While the pandemic has impacted businesses at an unprecedented pace and scale, the country’s next-generation leaders are rising to the occasion armed with resilience, creativity, and adaptability—making their enterprises crisis-ready and tech-savvy.
These young innovators shared their experiences and insights during the Next Generation Leaders Gamechangers Industry Forum hosted by leading energy company Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation.
“For all the difficulties COVID-19 has brought, it has also laid the foundation for a more resilient corporate warrior that can forge a brighter future. The past year tested our business systems and resources, but it also pushed the young workforce to reinvent the supply chain with nascent technologies to keep businesses running, transforming their industries for the new business landscape. Their experiences through COVID-19 have made them form insights and strategies to make their communities able to turn a crisis into an opportunity,” said Cesar Romero, President and CEO of Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation.
Stephen Quila, Vice President for Shell Lubricants, said NextGen Leaders are needed as businesses undergo “critical shifts.”
“Today is very much about bridging opportunities. We must all be leaders of change not just to survive but to truly transcend and aspire to thrive in the future,” he said.
Zoe Chi, Vice President of J&T Express Philippines, underscored the importance of mobility in ensuring economic recovery.
“Most Filipinos are purchasing their goods online. The local businesses that rose include surplus clothes and coffee and tea shops, Filipino entrepreneurs went above and beyond their duty and deserve support. J&T Express has been keeping up with this demand, reaching people no matter where they are located,” she said.
Donna May Lina, Director and Executive Board of the OneLGC – Lina Group of Companies, said the return of mobility should take into consideration the reduction in carbon emissions.
“We actually measure fuel consumption and vehicle efficiency – that way we manage resources,” she said. “The transport industry has a big responsibility in sustainability.”
Karla Delgado, Chief Sustainability Officer and Director of Transnational Diversified Group Inc. said NextGen Leaders must be evaluated from a higher, more holistic perspective.
“It is a new way of seeing life and the profound connection between human health and planet health. Let us put our heads and hearts together to come up with solutions to be able to do what needs to be done in the next decade,” Delgado said.
The need for collaboration was highlighted in the discussion on “The New Face of Livable Communities and Cities Post-Pandemic.”
Lafayette Lim, President of the NCCC Group of Companies, said a more harmonious way of doing practice is called for.
“The new normal may change customer behavior in the years to come. We partner for greater safety, convenience, easier access, and enhanced sustainability. We are only as good as the ecosystem we are in – we must see each other as partners so we can make our ecosystems flourish.”
Raymond Rufino, Chief Executive Officer of NEO Office PH, said an increasing number of property developers are going green for the sake of sustainability.
“Forty-percent of global gas emissions come from real estate. We need to take ownership and be responsible and commit to net zero which is a growing campaign globally. We need to make sure the people who work in buildings are safe, healthy, and resilient,” Rufino said.
Delfin Angelo Wenceslao, CEO of D.M. Wenceslao and Associates Inc., said urban trends are changing with the times, echoing the public’s need for safety, wellness, and relationships.
During the third session on “How Technology and Digital Transformation are Shaping Business for Maximum Growth,” Marvin Tiu Lim, Chief Growth and Development Officer of Mega Global Corporation, said digitizing the legacy fishing and canning company prepared them for the pandemic.
“We invested rapidly in digitalization and built a new data analytics department. The more data we have, the more accurate our strategies will be,” Lim said.
“There is no such thing as business as usual. Accept uncertainty, work with your customer, share in their space, and let them know you are with them. Agility defines resilience and internal and external flexibility. Your willingness to innovate will predict your growth and survival,” added Candy Co, Marketing Head of health and hygiene brand Green Cross.
Kathlynn Mila, Executive Vice President of Multisys Technologies, said: “Other than mobile payments, we should adapt Artificial Intelligence and chatbox, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and blockchain technology.”