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Leaders can make or break your company during a crisis. The pandemic has exposed the remarkable difference between a true leader and a mediocre one. It is during crises when some leaders stand out and let their companies rise and thrive despite the challenges; while other leaders falter and let their…
The COVID-19 pandemic we are experiencing is sometimes referred to as a “black swan” event: an unexpected, unforeseen catastrophic event. We have heard from many self-help practitioners and so-called experts who teach us how to cope and how to be more resilient, but recently, we’ve…
Feedback is the one corporate exercise that is hit or miss… mostly miss. Usually, there is a tendency on the part of the feedback giver to pass judgment instead of offering reflective insight. On the other hand, there is a tendency on the part of the receiver to make things personal, instead…
Executive presence inspires confidence from people. Individuals with leaders who have executive presence are more productive because they trust and respect their leader. There are different facets of executive presence.
The foundation of which are performance, integrity and business acumen.…
As the focus on economic recovery takes the front seat in the “new normal,” businesses large and small alike have started ramping up their sales efforts. This is understandable since this pandemic undoubtedly caused heavy losses, and continues to wreak havoc. Consequently, all types of…
Today we reached out to Maricel Gatcahalian-Badilla, our resource person on marketing, to give us some tips on how marketing professionals could respond and adjust to the current disruptive business environment.
The world has gone through various crises numerous times but this ongoing global…
Process improvement initiatives tended to be overlooked during normal times, or the prepandemic business era, as other concerns took precedence. But with the “new normal” upon us all, perhaps it is worth taking a second look, to see what benefits we might gain.
The ongoing pandemic crisis has exposed the vulnerability of companies and individuals. Most have realized that they were not prepared and ready for such a black swan event.
Some businesses have closed, while others are struggling to survive. Since a vaccine or cure could take longer, how…
This week, we asked our resource person on sales management and leadership, Jeff Chua, on how the sales function has changed in the “new normal.” Now that most face-to-face meetings are canceled, how can any business still achieve their sales targets? Here are some of his thoughts and…
We are experiencing a universal disruption that has changed the way businesses operate. Globally, organizations are faced with uncertainty. There are too many unknowns that lead to a roller coaster of emotions: fear, anxiety, anger, hopelessness and more. The situation creates such a heightened emotional…
Among the many adjustments that all businesses have had to undertake during this ongoing pandemic, the shift to online learning has become inevitable and necessary. It is also near the top of all “to do” lists for companies that need to transform to survive in our new reality of working…
This week, we yield our column to Jag Garcia, our resource person on creativity and innovation. He will enlighten us on a topic that is suddenly relevant to us all during the pandemic.
Why is it important for your team to learn video production skills? Three words: Death by Zoom. Social distancing…
For most businesses that have managed to survive during this pandemic and are able to work from home, an additional challenge is to keep track of employees—their work output and motivation. But since many tasks have migrated online, we’d all have to refine how we monitor and engage our…
Among the many challenges that we face during this pandemic, how to handle or interpret labor laws that may affect our business, has become an important consideration. We asked our resource person on labor relations law, Atty. Alvin Alburo, on what should be done to ensure that there is no…
This week, we asked Jun Famatigan, a former bank president and our resource person on leadership, for his tips on how to lead and motivate our employees during a crisis. The following are his thoughts and recommendations.
The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting massive disruption in economic…
This week, we have asked Mr. Allan Gamboa, our resource person on leadership and organisational development, for his tips on how to deal with monitoring employees, most of whom are now “working from home.” The following are his thoughts and recommendations.
With the current pandemic, business conditions are undeniably challenging. This situation has brought forth a “tug-of-war” type of differing mentalities between transacting parties: manufacturer and wholesaler, wholesaler and retailer, retailer and customer, manager and employee,…
The global pandemic of 2020 has changed almost everything for everyone. Literally everyday businesses, schools, services are having to retool, rethink, and repurpose their very existence to address the challenges of daily survival, and long-term sustainability.
Prior to the pandemic, we got used to automating decisions and prescribing solutions based on previous experiences, and this worked to our advantage. But in this “new normal,” past assumptions and ways of doing things no longer work as effectively. We all need to rethink and adjust the…
Hopefully, we will be transitioning to a “new normal” soon, with measures in place to ensure public safety as well as revitalize the economy. But, I’m sure we can all agree that our social and professional lives have been disrupted, and many businesses have been shaken— halting…
Well here we are, day 60-something of quarantine. We have lost count of the number of days. We’ve cleaned the house, established a work-from-home system, caught up with friends, finished all the Korean dramas on Netflix, supported the various causes on Facebook. Now what?
With the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the role of technology in learning has dramatically increased. Though we are in a community quarantine, some economic activities are still ongoing and will resume in earnest, eventually. And even if many are working from home, employees…
Today, we are sharing our space with Vina Vidal Vicente, our resource person on leadership, communication and organizational development. She shares her experience, along with some helpful tips, on managing stress and staying productive while staying at home:
While many of us maintain both business and personal profiles online, we assume that both are separate and distinct from each other. And that somehow, one will not impact the other—or so we hope. But increasingly, employers are actively searching social media to find out more about prospective…
For those of us involved in some way in IT (information technology) education, we have observed increasing demand from businesses for full stack web developers.
They are, in simple terms, programmers who could build a website on their own.
Design thinking” is a phrase we’ve been hearing a lot lately, and while it sounds cool, we’re not really sure what it refers to, and how it could benefit us. We asked Jag Garcia, our resource person on design thinking, to enlighten us.
We are now 20 years into this century, and it has become increasingly clear that with new, emerging business challenges and younger employees, the qualities of a “good” leader have also evolved.
Of course many would agree that this still must be someone who can make strong business…
For those who fear numbers, accounting can seem a little scary. But everyone involved in business management knows that accounting is the language of business; hence, an appreciation or at least a basic understanding of accounting is essential.
Although many will agree that a compelling vision and a good strategy are keys to business success, without proper implementation and execution, however, they are meaningless.
But how do we ensure effective execution? Is it enough to list our tactics and then delegate?
With the increasing use of activation events to promote brands, the management of such events has become more crucial for success. We asked Maricel Gatchalian-Badilla, our resource person on events management, for some tips on better events management.
This week, we yield our column to Jun Famatigan, former CEO of Maybank, and a subject matter expert on leadership.
True leadership has never been easy and it has become even more challenging given the pressures leaders face today: the pressure to differentiate, execute strategy, create enduring…
Most businesses realize that transforming or upgrading their digital capabilities is essential.
After all, any online sales initiative or process flow improvements, for example, will need technological support. But more surprising is how most employees resist change—even if the replacement…
Most employees still prefer F2F (face-to-face) learning as methodologies evolve into more workshop-style training. They want a more interactive experience, which for them is a welcome respite from the day-to-day grind.
But training and development practitioners continue to explore e-learning…
Although English is part of the Philippine educational curriculum from preschool to university level, many employers tell us that this is still an area for improvement for aspiring and new employees.
We asked our resource person, Vina Vidal Vicente, to enumerate some of the most common errors…
Although most companies regard corporate social responsibility (CSR) as a way to enhance their public image, we must be reminded of what CSR is supposed to be: to take responsibility for the company’s effects on the well-being of the environment and society. CSR also applies to efforts that…
Business owners and executives will always find ways for a return on their investments.
And although most human resource practitioners recommend developing a coaching culture within an organization, there is concern about the costs and benefits that this would entail.
Although many of my Gen-X contemporaries lament the writing ability of the younger generations, we also wonder if such a skill is still relevant in today’s twitter-sized media bites world. Shouldn’t everything be expressed in 140 characters or less? We asked our colleague at Philippine…
Most businesses have noticed that their customers have become more sophisticated—not just in selecting what products or services to purchase, but which social media channels and endorsers they choose to believe. Nowadays, people buy products not just for consumption, but for the…
Transitioning to a new supervisory or managerial role is already challenging. But new millennial leaders are finding an even greater set of challenges as they do so, for they have to overcome varied perceptions in the workplace.
We asked Allan Gamboa, an organizational development consultant…
All businesses, even those that rely mostly on online or digital support, would still have to deal with employees. And sometimes, managing their daily issues and concerns could be time-consuming and exhausting.
We asked our resource person, Alvin Alburo, who specializes in business law and…
Although the phrase “project management” still seems heavy or complicated to most employees, many find themselves somehow working on projects anyway. These are usually defined as having a finite beginning and end date, with a set of deliverables by the time the project terminates. Examples…
For top management and HR professionals, the easiest “items” or positions to justify are, more often than not, sales-related. Here, the return on investments is expected and assured, or so the thinking goes.
Sometimes, however, the basics of effective selling are ignored or forgotten,…
The Fourth Industrial revolution refers to technological breakthroughs such as robotics, artificial intelligence, the internet of things, 3D printing, blockchain and big data analytics.
These technologies are expected to change production processes, eliminate certain jobs and affect businesses…
When companies talk about cost cutting, they usually mean reducing operating expenses. While this may indeed help, very few take a look at their business processes, or “how everything is done” as another key area to consider. But cutting down the number of steps of any process could save…
If we look around our crowded megametropolis, it is obvious that the only way to grow is up. Thus, we have the phenomenon of new buildings but not enough managers to run them. Fortunately, we here at Inquirer Academy believe that this trend will continue for the foreseeable future, and we have developed…
While the phrase “digital transformation” refers to a more strategic approach to using technology for day-to-day and backroom operations, sometimes using relevant software could reap instant benefits.
We asked our resource person, Donnie Baje, about how MS Project could accomplish…
A common challenge of new supervisors and managers is the shift from managing one’s own time and tasks, to minding others in one’s care. If a company could help their sales team high performers transition effectively from selling to managing, this would lead to a motivated sales team…
A significant challenge facing younger leaders is the shift to a more formal communication style. We know that millennials have spent most of their adult lives on social media, which usually translates to informal, emoji-filled missives. What would happen once they’d have to discipline members…
By now, everyone in the business community should be preparing for the business environment of the future, where most jobs require specialized skills instead of just general management expertise.
For financial services skills, the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (Cisi) is…
Although fairly new here in the Philippines, the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (Cisi) has built an overseas reputation for its education program from inception, sustained by the increasing globalization of financial markets.
Transitioning to a new supervisory role is already challenging. But new millennial supervisors are finding an even greater set of challenges as they do so, for they have to overcome varied perceptions (often negative) in the workplace.
We asked Allan Gamboa, an organizational development consultant…
For managers and team leaders, one major challenge is how to transform their team members or subordinates from rote followers to critical thinkers. That is, for everyone to learn how to assess a situation and come up with solutions without having to consult with their superiors every single instance.
Although many would agree that a compelling vision and a good strategy are keys to business success, without proper implementation and execution, however, they are meaningless. But how do we ensure effective execution? Is it enough to list our tactics and then delegate?
The case for online learning tends to be mixed: although many can appreciate the convenience, others question the options available and whether those who view them really learn or are simply entertained.
Inquirer Academy recently partnered with Australia New Zealand Institute (ANZI), which…
With the increasing use of activation events to promote brands, the management of such events has become more crucial for success. We asked Maricel Gatchalian-Badilla, our resource person on events management, for some tips on better events management.
This week, we yield our column to our resource persons on social media analytics. Here’s their take on an increasingly important topic.
Data is not just a buzzword—it drives value for the business. It helps companies understand their customers better. It unlocks untapped or undertapped…
Some of us have had to face the stakeholders of our business and ask for financing, or permission to pursue a new market and/or purchase equipment. While these are more typical examples of crucial conversations, many everyday interactions could also be just as important.
Consider tangible products such as apparel, bags and shoes. Marketing professionals can rely on their usual tools (the oft-cited 4 Ps) when creating a marketing plan. But in the case of tourism services such as tour packages, we are selling not just individual products or services, but an entire…
Many of us now live in condos—and a quick glance at Manila’s skyline would reveal that many more are being built every day. But what about the safety of the residents and the upkeep of these buildings?
The headlines about fires are a wake-up call for all of us to be more conscious…
We begin this new year, perhaps a bit ironically, with “the end in mind”—by taking on the topic of retirement. People and organizations sometimes avoid discussion on this sensitive issue, but a good retirement program signifies that indeed, a company cares for its employees. If…
A significant challenge facing younger leaders is the shift to a more formal communication style. We know that millennials have spent most of their adult lives on social media, which usually translates to informal, emoji-filled missives. What would happen once they’d have to discipline…
We are always told by our elders and mentors that we need to save and invest for our future, but where should one start? Even with all the investment options available, the temptation is to procrastinate and spend for something now. After all, yolo!
For top management and HR professionals, the easiest “items” or positions to justify are, more often than not, sales related.
The ROI of such roles is expected and assured, or so the thinking goes. But apart from product or service knowledge, sometimes the basics of effective selling…
This week, we yield our column to our resource person for one of our continuing professional development courses (CPD), Mark Fajiculay, whose expertise is on tax management, audit and other accounting functions. He shares his thoughts and insights on the ongoing tax reform initiatives of the government:
Business owners and executives will always find ways for a return on their investments. And although most human resource practitioners recommend developing a coaching culture within an organization, there is concern about the costs and benefits that this would entail.
On top of the wish list of most businesses is loyal customers. After all, their purchases translate into repeat business and referrals—a powerful engine for the growth of sales and profits. And brand marketers know that building and cultivating a relationship with clients transcends initial…
When you’re looking for ways to reach your customers, your most important asset is right in front of you—your people.
They interact with your clients, either directly or indirectly. If they are willing to endorse a product or service professionally and sincerely, it speaks well…
English is part of the Philippine educational curriculum from preschool to university level. If you went to school in the Philippines, you should have been taught proper English usage and grammar. But many employers tell us that this is still an area for improvement for aspiring and new employees.
The common perception that auditors are only useful “after the fact,” is pervasive yet outdated.
Increasingly, with international compliance a new reality for most corporations, the accounting profession is an indispensable partner in improving the business.
For managers and team leaders, one major challenge is how to transform their team members or subordinates from rote followers to critical thinkers. That is, for everyone to learn how to assess a situation and come up with solutions without having to consult with their superiors every single instance.
Typically, the mere mention of an audit raises anxiety levels in many employees, with their fear that there must be something wrong, that they may be wrong, or that they may have done wrong—an unnecessarily antagonistic view.
For those who are not in the profession, marketing seems exotic and expensive—filled with “creative types” whose purpose seems to be to spend and spend.
But marketing is key to most strategic initiatives.
Any growth goal, from market expansion, product line extension,…
We saw the rapid increase in the number of buildings and condominiums in the past years.
The selection of a building is crucial to a company for it affects its image and productivity of employees. Thus, property management is important in business growth for both the developer and tenant.
Most of us in the workplace have to cope with increasing workloads—with multiple deadlines and deliverables piling up. This can lead to everyone feeling overwhelmed and stressed.
So what could we do to handle stress?
We asked Dr. Didoy Lubaton, a physician who also devotes…
We have observed that millennials have their own unique traits, behaviors, priorities and their own set of work challenges. But older generations, who are more set in their ways, may be less accepting, even with the understanding that innovation, technology and change are inevitable to sustain progress.…
Do you have teens who love reading and writing, but you’re wondering what career options are available to them? Or perhaps you’re worried that their writing ability might not get them into the college of their choice? Or perhaps they’ve started a blog, and you’ve checked it…
We asked the team of MyCode for their insights on a new trend: Teaching coding to young kids, around 7-12 years old. While this might seem too young, others argue that all innovations of the future would depend on knowing how to code.
As further proof, they asked us to think of the recent…
One course that we are always asked about, that is, if we have it in our lineup or not, is MS Excel. Gaining proficiency in this particular software seems to be a common concern for many employees—and not just for those whose main job is in finance or accounting. The challenge though is overcoming…
Social media and its impact on today’s businesses can’t be overstated. But devising a strategic response to this disruptive technology/communication channel has proven tricky to many.
We consulted with JV Rufino, Director for Mobile and Social of the Inquirer Group, for some of…
On most days, some of our friends on our Facebook feed would complain about a customer service failure.
One would think that all front liners would already know what to do, but the constant complaints indicate that this is not so, and that further training or orientation is required.
As recently as perhaps 10 years ago, the journey from rank and file to a supervisory role usually took a few years. Most companies preferred their employees to learn on the job and were willing to wait for them to hone their talents and grow into a leadership role.
Most companies today have digital marketing or social marketing departments.
But with the viral and somewhat uncontrollable nature of social media, the key messages or even the brand image could be damaged by negative assertions or feedback.
One challenge for Gen-X bosses and presenters is how to engage their millennial audience—and prevent a sea of uninterested faces looking at their smart phones while they’re talking.
We asked Jose Paolo Alcantara, a learning consultant, course developer, trainor and college professor,…
IF BUSINESSES wish to tap the ever-growing millennial market, it has become imperative to come up with content that will engage and possibly become viral on social media.
This means typically, short videos that are amusing or noteworthy to the youth market.
Most companies today have digital marketing or social marketing departments. But with the viral and somewhat uncontrollable nature of social media, the key messages or even the brand image could be damaged by negative assertions or feedback. In short, this has meant bad publicity that companies…
WE PREVIOUSLY thought that once young millennials enter the workforce, they would assimilate into the world of business seamlessly.
But with the rise of BPOs and their more informal culture, plus mobile technology and casual fashion, companies are now struggling with maintaining an attitude…
OUR FAITHFUL readers may recall our column two weeks ago on preparing for the move from rank-and-file to supervisor. We enumerated the various challenges and opportunities that the newly promoted would face. For today, we interviewed Boris Joaquin, Chief Equipping Officer of Breakthrough…
Let’s face it: for the next five years at least, any business hiring new talent will have to get used to dealing with millennials and their work styles.
There are many stereotypes, such as “always glued to their social media accounts” or “always dissatisfied and…
THE NOTION of speaking in front of an audience can strike fear into a lot of people, and this is why professionals who can engage people in meetings, assemblies, parties and other events are deemed admirable, intelligent and relatable.
Delivering presentations in the business or corporate…
PROFESSIONALISM does not mean just wearing a suit, leading a team, or obtaining an advanced academic degree.
It entails expressing the values of responsibility, integrity, excellence, and accountability, at all times, because all jobs across different industries will always require one thing…
It has been said many times in advertising that content is king, but with so many messages being thrown at us every day, many important messages will inevitably get drowned out.
Photographs are important not only for news, but also for business, especially…
Over the course of our careers, most of us will move through different roles, with each emphasizing a different set of skills. However, across all jobs in all the different industries, one thing will always remain true: that a high degree of professionalism and ethical behavior is required to advance…
It has been said many times in advertising that content is king. With so many messages being communicated to us, many important messages inevitably get drowned out. A quick look through your social media newsfeeds would either reveal photographs that try to sell too much, or just a bunch of boring…
THE ABILITY to effectively build relationships and communicate with the media is a valuable skill that every organization must develop and understand to be able to wield it effectively. The media can be an important ally to help inform the public of your unique products or services, your events and…
Meetings are still a prevalent feature of corporate culture, particularly here in the Philippines.
These gatherings are meant to open up structured avenues for the dynamic expression, transmission, and exchange of ideas, which if done right, can fast-track the successful achievement of business…
It is often cited that the median age of Filipinos is 23. This means that for the foreseeable future, most of the new hires and young professionals will be in this growing age group.
This fact presents new challenges and opportunities, among them ensuring the proper training and development…
The internet is rife with memes and listicles that provide examples of how “simple” customer service has either brought companies down to their knees or completely pulled them out of obscurity to enjoy their moment in the spotlight.
The notion of speaking in front of an audience can strike fear into a lot of people, and this is why professionals who can engage people in meetings, assemblies, parties and other events are deemed admirable, intelligent and relatable.
Delivering presentations in the business or corporate…
Employees and businessmen need to stay relevant with the times as the business environment is ever-changing, whether due to consumer trends, changes in regulations or technological advancements.
With this, skills need to be continuously upgraded. Otherwise, one may be left behind in this fast-paced…
A good candidate is seeing your reputation, which was built over many years, destroyed in just one day because of an accident or an incident resulting in major customer dissatisfaction.
Almost everyone in the workplace writes everyday, such as e-mails, memos, reports or proposals. With the many tasks that need to be done, writing can be a neglected skill especially when employees do so carelessly and hurriedly.
Concise and error-free writing is essential in the workplace…
Effective writing is an essential skill in the workplace. But many managers still complain about their subordinates’ subpar grammar and poor writing skills. Businesses believe that additional training is required to enable employees to communicate clearly and concisely.
When the late Steve Jobs revealed the features of the first iPhone in 2007, the audience was amazed and excited—the applause when he demonstrated the capabilities of the multi-touch screen, and the collective shock when he clued the audience in, that one device could be a phone, Internet communicator,…
The Inquirer Academy welcomes a new Executive Director for 2016, Daniel Glenn San Luis. Glenn is a continuing education practitioner for over 10 years, and has an MBA from Kellogg/Northwestern University.
Although he has been busy designing new courses and setting up a new strategic…
It takes years for a company to build a good reputation and mere seconds for it to be tarnished.
This is especially true these days with the advent of social media, where anyone with an Internet connection can post a negative comment on a company, thus sullying its good reputation that…