Panlilio: Sports, corporate life prize same values

MANILA, Philippines — For PLDT chief revenue officer and Smart president and CEO Al Panlilio, sports is strongly linked to connectivity and corporate life.

In a speech at the recent #PHDigicon2020, the biggest virtual business convention of the year, Panlilio, who is also a prominent sportsman/sports leader, said: “Sports engenders a sense of belonging and builds solidarity between you, your teammates, your coaches, and your wider community. Being a sportsman means exhibiting respect for your competitors and to everyone around you.

“As a telco executive, I realize that there exists an inextricable link between connectivity, corporate life, and sports. While the squeaky hardwood of the basketball court feels completely different from the low-key carpet of the boardroom and the office, both environments prize similar values.”

He said working in PLDT-Smart is not at all different from managing a sports team. This includes speaking to key players about the need to level up and to use of data analytics; monitoring top-ups, regional performance, geographical demand, and a number of other metrics, to make better decisions.

“We have enhanced our capacities by investing in better fiber systems, LTE, and 5G. How these values manifest in business and in sports may look very different, but the core philosophies and strategies are the same,” he said.

On accountability, the same value is instilled among employees and athletes, according to Panlilio. “The accountability we inculcate among our employees is the same accountability we like seeing on the court – players admitting their mistakes and vowing to play harder – and smarter – during the next game.”

According to him, the late Kobe Bryant’s famous Mamba mentality, which encourages focus on preparation, hard work, and developing new skills, despite challenges, is the same courage, resolve, and strength of character that he has seen in the best people he has worked with.