Wrangler Street

Implementing Business Solutions Course: Workshop Activity No. 3

2012-02-13T04:47:00.000+08:00

BS1: Implementing Business Solutions

February 20-23, 2012

Business Solutions Competency Track

dB Wizards, Inc.

Workshop Activity No. 3

Each team will be tasked to prepare and present proposals in slide show to customers that belong to the business sector assignments of the Day 2 homework. The following are the products and services that each team are assigned to sell:

1. Team 1 – SQL Server and SharePoint

2. Team 2 – RMS and SharePoint

3. Team 3 – SQL Server and NAV

The teams are encouraged to be creative in preparing and conducting their presentations. Innovations are allowed as long as professional decorum is maintained and actions are within the boundaries of common decency. The proposal presentations must be highly professional and suited for actual customer presentations. The business case must be built around the SWOT analysis developed by the Workshop Teams in Day 2.

Implementing Business Solutions Course: Workshop Activity No. 2

2012-02-13T04:40:00.000+08:00

BS1: Implementing Business Solutions

February 20-23, 2012

Business Solutions Competency Track

dB Wizards, Inc.

Workshop Activity No.2

Each team will be tasked to prepare and present proposals in slide show to customers that belong to the business sector assignments of the Day 2 homework. The following are the solutions that each team is assigned to sell:

1. Team 1 – Dr. Jekyll

2. Team 2 – Mayor Alfredo Lim

3. Team 3 – Superman

Implementing Business Solutions Course: Day 4 Talking Points

2012-02-13T04:34:00.000+08:00

BS1: Implementing Business Solutions

February 20-23, 2012

Business Solutions Competency Track

dB Wizards, Inc.

Day 4 Talking Points

Think about the following and take down notes in preparation for class discussion.

Identify which of your customers may have the following business pains and challenges:

1. Inventory shrinkage (theft, pilferage, system discrepancies, vendor fraud, POS loopholes)

2. Document controls (life cycle management, version controls, security controls)

3. Material controls (inaccurate product costing, shelf-life issues, pilferage, quality issues, material issuance controls)

4. Expense controls (monitoring approvals, account reconciliation, inaccurate posting, audit trails)

5. Enterprise resource issues (scheduling issues, resource allocation, inefficient status reporting, lack of visibility on resources)

6. Talent management issues (very long applicant queues, tedious applicant monitoring, double/multiple entry of personnel information, inaccurate skills profiles, linking training with performance management)

7. Inaccurate and inefficient management reports (very long report processing, late business results, manual report processing, report dissemination, controlling confidential information)

Questions to ponder:

1. Which of our solutions can address these business pains and issues of your customer?

2. Do you think these are opportunities that we can work on for any your customers?

3. What will it take to bring forward a proposal for these customers?

Implementing Business Solutions Course: Day 3 Talking Points

2012-02-12T23:06:00.004+08:00

BS1: Implementing Business Solutions

February 20-23, 2012

Business Solutions Competency Track

dB Wizards, Inc.

Day 3 Talking Points

Think about the following and take down notes in preparation for class discussion.

What are possible value propositions for the following business segments and industries?

1. A healthcare company that is publicly listed in the US and Switzerland, with operations in UK, France, Germany, USA and China

2. A global company engaged in banking and financial services with head office in Switzerland and

with branches in Asia, North America, South America, including Colombia

3. A Center of Excellence located in Manila for a

multinational and global semiconductor manufacturing
company

4. A publicly listed (PSE) investment management firm with

a portfolio that includes transport infrastructure, power

distribution, water utilities and mass transport systems

5. A local, privately held FMCG manufacturing company that

is aiming to compete in the regional markets

Implementing Business Solutions Course: Day 2 Talking Points

2012-02-12T21:25:00.002+08:00

BS1: Implementing Business Solutions

February 20-23, 2012

Business Solutions Competency Track

dB Wizards, Inc.

Day 2 Talking Points

Think about the following and take down notes in preparation for class discussion.

Consider the following business segments and industries:

1. A healthcare company that is publicly listed in the US and Switzerland, with operations in UK, France, Germany, USA and China

2. A global company engaged in banking and financial services with head office in Switzerland and

with branches in Asia, North America, South America, including Colombia

3. A Center of Excellence located in Manila for a

multinational and global semiconductor manufacturing
company

4. A publicly listed (PSE) investment management firm with

a portfolio that includes transport infrastructure, power

distribution, water utilities and mass transport systems

5. A local, privately held FMCG manufacturing company that

is aiming to compete in the regional markets

Points to ponder:

1. What do you think are their typical business pains and issues?

2. Are there regulatory and compliance issues that they have to contend with?

What government and industry regulatory entities govern their business environment?

3. Are there political and legal issues that may affect any of these businesses?

4. Are there resource requirements (e.g. IT resource pool) that are unique to any of these

companies?

5. Are there customer dynamics that are unique to any of these companies?

Implementing Business Solutions Course: Workshop Activity No. 1

2012-02-12T17:39:00.001+08:00

BS1: Implementing Business Solutions

February 20-23, 2012

Business Solutions Competency Track

dB Wizards, Inc.

Workshop Activity No. 1

List down unique characteristics of each business sector assigned to your Workshop Team. Identify potential strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) to a company that belongs to such business sector.

Business sector assignments:

1. Team 1 – A global healthcare company that is publicly listed in the US and Switzerland

2. Team 2 – A global Swiss company engaged in banking and financial services with branches in Asia and North America

3. Team 3 – A Center of Excellence (COE/BPO) located in Manila for a multinational and global semiconductor manufacturing business

Implementing Business Solutions Course: Day 1 Talking Points

2012-02-12T17:29:00.000+08:00

BS1: Implementing Business Solutions

February 20-23, 2012

Business Solutions Competency Track

dB Wizards, Inc.

Day 1 Talking Points

Think about the following and take down notes in preparation for class discussion.

1. Note down a unique situation or challenge in your family or in yourself as a person that you think makes your life a bit more challenging than the average person.

2. How do you deal with it? Are there special adaptive tools, resources, services and solutions that help you manage the situation?

No need to submit any written work. Each participant will be asked to relate how solutions work for his/her unique situation.

A Wish For A Son

2011-04-04T21:27:00.002+08:00

If I can make the sun shine on your face
Like the way you reflect the shine of the moon in your eyes,
My sweet child, I will make you happy
In your own terms, in your own way.

Though you push me aside when I hold you close
Only God knows that I'm close to heaven
When on rare moments you lay your head on my shoulder.
My happiness is taking all that weight off your head and shoulders.

Sweet dreams, my sweet child
How I long to make you smile
Even when you slumber your worries away.
My one true wish for you is your relief
From all the burden that this turbulent,
Ever-changing world hurts you with.

Rest your weary mind and soul against me.
My warmth will protect you from this cold, relentless world.
Let me, please let me take care of you,
My son, my sweet child.

Note: This is for my son, Kirby, who has autism. I wrote this on the day that he started to live away from us, his family. We love him very much but his doctor told us that it's best that he live away from us so that he cannot harm us.

Hope against despair -- musings on the peripheral events of President Aquino’s state of the nation address

2010-07-27T09:57:00.000+08:00

Watching the news on TV last night gave me goosebumps. It was indeed a rare sight to behold: the man-on-the-street, the laundry-woman-on-the-job, and every other Kuya and Ate congregating in front of the boob tube at 4 PM (Manila time) to watch the new president's state-of-the-nation address. And when was the last time that you saw ordinary people out there on the street standing at attention and holding a hand over their heart while the Philippine national anthem is playing live on national TV?

What explains such a social phenomenon? (I think the word phenomenon succinctly embodies the seemingly innocuous but resolute individual behaviors that have taken on national proportions.)

This scenario can only be comprehended when juxtaposed against the widespread pall of bleak and despair that the past 9 years has afflicted upon every Ate and Kuya. The sound bites and the occasion itself have evoked tears from the laundry woman and made the tricycle driver teary-eyed. They see new-found hope against the despair that has almost seemed a curse on their lives. Indeed, the past 9 years were most god-forsaken, endless pestilence for these folks.

Hope against despair. The people have faith indeed on the new leadership. Be that it may include hope that the new leadership will not betray the trust that brought them into positions of great responsibility.

Book Review: Ethics for the Real World

2009-11-12T20:10:00.002+08:00

Ethics is a topic that book authors, who are subject-matter experts, should endeavour to make available in layman understandable terms in order to be useful for the everyday person and worker. Ronald Howard and Clinton Korver are quite successful in doing this through their book Ethics for the Real World: Creating a Personal Code to Guide Decisions in Work and Life. Much credit should also go to Bill Birchard, the writer, who converted the academic work of Howard and Korver into a reader-friendly, self-help book.
Summary of the Book
The format of the book is unique and very instructive: 1) it provides a reader-friendly road map of the entire text; 2) the actual content itself is brief and concise, interspersed with real life, as well as highly unique and uncommon, examples of ethical dilemma situations; 3) at the end of the appendices is a section titled “Our Messages”, which provides a very helpful reference guide of listing of key words, concepts and messages for each chapter of the book.

The introduction provides the key message, as well the tone and pace of laying out the subject matter and instructive materials, that the authors would like to convey to their audience. The book maps out an engineering-like methodology for skilful and disciplined decision-making that includes ethical considerations. A standard approach to decision-making should distinguish the dimensions of ethical and non-ethical (legal and prudential) issues. Understanding these dimensions is necessary in order to avoid ethical compromises. The introduction also sets the parameters for defining a disciplined decision-making methodology by suggesting to its audience that ethical thought should be drawn from within one’s own person and that focus should be on self-improvement. Setting and committing to one’s own set of ethical principles and practicing a disciplined decision-making approach involves constant introspection and considerations on how one’s decision may impact others. After reading this book, one should be able to draft one’s own “personal code”.

Chapters 1 to 3 talk about drawing the line to distinguish what is right and wrong in everyday ethical situations involving temptations to lie, deceive, steal and harm. The authors propose that avoiding the grey areas will steer one clear of ethical compromises. After all, “the lesser of two evils is still evil.” Fundamental to maintaining a high standard of personal ethics is avoiding those compromises that stem out of making exceptions to the rules. Every instance of making an exception represents one small step towards the edge of the proverbial “slippery slope”.

Chapter 2 specifically talks about what distinctions have to be made, i.e. the ethical, legal and prudential dimensions of a decision; positive and negative ethics; action- and consequence-based ethics; reasoning versus rationalization.

Each one’s environment and upbringing are sources of touchstones, or standards of ethical principles. Chapter 3 discusses these touchstones, such as religion, institutions, our parents, leaders, role models and friends.

In making the right choices and decisions, a thoughtfully crafted reference manual to which one is committed, is of great importance. Chapter 4 outlines a step by step guide in crafting one’s own personal code.

Once the decision tool is in place, in Chapter 5 the authors push for decisive actions whenever one is faced with an ethical issue. Their precept is also based on Edmund Burke’s famous maxim: “All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.” If one is to have high ethical standards, acquiescence is in itself complicity to a wrongdoing, or even to a crime.

Transforming one’s personal and work life to a nobler and more satisfied one through astute decision-making with the use of the personal code is the focus of Chapters 6 and 7. Being that among the authors’ preposition that ethical concerns always involve people around oneself, the impact of correct ethical decisions almost always transforms ones relationships with the people around us, in personal life or at work.

Going beyond skill-building, the book’s epilogue suggests that the reader strive for excellence through constant practice, introspection, reinforcement and continuous improvement of one’s personal code. As it was declared by Aristotle himself, the father of virtue ethics, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act, but a habit.”

My Think Piece
Among the classroom lessons that came to mind as I was reading the book was the Seven Step Model to Moral Decision-Making by Dr. William May (Velasquez, M., 2006: 637-645). Although Howard and Korver’s decision-making process is simpler with only three steps, Chapter 5 (Choose Action) of the book describes a process similar to May’s. Both methods prescribe a definition of the ethical issue, creation of alternatives and evaluating to make a decision thereafter. Another parallel classroom lesson is the discussion in the book on consequential ethics, which is essentially an application of the utilitarian principle.

What I consider to be the best take-away lesson for me from this book is that the right decisions, especially those that are ethically sound, thoughtfully assessed, and astutely framed, ultimately transform our relationships with family, co-workers and friends. The approach presented is not merely reactive ethical decision-making but it provides a framework by which we can “take the right action...” and “create opportunities to do right by other people.” After all, personal relationships are more enduring than any transactional interaction (Howard et al, 2008: 113-116).

The value that Howard et al places in the human face of ethical decision-making is consistent with James Rachel’s “Minimum Conception of Morality.” Rachel similarly emphasizes that morality provides for considerations of consequences that may befall each affected individual whenever one makes a decision or takes action (Rachels, 1993).

On the professional and work aspect of this lesson, this consideration of and for others is akin to the concept of accountability. Acceptance of responsibility and having the willingness to give honest and adequate explanations for actions or decisions taken presupposes due consideration that other people may be or may have been affected.

There are likewise local studies that illustrate awareness of similar concepts that are innate to Philippine culture. In her Series on Filipino Values, F. Landa Jocano talks about the innately Filipino concepts of “halaga” (value), “kapwa” (fellow being), “damdamin” (feelings, intuition), among others. Jocano takes particular note in “Halaga: The Evaluative Core of Filipino Value System” that the Filipino typically gives consideration for others – how others will be affected by one’s action and how others will approach a situation. The assumption is that our touchstones usually have a more or less common shared value that we can look up to (Jocano, 1993: 1-5).

Howard et al also talk about distinctions between ethical and legal. This recalls to mind the classroom discussions regarding the differences between moral and legal. In the same light, the court injunction promulgated by Judge Jaime Logarta, with the complicity of Hoechst counsel Cesar Cruz, which inhibits the government from disrupting the selling of banned Hoechst chemicals in the Philippines is legal but immoral and unethical (Severino, Ethics class handout: 3-9).

There are certainly practical applications for the personal code that is being espouseed by Howard et al. Both a personal code and a company code of ethics can help strengthen ethics in enterprise and the workplace. For organizations or companies that do not yet have their own code of ethics, they can make use of this book as a guide in crafting one.

In creating one’s personal code, one can start simple, similar to what Chip Mason of Legg Mason had. One can also start with a touchstone, such as the four cardinal virtues of Thomas Aquinas: courage, temperance, prudence and justice (Aquinas, 1981). However, in order for one’s personal code to be a fully operational manual, one has to take the steps prescribed in the book.

I recommend the book as a good read, particularly for those aiming for happiness via a virtuous life. Indeed, it takes a lot of practice and introspection to continually improve one’s personal code. The guiding beacons are learning lessons as one applies the personal code, taking careful thought for continuous improvement and aspiring for the same “internal anchors” that Jesus Christ used in decision-making. Jesus Christ’s “internal anchors” consists of his own set of established values and principles, his own personal code of ethics (Jones, L.B., 1995: 19-20).

On the other hand, one has to realize that the book does not offer a complete compass or a single-bullet solution to ethical issues and dilemmas. No matter how much thought and preparation one invests into a personal code, there will be very rare ethical situations that will stump us. In those rare occasions, we may find ourselves understanding completely the full “moral meaning” of a certain behaviour or action “after the connection between choice and consequence has revealed itself” (Carroll, 2002: 609).

References:

Howard, R.A., Korver, C.D., with Birchard, B.
Ethics for the Real World: Creating a Personal Guide to Decisions in Work and Life
Harvard Business Press, 2008

Velasquez, Manuel
Business Ethics: Concepts and Cases 6th Ed.
Prentice Hall, 2006

Rachels, James
The Elements of Moral Philosophy
McGraw Hill, 1993

Jocano, F.L.
Halaga: The Evaluative Core of Filipino Value System
Punlad Research Paper No. 3 (Series on Filipino Values)
Punlad Research House, 1993

Severino, H.
Ethics Class Handout (Prof. D.Gonzalez)
Ateneo Graduate School of Business, 2009

Coronel, Sheila
Investigating Officials
June 2007
Posted online at:
http://woodyooi.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/investigating-officials.pdf

Treger, Billy
Multinational Monitor: Pushing Pesticides
June 1994
Posted online at:
http://multinationalmonitor.org/hyper/issues/1994/06/front.html

Aquinas, Thomas
Summa Theologiae
Trans. Fathers of the English Dominican Province
Christian Classics, 1981

Jones, Laurie B.
Jesus CEO: Using Ancient Wisdom for Visionary Leadership
Hyperion, 1993

Carroll, James
Constantine’s Sword: The Church and the Jews
Mariner Books, 2002

Various Book reviews
Posted online at:
www.ethicsfortherealworld.com

Virtuous Leadership

2009-11-12T19:48:00.001+08:00

I think that the concept of heroic leadership can trace its roots to the earlier teachings of Aristotle and Thomas Aquinas on virtue ethics. Chris Lowney propounds that leadership is all about character built by clear and focused values, in the same manner that value ethics is more about the virtuous rigor of making decisions rather than the end result itself. It's a corollary to the old adage that the end does not justify the means.
This is my first year to attend Ateneo, but I think the Jesuits also revere Aquinas' 4 cardinal virtues (temperance, courage, prudence, justice). Besides, the depth of Aquinas' Summa Theologica has achieved acclaim that has transcended religious orders and even ecclesiastical boundaries.

Another authority on leadership, Alexander Havard, has written about Virtuous Leadership. He puts forward his belief that virtuous leadership is a life well lived. Indeed, leadership is all about character. It is also worthy to note that Havard cites Cory Aquino as an example of a virtuous leader, along with others held in high esteem the world over, e.g. Pope John Paul II, Ronald Reagan, Alexander Solzhenitsyn. That is truly a very lofty categorization anyone can ever imagine to be part of.

Incidentally, Bernardo Villegas has a column in the Inquirer today that talks about the same subject. His article titled "Cory's Style of Leadership" is in the opinion section of the newspaper. It is also posted online at http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/columns/view/20091107-234749/Corys-style-of-leadership.

In Villegas' column, he lifts Havards' quotation of Cory on collegial decision making. Cory once notably said that collegial decision making is "the ability to work well with others, to listen to different points of view, to credit such views with a sincerity equal to one's own, and to have the flexibility to accommodate the valid concerns of others". Absolutely Level 5 leadership as defined by Jim Collins.

Book Review: Heroic Leadership by Chris Lowney

2009-11-12T13:52:00.001+08:00

While most other authors on leadership have written almost the same things, Lowney’s Heroic Leadership introduced novel insights and inspired reflections on principles and concepts never quite previously associated with the subject.

Chris Lowney’s Heroic Leadership is one of a few books that has had a profound impact on me as a person, as well as a leader. While the Heroic Leader’s four pillars confirm some principles that I personally value, they have helped me fully understand the importance of other principles that Lowney has adeptly articulated in his book. I am referring to love-driven leadership and the ‘magis’ principle of leadership.

However mushy it sounds, love is indeed universal. More than promises of any monetary reward, demonstrating care for your co-workers is very effective in making them relate to you as a person, and not merely as their superior. That personal touch is the key to making the organizational goal or mission relevant to the personal goal of the individual. I have personally seen this work myself over the course of my professional career. But I have never seen anyone articulate this concept more succinctly as Lowney.

‘Magis’ as a leadership pillar has given me new light on the meaning of ‘continuous improvement’. Heroic Leadership has made me see that even more important than continuous process improvement is the heroic principle of contributing to other people’s lives and making it better for them, in whatever way one can contribute. It is not the quantity of one’s contribution that matters but one’s quality of effort put into the work which will ultimately have resounding impact on people.

Great book indeed.

The Fox and the Hedgehog

2009-11-12T13:48:00.001+08:00

I did a bit of research regarding the hedgehog metaphor which was the basis of Jim Collins’ hedgehog concept.

The Greek poet Archilochus from the 7th century BC was the first to present the contrasting personalities of the fox and the hedgehog. In one of his poems, he said:
“The fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing.”

The British philosopher and historian of ideas, Isaiah Berlin, turned that concept into what is now an American metaphor for two diametrically opposed personalities. On one end of the spectrum, an individual who is characterized as a hedgehog has the ability to focus on a single, central vision of reality which is consistent with how he feels and thinks, as a result of his experiences and the environment in which he grew up. He is what one may call a “system addict”.

At the other end of the spectrum is the fox, whose life is characteristically centrifugal rather than centripetal, as he pursues divergent ends. A fox generally possesses a better sense of reality that life is too complex to have a unified explanation of “everything”.

In the book “Leadership on the Line”, Heifetz and Linsky are talking more about the fox as they give emphasis on curiosity and innocence as among the ideal traits of a leader. Chris Lowney in “Heroic Leadership” likewise talks about the same, giving importance to leadership values of innovation, flexibility, creativity and having an outwardly world view. But he also refers to a hedgehog’s trait when he talks about leaders having rigid anchors that enable them to discern and make decisions based on his non-negotiable values and principles, which is his “one big thing”.

Of course, Jim Collins is obviously biased for the hedgehog type of leadership.
I think that an effective leader should be somewhere in between the spectrum, somewhere towards the fox end of it. A leader has to be bull strong in focus and be able to stand on firm ground based on his solid anchors. At the same time, he has to be able to remain nimble and innovative in order to remain in tune with the ever changing world.

Lowney’s “Heroic Leadership” is an excellent study of the combination of the traits of a fox and a hedgehog. That is one book that has a profound impact on my personal reflections both as a leader and as a person.

Measuring Up President Arroyo against the Skyhooks for Leadership

2009-11-12T13:46:00.001+08:00

While reading the book Skyhooks for Leadership, I thought of measuring up President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo against the “skyhooks”, or the core values of leadership according to John Shtogren.

In brief, the following are the seven skyhooks for leadership:

1. A successful leader is visionary. A leader is able to towards a dream or destination by developing and communicating to his/her people a good picture of the future through great social, economic and political changes, in some cases a revolutionary change.

2. A successful leader shares mutual trust with his/her people. Trust is the glue of all relationship, especially between a leader and his constituents. Trust is borne out of faith in the integrity and capability of one another.

3. A successful leader openly communicates with his/her people. Key to this is honesty and the value of selflessness.

4. A successful leader is able to project to his/her people that each one of them can make meaningful contributions to the larger organizational cause. The prospects of self-actualization and success are significant motivating factors to encourage commitment, responsibility and action from the people.

5. A successful leader coaches his/her people that they are capable of making things happen, and delegates authority in order for people to make decisions and take action. Effective listening and empathy are essential coaching skills for a leader to be able to empower his/her people.

6. A successful leader involves his/her people in meaningful decisions and takes action that is consistent with commitments and expectations. A leader has to give people significant roles in decision making and problem solving, not only to give them a sense of involvement, but because his/her responsibilities as a leader is to actually make the team work.

7. A successful leader is able to transform his organization towards change with optimism and conviction to reconcile differences in the most acceptable and moral manner. Transformational leaders lead by example and perform as role models of uprightness and benevolence.

Vision
Gloria Arroyo is a president who is full of vision. She envisions the Philippines to be a First World country by 2029. This vision of hers for the country includes a bigger and more resilient middle class, improved infrastructure and services to make technology more accessible to a greater number of people, and stable political and economic institutions (Frank Cimatu, 29 December 2007). But she has also conveniently revised her vision a number of times to make excuses for goals that were never achieved (Patricio Mangubat, 23 July 2009). The question is: has there been any progress towards her vision, which can be attributed to purposeful efforts by her administration?

Trust
This skyhook will not work if one party does not trust the other. In Pulse Asia’s Presidential and Trust Ratings Report, a nationwide survey conducted August 2009 among 1,800 respondents indicates that 42% distrust President Arroyo, 37% are undecided, while only 21% still place their trust in her. Her trust rating has been rapidly deteriorating at least in the last three years (Ulat ng Bayan by Pulse Asia, August 2009; Joel Guinto, 14 November 2007). To make matters worse, Arroyo through her Press Secretary Cerge Remonde blames the political opposition for her dismal showing in the survey (A. Balagtas See, 4 September 2009). It is pathetically unbecoming of a leader to make such comments.

Honesty and Open Communication
Trust results from sincerely espousing an atmosphere of honesty and open communication. No amount of press releases and defensive posturing of spin masters can ever hide the truth. Covering up lies and dishonesty merely erodes trust of the people. From something as trivial as breast implants that could not necessarily be perceived negatively if there was honesty from the very beginning (TJ Burgonio, 3 July 2009), to fabricated statements of assets, liabilities and net worth that illustrate intent to deceive (Vera Files, 7 September 2009). Ultimately, a leader’s true authority stems from the trust that the people places on him/her and the good character that he/she projects through sincere actions.

Meaningful Purpose and Motivation
President Arroyo’s vision for the country could have served as basis for a meaningful purpose for all sectors of the nation, including government, business, non-government organizations, as well as each and every individual. The erosion of trust however belies any of such purpose to result in motivating the citizenry towards the common vision. After all, a people will not work with a leader who does not serve the purpose of the position that she was bestowed with by the very same constituency that she purports to serve.

Empowerment
With empowerment comes accountability. Being unencumbered to lead in providing solutions and to take action, leaders are beholden to their people to look out the window when assigning success and to look in the mirror when there are mistakes to take responsibility for (Jim Collins, 2001: pp. 17-40).

This is not at all the case for the Arroyo presidency. They grab full credit for milestones in infrastructure development and business progress that were borne out of work initiated and started during the terms of previous presidents. A good example is the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway which was a major part of the transport infrastructure modernization blueprint of former Presidents Corazon Aquino and Fidel Ramos with the cooperation of business and industry leaders (Felicito Payumo, 30 March 2008). Another example is the success of the IT/BPO industry which was aggressively pushed by local IT sector leaders and captains of business through then Trade and Industry Secretary Mar Roxas during the term of President Joseph Estrada. I can personally attest for the latter because, as a former IT committee vice-chair of the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries of the Philippines, Inc. (www.SEIPI.org) and a founding member of RosettaNet Philippines, I was actively involved in advocacy campaigns for the Estrada government to include IT/BPO sector development in their agenda.

On the other hand, President Arroyo through Secretary Gilbert Teodoro of the Defence Department and the National Disaster Coordinating Council and Malacanang spokespersons threw blame on the people and climate change for the tragedy which the NDCC should have been prepared for, ascribing the cause if disaster as an act of God (Arnold Padilla, 2 October 2009; Carlos Conde, 2 October 2009). It is such a convenient approach of looking out the window to lay blame on others for a mistake that could well have been mitigated by persons in leadership positions. Juxtaposed with such display of incompetence is Public Works and Highways Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane’s boast in large newspaper ads of great achievements in building roads, bridges and drainage infrastructure. This cataclysmic event is truly a revelation of character, or the lack thereof, of the nation’s leaders, including Teodoro and Ebdane who are running for the presidency.

Teamwork and Involvement
First and foremost, a nation is hampered in working as a team if there is a dearth of trust in its leadership, particularly in President Arroyo. Secondly, graft and corruption leads to marginalization in the business sector (Francis Varela, 19 September 2009). Only those who have connections, those who are willing to participate and pay the price for grease money are the ones who have better chances of business survival and progress. Those expecting that it will be business as usual if they do not tango with corrupt officials are almost always disappointed and their business operations hampered by bureaucratic red tape.

Transformational Style
More than optimism and motivation, a strong conviction to change is characteristic of a transformational leader. That conviction encompasses modelling righteousness through actions, or walking-the-talk, and a moral resolve to do what is right regardless of whom among the powerful and rich gets offended (Ed Punay, 1 September 2009). In President Arroyo, one does not see any conviction or action towards genuine change. The only change that has happened is that the politics of patronage and accommodation has further strengthened.

Conclusion
President Arroyo has failed in our assessment of her leadership using the core values put forward by John Shtogren. Among the seven skyhooks, vision is the only skyhook that she seems to demonstrate. However, visions are meaningless if they do not emanate from a sincere desire to serve the people. There is an unmistakable atmosphere of distrust and erosion of confidence in the national leadership. The inescapable conclusion is that President Arroyo is a stark example of failed leadership.

References:

Shtogren, John; editor
Skyhooks for Leadership
AMACOM, 1999

Cimatu, Frank
Arroyo Reiterates Vision of First World Status for RP
Inquirer.net, 29 December 2007
Posted online at:
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20071229-109386/Arroyo_reiterates_vision_of_First_World_status_for_RP

Mangubat, Patricio
Mrs. Gloria Arroyo’s Unfulfilled Vision
New Philippine Revolution, 23 July 2009
Posed online at:
http://newphilrevolution.blogspot.com/2009/07/mrs-gloria-arroyos-unfulfilled-vision.html

Ulat ng Bayan
Pulse Asia’s August 2009 Nationwide Survey of Presidential Performance and Trust Ratings
Pulse Asia, August 2009
Posted online at:
http://www.pulseasia.com.ph/pulseasia/story.asp?ID=697

Bernardo, Jesusa
Arroyo’s 2008 SONA as Pack of Lies, Again
Newsvine.com, 25 July 2008
Posted online at:
http://jesusabernardo.newsvine.com/_news/2008/07/25/1695871-arroyos-2008-sona-as-pack-of-lies-again

Guinto, Joel
Arroyo Disapproval Rating Climbs – Poll
Inquirer.net, 14 November 2007
Posted online at:
http://services.inquirer.net/express/07/11/14/html_output/xmlhtml/20071114-100831-xml.html

Balagtas See, Aie
Palace Blames Opposition for Arroyo’s Low Survey Ratings
GMANews.TV, 4 September 2009
Posted online at:
http://www.gmanews.tv/story/171521/palace-blames-opposition-for-arroyos-low-survey-ratings

Cheng, Willard
Palace Shrugs off ‘Bad’ Net Satisfaction Survey Rating, Again
ABS-CBNNews.com, 15 July 2009
Posted online at:
http://news.abs-cbn.com/nation/07/15/09/palace-shrugs-bad-net-satisfaction-survey-rating-again

Burgonio, TJ
Biopsy, Not Breast Job for Arroyo – Palace
Inquirer.Net, 3 July 2009
Posted online at:
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/metro/view/20090703-213654/Palace-exec-denies-Arroyo-breast-implant-fix

Vera Files
Mikey Arroyo Didn’t Declare Contributions
Manila Times, 7 September 2009
Posted online at:
http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/archives/1534-mikey-arroyo-didnt-declare-contributions

White, Barbara
Seven Personal Characteristics of a Leader
Ezine Articles, 12 August 2005
Posted online at:
http://ezinearticles.com/?Seven-Personal-Characteristics-Of-A-Good-Leader&id=59305

Collins, Jim
Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don’t
Random House Business Books, 2001

Payumo, Felicito
Subic-Clark Alliance: Breakthrough in Infrastructure Development
Inquirer.net, 30 March 2008
Posted online at:
http://business.inquirer.net/money/columns/view/20080330-127344/Subic-Clark-Alliance-Breakthrough-in-infrastructure-devt

2010 Philippine Election
Mar Roxas – DTI Secretary, 2000-2003
2010 Pinoyvote, 12 January 2009
Posted online at:
http://2010.pinoyvote.info/presidentiables/mar-roxas-presidentiables/mar-roxas-profile/mar-roxas-dti-secretary-2000-2003/

Padilla, Arnold
Analysis: Beyond Ondoy and Climate Change, Blame Goes to Arroyo, Teodoro
Bulatlat.com, 2 October 2009
Posted online at:
http://www.bulatlat.com/main/2009/10/02/analysis-beyond-ondoy-and-climate-change-blame-goes-to-arroyo-teodoro/

Conde, Carlos
Poor are Worst Hit by Ondoy; Inept Political Leadership Makes them Suffer even more
Bulatlat.com, 2 October 2009
Posted online at:
http://www.bulatlat.com/main/2009/10/02/poor-are-worst-hit-by-ondoy-inept-political-leadership-makes-them-suffer-even-more/

Acosta, Rene
‘Day After Tomorrow’ Stuns RP
The Business Mirror, 27 September 2009
Posted online at:
http://businessmirror.com.ph/home/top-news/16564-day-after-tomorrow-stuns-rp-with-73-dead-and-still-counting-govt-mounts-rescue-of-storm-ondoy-victims-.html

Varela, Francis
Why Noynoy will be Good for Business
Inquirer.net, 19 September 2009
Posted online at:
http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/columns/view/20090919-225905/Why-Noynoy-will-be-good-for-business

Punay, Ed
Supreme Court Chief Launches Moral Force Movement
Philstar.com, 1 September 2009
Posted online at:
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=501277

Torres, Tetch
Is Noynoy Aquino a Transformational Leader?
Inquirer.net, 31 August 2009
Posted online at:
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20090831-222880/Is_Noynoy_Aquino_a_transformational_leader%3F

Book Review: Good to Great by Jim Collins

2009-11-12T13:43:00.001+08:00

Jim Collins succeeds in creating a “good-to-great” framework which organizations can make use of to transfigure from mediocrity to one with distinguished purpose. He banks on the human species’ innate alacrity for pursuing perfection and excellence. He postulates that meaningful work makes for a meaningful, and subsequently, a great life.

It is rather ironic that two of those that Collins identified as archetypal good-to-great companies are among those who have filed bankruptcy within the past year: Fannie Mae and Circuit City. Amidst the subprime mortgage crisis that unfolded in the US last year, Fannie Mae, along with Freddie Mac, went bankrupt which led it to file for federal conservatorship with the US Treasury Department in September 2008. Saving the two giant low-cost housing mortgage firms translated to $200 billion in taxpayers’ money (Alston and Bird LLP, 8 September 2008). A couple of months later, Circuit City followed suit by filing for bankruptcy protection (Vinnee Tong and Michael Felberbaum in Business Week, 10 November 2008). The Circuit City debacle was very close to home. I bought several of my home gadgets, including some components of my home theatre system, from Circuit City. Absolutely unimaginable that Circuit City is closing shop! I used to hang out in their outlets in St. Charles, Geneva and Schaumberg in Illinois.

The financial fiasco that befell these two companies, however, do not prove Collins’ framework to be fraught with inaccuracies. On the contrary, those two cases would even prove Collins’ hypothesis that a company is more effectively transformed from good to great by “insiders”. During the period that Collins conducted the research and study involving these companies up to 2001, Circuit City had all three CEO’s who were home-grown while Fannie Mae has 2 out of 4 CEO’s who were also insiders. After the legendary David Maxwell completed his tour-of-duty, Franklin Raines took the helm as CEO. Maxwell was an insider while Raines was an outsider. Before working at Fannie Mae, he served as the Budget Director of former President Bill Clinton and as a partner at Lazard Freres, a top notch financial advisory firm (Henry Blodget in Slate Magazine, 7 October 2004).

On the other hand, Circuit City’s demise took place during the stewardship of Philip Schoonover, who came in as CEO after Alan Wurtzel, who was among those interviewed by Collins, and Allan McCollough (Internet Retailer, 19 December 2005). Wurtzel and McCollough were insiders while Raines was an outsider. This is further proof that Collins is right.

It would be very fitting as another sequel to Collins’ book series to include an autopsy of Fannie Mae, Circuit City and similar companies that collapsed in spite of being among the lofty good-to-great models.

References:

Collins, Jim
Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don’t
Random House Business Books, 2001

Alston and Bird LLP
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Placed Under Conservatorship
Alston and Bird Financial Services and Product Advisory, 8 September 2008
Posted online at:
http://www.alston.com/files/docs/Fannie%20Freddie%20Rescue%20Plan.pdf

Tong, Vinnee and Felberbaum, Michael
Circuit City Files for Bankruptcy Protection
BusinessWeek, 10 November 2008
Posed online at:
http://www.businessweek.com/ap_working/financialnews/D94C5FGG0.htm?campaign_id=rss_daily

Blodget, Henry
Fannie Mae CEO Franklin Raines
Slate Magazine, 7 October 2004
http://www.slate.com/id/2107894

Internet Retailer
Philip Schoonover picked to succeed Circuit City’s CEO
Internet Retailer News Stories, 19 December 2005
Posted online at:
http://www.internetretailer.com/internet/marketing-conference/10212-philip-schoonover-picked-succeed-circuit-citys-ce.html

Kopecki, Dawn
Housing Recovery Has “Long Road”, Fannie Mae CEO Says
Bloomberg.com, 9 September 2009
Posted online at:
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=a5VleA6P8q9I

Business Wire
Centerline Supports Federal Government’s Conservatorship of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
AllBusiness.com, 15 September 2008
Posted online at:
http://www.allbusiness.com/banking-finance/banking-lending-credit-services-mortgage/11558654-1.html

Ogg, Erica
Circuit City CEO Steps Down
CNet News, 22 September 2008
Posted online at:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1001_3-10048062-92.html

Other online references:
http://www.fanniemae.com/
http://www.circuitcity.com/

My Post on the Cory Aquino Tribute website

2009-10-05T11:44:00.001+08:00

Alex Ustaris 8/8/2009 1:28:36 AM
My wife and I brought along our 2 sons to bid Cory farewell last Wednesday. We decided to go directly where the action was: in the vicinity of Manila Memorial Park in Paranaque. We were initially worried that our eldest Kirby, who is already 14 years old but has autism, may have difficulty adjusting to the situation. He usually is unable to adjust to crowded places and noisy events.
We went ahead, deciding that the benefits would far outweigh any inconvenience for our family. My conscience was particularly pricked by the remark of an old woman who went to the wake earlier in the week. When asked what could have Cory done for her that she would go through a lot of trouble to queue up and wait at the wake, she said that no amount of inconvenience for her would be enough to repay Cory for giving her entire self and giving up family life for the sake of the country.

My wife and I had very serious and concrete purpose in going to Cory's burial. As a matter of fact, there were two. First and foremost, as the old woman in the wake articulated the same sentiments of a lot of people, we Filipinos of our free and democratic country have to at least thank Cory as she is brought to her final eternal rest. Secondly but equally important, I wanted my sons, especially 9-year old Matthew to feel being a part of a meaningful chapter in our nation's history.

As for the first purpose, I never knew that saying thank you and good bye to Cory could be so heart-rending. When we finally saw the truck bearing her coffin right in front of us, my mouth opened to utter words of gratitude and farewell but no sound came out. After what seemed like forever trying to scream in order to let my emotions out, I finally wept uncontrollably like a child who lost a parent or a grandparent. The last time I wept like that was when my grandmother died several years ago.

Out of that experience, what was most gratifying for me was seeing both my sons, including Kirby the autistic one, find delight and meaning in the frenzy and shared emotions by everyone in the crowd. Awestruck by all the people shouting "Cory! Cory!" and seeing so many including his parents shedding tears, Matthew stopped whining about having to wait all day. Kirby was smiling and swaying to the chants and the rustle of yellow ribbons and flags. He was smiling with thoughts of "bayang magiliw, perlas ng silangan...". Lupang Hinirang is his favorite song.

The nine-hour wait was all worth it. I myself do not think what I did was enough to return the favor that Cory did for me, my family and my country. So I will continue to find ways to offer myself as a wick so that the candle will forever burn with the shining light that Ninoy and Cory have passed on to us. Thank you Cory, for all that my family and I have, and are capable of achieving yet, we owe so much to you. Rest in peace, knowing that we will bear the torch that you have passed on to us.