegate asked about the ethical parameters for employees who communicate thru social networking sites while another one asked about cases of employees sharing confidential information to people outside of the company.

Afterwhich, the delegates had their case mentoring with Mr. Tully Moss, a well-known educator of Harvard Business School programs and consultant to several multinational companies, and Ms. Carol Dominguez, President and CEO of John Clements Consultants. Both helped the groups work on their business plans.

9th AmCham BOP Day 2: Making sense of the case

2011-04-07T06:58:00.000-07:00

9th AmCham BOP Day 2:

Making sense of the case

By Aldwin Chester Yap Dumago, AmCham BOP 8 Alumnus

It was a relatively “free and easy” day for the 32 delegates of 9th AmCham BOP since they did not have any activity until lunch time. In preparation for the case mentoring session later that day, everyone reread the case while having late breakfast at McDonalds.

Ms. Grace Alcid, a training expert of Harvard Business School case studies by John Clements Consultants, brought with her a variety of hair and skin care products by Splash Corporation and distributed them to the five groups to help them have a better grasp of the case study.

Right after lunch, Ms. Alcid immediately engaged the groups into a fruitful discussion. Together, they identified the challenges of Splash Corporation based on the scenario written on the case. Reading the case one day ahead gave the delegates an advantage because it became easier for them to process the case study. The session, which lasted for about four hours, greatly helped the delegates understand the objectives of the case.

The delegates went on working on the case until late night with just a short break for dinner. The delegates look forward to the company visits beginning Monday until Friday, saying that insights from the company executives might give them fresh ideas that can be of help as they work on their case.

9th AmCham BOP gathers the best business students

2011-04-07T03:13:00.000-07:00

9^th AmCham BOP gathers the best business students

By Aldwin Chester Yap Dumago, AmCham BOP 8 Alumnus

It’s the time of the year when “the best meets the best” in Manila for the annual American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) Business Orientation Program for Aspiring Business Leaders. A total of 32 undergraduate students from 25 universities and colleges all over the country were selected to be part of the weeklong program consisting of company visits, talks and a case study.

Now on its 9^th year, AmCham BOP offers well-qualified Filipino college students the rare opportunity to gain a new understanding of the global business and economic issues through a variety of activities that are geared towards preparing the future business leaders for the real- life business environment.

Of the 145 applicants for the program, only 32 of them passed the procedure which comprises written and online examinations plus phone and panel interviews. This year’s delegates come from Ateneo de Manila University, Ateneo de Davao University, Ateneo de Naga University, Ateneo de Zamboanga University, Xavier University- Ateneo de Cagayan, University of the Philippines- Diliman, University of the Philippines- Cebu, De La Salle University- Manila, Enderun Colleges, Far Eastern University, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, St. Paul University- Quezon City, San Beda College, University of Asia and the Pacific, University of the East, Holy Angels University, University of Baguio, University of the Cordilleras, Silliman University, University of San Jose Recolectos, and Mindanao State University- Marawi City.

Delegates who flew in from Davao and Cebu were the first to arrive at the AmCham Hall for the welcome lunch. Shortly before 1200 noon, all the delegates have arrived and the sumptuous lunch was served.

Ms. Leslie Ann Murray, 9^th AmCham BOP Chair, officially welcomed the delegates while Mr. Jeffrey Woodruff, AmCham Executive Director, gave an overview and history of AmCham Philippines. Mr. Robert Sears, AmCham Director, explained to the delegates what they should expect and do during the program.

Mr. Demetrio ‘Jun’ Salipsip, Director of AmCham Foundation, immediately engaged the delegates on how to go about the case study presentation which is one of the highlights of the program. The Splash Corporation case given to the students was from Nanyang Technological University of Singapore. Mr. Christopher Stolk, SEA Change Philippines’ Senior Director of Engineering, then facilitated the groupings of the delegates for the case study. The students had one hour to read the case and do a preliminary discussion before they checked in at AIM Conference Center, the official residence for this year’s delegates.

Shortly before 600pm, the delegates boarded the bus en route to South Forbes Park for the cocktail reception hosted by Ms. Leslie Bassett, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of the United States of America, at her residence in South Forbes Park, Makati City.

All the delegates, BOP alumni, AmCham members, BOP sponsors and partners, US Embassy officials and guests enjoyed the gastronomic showcase.

AmCham President Austen Chamberlain and Mr. Woodruff each gave their message to the students and sponsors. Meanwhile, Mr. Paul Richards, Mead Johnson Nutrition’s President and CEO, spoke on behalf of the sponsors of the program. He expressed his excitement towards meeting the delegates again during the visit and plant tour at Mead Johnson Nutrition’s headquarters in Makati City.

The 32 students were asked to go in front to introduce themselves to the crowd. Mr. Woodruff then gave the BOP delegates 10 minutes to interact with the AmCham members and sponsors. Immediately, the students dispersed and approached every sponsor and member around. On the other hand, the BOP alumni gathered around recalling their own experiences.

The cocktail reception ended with the traditional picture-taking session. The delegates thanked Ms. Bassett from graciously hosting them at her residence.

As early as the Day One, the delegates already showed their commitment and diligence in doing their case study. Upon arrival at the AIM Hotel, the five groups immediately convened to further discuss their strategies before they go for a more intensive case study and mentoring session on Sunday.

Thirty students join AmCham’s summer leadership program

2011-04-05T20:39:00.000-07:00

Photo shows members of the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, over 30 students of the 2011 AmCham Business Orientation Program (BOP), some BOP alumni, and several AmCham BOP sponsors.

Thirty students gear up for AmCham’s summer leadership program

Business Orientation Program set on April 2-9, 2011

(Manila, Philippines) – Thirty student leaders from various universities nationwide were selected to join this year’s Business Orientation Program (BOP) of the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) on April 2-9. In the course of this week, the students will be exposed to the “real world” of business and have the opportunity to discuss business and economic topics with the country’s top CEOs.

The 30 successful AmCham BOP participants were among the 145 applicants for the program this year. The applicants underwent qualification tests and personal interviews by AmCham’s BOP committee members.

Among the schools represented by the participating students are UP Diliman, De La Salle University, Ateneo de Manila, Enderun Colleges, Far Eastern University, University of Asia and the Pacific, San Beda College, University of the East, Centro Escolar University, St. Paul University - Quezon City, Polythecnic University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Naga University, Holy Angel University, UP Cebu, University of Baguio, University of Cordilleras, University of San Jose Recoletos-Cebu, Silliman University, Mindanao University, Ateneo de Zamboanga University, Xavier University-Ateneo de Cagayan de Oro, and Ateneo de Davao University.

Now on its ninth year, AmCham continues to provide business college students skills enhancement and career opportunities. The program, which consists of a week-long schedule of activities, gives qualified college students opportunities to understand key international business and economic issues through site tours in multinational companies, in-depth discussions with management professionals, and project analysis and presentation.

Activities of the program include site tours in American multinational companies, seminars from AmCham member firms, business projects, and opportunity to interact with BOP alumni, US Embassy officers, AmCham Board of Directors and other AmCham members during a pre-program cocktail reception and the closing awards dinner at the end of the week.

Aside from exposing future corporate leaders to the “real world” of business and commerce, AmCham BOP, due to the participation of students from different backgrounds, also helps to enhance mutual understanding, cooperation, and communication skills – all valuable tools for their future in the business world.

“The American Chamber is really proud to have initiated this program for the benefit of tomorrow’s leaders, and is committed to continue providing this educational experience to support and contribute to the Philippine business community,” AmCham BOP Chair Leslie Murray said.

Post event Story

2011-01-18T00:27:00.001-08:00

1. How would I describe my AmCham program experience to my mother or best friend? Did it meet my expectations?

Rose Chua, Business Administration student in the University of the Philippines – Diliman and recently elected to be part of the Business Administration Student Council.

If I were to describe the program experience to my mother or best friend, I would have to say that I got very “full” from the experience. More than just the literal meaning of “full” (we were fed heartily and had almost free-flowing supply of coffee and hot choco at the AmCham hall), I was able to learn about different industries direct from executives and managers of the company, themselves. I was “full” in respect to getting a very wide perspective and insightful look into the workings of the best American companies. Also, I had a very “full” and enriching experience meeting the best students in the country and being able to work with them. It certainly exceeded my expectations of the program.

Aldwin Chester Dumago, 3^rd year student in BS Entrepreneurship with minor in Economics in Ateneo De Davao University

Oxford has yet release a superlative adjective that will describe my AmCham BOP experience. It’s more than the best, the most fantastic, the most exciting, or the most memorable. I’m serious. I don’t have to describe the AmCham BOP experience in one word to my mother or best friend. I will just have to spend the whole day rekindling my experience to her/my best friend so they’ll get to understand how it feels to be part of the program.

Athena Plaza, a fourth year Business Administration student of the University of San Carlos (USC), Cebu City and a consistent academic scholar.

My mother knows fully well the amazing experience I had in BOP since I bombarded her with long detailed text messages during the course of the program and, when we arrived home from the airport, the first thing I did was show off all the cool stuff I got from the BOP. (Thanks to all our sponsors! I didn't mind the excess baggage.) I told my mother that the BOP was such a beautiful life-changing experience and I felt very blessed to have been given such opportunity to meet the best business leaders and interact with the future leaders of our country. The BOP not only met my expectations; it surpassed them!

Christian Patacsil, a double major student in BS in Business Administration major in Marketing Management and Business Economics Saint Louis University, Baguio.

I described AmCham to my best friends as irreplaceable, challenging, and definitely an unforgettable experience. My friends almost envy me for the grand stories I share! And until now, I can’t believe that I’ll also share memorable stories to Rehanna Rosario who really inspired me to make it in AmCham’s BOP. J

Obviously, my experiences exceeded my expectations! I acquired knowledge more than what I expected. The remarkable CEO talks, the cherished company visits, and the sharing of intelligent answers and networking to finest BOP delegates… it’s so perfect! That’s not all! The freebies, delicious and heavenly served foods, the fine-dining reception areas, everything falls into perfection! No wonder it was an ideal, successful and terrific experience I truly enjoyed! J

2. Which company site visit was the most interesting for me and why/how?

Rose Chua, Business Administration student in the University of the Philippines – Diliman and recently elected to be part of the Business Administration Student Council.

The most interesting company visit for me was Accenture. Prior to that, we already had 2 talks from the same industry but what set Accenture apart was a slightly different business model. I was definitely intrigued at the mention that the company does a lot of “back-office” work for companies abroad as most other BPOs seem to be more focused on service-oriented work.

Aldwin Chester Dumago, 3^rd year student in BS Entrepreneurship with minor in Economics in Ateneo De Davao University

There is always a significant lesson to be learned in every company/site visit. But what struck me the most are the two trips to Clark and Laguna. The visit to Clark made me realize how much potential Clark has that remains to be unseen by the Filipinos. It’s a big shame on us that the Americans came to see that great potential first. While listening to Mr. Dennis Wright explain the site development plan as we drove around the Global Gateway Logistics City, I was already imagining all those buildings are already in place and the people moving around. That was a futuristic trip.

Meanwhile, the trip to Laguna convinced me that Filipino skilled laborers are truly world-class. I was so delighted to see a brand new Mazda/Ford automobile ready for driving every eight minutes. Ford Motors Philippines isn’t only manufacturing cars for the local market but also for the ASEAN region. Imagine a Ford automobile manufactured here that is cruising on the street of Thailand. The solar panels being produced in Laguna are not even for local consumption but are being exported to other countries. That simply means we are at par with international standards.

Athena Plaza, a fourth year Business Administration student of the University of San Carlos (USC), Cebu City and a consistent academic scholar.

Our visit to Peregrine Development International in Clark, Pampanga was most interesting because we had the chance to meet their President, Mr. Dennis Wright, whose passion and long-term vision inspired us to create our own opportunities and become future visionary leaders of the country. Mr. Wright talked avidly about the development of the Global Gateway Logistics City and strongly declared that, “Clark is it!” I enjoyed the site tour very much because, although most of the infrastructure was not yet in place, Mr. Wright's passion allowed us to share in his vision of the future. Peregrine is one company I will always admire because it sees what others, even Filipinos themselves, cannot see.

Christian Patacsil, a double major student in BS in Business Administration major in Marketing Management and Business Economics Saint Louis University, Baguio.

The Integra Business Processing Solutions Inc. company visit definitely interests me most. The admiring organized preparation they’d arranged, the exciting presentations like the personality test interpretations and company overview, and the well-planned group tours made us (not only me) think highly of Integra. Personally after hearing about Integra, I would wish of working in this multinational company and be part of the growing BPO industry. They really deliver value to their clients and support their employees through work-life balance. Knowing that their employees have the freedom and responsibility to manage their own career paths, I found excitement that this is the right place for a fun-learning work zone! J

Chico Arellano, incoming fifth year BS Accountancy student in University of the East and local chapter president of Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants

I want to commend the company of Integra, not because I became an apple of the eye when we visited them, but because they thought us how to assess people. They used the DISC analysis for knowing people. This people estimation technique will bring us to a better understanding of dealing with people in a group. This lesson will bring us to a successful leadership.

3. Of the business executives (including academicians and political personalities, if any) I met, who made the most impact on me and why/how?

Rose Chua, Business Administration student in the University of the Philippines – Diliman and recently elected to be part of the Business Administration Student Council.

Two people that made an impact on me would be Mr. Rick Santos and Ms. Grace Alcid. Mr. Rick Santos because I felt that he has great leadership—his talk was very inspiring. I saw how his attitudes tie to his achievements. Ms. Grace Alcid because of her genuine sincerity and her good approach when it comes to failure. She gave really made an impact on me by giving me advice on how to take on failure.

Aldwin Chester Dumago, 3^rd year student in BS Entrepreneurship with minor in Economics in Ateneo De Davao University

Two people made such great impact in my life. One is Mr. Dennis Wright of Peregrine. His vision for the country made me feel so bad about myself. How can I be so negative about my own country when there’s a non-Filipino who sees a lot of great potential here? Just when most Filipinos tell me to “go out of the country and work in the US or anywhere else,” here comes an American citizen telling us “don’t leave your country, stay here.” The Philippine Government sees no bright prospects on the former US military airport facility, yet the Americans see Diosdado Macapagal International Airport as the gateway of the Philippines to the world. Why are blinded by the negative perceptions about the Philippines when there are foreigners who see hope in this part of the world?

Another person who made such huge impact on me is Ms. Carol Dominguez. Although we never did any visit to John Clements nor did she hold a session talking about her leadership experience, those pocket moments that I had with here were truly inspiring. Whenever we had dinner in AmCham, Aimee and I would always talk to her partly on BOP matters and more on her personal life. She shared to us how she managed to be at the peak of her success as a business executive, how she was as a college student looking for a job back then, and even her love life. Her stories inspired me to set specific goals and map out my life very well. I realized thru our nightly conversations that there’s more to Ms. Carol than being a career woman—she loves yoga, she is a partygoer, she is a fan of Glee, she dated two men at the same time, she had her helper bake pies for her suitors who give her presents on Christmas, and a lot more. Life is all about finding the perfect balance between career and oneself.

Athena Plaza, a fourth year Business Administration student of the University of San Carlos (USC), Cebu City and a consistent academic scholar.

Mr. Dennis Wright, President of Peregrine Development International, made the most impact on me because he was highly passionate, enthusiastic, and optimistic regarding his company's development project in Clark. The way he spoke manifested his utmost determination to achieve their goals and his intensity and focus were truly inspiring. I believe that the country needs more visionary leaders like Mr. Wright and I hope that my visit to Peregrine and my encounter with him will help me create a vision for the country that I shall passionately pursue.

Christian Patacsil, a double major student in BS in Business Administration major in Marketing Management and Business Economics Saint Louis University, Baguio.

Mr. Tim Neely (economic counselor) and Ms. Tyrena Holly’s (FCS-Commercial Attache) talks made the most impact on me. Basically because I am so engrossed with the intricacies of our economy that made me asked questions. As an economic student, I’m interested of formulating policies that will someday make a change (positive of course) to the lives of my fellow Filipino people.

4. How would I describe my group's case study analysis and presentation to someone who was not in the room last Saturday?

Rose Chua, Business Administration student in the University of the Philippines – Diliman and recently elected to be part of the Business Administration Student Council.

Honestly, I think we handled the presentations well and calm given the constraints we had in terms of preparation. We were very stressed from not getting enough sleep, from the sudden issues in room changes, and problems in our presentation but we still kept a positive outlook. Despite not being able to deliver a perfect presentation, we were able to work well as a group and supported each other all throughout. Some people might have learned about new business concepts (well, I did too), but the most valuable learning I got from this experience is working under pressure and with people I didn’t even know prior to one week of the presentations.

Aldwin Chester Dumago, 3^rd year student in BS Entrepreneurship with minor in Economics in Ateneo De Davao University

That it was one roller coaster ride, not knowing where you’re heading for. I’m proud to say we’re the best group given our unpreparedness and lack of manpower (because we’re the only group with four members). We managed to land on the third spot even if we started to work seriously on our case just on the eve of the case presentation. That was the final test of “grace under pressure” for us. I will never forget that wonderful experience of having to present in front of Mr. Ernest Cu and the rest of the panelists a case study which we never had the chance to go through prior to the presentation. That was our first and final rehearsal.

Athena Plaza, a fourth year Business Administration student of the University of San Carlos (USC), Cebu City and a consistent academic scholar.

A case study analysis and a business proposal usually take weeks or even one whole semester but, because we were branded as the “best” from day one, we had to accomplish these tasks within a week. I had encountered cases before but never one from Harvard Business Publishing. The first time I read it (and that was a feat by itself), I felt that my brain processed a day's worth of information in just a couple of hours. I'm grateful that I had talented and cooperative group mates with whom I spent late nights discussing and preparing the business plan. We would start at around nine in the evening and end beyond midnight. We only had two hours of sleep before the presentation itself. We were both excited and nervous that the CEO of Globe Telecom was one of our panelists. I believe we did a great job and the preparation and presentation of the business plan were wonderful experiences I would never have encountered had I not joined BOP.

Christian Patacsil, a double major student in BS in Business Administration major in Marketing Management and Business Economics Saint Louis University, Baguio.

I would describe Harvard Business Publishing’s Globe Telecom Case Study as a challenging and an energy draining activity. The making of the business plan really puts into tests our knowledge, understanding, and versatility to business fields such as marketing, finance, accounting and economics. An average of 3 hours sleep for almost a week intended for the making of the business plan exercised our brain cells to the max! The analysis of the business plan was critical because everyone has a good idea (battle of the minds!) to share but of course only one emerged as the best idea to follow.

I described the last minute preparations and presentation to Globe Telecom’s president Ernest Cu and to other multinational CEO’s as a nerve-wracking yet intensifying moment! Thankfully we made it! In the end, it all paid off when our group- the Frontliners won as the second best presentation entitled “Making the Dream a Reality”.

5. What are the three most important things I've learned from my fellow
student-participants?

Rose Chua, Business Administration student in the University of the Philippines – Diliman and recently elected to be part of the Business Administration Student Council.

If I were to cite three important things I learned from my fellow student-participants it would be:

1) That it is important to have open communication lines at all times with my groupmates.

2) That it is important to be very open and understanding in giving people the benefit of the doubt.

3) That friends can be found in the most unexpected places. I went into AmCham mostly with the expectation that I will learn and work a lot. What I did not expect was that I would find people that I immediately related to and became friends with. I did not expect that I would make friends with people from different schools and different provinces—as far as Baguio in the North and Davao in the South

Aldwin Chester Dumago, 3^rd year student in BS Entrepreneurship with minor in Economics in Ateneo De Davao University.

First, the world is both big and small. It’s big because I get to meet new people in every conference that I attend. At the same time, the world is small because I realize that we have so many common friends. My network keeps on growing but it seems to be coming to a full circle.

Second, cherish every moment you spend with your fellow delegates. You’ll never know, one day, the person seated beside you on the bus will become one of the country’s top business leaders. You might need his/her help by then. When that happens, you can proudly tell everyone, “hey, that’s my good friend! We were together in AmCham BOP!” We learn something from one another everyday. We discover new things about one another; we learn to give and take. We establish lifelong friendships.

Third, each one is unique. Every one of us has his/her own strengths and weaknesses. No one can do everything alone. It is through teamwork that we synergize by recognizing our strengths and acknowledging our weakness. We must complement one another to be an effective team. Whoever is good in Marketing does the Marketing Plan, while the Accountancy/Finance major works on the financial analysis.

Athena Plaza, a fourth year Business Administration student of the University of San Carlos (USC), Cebu City and a consistent academic scholar.

I'm grateful that I belong to such a lively and dynamic batch. My fellow student-participants have taught me that, although we belonged to different schools and universities, we were fundamentally equal in the sense that we had so much to learn and gain from the BOP experience. They also taught me how to blend fun with learning; some of my fellow participants were always full of laughter and energy. Lastly, my BOP batch mates taught me the value of diversity. We were such a wonderful group because we were unique individuals who came together to create a single life-changing experience.

Christian Patacsil, a double major student in BS in Business Administration major in Marketing Management and Business Economics Saint Louis University, Baguio.

Networking is one of the most important things I’ve learned. Building connections among top students nationwide is one great opportunity for me to know their university cultures and background. Sharing with intelligent information would really show our distinct differences and way of thinking that made me believe that we are diversified yet unified. The second thing is to ‘reach the summit’. My fellow student-leader participants are absolutely the best. Thus, it is expected from me also to perform my very best. Lastly, the bonding and friendship we created are no doubt indestructible. The friendship we made will surely be long-lasting and will flourish as time goes by! (I miss my best friends- the BSA TOWER BOYS and my 807 roommates).

6. What are my favorite parts of the AmCham program experience and why?

Rose Chua, Business Administration student in the University of the Philippines – Diliman and recently elected to be part of the Business Administration Student Council.

My favorite part of the AmCham program experience would be the seminars and company talks that we had. It was really good exposure in the different industries in the market today. For example, I would never have known that a company like International SOS provides help for any emergency to its consumers.

Aldwin Chester Dumago, 3^rd year student in BS Entrepreneurship with minor in Economics in Ateneo De Davao University.

There are so many things that I love about BOP.

First is the food. I never went hungry throughout BOP. Thanks to our sponsors. There came a point when I no longer want to see food or eat it. Such an unhealthy indulgence!

Second is the program. It’s so jampacked that, looking back, I could not imagine how we were able to get through everything in one week. Yes, we did rant so many times about being tired from company visits everyday yet we still love it!

Third—the freebies! Who doesn’t love them? My pen collection suddenly grew big after receiving at least five new pens from different companies. Had I known that P&G was giving us a bagful of shampoos and soaps, I shouldn’t have gone to the grocery the night before my trip to Manila. If only excess baggage fees were cheap, I would be very happy to bring to Davao a dozen rolls of Joy tissue paper and three boxes of Kleenex as my pasalubong.

Fourth—the organizing committee and the AmCham staff. Without the hard work of the organizers, BOP wouldn’t be as good as it was. The AmCham staff was very kind to assist us with our needs and concerns. We know how demanding we can sometimes become, but they always helped us.

Fifth—the out-of-town trips. For someone like me who is not from Manila, a trip to Laguna and Clark would definitely be something to look forward to. I always fly to Manila every year and I see the same buildings all around. But a trip to Clark and Laguna? That’s interesting!

I guess I can’t continue enumerating what I liked most about AmCham BOP, otherwise I would end up enumerating everything. AmCham BOP in itself is a wonderful experience.

Athena Plaza, a fourth year Business Administration student of the University of San Carlos (USC), Cebu City and a consistent academic scholar.

The company visits and talks with CEOs were my most favorite parts. They were not only valuable learning experiences; they were also very enjoyable ones. They gave me a taste of the real business world and they inspired me to plan and work for a successful career.

Christian Patacsil, a double major student in BS in Business Administration major in Marketing Management and Business Economics Saint Louis University, Baguio.

My favorite parts of the bop experience are: the acquisition of relevant information from the talks made by different CEO’s, the company visits that really made me understand the real work scenario and business atmosphere, and of course the mouth-watering foods served in the fine-dining reception areas like the Marriot Hotel and Holiday Inn.

GUIDING FUTURE CHOICES

7. How did the program influence my career/learning choices, values, personal perspective? This early, how do I think I would apply what I've learned in my own setting?

Rose Chua, Business Administration student in the University of the Philippines – Diliman and recently elected to be part of the Business Administration Student Council.

Throughout the program, there was always an emphasis on taking opportunities that offer a full view of the company like Management Trainee programs do. The greatest take-away I got would be that my choices in life should always be geared towards providing me the long-term fulfillment I hope to achieve. I think that finding an opportunity on the career path that I want to pursue is worth more than anything. And, that in evaluating opportunities that may come, I should take into consideration the amount of growth it might offer.

Aldwin Chester Dumago, 3^rd year student in BS Entrepreneurship with minor in Economics in Ateneo De Davao University.

I am an Entrepreneurship student; basically, my mindset should be to become the employer and not the employee. But I also acknowledge the fact that it is always best to start from scratch so you’ll get to appreciate things when you’re on top. On the short run, I see myself working in one of the many companies we’ve visited during BOP. The opportunities are countless. Where in the country today will you find business executives telling you “do you need a job? I can give you one”? BOP opened a lot of doors of opportunities for us. We are considered to be “the best” business students, but we feel we are the “luckiest students” because of what BOP has done to us.

Athena Plaza, a fourth year Business Administration student of the University of San Carlos (USC), Cebu City and a consistent academic scholar.

The program has significantly influenced my career choices as well as my personal values. The BOP opened my eyes to the career opportunities that multinational companies, like those we visited, offer to young aspiring students. I used to think that multinational companies were corporate giants seeking only profits and market share. The BOP made me appreciate the contributions of American companies to the economic and social development of the country, and the personal and career development of its employees.

Christian Patacsil, a double major student in BS in Business Administration major in Marketing Management and Business Economics Saint Louis University, Baguio.

Participating in this prestigious activity offered me the best opportunity of enhancing my business leadership potentials. It made me gain competitive advantage with the privilege it offers to limited 30 slots. My involvement towards the increasing and sustaining networks and partnership among other student leaders made me a better person and challenge me to be at my best in all times. With my passion to continuous learning, my involvement to different activities boosted my knowledge and somewhat prepare me in the real-life business environment.

8. Leaders are said to have a great story. In a paragraph or two, what do
I envision my story will be?

Rose Chua, Business Administration student in the University of the Philippines – Diliman and recently elected to be part of the Business Administration Student Council.

I envision myself to be a serial entrepreneur in the future. I believe that entrepreneurship and innovation provide the greatest progress to an economy. In 10 years time, I hope to be an established entrepreneur and start a network of business entrepreneurs that would help business start-ups in the critical years of its progress.

Aldwin Chester Dumago, 3^rd year student in BS Entrepreneurship with minor in Economics in Ateneo De Davao University.

My leadership story will have to be a representation of who I am as a person. I am not a son of a business tycoon; I will not inherit the world. I am not the smartest student; I did not study in Harvard. But I have a lifelong dream. Opportunities don’t fine me, rather I look for them. With ambition and sheer determination, I will begin the race from bottom and finish on top. Leadership is influence. I want to influence others to dream big and achieve personal success.

As politicians would have it, “hindi bawal mangarap ang mahirap, basta’t maaabot ito sa malinis na paraan. Sa sipag at tiyaga, galling at talino, kahit sino aasenso.”

Christian Patacsil, a double major student in BS in Business Administration major in Marketing Management and Business Economics Saint Louis University, Baguio.

I envisioned that in the next few years I’ll stand to the next future AmCham batches as an executive or CEO of one of the top multinational companies we’ve been to. I’ll live my dream of becoming the next “BIG BOSS” who will continuously inspire the youth. I’ll wave the flag of the Ilocandia region by being an inspiration to my Kababayans. I will stand by the dream of my beloved university by being the light that transforms! J

AmCham BOP 2010 Post-Event Stories

2011-01-17T17:35:00.000-08:00

1. Who am I in school and outside of school (course, school, hometown, interest, etc.)?

Christian Agbayani Patacsil ( Saint Louis University, Baguio City):

In school, I am regarded as a student-leader, an achiever, and a role model. Being a double major student (Bachelor of Science in Business Administration majors in Marketing Management and Business Economics) of the College of Accountancy and Commerce in Saint Louis University, Baguio, is a big challenge. I always stay focus and enjoy learning in achieving my vision of becoming a credible policy maker, an expert researcher, and eventually the ‘big boss’ someday. I believe that all my sacrifices, risks, and lengthy pains in school will all be paid-off with a fruitful return.

I am the third among the six children of Caridad and Felix Patacsil who lingers in the humble town of Bauang in the province of La Union. I am a typical probinsiyano who dreams big. I am proud Ilocano man who works really hard to make my dreams into a living reality, and who is always committed to live excellence.

Denn Astorga:

Fifty percent of my daily life focused in schooling, I am a second year student of De La Salle- College of Saint Benilde taking up Export Management. Before many people are asking me why I am taking up export management and enroll in CSB? My mere answer is only this “CSB is a learner centered institution where faculties and students learn from each other theoretically and practically. The institution gave me this big opportunity to be a scholar who must work hard, achieve for academic honor and share my skills and knowledge to other students. I enrolled in Export management because here I am learning a lot of things not only in a single aspect of business, because here we are engaged in marketing, sales, product development, importation and exportation”. I treat CSB as my second home, I am always at the library reading and studying the databases, doing my assignments and projects in the computer laboratories, meeting and planning together with my co-officers in export management society and specially listening to the lectures of the professor inside the classroom.

Still, the other fifty percent of my daily life was spent at home and outside the school. At home, internet is my best friend (Facebook, Youtube, Google, Manga) while Play Station is my playmate. I am also watching horror movies, discovery channel, national geographic channel and history channel which I really love even before, I always read history and geography books. Adventure is my spirit, sometimes I go hiking, traveling to different provinces in Luzon and experiencing different cultures from the provinces and in the future I want the adventure to be across nations. However, as I continue to get older and with the influence of business, researching for an eco product is what I am interested right now because in planning of engaging in the business world in the future I want to conglomerate business, biology and ecology.

Aldwin Dumago:

It’s a lie to claim that I am a well-rounded person because, certainly, I am not. For one, I do not play any sports. If there’s such a term “semi-well-rounded”, then that would be a more appropriate description for me. I juggle several activities and responsibilities as a university student, a student leader, and a civic leader.

I am taking Entrepreneurship with minor in Economics. The concept of social entrepreneurship is what I want to introduce in school, then later in the city, because I feel we need to take out the society from the dole-out mindset. We must work on our own to survive; poverty is the most cliché yet the most unacceptable reason for not achieving personal sustenance. At the same time, I’m taking up Economics because it goes hand in hand with social entrepreneurship. One needs to understand how societies behave in different economies.

I am very much active in various school and civic organizations. This is my way of paying forward by sharing to other people my knowledge and skills with the hope that I may be able to inspire them to do the same thing for others. I am challenged by the leadership roles given to me; I strive to become a better person so that others can emulate me.

Everyone who would meet me for the first time thinks I am too serious and untouchable, but I guess they naturally dispel their first impressions, in this case, don’t last most especially when I am with them for a day.

I have always been interest on travel and photography. If I were rich, I would burn my cash buying the latest gadgets and travelling around the world. I’m also interested on social work, which is quite ironic, because social work requires me to loosen up and be carefree, when I am the type of person who needs everything to be structured, organized, and scheduled.

Athena Plaza:

I'm a fourth year Business Administration student of the University of San Carlos (USC), Cebu City. My academic life is quite demanding since I maintain an academic scholarship and my position on top of the Dean's List. However, my focus on my studies do not deter me from actively participating in co-curricular and extra-curricular organizations. I am the President of the Society of Young Business Executives and Entrepreneurs, our department-based student organization; Editor-in-chief of The Executive Chronicle, our department-based student publication; Treasurer of the Philippine Junior Jaycees Inc.- University of San Carlos; and member of the Rotaract Club of Cebu Fuente- USC Chapter and Pathways to Higher Education. My time is pretty much consumed by my responsibilities in school and , although I find parties and night outs fun, I prefer to spend my free time with my family, read books and online articles, and watch television.

2. How did I get involved in the program? What were my expectations?

Christian Agbayani Patacsil ( Saint Louis University, Baguio City):

My involvement in the program all started when I received a call slip coming from our associate dean- Dr. Roberto M. Arguelles. He was my research professor and my mentor who informed me that that I’m one of the top ten students in our college who will represent SLU in the AmCham screening process held at the University of the Cordilleras. This was made possible through the help of Ms. Eleanor Paca (Department Head of Business Economincs) when she selected me as the only representative of the business economics course. I would recall having to submit requirements like resume and essays, and passing the IQ test with 50 questions in which we had to answer for 5 minutes, accounting-related exam (Not bad for a non-accountancy major like me who got 15 correct answers out of the possible 17 questions!) and phone interviews that drained the life of my mobile battery for the interview lasted for hours, which was extended way back in our rented apartment.

After few days of waiting, I was informed by our associate dean that I am one of the four students (all coming from SLU!) who made it through the final interview in Makati. I would always remember my interviewer Mr. Conrad Lee (#1 CPA Board top notcher, May 2009) and the mind-twirling questions they’d thrown me and of course my intelligent and relevant answers I shared with them (hehe!). Unexpectedly, I made it to qualify in this program! J

My idea about Amcham that time wasn’t new to me. My marketing batch mate Rehanna Rosario (Amcham BOP Batch ‘07) who was my co-officer in the Supreme Student Council then shared with me great stories about the BOP. All the things she told me made me expect that the BOP is an extra-ordinary opportunity that no other ordinary students could encounter! The rigorous screening alone conditioned my mind that the BOP is a life-changing experience! Meeting with the CEO’s, multinational company visits, meeting the bests and top 29 students all over the Philippines… name it! These things made me believe that this program will greatly empower me in achieving my goal of becoming a successful and competitive economic and marketing practitioner someday. I told myself that given the chance to participate in this event will surely grant me exceptional insights.

Denn Astorga:

It’s a great rush! But the wonderful experience started with a text from the chairperson of export management program. I went to school quickly at 10 am and they give me an application, and I am frankly saying that I don’t know about that program, it’s my first time to encounter the American Chambers of Commerce but with the name alone it’s already a wow and a great opportunity. However they told me that the application must be passed at 1 pm today and I am really rushing to make a resume and the essay for 3 hours and unfortunately I have a class form 10:30-12:40 although, god still give me a great prospect because our class is inside the computer lab, so I still made it. Before I thought that when I pass it, I am already a delegate to the program however I still need to pass the exam and the interview. I am always nervous during the interview because the woman speaks in English with an amazing accent, but this nervousness help me to answer those questions but what I am telling to myself; I don’t want to have a greater expectation to pass it. That’s why when Ms. Abbie e-mailed me that I will be one of the delegates I was really jumping in joy and absolutely shock that I will represent my school for the BOP.

At first I do expect that the program will be filled with intelligent students from different prominent schools and honestly before, I am afraid to meet them and my inferiority complex is at a high altitude because I am expecting that they will be very competitive and prove their intelligence like a battle of minds in the program. I also expect that the program will be tiring with a lot of activities involving company visits, seminars, exams, lectures and other introductions to the business workplace which I really like the most because here I am looking forward to be a more competent student after the program equipped with leadership and other business learning as a weapon.

Aldwin Dumago:

Prior to arriving in Manila, I did not really put such high expectations regarding the program. I want to maintain the momentum of excitement; I did not want to predict what will happen even if I saw the schedule of activities. It actually worked for me because everyday became a surprise and an adventure. What I did was to keep an open heart and mind so I will get to learn a lot from the experience.

I believe I was able to participate actively in the program. As days passed, my energy level plunged to its lowest level, but still I challenged myself not to sleep during talks and to listen to all the speakers. I kind of failed in that challenge of not sleeping during talks, but at least I never got myself caught by the speaker and I never failed to jot down notes in every session. Although nothing came out of my mind until the last night before case presentation, I managed to get things done and contribute a lot of ideas for the presentation. Kidding aside, I did my best to become an active delegate.

Athena Plaza:

I joined the My Business Idol, a business proposal competition organized by the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry, last August 2009. I met my fellow Claude M. Wilson scholar who was then representing his university, and he was the one who informed me of the Business Orientation Program of which he is an alumnus. I was curious and I sought more information on the Internet. I read a few news articles and noticed that our university has not participated for the past two years. I called the American Chamber here in Cebu at least three times to inquire about the BOP 2010. I asked Ms. Genevabe Catalogo of Amcham Cebu to send an invitation letter to our Department. I was really persistent and hopeful. When I arrived in Manila, I expected a life-changing experience and that's exactly what I got and more!

3. How would I describe my AmCham program experience to my mother or best friend? Did it meet my expectations?

Christian Agbayani Patacsil ( Saint Louis University, Baguio City):

Denn Astorga:

The program is Spectacular, Wonderful, Breathtaking, Knowledge Booster, Food Marathon and a Friendship Builder. In all of my experiences, BOP is really the best so far that’s why the theme “Best Meets the Best” is not only for a student to meet other students but also for the students to meet the best program. It is spectacular because I don’t only meet a lot of CEO and executives but also had a breakfast, a meaningful conversation and even a joke time with them. The company tour and visits are wonderful; they always welcome us like a family member and always had freebies for us. Moreover the hotels that we have visited are so wonderful, the exclusive lunch and even a tour to those five star places. The case study is breathtaking and sleep eater although that study gives me a lot of learning regarding group cooperation, leadership, reporting and marketing. I do learn a lot about business and leadership as high as Mt. Everest from the program so it’s hard to enumerate all of them. At most, the friendship that we build is still the best among all. To all my brethren in room 807, you make my BOP experience extraordinary. All the bursts of laughers, food trips, picture takings and company happy- tours that we’ve shared will be treasured forever.

Aldwin Dumago:

Athena Plaza:

4. Which company site visit was the most interesting for me and why/how?

Christian Agbayani Patacsil ( Saint Louis University, Baguio City):

Denn Astorga:

Holiday Inn Hotel was the most wonderful and enjoyable company visit for me. I am so interested with the hotel organization and especially the things that they offer to satisfy their customers and through our tour even though I am not a customer I really want to check in to the hotel because of the gratifying features and relaxing ambiance of the place. I learned and known a lot the people involved in their business and their roles that must be fulfilled within the day like the chef, the maintenance team, tour guides, marketing people and especially the hospitable owner. Taking pictures with my friends was another factor why I am so happy with that tour because every sides of the hotel, the camera strikes a shot involving the cam whores at the center of the image. The food was really delicious; especially the fruit dessert which makes me feels better after the tiring tour within the day.

Aldwin Dumago:

Athena Plaza:

5. Of the business executives (including academicians and political personalities, if any) I met, who made the most impact on me and why/how?

Christian Agbayani Patacsil ( Saint Louis University, Baguio City):

Denn Astorga:

Mr. Serge Grynkewich of International SOS (the leading provider of medical assistance, international healthcare, security services and customer care) inspired me so much. Imagine within these days there are still businesses and businessmen like him who are focusing only into margin instead use the company’s margin to reach a hand to those people in dilemma. Someday, I really want to work with that organization because the purpose and my will to generate social welfare and development will come true there as a child of God. Furthermore, I am always enthused medical professionals who worked hard to save their patients and to those people who will go immediately in the signal of help. To Mr. Grynkewich, continue to inspire others, build a mountain of personnel who will be ready to save others and create a sea of people whom saved by your organization.

Aldwin Dumago:

Athena Plaza:

6. How would I describe my group's case study analysis and presentation to someone who was not in the room last Saturday?

Christian Agbayani Patacsil ( Saint Louis University, Baguio City):

Denn Astorga:

It’s difficult to describe the presentation and analysis during the time when we are judged by the BOJ (board of judges). The air in the room was a mixture of nervousness, courteousness and eagerness to present a winning piece. At first the judges immediately advice us on what should we report, and they said that the action plan and marketing plan. We are all really shock because we divided the report according to the flow of our written report, so at first we don’t know who will report that slide, until I speak out having a very little idea about it just to wake up my members that we are already here reporting in front of the CEO. Fortunately, Athena then speak perfectly and thoroughly after me because her report was really focused in the marketing plan and I do believe that judges was really impressed by her informative and persuasive report. Next is the report of Juvy and Ricoy about the financial statements and closed the discussion by Gladys. Although at the end of the reporting, judges commented that we have a very great alternatives and idea but the problem is on how we will market it and the execution of those entire plans was not clearly stated. Still, the group was still happy and even though we didn’t get any place in the awarding we still treasure all the learning that we have during the sleepless night we render for that study.

Aldwin Dumago:

Athena Plaza:

7. What are the three most important things I've learned from my fellow student-participants?

Christian Agbayani Patacsil ( Saint Louis University, Baguio City):

Aldwin Dumago:

Athena Plaza:

8. What are my favorite parts of the AmCham program experience and why?

Christian Agbayani Patacsil ( Saint Louis University, Baguio City):

Denn Astorga:

Favorite, Oh I don’t have any favorite part of the BOP program because every minute of the BOP experience was great and the most favorite week of my life. The first day is the prestigious welcome lunch and cocktail party which I really love up to the second day of case study briefing where I really learn a lot about the case study process. The company tour was so amazing, I really learn a lot of lessons from the executives and CEO’s and especially their snacks was really delicious. In particular during the Clark tour was absolutely spectacular with Mr. Morley and Mr. Wright who tour us informatively and hospitably during our stay in Clark. Still, the best moment is the bonding with my roommates and my new friends in the room 807, in the bus (Chico Minute) and even the cam whores and the funny adventure in every company tour. I still remember when we are lying in the hotel beds in holiday inn, happily forcing the Sun Power tour guide to speak about her salary which she didn’t want to speak out, that was so funny. Food time and food trips is another one of my favorite, it is really true that Am Cham is not only a business orientation program but also a FOP (food overflowing program).

Aldwin Dumago:

There are so many things that I love about BOP.

First is the food. I never went hungry throughout BOP. Thanks to our sponsors. There came a point when I no longer want to see food or eat it. Such an unhealthy indulgence!

I guess I can’t continue enumerating what I liked most about AmCham BOP, otherwise I would end up enumerating everything. AmCham BOP in itself is a wonderful experience.

Athena Plaza:

9.How did the program influence my career/learning choices, values, personal perspective? This early, how do I think I would apply what I've learned in my own setting?

Christian Agbayani Patacsil ( Saint Louis University, Baguio City):

Denn Astorga:

The program made me realize on how a business player will adopt and survive that hectic and difficult business setting and through what I have experience, I am not a kind of person who will give up in what I have seen, instead I am more challenged to be a part of that setting in the future. Many skills are needed in order to survive or even achieve your goal in business, including leadership, social welfare and of course profit generation. Being a leader you should always accept your members and lead them to a specific company goal and accept them whoever they are and wherever they belong because if you will not lead and inspire them your organization will be a rubber band, when you only work by yourself it will be stretched until it bounce back and all of the achievements have been done will be back to zero. Instead, you should stretch the rubber band together in order to reach your goal together. Furthermore, business is not only for margin but also to establish satisfaction and create long term social welfare that’s why in the future, If I will be one of the business player, I do want to encourage eco products and to establish different enhancement programs to every stakeholders of the company.

Aldwin Dumago:

Definitely, the BOP experience did a lot to change the way I view things. I made a lot of realizations about the corporate world, about the role of foreign investments in the Philippine economy, and most importantly, about my personal perspective. As mentioned earlier, BOP taught me to love my country. While it is never wrong to go out and explore the world, the Philippines should always be my end destination. If I have to study abroad, it is not to enrich myself so that other countries can benefit from me but to come home and share to the Filipinos what I will learn abroad. If I have to work abroad, it is for me to see how developed countries do business so that when I come back, I can teach the Filipinos the best business practices in the global setting. These are all long-term goals.

I am an Entrepreneurship student; basically, my mindset should be to become the employer and not the employee. But I also acknowledge the fact that it is always best to start from scratch so you’ll get to appreciate things when you’re on top. On the short run, I see myself working in one of the many companies we’ve visited during BOP. The opportunities are countless. Where in the country today will you find business executives telling you “do you need a job? I can give you one”? BOP opened a lot of doors of opportunities for us. We are considered to be “the best” business students, but we feel we are the “luckiest students” because of what BOP has done to us.

Athena Plaza:

10. Leaders are said to have a great story. In a paragraph or two, what do I envision my story will be?

Christian Agbayani Patacsil ( Saint Louis University, Baguio City):

Denn Astorga:

I do envision my future life as a leader who started from humble beginnings. In a company or any organization I am starting as a single representative or in a lower position and through time my rank in the organization will go higher and higher until I reach the managerial positions or even the executive positions. I don’t want to start immediately in a high position because I do believe when you experience a lower position before you can motivate more your employees because you adopted with their situations and you know their needs and proper management want. Moreover once you experience every position in an organization you tend to know more about the every sides of it, it has accordance with the mastery of your work. My achievement can be accomplished little by little through the help of every person/employee which is the bloodline of the organization.

Once I become an executive, I will still consider myself as a part of the labor force equal to the rank and file position. I should continue to work hard in order for the organization to achieve its entire strategic goal and to earn more profit. I want the organization to maximize everything, the resources, profit and especially corporate social responsibility. I want to maximize profit through a proper way without sacrificing the nature and the community that’s why I will turn the organization to be green and organic in terms of products and practices. I also want to maximize profit to enhance the competencies of my employees and to establish a more projects for the betterment of the society. I want people all over the world remember me as one of the leaders who doesn’t only care for its own but also for the betterment of his surroundings.

Aldwin Dumago:

As politicians would have it, “hindi bawal mangarap ang mahirap, basta’t maaabot ito sa malinis na paraan. Sa sipag at tiyaga, galling at talino, kahit sino aasenso.”

Athena Plaza:

Ms. Athena Plaza was an incoming fourth year taking up Business Administration major in Legal Managament when she was granted the opportunity to join the American Chamber's Business Orientation Program. The Program greatly helped her create a vision for her career life. After earning her Bachelor's degree, she studied law in the University of the Philippines- Diliman while continuing her active student leadership and community extension efforts. She passed the Bar exam at the age of 25 and worked as a corporate lawyer for a multinational company. Currently, she holds a senior executive position in the said firm which has been a consistent sponsor of the BOP for the past years. Every year, Ms. Plaza actively takes part in welcoming the participants of the BOP of which she was part of several years ago.

A LEADERSHIP SOUJOURN

2011-01-16T16:45:00.000-08:00

(AN ARTICLE ABOUT THE AMCHAM 2010 - AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS ORIENTATION PROGRAM 2010)

BY: MAAN P. VILLAR [BS Entrep 3/BSBA Bus. Econ]

Highlights of the past three months include preparing for a rare opportunity I so wanted to immerse myself in, the American Chamber of Commerce Business Orientation Program 2010 (themed “The Best Meets the Best”). I would remember having to pass requirements even if given on short notice like writing two essays, polishing my resume, submitting myself to IQ tests, accounting tests (so hard!) and “Working-under-pressure” tests. How could I forget those phone interviews which lasted for an hour each and drained my mobile phone of its life and that interview I went down to Manila even on a school week end and again was a shark frenzy of wanting to impress the people for whom my dear chances relied on. Alas after the long months, Christian Patacsil, Glaiza Escalano and I got the acceptance forms and documents. That day on the Internet café when we startled people jumping crazy when we saw that indeed, we got in, and browsed again and again the documents still not believing that this was true. Who would have known that I could have passed out of 181 applicants from all over the country enrolled even in the best and not to mention expensive institutions? Riotous and rigorous indeed was that application/acceptance process but it was all worth the long frantic wait and the undying efforts.

Pre-empting failure in our summer classes, Christian and I feared having to balance studies with the program; we knew what higher level of stress we were into. Nevertheless, we could not forego of AmCham, so we packed our belongings (believe me, packing up and carrying heavy luggage/s was hard enough) and took the bus down to Manila all the while worrying and trying to catch up with our academic burdens.

Photo Caption: Arrival and registration at the AmCham Hall

Saturday, April 17, 2010 - We arrived at AmCham Hall (Corinthian Plaza, Paseo de Roxas, Makati City), welcomed by smiling faces from the officers and staff and we met with different students from different schools and places, it was a diverse mixture of the best students in the country and gladly we made instant friendships with them. After a few hours of meeting and conversing with our new friends/colleagues, we gaped at the sight of Ford SUVs picking us up for New World Hotel (formerly Renaissance Hotel). As we entered the convening room, we were given goodie bags that contained a month’s supply of toiletries (having us wonder why we ever bought our own), another containing an array of stationary, school and office supplies and food and beverage. The welcome lunch began with the introduction of AmCham and the BOP with Mr. Jun Salipsip and Ms. Grace Alcid itself as “one of the most important activities of the chamber aimed at making tomorrow’s leaders aware of the contributions of American multinational businesses to the country’s development, offering well-qualified undergraduate Filipino students an opportunity to gain new understanding of key global business and economic issues, through a program of site tours plus in-depth discussions with management professionals from a wide spectrum of leading American multinational companies in Manila”.

Extended to a wide range of universities, students came from Baguio (Saint Louis University), Pampanga (Holy Angel University), Metro Manila (Centro Escolar University, De La Salle College of Saint Benilde, De La Salle University, Far Eastern University, University of Asia and the Pacific, University of the East, University of the Philippines), Cebu (University of San Carlos), Dumaguete (Siliman University), Mindanao (Ateneo de Davao, Xavier University - Cagayan de Oro and Ateneo de Zamboanga), and ARMM (Mindanao State University – Marawi City). Components of the programs are company visits exposing participants to the real world operations of multinationals through site visits and meetings with top company officers and an opportunity to interact and learn with corporate executives from foreign firms, talks on various topics from key individuals from AmCham member firms and partner organizations, a business project where the participants are divided into teams and required to apply their knowledge, working together, on a project during the week and present their project work to a panel at the end of the week and other activities would be the TOEIC tests for English skills administered by TOEIC-Hopkins International Partners and John Clements Consultants, a personality test by Integra Business Processing Solutions, an opportunity to interact with BOP alumni and members at the pre-program cocktail reception and closing dinner, interaction with AmCham members at the General Membership Luncheon Meeting.

The program started with the Everest Simulation hosted by Ms. Carol Dominguez (CEO of John Clements Consultants and BOP 2010 host) where everyone whipped out their laptops and everyone’s leadership skills were tested and not only was it a test of strategic thinking it was also so fun that we got to know everyone well. The Ford SUVs picked us up again heading to our residence for the week. We were billeted at BSA Towers at Paseo de Roxas, Makati City (in front of Greenbelt 5), we settled for a while fixed our things and settled at our rooms (luckily my roommates and I got the largest and fully-equipped roomJ). We were then transported to the US Deputy Chief of Mission’s Residence at South Forbes Park, Makati City. We met so many CEOs, BOP Alumni, BOP members and so many people that are to emulate and never to forget esp. the new US Ambassador Mr. ---. Surprisingly, I had the guts to play the piano in front of these people after being coerced by my fellow AmCham delegates, I was glad they liked it. The DCM toured us around her residence, and mind you, she does this only on a very rare basis. The cocktails gave us a preview of the wonderful food we were to eat for the rest of the week and how full we would be of food we cannot even pronounce.

Photo Caption: Performing a piano piece at the DCM’s Residence at South Forbes, Makati City.

The first night was spent reading our Globe Telecom Case Study by Harvard Business Publishing however we went to our first adventure going out of our rooms and having fun outside and at the rooftop which was quite restricted. We relished the view of Makati and Pasig, delighted ourselves running around Makati with our case study and in our PJs (pajamas), and of course bonded as we went room after room after room and harassed each of our AmCham friends of food and some pointers of what they understood from the case study.

Sunday, April 18, 2010 – The morning was allotted for us to inculcate the case study, ingrain it in memory. We had our first take of a steady rationing of fast food that we got our stomachs full of for the week and had to store since there was really so much food that was given to us. We then walked to AmCham hall and had a working lunch and case study discussion with Ms. Grace Alcid and Jun Salipsip. The case study mentoring followed and lasted well until dinner time. We were then given our personality tests by Integra which results would be shown at our company visit on the later part of the week. This first day of meeting with our group mates for the case study and conjuring up our schemes to win, knowing that the President of Globe Mr. Ernest Cu would be part of the panel of judges.

Monday, April 19, 2010 – Breakfast was made extra special with welcome remarks by Mr. Robert M. Sears and some opening remarks by Ms. Carol Dominguez (who is not only the CEO of John Clements but the Chairman of the BOP Committee). Everyone’s hearts was touched as Mr. Rick Santos the President of CB Richard Ellis gave a talk and shared his life experiences and valuable insights (We thank you Mr. Rick for the copy of Outliers you gave us! J). We were awed by Citibank Philippines being the first company visit and the first of the glamorous places to eat and be photographed at, many were impressed with the talk of Citi’s Corporate Executives and listed Citibank as one of the company’s they want to work for in the future. The next company visit was at Chevron Philippines Inc., Mr. Mark Quebral (Manager, Policy Government and Public Relations) gave as a well-organized and well-prepared talk about the energy industry, everyone understood the ropes working in this very big (not to mention controversial) industry. Our heads having information overload and being drained of running around the city, we went back to the hall and took our TOEIC English Proficiency Examinations. After which, another bountiful dinner was served and hosted by Atty. Lagera.

Photo Caption: Holding up our folders containing the copy of the Chevron presentation

Tuesday, April 20, 2010 – Tuesday began at 3:00 A.M. preparing ourselves for our travel to Clark, Pampanga. Arriving at Peregrine Development International Inc.’s Site we were welcomed by a series of great talks by Mr. Dennis L. Wright (President, he also authored “The Perfect Storm” for The Report), Mr. James Spore (COO) and Mr. Jeff Pradhan (Director, Business Development) it made us wonder how such people could hold and give away so much valuable and useful information on a macro level of perspective. Before going to Iren Dornier’s Technology Site, Mr. Dennis Wright was kind enough to hop in to the bus with us and give as a very detailed, edifying tour around the development site at Clark. At the hangar of Dornier Technology Inc. everyone was eager to see how the planes were made and take pictures and the aircraft parked at the hangar. We did get good photos and learned how these planes were made plus the history behind Dornier, (FYI: the body is made of resin and sheets of thin carbon sheets, fiber glass). Lunch would be served at Holiday Inn Clark Field but before that Mr. Simon Morley (General Manager) gave a brief talk and asked some CDC and CIAC Executives to tour us around the hotel and give us an extensive account of the operations in the hotel. After a great lunch being in a table with executives investing and currently working at Clark, we bade goodbye to Mr. Morley and headed to the hall to have dinner and hear a talk from the US Embassy. Ms. Tyrena Holley (FCS – Commercial Attache) and Tim Neely (Economics Counselor) made dinner fun with a very interactive talk.

Photo Caption: Taken beside a Dornier air craft at Dornier Technology, Clark, Pampanga

Wednesday, April 21, 2010 – We had breakfast with Ms. Marife Zamora of Converys at the hall afterwhich, we travelled to Ortigas to visit International SOS Philippines Inc. at the heavily populated and very busy Philippine Stock Exchange Center. Mr. Serge Grynkewich (President) who was very congenial together with his associates gave as an overview of the company making us understand what it stands for and how it goes about its business. We then travelled for the General Membership Luncheon Meeting hosted by Ms. Amanda Garland (Director, Growth Marketer, IBM Global) at Mariott Hotel, Newport City Complex, Pasay City – we were reminded again and again to look our best and wear some make-up (for the ladies). There we saw a flock of media people and there was a plethora of personalities we were eager to meet. Lucky for me, I was seated at a table with many personalities and; to mention a few, I met and had great conversations with Dr. Erick San Juan (Political Analyst – Author, Journalist – Broadcaster, Doctor of Letters), Dr. Elton See Tan (Chairman of the Board & CEO America California Bank) and Mr. Tony Razon (Vice President, Operations Manager, First Corporate Support Services). After the luncheon, we boarded our chartered bus and wsa transported to Thomson Reuters at McKinley Hill, Taguig City, Thomson Reuters Executives as led by Mr. Raoul Teh (Senior Site Officer) gave us not only a comprehensive discussion about the company but toured us around and had us view photographs taken by TR photographers and we even went inside and browsed through books in their very expensive library.

Photo Caption: After the General Membership Luncheon Meeting at Mariott Hotel, No. 1 New Port Blvd., New Port City Complex, Pasay City (L-R: Christian Patacsil, Yours Truly, and Ernesto Neri of Visayas)

Thursday, April 22, 2010 – Before we went travelling to Laguna, Ms. Trinity Gatuz and Mr. Joseph Sullivan of CalEnergy hosted breakfast at the hall. Upon arrival at Laguna, we went directly to SunPower Philippines Mfg. Ltd.; Mr. Rey Mella (Site Director) imparted the intricacies of producing solar energy and solar cells and panels. As we toured the sights with our tour guides (engineers from the plant), equipped by the given introduction, we understood solar power and the technicalities involved. Another complicated business we were introduced to was the automotive industry as hosted by Ford Group Philippines and a series of talks and safety precautions by Ford Executives. Our dreams are right in front of our eyes, an array of the most beautiful cars. I was really interested in how the cars were hoisted, it was as if you are seeing flying cars, it was the coolest sight ever! We saw how these cars were manufactured, were surprised at the production capacity and output that Ford produces – it is no wonder that Ford is not only archetypal but an industry leader. We headed to Alabang, Muntinlupa City for our Integra Business Processing Solutions Inc. company visit as presented by Integra Corporate Executives. Our tour guides were waiting for us as we exited the chartered bus and we were given small envelopes along with our cute Integra IDs that contained the results of the Integra personality test that we took early during the week. The leadership seminar commenced and the accurate results of the personality test were discussed. I cannot forego of mentioning this but we admired how Integra was almost OCD in their preparations, the give-away things were piled neatly on top of each other and the presentations were very organized, as if everything is on bullet point also extra special was the Integra cooked snack. The tour was also organized, as if our tour guides practiced the whole day before the BOP without it having to be obvious. After a series of company visits and site tours, another sleepless night was at hand as we had to devote the hours left of the day and the next day’s first few hours for our case study.

Photo Caption: At the Ford plant at Binan, Laguna

Friday, April 23, 2010 – The day was opened by another great person, Mr. David Leechiu of Jones Lang LaSalle at the hall, it livened everyone up despite having to stay-up the whole night for case study. Breakfast ended and after a few minutes we were at Mead Johnson Nutrition with a series of talks from its executives spearheaded by Mr. Paul Richards (President and General Manager). The site tour was rousing as we were required to observe the highest level of hygiene being keenly observed and an SOP. We were required to wear a lab gown, face mask; shoes covers, gloves, and wash our hands to the tune of “Happy Birthday”. There was an open forum during lunch at Mead Johnsons and I did appreciate how the company and its heads observed a high level of quality observance and control (as exemplified by Sustagen’s Susie and Geno; they sacrificed profitability and marketability for maintaining quality) and how strictly they adhere to business ethics – they are a company with a very big heart. A liberal company also assuring quality in their tobacco products is Philip Morris Philippines Manufacturing Inc. (recently a merger with Marlboro and now PMFTC), one lesson we learned is that despite a long ensuing battle with a competitor, you could become partners to promote higher profitability and betterment to the business’ state as what happened to Philip Morris and Marlboro who used to be the worst of enemies now having 90% market share because of their recent partnership. After PMFTC, we went to Accenture and heard talks from the Accenture Executives imparting us a lot of information about the industry they are operating in and the company itself, it is a kudos to them how they allot time and devote resources for training their employees continually. Returning to our residences at BSA, most of the groups were cramming, the case study was due 11:30 the next day so we chugged a number of coffee cups and stayed up the whole night. It was not all work, we did bond while doing our contribution to the project and we did wish we were given an extra week to perfect the project and bond more.

Photo Caption: PMFTC Company Visit, descending from the PMFTC offices

Saturday, April 24, 2010 – Today was the most sleepless and nerve-wrenching of all as we were jittering nervous presenting to our panel of judges the project we have enslaved ourselves to for the whole week. As we were transported to the presentations venue which was Mariott Hotel, we were heavy with the last minute preparations and prayers. Mr. Ernest Cu, President of Globe Telecoms was part of the judges. It was not your ordinary defense, we were only given a chance to condense our lengthy labor of love to fifteen minutes and believe me, each of the panelists thrown us very hard questions that we almost were not able to keep our boat afloat – we survived in the end, thankfully! It did not yet sink in that today would be the last day for the BOP, it still is not sinking in up to now. We felt BSA and AmCham hall was our home and the delegates our siblings. At the dinner and awarding ceremonies hosted by Ms. Leslie Bassett (US Embassy – DCM) scheduled the night of the last day, the close knit ties could be felt as everyone huddled together, shared the same funny AmCham antics/impersonations/jokes/stories, and made arrangements of communicating and meeting after the BOP. Memorabilia, certificates and awards were handed out and you could hear from the laughter the added heaviness of emotion of having to miss the people of AmCham. Packing up your things while chatting with your room mates about the whole experience is hard enough so is the thought of finally leaving the whole day. Everyone had a taste of the hastiest week of their lives – it would never be enough.

Photo Caption: Dinner, Awarding and Cocktails at Mariott Hotel

Who would forget a whole day of fast food, fine dining and freebies, goodie bags that made my luggage go from 3 big bags to 9 and of course the times when my fellow delegates and I scoured around while sharing our individual lives to each other and the unending ruminating laughter at each room, the sleepless nights pouring over our own cases or simply having fun, getting so tired posing for literally a thousand photos or those times at the bus we played games and hosted weird “bus shows” impersonating a few BOP personas through a showdown (Ha, ha!). We made valuable connections with executives by talking with them and machinating ways to get to their calling cards. Each day in the BOP was bonding with the delegates, being busy with our case studies and learning so many important lessons that cannot be learned anywhere else and taking down so many notes. It was forming so many ties with the delegates, the executives and the people behind this great life experience that would be ingrained in each one’s memory and changed us as we embarked on a journey back to our lives made better by that great week. One emotion stood out among everyone: GRATITUDE.

AMCHAM Closes 2010 BOP with Awards Dinner

2010-04-26T20:46:00.000-07:00

The finale of 8th annual AmCham Business Orientation Program, marked by the customary Awards Dinner, was held at the Marriott Hotel Manila in Newport City last April 24, Saturday.

BOP committee member and Senior Director of Sea Change Mr. Christopher Stolk hosted the evening, and was accompanied by 2008 BOP alumni Conrad Lee and Mary Love Sy. Mr. Rob Sears, AmCham Executive Director opened the program by welcoming the attendees and thanking them once again for their support for the program.

In her keynote address, Ms. Leslie Bassett, Deputy Chief of Mission for the US Embassy encouraged the students to find one person that inspires them, and have mentors who are successful but will share their life lessons in order to help shape them to be who they want to be in the future.

The awarding of the BOP certificates was presented by Mr. Sears, Ms. Bassett, Mr. Jun Salipsip, Executive Director of the AmCham Foundation, and Ms. Carol Dominguez, 2010 BOP Chair. BOP partners and corporate sponsors were given a certificate of appreciation and a group picture with the students in recognition of their support, and in exchange, the partners gave a message of thanks and related some of their memorable experiences with the students. Marriott Hotel Manila GM Mr. Richard Saul gave a few words of advice to the students regarding their personal life and career, while Ms. Marla Alvarez of Thomson Reuters assured that they will sponsor the BOP next year.

The most anticipated part of the program came next with the awarding of the winners of the BOP Case Study. After a careful deliberation by the prestigious panel of judges headed by Mr. Ernest Cu, President of Globe Telecom, the team of Carlos Yu (UP Diliman), Marielie Sablan (Miriam College), Robbie Lim (Ateneo de Zamboanga), Marian Adriano (Ateneo de Naga, Bicol), and Maria Elena Alfonso (DLSU) was declared the winner. Second place went to Ayessa Gadia (Mindanao State University, Marawi), Emmanette Crisostomo (UP Diliman), Joemar Detalla (Siliman University, Dumaguete), Christian Patacsil (St. Louis University) and Ivan Lim (DLSU), while the group of Aldwin Dumago (Ateneo de Davao), Emmanuel de Vera (DLSU), Aimee Bacallan (UP Diliman), and Pamela Guingona (Xavier University, Ateneo de Cagayan De Oro) won third place. Athena Plaza of University of San Carlos, Cebu was also awarded Best Presenter.

The response from the students was given by Aldwin Dumago, wherein he thanked AmCham for the lessons, challenges, and memories that made up the whole BOP experience. “Last week, I came from Davao empty-handed, and tomorrow I will leave with excess baggage,” he concluded. As a gesture of appreciation for all their efforts and hard work, the students serenaded Ms. Carol Dominguez and Ms. Abbie Flores, BOP Coordinator, with a rendition of Tyler Collins’s ”Thanks to You”.

In her closing remarks, 2010 BOP Committee Chair Carol Dominguez reminded the students, “The objective of this past week was to make an impact on your life,” and ended the program and the evening with a quote by Peter Drucker: “Learning is a life-long process of keeping abreast of change, and the most pressing task is teaching people to learn.”

AmCham would like to thank the corporate sponsors/partners, the US Embassy, the 2010 BOP Committee, the BOP alumni and everyone else involved who made the 2010 BOP a success!

- Marge F. Friginal
Official BOP Writer

The BOP Daily Activity Post

2010-04-23T20:41:00.000-07:00

Friday, April 23

8:00 AM

Mr. David Leechui, President of Jones Lang LaSalle, joined the students for breakfast to give them a talk on leadership.

9:45 AM

The group travelled to the outskirts of Makati to visit the 45-year old facility of Mead Johnson Nutrition, one of the world leaders in pediatric nutrition for infants and children.

Another supportive sponsor for the BOP for several years now, Mr. Paul Richards, President and Managing Director of Mead Johnson, warmly welcomed the students. He and his team went on to give them an in-depth look at the company history and operations of different divisions such as Supply Chain, HR, Sales & Marketing, and Corporate Affairs.
Mr. Richards gave an overview of the company brands: Enfa, Alacta, Lactum, Sustagen, Enfamama and Nutramigen; CSR initiatives, current challenges such as the global economic crisis, competition, regulatory business strategy and corporate objectives.
He also shared the three characteristics of a successful company: create value, do good, and have fun. He advised the students to do what they enjoy—in school, the subjects they enjoy are usually the ones they excel in; try out different things: at the start of one’s career, he or she shouldn’t lock themselves into a 10-year job. They should give themselves options to do other things, and set their own definition of success. Lastly, Mr. Richards advised the group to “Think long-term, but live for today.”

A short plant tour followed the presentation portion, i

n where the students suited up in blue lab gowns, face masks and plast

ic covers over their shoes. After the tour, they had a chance to ask the Mead Johnson team

some questions over a buffet lunc

h, such as why breast milk is still best for babies, promotional campaigns on campus-- whatever happened to Sustagen mascots Susi & Geno?; product development, launching programs and fruity-flavored drinks.

2:00 PM

Next stop was the Philip Morris office located at the 27/F of the Enterprise Center a

long Ayala Avenue, where Ms. Amy Eisma, Corporate Affairs Manager and several executives

engaged the students in an AVP presentation on company operations, production of tobacco leaves and plant process.

As part of her opening remarks, Ms. Eisma informed the group that Philip Morris employees do not en

cou

rage visitors to smoke, especially minors.

Philip Morris is the leading international tobacco company, with Marlboro being the most popular brand in the world. Their firsts include the invention of full-flavore

d menthol, lights, and mobile smoking lounges in areas where smoking is prohibited by la

w.

During the Q & A portion, students wanted to know more about the merger/joint venture between Philip Morris and Fortune Tobacco, exporting local products, etc.

Near the end of the visit, PM President Mr. Chris Nelson arrived and gave a short speech about career choices. “Careers are very mobile,” he explained. “Your chosen course doesn’t necessarily mean the job you’ll end up in.”

5:00 PM

The last company visit for this year’s BOP was Accenture up in Ortigas. The students were escorted to a small ballroom whose set-up was fit for a wedding receptio

n. Mr. Shawn Riley, Accenture’s charming senior executive, as well as several management associates, presented the overview on the company background and operations.

Accenture, formerly Andersen Consulting, is one of the world’s leading management consulting, technical services and outsourcing companies, with 178,000 employees in 49 countries. They work with clients in nearly every major industry worldwide, including 91 of the Fortune Global 100 Companies and over two-thirds of the Fortune Global 500 Companies.

Mr. Riley proudly shared accolades of Accenture, which includes being n

amed #1 IAOP Global Outsourcing 100 for three straight years; one of Fortune Magazine’s 2010 “100 Best Companies to Work For” for the second year in a row. In terms of choosing call center agents, the Accenture team emphasized The Filipino Talent—excellent English communication skills, talent, and dedicated sense of work attitude.

Following an AVP on “A Typical Day for an Accenture Employee”, the students asked questions on what makes Accenture different from other BPO companies, their competitive edge, opening call centers down in Mindanao, and the next promising location in the world to set up a BPO.

After a delicious buffet dinner and the usual photo op, the students hurried out into the early evening light and clambered back on the bus to a long night ahead of working on their case study in preparation for tomorrow’s presentation.

The BOP Daily Activity Post

2010-04-22T08:49:00.000-07:00

Thursday, April 22

Happy Earth Day!
7:30 AM

The students were joined by Mr. Joseph Sullivan, President of CalEnergy for breakfast, who shared with them a bit about the company’s background, contribution to the Philippines, and CSR projects.

9:00 AM

Today’s company visits were located in the South, and first stop was at Sunpower in Binan, Laguna, after several wrong turns. Once again, Mr. Rey Mella, Site Director, and Mr. Jong Jimenez found themselves welcoming the newest batch of participants for the third straight year as BOP sponsors.Founded in 1985, Sunpower is the world leader in the solar industry, delivering the world’s highest efficient solar products globally. Production began in the Philippines in 2004, with diversified channels in residential, commercial, power plant and utility sectors abroad. Sunpower manufactures in the U.S., Philippines, Malaysia, China and Mexico.
During the informative presentation, the students got the chance to ask questions on solar panels for automotives, discussions with the DOE regarding the grid policy, alternative sources of energy during the rainy season, and criteria in choosing locations for installation of solar panels.

Afterwards, the participants were given a line tour, led by senior process engineers.

1:00 PM
Running a bit behind schedule, the bus headed straight for Ford Philippines in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, where Ms. Annika Salceda, VP for Communications, and her team briefed the students about Ford’s formidable background, aided by an impressive video of the company’s different vehicle models around the world, product launches and CSR initiatives in different countries, various accolades and visibility in the media.
The Ford team fielded questions about local availability of certain foreign vehicle models and coping with the U.S. automotive industry crisis, then gave the students a safety briefing about the plant tour, wherein the students had the chance to see the assembly line, painting and quality assurance areas.

3:45 PM

Back on the road in search of a McDonald’s (in-kind BOP sponsor) for a very late lunch, the sandwiches provided back at Ford not cutting it. Most of the tired students took the opportunity to catch a nap. Made a rest

stop at a McDonald’s at a Shell station along SLEX before rushing off to Alabang for the last company visit of the day.

5:15 PM

A welcoming committee from Integra was situated at the front steps of the Paragon building as the BOP bus pulled up, almost an hour late. In the stylish conference room, the Integra team encouraged the students to introduce themselves and mention an admirable trait about the person sitting next to them. By this time, after spending a week together, the adaptable and outgoing students were already comfortable with each other, thoroughly enjoying the icebreaker.
The team then engaged the students in an

interactive presentation about the company, giving them an overview of the BPO industry and teaching them self-awareness tools such as the Johari Window and the DISC Dimensions of Behavior.

After dinner, the students visited the two offices of Integra for a mid-shift tour of the call centers.

7:45 PM

While it was another fulfilling field trip, the day wasn’t done for the st

udents as the bus brought them back to Makati, another long night of working on the case study stretching ahead of them.

The BOP Daily Activity Post

2010-04-21T10:37:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, April 21

8:00 AM
Over breakfast, the students were treated to a talk by Convergys regarding an inside look into a career in the call center business.

10:00 AM

At the 28th floor of the West Tower in Ortigas, Mr. Serge Grynkewich, President of International SOS, welcomed the BOP students for the fifth year in a row before leading them to the conference room where he and his team, including newly-appointed Country Manager Harold Pradal presented them with an overview of the organization, consisting of their client base, vision and mission, company values, as well as a touching video of clients around the world they were able to provide emergency medical assistance to.

International SOS is in the business of saving lives. They are the global leader in medical and security assistance, and international healthcare, operating in 75 countries; their clients compose over 80 percent of the Fortune 100 Companies in the U.S. In the Philippines, International SOS has been in operation for the past 20 years.

The students posed questions on the company’s client segments, whether Int’l SOS was a profit or non-profit organization, similarities to Red Cross, dealing with cases where clients are in remote locations, and membership rates.

After the presentation, Mr. Grynkewich gave the students a brief tour of the Alarm Center, where all calls are treated urgently and immediately. Then the group had to hop on the bus to dash to Newport City for the AmCham General Membership Luncheon Meeting.

12:00 NN

The students mingled with CEO’s over lunch at the Marriott Hotel and several conducted interviews with the press, while Ms. Carol Dominguez gave an inspiring presentation about the BOP.

3:00 PM

With (proudly) no lost turns, the BOP bus arrived at McKinley City and deposited the group to Thomson Reuters. After a relatively long registration process, the students were brought to a spacious and chic pantry that doubled as a conference room, where the Thomson Reuters team presented a video-intensive background about the company, including their market data platform, clients, and employee global footprint.

Named as one of the Top 50 Best Global Brands in the US, Thomson Reuters is the world’s leading provider of intelligent information to professional markets. The company was born from two powerful companies: Reuters (Europe and Asia), and Thomson (US & Canada), and combines industry experience with innovative technology to deliver critical information to leading decision makers in the financial, legal, tax and accounting, healthcare and media markets.

The Q & A was composed of a panel of company executives as students asked questions about the demand of TR’s industry compared to other industries in today’s world, training opportunities and procedures, research sources, strategies in pitching services to clients, and limits on information being provided to clients.

The students were then subjected to a tour of the two offices of Thomson Reuters, with countless clicks of cameras in between, before heading back to AmCham.

6:30 PM

En route the AmCham office. The bus was shaking with laughter as the students engaged in some fun and games, making traffic a lot easier to bear.

7:00 PM onwards

Munching on pizza for dinner back at the AmCham Hall while waiting for the case study mentors, Mr. Jun Salipsip and Ms. Grace Alcid to assist the students on their case study.

The BOP Daily Activity Post

2010-04-20T05:27:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

5:30 AM

The lightening sky marking a new day found the bleary-eyed students clustered on the front steps of the BSA Tower, waiting for the bus while Ms. Carol Dominguez solicited their feedback on the previous day’s activities.

6:20 AM

After a brief bout with early-morning traffic along Cubao, the bus pulled up to the Ayala Techno Hub in Diliman, QC, where Ms. Cris Crisostomo, Director for Supply Chain Center Enablement of IBM Philippines met up with the students and Ms. Carol.

Ms. Crisostomo cheerfully presented an overview of the company,
which consists of several divisions; namely IBM Philippines,
IBM Solutions Delivery, IBM Customer Relationship Management and IBM Business Services, Inc. IBM is celebrating 72 years in the Philippines and is the leading supplier of information technology, hardware, software and services in the country. The Philippine subsidiary is one of the top 17 companies of IBM global.

After the presentation, Mr. Alex Pantola, a technical associate, gave the students a short tour of the Innovation Center. With sleek and modern facilities, the center truly gave off an impressive feel of state-of-art technology.

Mindful of the full schedule in Clark, the students scurried back to the bus immediately after the photo op and took their breakfast on the road.

8:30 AM

The students arrived at Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga and headed to the Peregrine office. Chris Stolk met the group there along with Mr. Dennis Wright, Peregrine President, and Mr. Jeff Pradhan, Business Development Director, who personally welcomed the students at the front door.

An engaging speaker and a 33-year Navy veteran, Mr. Wright gave the students an extensive lesson on the economic, cultural and geographical advantages to investing in Clark.
Rather than setting up shop in competitive Western countries, the Kuwait investors of Peregrine decided to invest in the Philippines, which is one of the emerging markets of the world, along with countries such as Iraq, Haiti and Sri Lanka. “Do your homework. Do your own economic study. Don’t listen to other people, as long as you have the knowledge to back up your decision,” he advised the students.

Peregrine, a knowledge management company chartered to assist, facilitate and augment clients and companies in developing opportunities and conducting business in transitional and emergent economies around the world, is located in the Global Gateway Logistics City in Clark and was formed in the Philippines four years ago.

Describing Clark as ‘the future of the Philippines’, Mr. Wright rode along with the students on the bus and gave them a detailed perimeter tour of the area, pointing out construction sites of new companies, future investors, and existing establishments such as Texas Instruments, Yokohama, Mimosa, etc. Meanwhile, the students asked questions on cash flow management and strategies on convincing investors.

His enthusiastic parting words to the students: “Be excited of your country and the promising future of Clark and Subic.”

10:00 AM

Mr. Wright personally dropped the students off at the site of Iren Dornier Technology, where Mr. Fortunato Samson, QA Head, excused himself from a training to meet
with the group to provide a background on Iren Dornier, grandson of a German pioneer aircraft owner.

Dornier was incorporated in the Philippines in 2006 and manufactures fully-built composite aircrafts used in sports. They are in charge of all MRO activities for Sea Air.

Mr. Samson proudly spoke of a 1944 Dornier plane, the last of its kind made, and the last one still flying—with a Philippine registry. He encouraged students to ask questions on the building process, lifeline, classifications and designs of aircraft and gave them a tour around the production area and the hangar, where students happily posed for pictures with different aircrafts.

11:15 AM

Holiday Inn’s General Manager, Mr. Simon Morley, welcomed the students and assigned them to three groups for a guided tour around the hotel. Aside from the rooms and usual amenities, the students also got the chance to see areas normally off-limits to guests, such as the kitchen, housekeeping, delivery center, administrative offices, etc.

The three groups then met up at one of the ballrooms for lunch with the Clark executives and BOP sponsors—Simon Morley, Dennis Wright and Jeff Pradhan of Peregrine, and several representatives from the President’s office of CIAC who later presented a speech from Mr. Victor Luciano. After lunch, Mr. Morley gave the students a background on Holiday Inn.

Holiday Inn Clark is part of the widely-recognized Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG). Holiday Inn was actually converted from Chambers Hall Hotel, a military transient accommodation house of Clark US Air Base back in 1996. The hotel is a business leader in the tourism industry in Central Luzon.

Mr. Morley’s advice to the students: “When you look for your first real job,
employers will want to know if you are just an academic, or a well-rounded person. Land the job that will put you onto the first step towards the direction of your dreams. Expect constant change in life, and make a difference, whatever you do.”

3:30 PM

The bus ride back to Manila was relatively quiet as most of the students took naps, tired from the long day.

5:30 PM onwards

U.S. Embassy’s Economic Advisor, Tim Neely and FCS-Commercial Attache, Tyrena Holley gave students a talk over dinner about the background of the Embassy and the contribution of the Economic Affairs’ contribution to companies in the Philippines.

The BOP Daily Activity Post

2010-04-19T03:44:00.000-07:00

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. Lillibeth 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

AmCham Kicks Off the 2010 Business Orientation Program (BOP)

2010-04-18T00:10:00.000-07:00

The pre-program cocktail reception for the 8th AmCham Business Orientation Program (BOP) was graciously hosted by Ms. Leslie Bassett, Deputy Chief of Mission of the US Embassy, at her residence in Forbes Park, Makati City last April 17, 2010.

Held at the poolside with a Hawaiian theme on a balmy summer night, the informal event was well-attended by company sponsors, US Embassy personnel, the 2010 BOP participants, BOP alumni and the 2010 BOP committee, headed by Carol Dominguez, President of John Clements Consultants.

Newly-appointed US Ambassador, Mr. Harry Thomas,
also graced the event, amiably mingling with the students.

Christopher Stolk, BOP committee member and Sr. Director of Sea Change Philippines, started off the evening by welcoming the attendees and thanking the participants and sponsors for the support of this year’s BOP. Ms. Leslie Bassett, DCM, gave the welcome remarks, speaking about the US Embassy’s appreciation of the purpose of the BOP, which is to develop tomorrow’s leaders through exposure to the contributions of American multinational businesses to the country’s development.

The keynote address, entitled “What the Future Holds for Young Leaders”, was delivered by Ms. Victoria Woo of Harvard Business Publishing. Ms. Woo congratulated the students for completing the Everest Simulation, a leadership skill exercise held at the New World Renaissance Hotel earlier that day. “The simulation you just experienced is a metaphor to life—compressed into just four hours,” she said. The program is designed to highlight the importance of communication, resourcefulness, teamwork, creativeness, analyzing situations, working with people toward a collective goal, and being a leader.

The winners of the Everest Simulation, namely Mariel Alfonso (DLSU), Marilie Sablan (Miriam College), Ivan Lim (DLSU), Niño Paz (UP Diliman) and Fritz Baum (CEU), were awarded by Ms. Woo and the 2010 BOP committee.

Several BOP alumni from different batches went on to share their own experiences and lessons about the program with the 2010 students, while Mr. Paul Richards, President of Mead Johnson Nutritionals and BOP Company Gold Partner, congratulated the students and expressed his enthusiasm at their upcoming company visit to Mead Johnson.

Amb. Harry Thomas also provided a few words of inspiration to the students, saying, “If we want to make the Philippines one of the Asian Tigers, it should start with you, young men and women.”

Ms. Carol Dominguez, 2010 BOP Committee Chairman, concluded the program by acknowledging past BOP Chairmen such as Bill Pfluger and Dave Morin, whose efforts helped the program grow and evolve through the years. As the newest chair, she is optimistic that the BOP will continue to improve and become successful under her tutelage. Ms. Dominguez capped off the evening by thanking everyone for attending the event and supporting the 2010 BOP.

-Marge F. Friginal
Official BOP Writer

AmCham BOP Testimonial

2010-02-14T01:59:00.000-08:00

I was an incoming senior wayback college (taking up BS Business Administration – Major in Finance and Treasury Management) when I was luckily selected to represent my school in the 6th American Chamber of Commerce Business Orientation Program. I will never forget how hard it was to be able to pass the exams and the interview. I never expected that I will be part of this event since all the other college students are also considered one of the “best”. But my insight on it changed the moment I received the phone call confirming my delegation.

AmCham BOP was a breakthrough in my life. It taught me how to be more confident when facing and interacting with other people. It was my first time to be able to join a crowd of other business student leaders around the country. I used to have fears when dealing with other people because of the thought that they may not agree on my ideas. But in the AmCham BOP, I experienced one of the best brainstorming of ideas. We listened to each other’s suggestions without hesitation that I think gave way to a great Business Case Study that my group also won (Happee Solutions with Oregano). It was a bright collaboration of the different specialties we have in the business management course.

AmCham BOP also gave me the confidence to join other Leadership Conference which I was also able to interact with student leaders and this time, from a variety of fields like Engineering, Organizational Communication, Tourism, and Foreign Studies as well as other foreign delegates from Singapore. It is like coming out of my shell and sharing to a wider group of people my ideas which I learned in the BOP.

Aside from that, my awareness on the Corporate Social Responsibility was widely enhanced through the companies that we visited. It highlighted that American companies does not only focus on increase of its revenues but also for the benefit of our environment.

But the best part of AmCham BOP is the camaraderie that we shared. I will never forget that week-long activity because I also gained life-long friends. Friends who up to now, are people I share my life stories and be a shoulder that I can lean on.

********

I graduated last April 2009 and now working as a Senior Programmer and Software Engineer ( SAP – Financial Accounting and Controlling Programmer) at a Business Outsourcing company based in McKinley Hill, Taguig City.

BOP Updates

2010-02-02T18:07:00.000-08:00

Good News: We have raised almost Php400k out of Php500k target. Manila Marriott will be sponsoring our Gala and Awards Night on Saturday, April 17th. Please save the date!! McDonald's has donated Php 20k of food vouchers.
Hotel Partner: Manila Marriott
Gold Partners: CalEnergy, Chevron Philippines, Goodyear Philippines, Mead Johnson, Peregrine, Thomson Reuters, CB Richard Ellis, Convergys
Silver Partners: Citibank, Ford Philippines, Sunpower, Philip Morris
Food Partner: McDonald's
Please contact abbie@amchamphilippines.com if you want to join the sponsorship subcommittee.

University Relations

We have sent the invitation and application forms to 24 schools and universities. To-date, we have only received 3 application forms. Please follow up with your schools and universities and ensure that the Deans have received the invitations and application forms for BOP 2010. Please inform Wina if the materials have not been received. Please promote the program among third year students of your universities and ensure that your university is represented in BOP 2010. Deadline to submit application forms is Feb. 12th.

Alumni Relations
We are putting together a database of BOP Alumni. Please send your cv's to bop@amchamphilippines.com

Marketing and PR
There are a lot of exciting and cool things happening in BOP 2010. Our marketing team is putting together some exciting giveaways like bags, shirts, pins, notebooks and pens.

Programme
The team will begin to schedule the week-long event.

Screening
John Clements will be conducting the initial screening-
Feb. 15 20 - Qualifying Exam
Feb. 22 28 - Scoring and Checking
March 8 - Final Interview with the Amcham Screening Committee

Case Study
Harvard Business School Case Study on Globe Telecomm. Suggested judges are: Ernest Cu, CEO of Globe, Tina Ortigas, Ernie Cecilia, Carol Dominguez, Peter Wallace, Noli Santos, Professor Lagman, Benjamin Hughes

Cocktails and Gala
Manila Marriott has agreed to sponsor the Gala and Awards Dinner on April 24th.

Please join us on Feb. 8th, 5-6pm at Amcham Hall. Please contact the subcommittee heads if you are interested to join BOP 2010.

STAY ENGAGED! GIVE BACK! JOIN BOP 2010!

CONRAGTULATIONS Conrad!!!

2009-05-18T23:02:00.000-07:00

Conrad Lee is BOP 2008 Alumnus Batch 6. He graduated as Summa Cum Laude at De La Salle University and top number 1 in the CPA Board Exam 2009.

Conragtulations Conrad -- we are proud of you!!!!!

AmCham-BOP Accolade by Gerald Baro (FEU)

2009-05-18T01:21:00.000-07:00

Being an American Chamber of Commerce BOP participant opened my eyes to things which are only conceivably of being understood by someone who experienced the same program. At first, I thought the benefit this week-long program would be all about learning the technical and mechanical ways of the business world. I was wrong. I never thought that this is just a mere pinch of what I am supposed to have gained from the BOP experience.

For the myopic minds of people who do not know anything about BOP, they might think that this is a free trip to the United States for a vacation, or for those who assume a little knowledge about it, might think that it is just a virtual tour of the business world. But it is neither a free trip nor a vacation and it is more than just a virtual tour. For me, it was a one-week activity that brought about a major transformation, in me.

I say transformation because a lot of things happened during this activity that I've never experienced in any other aspect of my life. To begin with is the idea of punctuality which is an elusive virtue I rarely practice, sad to say. This program magnified the detriments of being late; that it delays the scheduled activities, as well as spoils the time of others. Second of all is humility. I have witnessed first hand how approachable CEOs of different corporations and prominent personalities are, as they spend their precious time with us. Amidst their busy schedules, they still managed to allot time on their calendars for us.

Also in this program is the correction of the sporadic virtue of cramming. Those who are in the supervision of this activity don’t believe in the concept of spontaneity, they plan and prepare. They showed us that planning and preparation makes for a good breakthrough. This is one thing that I imbibed from the BOP. I must plan always in order to conquer the insuperable and consummate what is imaginable.

I have also seen from this activity people considering, preferring and choosing their respective careers based on factors other than the financial pay-offs. It is a glaring manifestation of their heart and passion relative to their priceless principle. For me, only strong commitment and conviction can be the thrust of resorting to this idea which is truly immense. This is simply amazing.

Who can also forget the camaraderie and friendship created by spending both awkward and fascinating moments with diverse people, especially amongst co-participants with whom you have just become acquainted. They make you laugh, make fun of you as you sleep on the Coaster, spend late hours with you to finish your assigned business plan and giggle with you as you celebrate the bounty of free-flowing food and perks.

At the end of the day, the best award I could ever bring home is neither the Bronze medal I received nor the knowledge I gained from this activity but it is the one-time opportunity to be with the best and wonderful people in the program, sharing with them the laughter, perspiration and aspiration of making every single moment of this activity remarkable.

Such people that can move and transform you to be the best you can ever be. This kind of accolade is incomparable and truly worthwhile. I billion thanks and applause to BOP!

The BOP Experience

2009-05-06T23:09:00.000-07:00

“He who walks with the wise becomes wise”

This is what I believe I have gained after being in the company of 28 of my peers who were participating in the 2009 American Chamber of Commerce Business Orientation Program for Aspiring Leaders.

I walked with them on their first day of company visits and at the end of the day I, too, grew wiser because of the experience.

To spend the whole day with the college achievers who interacted with various speakers from different companies, was really empowering. I feel fortunate to have been given this task of documenting the first day of the BOP and post a blog about it as part of my internship in a leading multinational PR agency.

The AMCHAM annually selects the BEST students from a field of nominations submitted by universities around the country-- to participate in a week-long program that includes activities such as: (1) company visits, (2) talks from various leaders of different corporations (3) case study analysis and (4) business case presentation. Dubbed as “The Best Meets the Best,” the students get to experience the “real deal.”

Monday’s schedule included talks from two executives (CB Richards Ellis Chairman and John Clements VP for Marketing/ Managing Director Grace Sorongon) and visits to three companies namely: Citibank, Chevron and Ogilvy.

Adding value

The program started at 7:15am. The delegates were welcomed by 2009 AmCham BOP chairman and Goodyear Philippines President Dave Morin. Everybody was required to come in corporate attire, so there was—at first—a very formal and stiff atmosphere. But, Mr. Morin broke the ice by cracking jokes and making everyone feel relaxed.

He enumerated AmCham’s expectations of the BOP delegates: mutual trust, respect, and commitment.

Then AmCham Executive Director Robert Sears shared with the students the organization’s history, objectives, and projects. He said something that caught my attention: “(In whatever group you belong to) you have to add value, otherwise they’re not going to keep you.” While Mr. Sears was coming from the context of being part of a company, the reminder was also applicable to what the students were expected to accomplish during the week-long BOP.

Hanging on

“LEADERSHIP is 90% showing up and 10% hanging on,” said CB Richard Ellis Phils. Chairman Rick Santos

He started the talk with a stimulating question: “If time and money were no object and success was guaranteed, what would you do?” It led many to pause and really think.

“Leaders never give up. Leaders have a great story. Leadership is lonely at the top. But it is crowded at the bottom.” These were among his quotable quotes—all of which were admittedly true.

I thought that to become a leader one can start by celebrating his or her being different—something which Mr. Santos later on validated when he said “leaders speak, act, and think differently.” Then he went on to punctuate his talk with stories about real-life leaders.

When he said that “leaders break a lot of China”… everybody laughed. But it led me thinking, “ yes, one has to be able to muster enough courage to take risks which comes with being a leader.”

Express yourself

“With the opportunities that come your way, make the most out of them and learn,” said John Clements Vice President for Marketing Grace Sorongon.

Having been with John Clements, a management consultancy firm, for 34 years, she drew examples from her own personal experience to talk about how her company was able to address its clients’ ever-growing demands

She reiterated the value of communication when she said that one should be able to express oneself well because it makes up the 40% of competency needed to land a job.

A student asked her if there are still jobs waiting for them--which could have been on every student’s mind given the global economic slump. Her response was very encouraging: “there are a lot of opportunities, you just have to look.”

THE COMPANY VISITS:

CITIBANK

Right after the last resource speaker, there was little time to waste so we headed straight to the bus. Our first stop: Citibank in Paseo de Roxas, Makati.

Citibank’s very corporate ambience greeted us as we were led to a lounge which served both as lecture and dining hall.

The first speaker was Citibank Managing Director and Country Head for global transaction Tonet Itchon. His talk about the company opened our eyes to what Citibank has achieved through the years.

Candidly, he said that while Citibank may be a big financial institution, it has not been spared of the impact of the global economic slump. “Regard the Company as if you were the owners, not as employees,” Mr. Itchon said, talking about their mindset as they thought of ways to address the crisis.

Then, Citibank Markets Head and Country Treasurer Argos Fernando talked about risk management. “By doing nothing,” he said, “you are exposing yourself more to risk.” His statement, “the risk of inaction is greater than the risk of change” was truly thought provoking.

We were treated to a hearty lunch right after, during which the Citibank executives went around and interacted with the students. They asked about our courses, provincial roots, and interests among others. Admittedly, the Citibank officers were very warm and friendly—quite the opposite of the seemingly very strict banking ambience.

CHEVRON

The office of Chevron is actually in 6750 Ayala. But the session was instead held at the RCBC Tower due to scheduling conflicts. Anyway, when we got into the conference room, Chevron Policy, Government and Public Affairs Executive Mark Quebral welcomed us along with HR Associates Mia Posadas and Grace Rivera.

Mr. Quebral talked about Chevron’s Philippine operations. Like me, a lot of the participants may have also been amazed of the interesting facts and figures Mr. Quebral shared.

He proudly discussed the Chevron Malampaya project—which involved the building of an underwater pipe from Palawan to Batangas. He also shared programs in support of Chevron’s vision which is “to be the global energy company most admired for people performance.”

OGILVY

When we got to Philamlife tower in Paseo de Roxas, and to the Ogilvy office at the 15^th floor, I heard someone say “fab!” Another one said, “Oh, it’s so red!”

I totally agree with them. The office is fabulous, but more than that, it’s the people working there that make the office passionately red.

The students felt more relaxed given the agency’s relatively more creative ambience. The briefing was held at the conference room where Ogilvy Public Relations Business Unit Head and Client Services Director Leah Huang made the students feel at ease.

Then Ogilvy Philippines country manager Randy Aquino explained how the entire Ogilvy Group is committed to producing “great work that works.” He also talked about the characteristic trademark of Ogilvy which is the 360-degree brand stewardship mindset, and quoted company founder David Ogilvy to stress that “We do not work for clients. We do not work for the agency. We work for brands.”

Soliciting the students’ impression of Ogilvy, Mr. Aquino was amused when one said Ogilvy was “like Ecomoda”—the fictitious agency where Betty La Fea works (the ABS-CBN version). It drew laughs from many of the participants.

Then Chief Strategist Bambi Cajilig talked about how the rapid changes in our environment require companies to “evolve or die.” What we previously knew about the 4P’s of Marketing were challenged – that in today’s world the new framework has evolved to the 4E’s of Marketing: Experience, Everyplace, Exchange and Evangelism. She also outlined what it is today’s youth require -- freedom, scrutiny, integrity, entertainment and collaboration.

Ogilvy Managing Director for Advertising Peachy Pacquing then explained the concept of 360 brand stewardship further, stressing the importance of research (brand scanning, diagnostics) and insights in the development of an effective campaign.

Certainly, the BOP participants were blessed to have been given the chance to hear these business learnings ‘straight from the horse’s mouth’, so to speak. The practical insights everyone obtained from the experience validated many of the lessons they learned from their respective universities.

They went home that day looking forward to what the rest of the week would bring.

(Ayessa Parayno, incoming 4^th year Organizational Communication student at UP Manila)

BOP Participants 2009

2009-05-06T21:26:00.000-07:00

The BOP Participants
by Ayessa Parayno (Ogilvy Intern, UP Manila)

Upon seeing them, I initially thought the 28 students participating in the AmCham Business Orientation Program—most of whom are taking up business courses-- were unapproachable. But I was so glad to be proven wrong—as every one of them was so nice.

And who said smart people can’t be fun? Their energy was infectious.
This recent batch of BOP students seemed to have mastered the art of learning while having fun, and here are the pictures to prove it.

See this one? I took this when we were at the elevator going down RCBC Tower after the session with Chevron.

This was supposed to be a stolen shot. But they caught me and smiled. =)

We were told that taking pictures within and in front of RCBC Tower was prohibited. But the advice came too late because we already took this shot outside.

I talked to some of the participants and these are some of the things they had to say.

Randy Ventanilla said” I joined BOP because I want to have an in depth knowledge about the companies and how it is in the corporate setting. Meeting with CEOs and expansion of network is what I expect from this program”

Mohammad Balang shared, “Since Marawi is underdeveloped. I believe that through BOP, opportunities and exposure in the corporate setting will help me in my future career. With this program, I was able to meet new friends and build networks.”

Shayne Gonzales and Edlyn Batac: “We believe that through BOP, we will be able to realize what we really want to do in our future career. Unlike in Pampanga, Manila can open a variety of opportunities for us”.

Being in the company of these future business leaders has been a wonderful experience for me. Not only did the participants learn from the mentor CEOs and executives. They also benefited from the new-found friendships that hopefully will last even beyond the week-long program. (Ayessa Parayno, UP Manila)