WHAT IS YOUR PURPOSE? 10 WONDERFUL INSIGHTS FROM THE GLOBE INNOVATION FORUM
Globe Business, the corporate information and communications technology (ICT) arm of Globe Telecom, gathered the country's top business and enterprise leaders during the seventh Enterprise Innovation Forum held recently at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.
For seven years, Globe Business has offered a guiding hand to business executives with a forum of insightful learning and sharing of best practices among their peers.
This year, Globe Business offered a slight departure from the usual plenary format. Instead, EIF gathered the best local and international thought leaders and speakers to ask business leaders the question: What is the purpose of your business?
The speakers include Heath Slawner, a renowned strategic communication and leadership expert, as well as featured speakers such as Jay Jaboneta, Matec Villanueva, Jonathan Yabut, and Francis Kong.
In addition, this year's EIF has become more interactive for the forum's 500 participants. The SMX halls were transformed into a set of zones wherein the participants were moved from one zone to another to hear what the featured speaker had to say.
After the talk, there were interactive games like social floor experiments where participants were asked to surround the circle and move in straight lines to find the seven words embedded within the circle.
Other games included a car race where a gaming console was used to navigate through the words "passion, skill and talent." Technology was used in every game. For instance, inspiring words written by participants were scanned and projected on screen with a cartoon depiction of a vibrant city.
But the main event were the talks given by the speakers. They spoke of the turning point when companies finally achieved their goals. At this point, organizations turn their attention to their purpose on why they are in business. Most speakers agree that this is no easy task. There is a certain degree of difficulty in knowing where you stand and how to move the company forward. The road may be filled with adversities but in the end, the rewards are always beyond measure.
Here are the top ten takeaways from the Globe Business' 7th Enterprise Innovation Forum: 1 You have to know your "why." Slawner's presentation revolved around discovering a business' purpose. He advises business leaders to be mindful of their purpose as a business and solidify the trust within the corporate culture to help the enterprise achieve its goal. 2 The answer to the question "What is your business purpose?" should not be profit, said Slawner. For him, profit is just the endresult. It is not supposed to be the ties that bind a company together. There has to be something greater, more meaningful than just money. "We have to focus not only on making money but also doing good and giving back at the same time," he said. 3 The Golden Circle. Corporate structures must operate in three levels: What, how and why. The "what " is the product that companies
offer to the market. While the "how" is the unique selling proposition, what makes the company special. But the most important question and the one that occupies the highest spot in the pyramid is "Why". "Why is what is your cause? Why should anyone care about your product?" he adds. 4 Just how important is the why to an organization? Slawner adds, "Start with why and it will differentiate your business. It will guide you how to conduct your business. As Simon Sinek said, 'people don't buy what you do. They buy why you do it,'" 5 Employees must bring their passions to work to achieve remarkable things. "Innovation plus loyal employees equals loyal customers. Take care of your employees and they will take care of your customers. Give your people something to work for and not against. Make them contribute to something bigger," he said. 6 For Jonathan Yabut, winner of Season 1 of The Apprentice Asia, he said that most companies are looking for sustainable growth. "Beyond being cash positive, there is recognition. Companies look for love from people and the seal of excellence. Companies must give the community a valuable part of people's lives. Hence, they must leverage on their strength," he said. 7 "Success must be sustainable and replicable. There is always something more than the bottomline," said Francis Kong, business consultant and personal coach. He noted that a business can achieve success but without purpose it will be pointless. 8 Kong also shifted the conversation to the current generation. "We keep on harping on Gen Y (those born in 19812000) but we fail to realize that they are getting old. They are looking for significance, a higher calling. They want to work for leaders who inspire them and for a culture that challenges them," he explains. 9 Corporate culture should be given prime importance. Employees should be given adequate training skills and be imbued with the right attitude, said Kong. How to leave a legacy? Align your corporate values toward a higher purpose. 10 An organization must be a source of empowerment to the community as well as to their own people. Employees must seek their passion in life and harness their full potentials. Never settle for anything less. These are the words of Jay Jaboneta who is the founder of Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation.
Globe Senior Advisor for Enterprise and IT-Enabled Services Group Mike Frausing also took the stage and spoke of innovation to help businesses propel forward because "the best never rest."
"At Globe, we believe that business can create more value if you also think about nation building. It is crucial that we aspire to help Philippine businesses discover their purpose as it helps them achieve more than hitting their metrics and goals," he said.
Albert de Larrazabal, Globe Chief Commercial Officer, said that Globe decided to deviate from the usual format of EIF because as a company they, have finally attained their goal as the purveyor of Filipino Digital Lifestyle.
And now, it is time to look forward to the future and to tread the path of a purposeful existence guided by a larger purpose.
He said that from a former utility company, Globe has come a long way. It went from providing SMS to Filipinos and turning the Philippines into the "texting capital of the world" to becoming the No. 1 mobile brand in the country by placing the power of customization in the hands of the consumer.
After achieving their goals, he asked the question, "What's next?"
"It just couldn't be about the numbers anymore. We have to connect what we do to one that centers on advancing technology. Yet we have to stick to a purpose. It will be like a compass that would direct our infinite journey," he added.
Hence, Globe has formulated their vision: "We see a Philippines where families' dreams come true, businesses flourish and the nation is admired."
Globe Telecom's mission is a sign of commitment to their subscribers as they state, "To do our part, we create wonderful experiences for people to have choices, overcome challenges and discover new ways to enjoy life. The Purpose of the company is in everything we do, we treat people right to create a Globe of good."
Larrazabal said that as a company there is now a deeper meaning in everything we do because we have found our purpose. We also want to connect people and share ideas, to help companies and build a meaningful world.