Fast, flat and free

Dynamism, instant response to consumers and more value-for-money and add-on products—these are the glaring business realities revealed at the Ninth Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) International CEO Conference which had “Fast, Flat and Free: Leading in the New, Convergent World” for its theme. About 500 participants gathered at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel to listen to the new business order and featured speakers who stayed ahead of trends and catapulted the institutions they are working for, which included Philippine Economic Zone Authority director-general Lilia de Lima, GMA Network, Inc. chair and chief executive officer Felipe Gozon, Multiply, Inc. founder and chief executive officer Peter Pezaris and IBM Corporation vice-president for Social Business and Collaboration Solutions, Sales and Evangelism Sandy Carter, among others. The MAP, led by its president Jun Palafox, Jr., organized the conference for business leaders to prepare themselves to survive the next generation of consumers. This is the way of the future!

Come fly with me to Chicago

The city of Chicago is a must-see for travelers—from food (sports stadium favorites or Michelin-starred restaurants), fashion (it’s home to over 400 designers) to numerous skyscrapers like the Willis Tower (formerly SearsTower). Asia’s premier carrier Cathay Pacific provided a stunning sneak peak into everything the Windy City has to offer during its launch as the airlines’ newest destination at the Manila Polo Club. Cathay Pacific also took the occasion to welcome its new Philippines country manager Martin Xu, replacing the well-liked, always dapper Ed Higgs who will be heading back to Hong Kong after a three-year stint in the country. Chicago is one US city that’s definitely worth a visit. And as The Chairman would croon, “…you’ll lose your blues in Chicago…”