WATCH: Filipina CEO mom shares success secrets
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines is number one in Southeast Asia to have the most female directors, chief executive officers (CEO) and other corporate leaders, a Filipina CEO and company owner recently said.
In terms of women empowerment in the corporate world, “We’re not behind; in fact, we’re at the forefront because of the support we get,” Sheila Lobien told her fellow Filipinas at the recent “Influencing in Heels,” a professional image, etiquette and style learning and networking event held at Spaces, World Plaza, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City.
Lobien is the Chief Executive Officer of Lobien Realty Group and Chairperson of the Women in Business Committee of European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP).
According to her, it is not very difficult for women in the Philippines to move up the corporate ladder because they receive a lot of support from household help and relatives, unlike in the West where many women have to stay at home or do their careers at home due to lack of household help or support.
As a mom who proudly runs her own company in the male-dominated industry of real estate, here are her tips for those who also want to succeed in both life and career.
1. Find your “sweet spot.”
A sweet spot, she said, is something that could inspire you to succeed. For her, it is her family. For others, it could be a company that will pay for the talent you have.
2. Stick to a career path.
She, for example, has consistently stayed in sales and property management.
3. Do the hard work and feel the place.
If you are selling a product, make sure to experience it firsthand. She, for example, does not sell something she has not seen yet.
4. Your image is important.
Make sure to dress the part and that you look professional, competent, confident, respectable and serious about your work, or you might as well not show up.
Smile all the time — that is part of image and branding.
According to her, the Philippines’ P6-billion-peso tourism industry, P28-billion revenue from overseas Filipino workers and P24-billion business process outsourcing (BPO) industry offer “incredible opportunities” to those who take care of their image and branding as these fields are heavy on those.
5. Time management starts with a clear vision and goals.
Set a goal per day, week, etc.
Compute time and bring value, and never waste people’s time because “time is love.”
6. Build credibility over time.
Remember, you can be “Googled” now, and trust is “so easy to break, but hard to build.”
Creating loyalty among clients is about building a relationship, and not just about money.
7. Keep growing – don’t stop.
“No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, show up and never give up,” Lobien stressed.
“My story is a work in progress. Success is a balancing act between family, career and growth.”
Lobien was among the speakers of “Influencing in Heels,” alongside the following:
1. Ana Rocero, director of sales at Regus and Spaces by IWG Philippines
2. Ginny Villegas, certified image consultant and managing director at FLAIR Image Consultancy
3. Rita Dayrit, certified image consultant at FLAIR Image Consultancy
4. Nasia Cammayo, fashion stylist at Nasia Cammayo Styling
5. Ann Bella Arguelles, fashion stylist at Stylist of Sorts
The event’s power panel on “Personal Branding: Achieving the X-Factor” was composed of Trixie Esquerra, news anchor at Good News Pilipinas; Janice Villanueva, chief executive officer, Mommy Mundo; and Patricia Reposo, community Manager at Spaces - World Plaza.
Major sponsors included Lobien Realty Group, European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP), San Miguel Corporation, Bostik Philippines, Nutra Berde Inc. and Trends & Concepts.
Other sponsors were Lakpue Drug, Inc., AesthetiQ Wellness and Spa, Sun Life Financial, Staryard Logistics, Robinsons Hotels and Resorts, Le Cellier, The Florence Fling, Mommy Mundo, The After Six Club, RLDD Manners and Mindfulness Training Center.
For more information about "Influencing in Heels," visit http://bit.ly/Flair2019 or email info@imagebyflair.com. — Video by EC Toledo IV
