I am posting this email of mine to my siblings to keep a record of what happened during the onslaught of Ondoy and its effect on my family. The storm struck Northern Luzon on September 26 & 27, 2009
"Hi All!
Sorry for not being able to email you right away about our situation here in Bulacan. Although, I texted Manang Bebe and Lory last Sunday that we were relatively OK; and Kit, we chat for a long time yesterday.
The rains came again in the morning of Saturday. Actually, it already rained whole night of Friday and in the early morning of Saturday, our subdivision was already like a big lake with water rushing down the streets because the yards were simply saturated as a result of the whole-night-downpour.
Because there was no clear warning that there would be floodings all over the place, I decided to go to the university because I needed to get some things from my office to read during the weekend. I usually do not go to the university on Saturdays except when I teach an MBA course (which at this time, was not the case). .
After lunch, I left for home. It was again raining that time. Actually, I learned much later that the storm hit land about 11AM that day. it was not the winds that caused alarm this time; it was the continuous heavy rain. I was also told much later that the MBA classes were suspended in the afternoon because the warning from the government agency had already come. At that time, except for the high water on the streets, nothing was extra-abnormal.
PAG-ASA says that the rain that came for 9 hours was more than the rain-supply for an entire month (like September) and that the rain volume was more than the one brought by Katrina.
When I put-on the TV about 3-4PM, we learned that flooding was over a wide area of land - the entire Metro Manila and some of the neighboring provinces. Then power went out. We started getting worried. Ruth and I went to the supermarket (about 15 mins away from the house) to buy batteries for our flashlights and radio, candles and canned goods (just to make sure that we have what we would need in case the situation got worse, which actually happened).
The internet was out and most of the time later, it was not accessible. We saw on TV that some towns in MM were badly hit especially Marikina and Cainta (where Nonon and Boots stayed before). When the power was out, we relied on our radio for news. I started to worry also about Evette, Chaq and Ilya-and-Tan because this was a Saturday and we usually gather together on Saturday nights to have a special family dinner. I contacted them by mobile phone.
I told Chaq to just stay in the office if the situation got worse; I told Evette who was on the way going home taking the road leading to Katipunan that the flood water in the Ateneo (Katipunan) area was about 2 meter high. She turned back after also seeing other vehicles turn back and from the far horizon, also seeing some people wading with only their head being visible. She told me she prayed hard for God to help her. While in Cubao, she saw a car that was familiar to her, so she called a senior-doctor-colleague what the plate number of her car was. And of all things, it was the car of her colleague. So she said that she was in the vehicle immediately to her friend's rear. Wow! God answers prayer in His time. Her senior colleague told her to just follow her car and spend the time in their house until the problem dissipates. That was also my suggestion to her, to find a friend/colleague where she could spend the night in her house.
The three siblings contacted each other from time to time. Evette even suggested to Chaq to just join her in her friend's house (her friend also suggested to her to inform Chaq to join Evette). But, I can understand why Chaq wanted to come home that night. Jehan and David were waiting for him; and Jehan is on the family way now.
I also monitored Ilya. She was already travelling but the waters on the road network and NLEX were already fast rising. They decided to turn back and return to their apartment in Novaliches. That was a wise decision. I also told them, it was good that they turned back. Many cars got stalled in the "high water" and which caused massive traffic jams. Ilya told me by phone of another decision they made which to them and to me, saved their vehicle. I will not talk about it because it will make the story much longer.
Chaq's situation was different. He decided to come home after working in the clinic (where he works; near Manila Hotel) at 230. He was the only one without a vehicle as he commutes by bus daily to work. When he arrived at the Victory Liner Terminal at Kalookan, people were already queuing for the bus that would leave for the North (Bataan, Zambales, etc). So, he joined the queue without eating lunch and merienda. He could not leave the pila to eat because he did not like people to say that since he left, he forfeited his place. So, he stayed in the queue.
The bus management informed the public that there were no drivers for the bus parked in the terminal and so they had to wait for a bus coming from the province. A bus from the North arrived and the people who were not in the queue and those who were in the tail-end of the line, got into the bus first. So, he got into the bus when all the seats were taken and had to stand at one of the doorway (estribo). he texted me that the bus left the terminal at 10PM and that he was standing. He was very mad at the bus management and guards, who did not lift a finger while the people scrambled like crazy to get seats in the arriving bus.
He asked me to fetch him at the "labasan" near our place when the bus arrives there. Up to midnight, the bus had not arrived. And so I told him by text that I was going to sleep in the meantime because I was very sleepy. But from time to time, I would check my CP if he had already texted. Each time, I texted he would say that he was somewhere at the NLEX but that the waters were high and the traffic jam was bad.
I had scarcely slept when he texted me sometime 530 AM that they were still at the Bocaue portion of the NLEX. Later on, at about 7AM, he said that the bus has moved to the MacArthur Provincial Highway coz the passengers had egged the driver to go there instead of waiting for improvement of the situation at NLEX. At the provincial highway, the situation was the same. The place was flooded.
I texted him through the night if it was possible for me to meet him somewhere. But it was a good thing that he did not accede to my suggestion because some portions of the NLEX and the provincial road were simply unpassable. Vehicles were unnecessarily stuck in the highways because of the attempts to fetch their loved ones. At about 8AM, he asked that I meet him at Balagtas. He would just walk from Bocaue to Balagtas. So, along with Ruth we went to meet him with some sandwiches and coffee in hand. We could not proceed to Balagtas because of the high waters and the traffic jam. We reached only about a kilometer from the Guiguinto-Balagtas boundary.
I texted him to just walk or take a jeepney or truck-ride up to the point where Ruth and I were. The local government units at this time had already fielded trucks to service the people in places where the water was high. I walked to the area near the boundary but could not proceed farther because that part of the highway was flooded. We were very much relieved when I saw on the rearview mirror the form of a man from a far distance who was like Chaq's. Siya nga! He told us, he had no sleep and food (his last meal was breakfast of Saturday); and he walked through part of 3 towns just to be able to meet up with us. It was a great relief for me. He did not eat lunch because he was the only doctor who came to work and all "patients" had to be seen before the end of work hours.
The damage caused by the storm and floods are beyond precedence. This is the first time that we have seen this type of nature's wrath. Makalolooy kaayo ang mga biktima; makahilak ko nga makita sa ilang na-agi-an. Gamay ra kaayo ang among kalisud ikompara sa ubang mga tawo. As of now, 246 have been declard dead and about 50 more are considered missing. The water has not entered our house. But the yards were filled with water at the height of the storm and rains.
This has been a long story. I just wanted to share with you our story and to assure you that we are relatively OK.
I do not have the email addresses of most of my nephews and nieces. So, be the ones to forward to them to inform them of our story here in Bulacan.
Love to all.
Loloy"
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Dangal ng Lipi
September 14 was the big day for the 2009 Dangal ng Lipi (DnL) awardees. My wife and I arrived at about 5:50 PM at the Bulacan Provincial Capitol Gymnasium, where the Awards Night was to be held. I was immediately separated from my wife and ushered into a waiting room, where 3 other awardees were already waiting. One by one the awardees arrived. We were served finger food and later on, pre-set-plate dinner. We had additional plates of lechon and veggies placed at the center of the table. After a short while, all the 10 awardees had already arrived and were advised to eat their dinner before the start of the program. Dinner was also served for all the people in the gymnasium/auditorium.
After we were done with dinner, some of the DnL secretariat members came in to inform us that the program would start at any time. We were asked to proceed to the entrance of the auditorium (where the big framed and glassed tarpaulins of the pictures of the individual awardees greeted everybody attending the Awards Night) and to arrange ourselves using a pre-determined order. My assigned "guide" approached me and told me that she would provide me a cue every time it was necessary for me to do something as part of the program.
I was the first one to be called and together with my guide, I went inside the auditorium for the start of the processional. My guide ushered me to the platform; this was also done by the other guides to their assigned awardees. Then, when we were all up on the stage, a group of young people in native costumes came to serenade and dance before us; and later on, placed the sampaguita garlands on us. After that number, we were ushered to our assigned seats, which was immediately in front of the stage but with half of us on each side.
The Opening Remarks was delivered by Board Member Ernesto Sulit, who is the Chairman of the Provincial Board's Committee on Tourism, Culture and Arts. This was followed by the report of the Chairperson of the 2009 Dangal ng Lipi Selection Committee, Dr. Elsie Jimenez, on the process and criteria of the screening and selection of the Gawad Dangal ng Lipi 2009. After the said addresses, there was a colorful and humorous Broadway-type play entitled, "Walang Sugat". It was very nice!
This was followed by the very inspiring message of the Provincial Governor, Hon. Jonjon Mendoza; and the keynote speech of the Guest of Honor, Undersec. Ma. Lorelie Fajardo (Deputy Presidential Spokesperson and Presidential Assistant for Central Luzon).
Then the awarding...Using the same sequence as when we came into the auditorium, I was called first upstage. I was initially ushered to the center-front of the stage. In the meantime, while the citation was being read, the awarding group composed of Dr. Jimenez, Gov. Mendoza, and Usec. Fajardo prepared - with the assistance of members of the secretariat - the items to be given as part of the awards (medal, plaque and trophy). The citation (the same one that appears on the plaque) summarized the accomplishments of the awardee that merited the giving of the award.
Usec Fajardo placed the looped ribbon with a DnL medal on me (like the hooding rites in a graduation), Gov. Mendoza handed to me the plaque, and BM Sulit and Dr. Jimenez gave me the trophy. Then, we had photo ops with the awarding group, and the awarding group together with the provincial board members. This was followed by photo ops with my family and associates, and the mayor of Guiguinto. This was done one by one for all the awardees. It was a great moment for me.
After the whole awarding rites were done, a representative of the awardees delivered the awardees' response. The response was delivered in straight "Wikang Pambansa" or Pilipino by Dr. Clarita Carillo, the awardee for Education. She spoke with great clarity and purpose. It was a good one! All the speakers spoke almost completely in Pilipino.
After her speech, all the awardees were ushered back to the stage, where they stood at assigned places on the platform. I was situated at the front-most, left-side. Then the "awit ng Dakilang Bulakenyo" was played, balloons were released, confetti "rained" on the awardees on the stage, and a long cloth was unfurled from the farther-side of the center of the stage to the floor on the auditorium. While at the same time, the people in the audience were clapping their hands vigorously and continually until this part of the ceremony ended.
I had such great emotion in me. It is very difficult to describe the feeling I had during that time. I thought of my late parents (papa and mama) and my family; this was a day for them. I knew I was very close to the point of crying; but I was able to control my emotion. Some of my co-awardees were teary-eyed. This part of the ceremony was very overwhelming. At that moment, I wanted to savor the once-in-a-lifetime experience of "soaring like eagles" with the best and accomplished people who have "dugong Bulakenyo" and also to declare to the world that I, a resident of this province for almost 35 years ago, am a proud Bulakenyo.
The Awards Night was well-planned, organized and attended. The organizers and the secretariat deserve a big congratulation. The organizers considered all the details, coordinated everything properly and executed their plan to the best of their ability. It was a night to remember for me and the other awardees.
Mabuhay ang Bagong Bulakenyo!
After we were done with dinner, some of the DnL secretariat members came in to inform us that the program would start at any time. We were asked to proceed to the entrance of the auditorium (where the big framed and glassed tarpaulins of the pictures of the individual awardees greeted everybody attending the Awards Night) and to arrange ourselves using a pre-determined order. My assigned "guide" approached me and told me that she would provide me a cue every time it was necessary for me to do something as part of the program.
I was the first one to be called and together with my guide, I went inside the auditorium for the start of the processional. My guide ushered me to the platform; this was also done by the other guides to their assigned awardees. Then, when we were all up on the stage, a group of young people in native costumes came to serenade and dance before us; and later on, placed the sampaguita garlands on us. After that number, we were ushered to our assigned seats, which was immediately in front of the stage but with half of us on each side.
The Opening Remarks was delivered by Board Member Ernesto Sulit, who is the Chairman of the Provincial Board's Committee on Tourism, Culture and Arts. This was followed by the report of the Chairperson of the 2009 Dangal ng Lipi Selection Committee, Dr. Elsie Jimenez, on the process and criteria of the screening and selection of the Gawad Dangal ng Lipi 2009. After the said addresses, there was a colorful and humorous Broadway-type play entitled, "Walang Sugat". It was very nice!
This was followed by the very inspiring message of the Provincial Governor, Hon. Jonjon Mendoza; and the keynote speech of the Guest of Honor, Undersec. Ma. Lorelie Fajardo (Deputy Presidential Spokesperson and Presidential Assistant for Central Luzon).
Then the awarding...Using the same sequence as when we came into the auditorium, I was called first upstage. I was initially ushered to the center-front of the stage. In the meantime, while the citation was being read, the awarding group composed of Dr. Jimenez, Gov. Mendoza, and Usec. Fajardo prepared - with the assistance of members of the secretariat - the items to be given as part of the awards (medal, plaque and trophy). The citation (the same one that appears on the plaque) summarized the accomplishments of the awardee that merited the giving of the award.
Usec Fajardo placed the looped ribbon with a DnL medal on me (like the hooding rites in a graduation), Gov. Mendoza handed to me the plaque, and BM Sulit and Dr. Jimenez gave me the trophy. Then, we had photo ops with the awarding group, and the awarding group together with the provincial board members. This was followed by photo ops with my family and associates, and the mayor of Guiguinto. This was done one by one for all the awardees. It was a great moment for me.
After the whole awarding rites were done, a representative of the awardees delivered the awardees' response. The response was delivered in straight "Wikang Pambansa" or Pilipino by Dr. Clarita Carillo, the awardee for Education. She spoke with great clarity and purpose. It was a good one! All the speakers spoke almost completely in Pilipino.
After her speech, all the awardees were ushered back to the stage, where they stood at assigned places on the platform. I was situated at the front-most, left-side. Then the "awit ng Dakilang Bulakenyo" was played, balloons were released, confetti "rained" on the awardees on the stage, and a long cloth was unfurled from the farther-side of the center of the stage to the floor on the auditorium. While at the same time, the people in the audience were clapping their hands vigorously and continually until this part of the ceremony ended.
I had such great emotion in me. It is very difficult to describe the feeling I had during that time. I thought of my late parents (papa and mama) and my family; this was a day for them. I knew I was very close to the point of crying; but I was able to control my emotion. Some of my co-awardees were teary-eyed. This part of the ceremony was very overwhelming. At that moment, I wanted to savor the once-in-a-lifetime experience of "soaring like eagles" with the best and accomplished people who have "dugong Bulakenyo" and also to declare to the world that I, a resident of this province for almost 35 years ago, am a proud Bulakenyo.
The Awards Night was well-planned, organized and attended. The organizers and the secretariat deserve a big congratulation. The organizers considered all the details, coordinated everything properly and executed their plan to the best of their ability. It was a night to remember for me and the other awardees.
Mabuhay ang Bagong Bulakenyo!
Forthcoming Speaking Assignments
In the coming days, I will be tied-up with some speaking assignments and other commitments. I had been quite busy for some time now. But I am not complaining for I enjoy enormously what I am doing.
In the morning of September 26, I will be the speaker for a seminar being organized by the Baliuag University-Business Administration and Accountancy Students Association (BAASA) for our College's sophomores. The seminar is on time management and entitled, "Taking the Pressure Out of Deadlines." I also plan to include tips on how to study effectively based on research work I did among students at BU during the past years.
In the afternoon of the same day, I will be lecturing on Motivation to the Human Behavior in Organization (HBO) class of the BU MBA Program. This topic has been of great interest to me for some time now and on which, I have read extensively to satisfy the interest.
On September 30, I will be one of two speakers during the JPMAP Bulacan Student Congress 2009 that will be held at the Club Royale, City of Malolos. My assigned topic is Leadership Excellence. The other speaker, a popular author, will talk about patriotism.
I am also presently reviewing/editing two research work I had previously conducted at BU for possible publication in one of our university's journals.
In the morning of September 26, I will be the speaker for a seminar being organized by the Baliuag University-Business Administration and Accountancy Students Association (BAASA) for our College's sophomores. The seminar is on time management and entitled, "Taking the Pressure Out of Deadlines." I also plan to include tips on how to study effectively based on research work I did among students at BU during the past years.
In the afternoon of the same day, I will be lecturing on Motivation to the Human Behavior in Organization (HBO) class of the BU MBA Program. This topic has been of great interest to me for some time now and on which, I have read extensively to satisfy the interest.
On September 30, I will be one of two speakers during the JPMAP Bulacan Student Congress 2009 that will be held at the Club Royale, City of Malolos. My assigned topic is Leadership Excellence. The other speaker, a popular author, will talk about patriotism.
I am also presently reviewing/editing two research work I had previously conducted at BU for possible publication in one of our university's journals.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Gawad Dangal ng Lipi (ng Bulakenyo)
Last Sunday, I received a letter from the Office of the Provincial Governor of Bulacan (Gov. Jonjon R. Mendoza) that I was chosen to be one of the recipients of the 2009 Gawad Dangal ng Lipi (GDnL), which will be awarded on September 14 during the Gawad Dangal ng Lipi Night to be held at the Provincial Capitol Gymnasium.
Part of the letter says, "Ito ang pinakamataas na karangalang ipinagkakaloob ng Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ng Bulacan sa mga may dugong Bulakenyong naging katangi-tangi sa larangang kanilang ginagalawan."
I was teary-eyed after reading this part.
In June, right after the PRC Outstanding Professional Awards, I was informed by the BCCI Exec. Director Mara Bautista that Chairman Tony Tengco and President Violy Luna of the Bulacan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) had approved my nomination to the GDnL (Professional Category) and that they needed to get some information from me. I sent my resume and other supporting documents.
In August, I was told by the Chair of our Business Administration Department that she was interviewed by a GDnL staff. The same person called our residence and talked to my daughter, Evette.
During the last half of August and early part of September, we did not really know if I was still in contention as we did not receive any word on the selection's development from the GDnL secretariat. Somebody called me on Friday (Sept. 4) at my office in Baliuag University and asked if they could take pictures of me and my family. I told them it was extremely difficult to bring my children together during weekdays because they are all working in Metro Manila.
I asked if I could give them instead a family picture that was taken earlier. I also asked about the status of the selection process. I was told that I was one of the finalists but that the final list of awardees remains to be confidential. I decided to go to the BCCI Office (located near the Capitol Building) in the afternoon of the same day so that I could give the pictures without any delay knowing that the following days are weekend-days (no work) and giving the pictures early part of the following week might be too late. I thought of retrieving pictures of my family that had been posted in the internet and have them burnt into a CD (the GDnL staff I talked to suggested that the pictures be in a CD). BCCI had the CD delivered to a designated office at the Capitol.
Then Sunday came. I was at school (Baliuag University) in the afternoon to give final exams for my MBA class (Operations Management) when a group of men from the Provincial Capitol came to the house to deliver the letter coming from the Governor's Office. When I arrived home, everybody in the house was congratulating me because the men had informed the person left in the house (Girlie) about the purpose of their unannounced visit.
It is great to receive another prestigious award. More so, because the award is given by the provincial government of my adopted province in recognition of my lifetime accomplishments not only with the companies that I worked for but in relation to the community.
To God be the glory!
Part of the letter says, "Ito ang pinakamataas na karangalang ipinagkakaloob ng Pamahalaang Panlalawigan ng Bulacan sa mga may dugong Bulakenyong naging katangi-tangi sa larangang kanilang ginagalawan."
I was teary-eyed after reading this part.
In June, right after the PRC Outstanding Professional Awards, I was informed by the BCCI Exec. Director Mara Bautista that Chairman Tony Tengco and President Violy Luna of the Bulacan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) had approved my nomination to the GDnL (Professional Category) and that they needed to get some information from me. I sent my resume and other supporting documents.
In August, I was told by the Chair of our Business Administration Department that she was interviewed by a GDnL staff. The same person called our residence and talked to my daughter, Evette.
During the last half of August and early part of September, we did not really know if I was still in contention as we did not receive any word on the selection's development from the GDnL secretariat. Somebody called me on Friday (Sept. 4) at my office in Baliuag University and asked if they could take pictures of me and my family. I told them it was extremely difficult to bring my children together during weekdays because they are all working in Metro Manila.
I asked if I could give them instead a family picture that was taken earlier. I also asked about the status of the selection process. I was told that I was one of the finalists but that the final list of awardees remains to be confidential. I decided to go to the BCCI Office (located near the Capitol Building) in the afternoon of the same day so that I could give the pictures without any delay knowing that the following days are weekend-days (no work) and giving the pictures early part of the following week might be too late. I thought of retrieving pictures of my family that had been posted in the internet and have them burnt into a CD (the GDnL staff I talked to suggested that the pictures be in a CD). BCCI had the CD delivered to a designated office at the Capitol.
Then Sunday came. I was at school (Baliuag University) in the afternoon to give final exams for my MBA class (Operations Management) when a group of men from the Provincial Capitol came to the house to deliver the letter coming from the Governor's Office. When I arrived home, everybody in the house was congratulating me because the men had informed the person left in the house (Girlie) about the purpose of their unannounced visit.
It is great to receive another prestigious award. More so, because the award is given by the provincial government of my adopted province in recognition of my lifetime accomplishments not only with the companies that I worked for but in relation to the community.
To God be the glory!
Seminar on 5S for the CBAA Freshmen
Yesterday, I was the speaker of the Seminar on 5S Good Housekeeping, which was organized by the Business Administration and Accountancy Students Association (BAASA) of the College of Business Administration and Accountancy (CBAA) of the Baliuag University. The seminar was organized for all the freshmen of the CBAA.
I had conducted several seminars on 5S both in manufacturing plants and in the academe. The response from the students based on their comments during the Q and A portion was very encouraging.
Before the seminar, the people from the Provincial Capitol in Malolos who are in-charge in taking pictures of the Dangal ng Lipi awardees arrived and took pictures of me in the office and with the seminar setting as background.
I had conducted several seminars on 5S both in manufacturing plants and in the academe. The response from the students based on their comments during the Q and A portion was very encouraging.
Before the seminar, the people from the Provincial Capitol in Malolos who are in-charge in taking pictures of the Dangal ng Lipi awardees arrived and took pictures of me in the office and with the seminar setting as background.
Personal Ways that Help Enhance Organizational Performance
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
MANAGING FOR SOCIETY
By Evelio G. Echavez
Personal ways that help enhance organizational performance
There is stiff competition everywhere for businesses today, making survival and profitability a constant challenge. Many management scholars, such as Jeffrey Pfeffer of Stanford University, say that the effective management of people has become more important in increasing organizational performance than the traditional sources of success, such as process technology and protected markets. Pfeffer says that the old sources of competitive advantage can still provide competitive leverage, but to a lesser degree now than in the past. This new source of competitive advantage can be obtained by the right selection and hiring of employees; training and developing them; and providing the right environment for the employees to participate in the operational decisions required in their workplace.
On the other hand, there are ways by which employees are able to help in improving the performance of their respective units. Employers today are interested in getting new hires that have the right attitude and who have the “right fit” in relation to their organizations’ cultures. John Maxwell, a well-known author and motivational speaker, and another author, Keith Harrell, express this well in their books, The Winning Attitude: Your Key to Personal Success and Attitude is Everything, respectively.
Some years ago, while I was working as an executive of a manufacturing company in the South, I watched with great interest how a young engineer progressed in the organization. He grew up and studied in one of the best universities in Metro Manila. He worked without complaining and joined clean-up jobs as part of our company’s good housekeeping program that required everybody involved in “getting dirty.” He provided valuable suggestions and was able to maintain good interpersonal relations with his colleagues. He enjoyed work and learned a lot wherever he was assigned as a cadet engineer. He grew very fast in the organization and was even sent abroad by the company to take up graduate studies in engineering. He rose from the ranks quicker than most because he had the right attitude.
I was assigned as head of operations in another company, where the attitudes of the workforce and that of the management group were so negative. The two groups were not talking to each other and there was complete distrust. We were able to bring the group together, remove the distrust and eventually changed the attitude of the two groups. As a result, we were able to break production records “left and right.” Where previously, it was not possible to have a meeting without having heated arguments, we found our meetings to be interesting and productive.
We even had dinner-cum-socialization among people who previously did not want to be together. The success was attained because everybody changed his attitude from a negative one to a positive and winning one.
Another way is making work enjoyable. Some people do not enjoy their work; they dread getting into their workplace. They think that work is dry, scary and/or boring. I had a boss before who told us that he could not anymore distinguish the fun he experienced when playing tennis and when working; he enjoyed both. One of the principles in Total Quality Control, as popularized by the Japanese, is the elimination of fear. Bosses should eliminate practices that bring fear among workers, such as excessive displays of anger. Employees are more productive when they are able to give suggestions and do their work without fear of being subjected to embarrassment. Some companies even tolerate mistakes for as long as the organization benefits from them through the lessons learned.
Employees should not leave everything to the company in improving organizational performance but should contribute in their own ways by choosing the right attitude, making work enjoyable and eliminating unnecessary fear from the workplace.
MANAGING FOR SOCIETY
By Evelio G. Echavez
Personal ways that help enhance organizational performance
There is stiff competition everywhere for businesses today, making survival and profitability a constant challenge. Many management scholars, such as Jeffrey Pfeffer of Stanford University, say that the effective management of people has become more important in increasing organizational performance than the traditional sources of success, such as process technology and protected markets. Pfeffer says that the old sources of competitive advantage can still provide competitive leverage, but to a lesser degree now than in the past. This new source of competitive advantage can be obtained by the right selection and hiring of employees; training and developing them; and providing the right environment for the employees to participate in the operational decisions required in their workplace.
On the other hand, there are ways by which employees are able to help in improving the performance of their respective units. Employers today are interested in getting new hires that have the right attitude and who have the “right fit” in relation to their organizations’ cultures. John Maxwell, a well-known author and motivational speaker, and another author, Keith Harrell, express this well in their books, The Winning Attitude: Your Key to Personal Success and Attitude is Everything, respectively.
Some years ago, while I was working as an executive of a manufacturing company in the South, I watched with great interest how a young engineer progressed in the organization. He grew up and studied in one of the best universities in Metro Manila. He worked without complaining and joined clean-up jobs as part of our company’s good housekeeping program that required everybody involved in “getting dirty.” He provided valuable suggestions and was able to maintain good interpersonal relations with his colleagues. He enjoyed work and learned a lot wherever he was assigned as a cadet engineer. He grew very fast in the organization and was even sent abroad by the company to take up graduate studies in engineering. He rose from the ranks quicker than most because he had the right attitude.
I was assigned as head of operations in another company, where the attitudes of the workforce and that of the management group were so negative. The two groups were not talking to each other and there was complete distrust. We were able to bring the group together, remove the distrust and eventually changed the attitude of the two groups. As a result, we were able to break production records “left and right.” Where previously, it was not possible to have a meeting without having heated arguments, we found our meetings to be interesting and productive.
We even had dinner-cum-socialization among people who previously did not want to be together. The success was attained because everybody changed his attitude from a negative one to a positive and winning one.
Another way is making work enjoyable. Some people do not enjoy their work; they dread getting into their workplace. They think that work is dry, scary and/or boring. I had a boss before who told us that he could not anymore distinguish the fun he experienced when playing tennis and when working; he enjoyed both. One of the principles in Total Quality Control, as popularized by the Japanese, is the elimination of fear. Bosses should eliminate practices that bring fear among workers, such as excessive displays of anger. Employees are more productive when they are able to give suggestions and do their work without fear of being subjected to embarrassment. Some companies even tolerate mistakes for as long as the organization benefits from them through the lessons learned.
Employees should not leave everything to the company in improving organizational performance but should contribute in their own ways by choosing the right attitude, making work enjoyable and eliminating unnecessary fear from the workplace.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Seminars I conducted recently
Recently, I conducted two seminars: (1)Action Research on August 7 for the Business Administration and Accountancy Students Association (BAASA) students of the Baliuag University, and (2) Seminar on Managing Change on August 8 for the management and employees of Jockers Foods Industries at their Pulilan, Bulacan plant compound.
I conducted Action Research previously for the faculty members and selected students of the College of Business Administration during the summer of 2009. But this time, I modified the contents of the seminar to suit the needs of business practitioners. During the seminar, I said that I had to make-do with modifying the contents of the seminar because I could not find a book on Action Research to be used by business practitioners. But after the seminar, I was able to read an article in the Net about Action Research as applied to businesses. So, it means it can be done as I had always been advocating.
The other seminar, Managing Change, was participated in by about 140 people. It was a good one. This seminar was intended to jump-start the plan of the company to install a 5S Good Housekeeping Program. After this seminar, the company will conduct the 5S Seminar for all its employees.
I conducted Action Research previously for the faculty members and selected students of the College of Business Administration during the summer of 2009. But this time, I modified the contents of the seminar to suit the needs of business practitioners. During the seminar, I said that I had to make-do with modifying the contents of the seminar because I could not find a book on Action Research to be used by business practitioners. But after the seminar, I was able to read an article in the Net about Action Research as applied to businesses. So, it means it can be done as I had always been advocating.
The other seminar, Managing Change, was participated in by about 140 people. It was a good one. This seminar was intended to jump-start the plan of the company to install a 5S Good Housekeeping Program. After this seminar, the company will conduct the 5S Seminar for all its employees.
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