Celebrating people!

What makes a company last?  Some would say, it is the employees.Others, the leaders.  Well, we know it’s both.  People can make or break a company.

San Miguel Corporation celebrated 124 years as a company last September 29, just in time for the feast of Saint Michael the archangel.  Through the years, people have always looked up at the name San Miguel with respect.  And I think it is not just because they make products that are of highest quality.  But they have also integrated in their business the importance of people.

Many businesses that have lasted ‘til these days of stringent competition, have relied greatly on their people.  Companies that are considered dynamic in their practices have always allowed their employees to create, innovate and learn.  When you go to their plants, you will find them in meetings, training and coaching activities that are part of the continuing education and succession management.  They groom leaders, and tool followers.

The Aboitiz Group of Companies is an organization that also holds dear their people and has extended their responsibility to include communities.  Their corporate social responsibility programs are professionally managed.  They have specified their priorities understanding that there are so many needs in our country, and only those true needs that will build futures would be worthwhile investments.  That is why we see more and more schools, and environment programs spearheaded by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation, Aboitiz Group Foundation and their affiliate foundations like the Philippine Business for Social Progress. 

The Aboitiz group banks on people who want to improve their lives through education and the protection of the environment just as San Miguel through its San Miguel Foundation considers enterprise development, environment sustainability, education and health as areas of concern and worthwhile causes.

But one need not be as big as these two companies to maintain its staying power and expand its reach.  Wellmade Motors Corporation is one company I admire greatly.  Its CEO Philip Tan has built his company single-handedly.  Although he would never admit that since he would always reiterate that he would never be where he is if his employees and the people around him did not believe in the vision he has for his business, and the lives of his people.

Philip’s main agenda has always been to grow people with his business.  It is not enough for him to provide employment as government may be well pleased but to help his employees reach their full potential.  He personally teaches them in both the technical aspects of the job as well as the values that a worker should have.  From a single local company, Philip already has four directly owned companies, one franchisee, one build-operate-transfer business, and three joint-venture set-ups to assist Tacloban City, Ormoc City and Tagbilaran City who have been badly affected by the recent calamities.  Wellmade Motors also has one station in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Very heart warming is Philip’s belief in abilities.  He has made it his policy to hire differently abled workers, stationing them in the operating areas as well as in offices.  The special needs workers comprise 5 percent of his labor force. 

Believing that people can be what they want to be makes companies become what it can become through clear communication, shared directions, faith in each other, and in a God who holds all things together.

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