SPEECH OF ATTY. DOMINADOR . BUHAIN,
PRESIDENT, RBSI
During the Opening Ceremony of the Seminar for Branch Managers and Supervisors in Rex Cavite on April 17, 2002
I am happy to be present during the commencement ceremony of this seminar for the following reasons:
- Firstly, to ascertain what are the fine tunings to be made on the venue to ensure the uninterrupted learning and training processes;
- Secondly, to relate to you what Top Management has learned in their recent attendance to the AIM on the course Family Corporations.
I am referring to the principles of continuity, succession and governance which is more applicable to middle management like you as you are the bridge between management and rank and file.
On the topic of continuity, what are the values that have been initiated or inculcated by our founders which allowed the business to continue until the present time after 25 years?
If you have priviledge of reading the book Manong, An Inspiring Story, some of the values of Mr. & Mrs. Fontelera mentioned there are:
- Leadership by example;
- Maximizing Time & Resources;
- Cleanliness;
- Orderliness;
- Hardwork/Diligence;
- Palabra De Honor/Word of Honor;
- Entrepreneurial Spirit;
- Lofty Ambition;
- LakasngLoob/Courage;
- Habit of Savings;
- Education;
- Humility;
- Dignity of Labor;
- Indebtedness (Red Cross);
- Industry;
On top of these values, what are the other values that have been contributed by top management, middle management, supervisors and the entire staff which prolong the existence of the business? Of course along the way we have unearthed negative actuations and inclinations like dishonesty, disloyalty, tardiness, attitudinal problems which must therefore be rectified.
Upon receipt of the April 10, 2002 invitation, I fully subscribe to the use of the adjective “interactive” to characterize the seminar. Whatever lecture should be given must be internalized through the active involvement of the participants. It should not be a one-way traffic but we must elicit the consolidated contributions of the participants.
The participants are the best persons to know their areas of concern. It is not for Manila to wholly determine the guidelines or Cebu, Cavite, Pampanga, Bicol, Davao, Iloilo, Cagayan De Oro, Gen. Santos, and Nueva Ecija, etc. as they have peculiarities that must be recognized, as long as they are effective and do not contradict with the general core values or policies of the business.
At present, we believe that our core competence is providing better service and maintaining good relationship as our products are basically similar with that of our competitors. Of course, we have to evolve other measures for the betterment of our products.
On the topic of succession, it is a fact that we cannot remain healthy and live forever. The qualification of our successors must be clearly defined. Time and again we should develop training programs for managerial, supervisorial, and rank and file positions. Though the facilities may be far from perfect, at least we have a place to conduct training activities free from any business disturbance, and in order for us to concentrate fully on what we are pursuing.
The next principle is governance. Management should be able to visualize where the business will be. The heightened impact of information technology is irreversible. Do we have the right managers to help us realize the vision? Do they possess the ability to cascade the values to their subordinates? Are they possessed with the desired experience, educational background and managerial skills to nurture the growth of their units, consistent with the overall Company objectives?
The joint efforts of the HRD and the heads of the work units will play a pivotal role in responding to these questions. Unavoidably, professionalization shall be introduced where competence maybe the criterion even at the top Management level.
We hope that through this seminar, we may be able to answer these questions so that in the final analysis based on the values inculcated by our founders and us we can ascertain the strategies to realize our corporate vision and mission and the need for change if necessary.
I believe this is the only way to ensure our business survival. Thank you very much.