Jollibee honors industry captains

MANILA, Philippines - Jollibee Foods Corp. (JFC) started in early 2008 its quarterly leadership learning zone (LLZ) program to ensure that its franchisee managers, middle managers and key officials hone their leadership skills to prepare them for bigger challenges in an expanding global market place.

Part of the LLZ program is making them listen to the lessons to be shared by captains of industries, who share their experience with the LLZ participants that in turn reinforce their ideals and principles in running a business, especially in a crisis.

In the course of conducting LLZs, JFC saw the need to “reinforce” the mentors’ by giving them incentive for their time and sharing through a Mentor Award, a sculpture of two figures — a golden mentor and a silver apprentice designed by renowned brass sculptor Michael Cacnio — as a token of gratitude from the Jollibee family, said John Victor R. Tence, head of the corporate affairs and communication of JFC. 

The Mentor Award, though just launched last April 2, will be given to previous mentors namely JFC president/CEO and founder, Tony Tan Caktiong; Erwin Elechicon, president of Chowking; Ma. Regina Navarette, former president of Red Ribbon; Washington Sycip, founder of SGV Group; Napoleon “Polly” Nazareno, president and CEO of PLDT, SMART and Piltel; Lance Y. Gokongwei, president of Cebu Pacific; and Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala of the Ayala Group.

“It was not easy asking them to speak before us. We often have to be turned down. But we persisted because we wanted our LLZ to succeed. So, in the process, we decided to try something that will make the mentors want to speak to us and this is the Mentor Award, which is something you can proudly display on your coffee table and not just in the closet or drawers,” Tence said.

Of course the idea of having mentors to coach the managers came from Tan Caktiong and he became the very first speaker as well, Tence added.

Tan Caktiong spoke about how from a humble ice cream parlor he grew a restaurant chain and became the first Filipino global brand. And his secret success was “a positive disposition.” Even the Jollibee smile is patterned after his smile, Tence said.

Chowking’s Elechicon said “a leader must be a guide. His role is to teach so that people will know and grow and to give light so that people will find their own way.”

Navarette of Red Ribbon narrated her leadership journey in her youth when she realized the importance of being a good provider. As former president of Red Ribbon, she said a “leader must be both nurturing and flexible. Inspiring others is an important role in leadership, and a warm, welcoming leader helps them realize their own talents and potential,” Tence said.

At 80, Washington Sycip still believes in the power of people and their talents. His brilliance in people mastery earned him titles like “the grand guru” of business management in his 60-year career. He shared lessons like the importance of integrity and hard work.

Nazareno emphasized on consensus-building, strategy-setting, and innovation, solid teamwork for success, innovation forges new directions for success. These principles enabled him to grow the PLDT Group as the Philippines’ most valuable firm.

Lance Y. Gokongwei stressed entrepreneurial mindset as the key to a company’s success. With innovative strategies and determination to see them through, Gokongwei helped Cebu Pacific become a globally-recognized airline industry player.

Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala’s driving point was: “Surprises happen — a company must be prepared to buffer these unexpected situations and learn to adapt, otherwise face major losses.” On finishing his “lecture” JAZA praised JFC’s LLZ program as “a progressive sign that you listen to outside ideas and influences that you might otherwise encounter in your work.”