18 biz support groups complete executive directors dev't program

Eighteen Business Support Organizations (BSOs) from all over the country recently completed the Canadian International Development Agency's (CIDA) Pearl-2 Executive Directors Development program, which was aimed at helping potential industries in the country achieve accelerating growth amid the threatening global competition.

The 18 BSO Executive Directors completed 11 modules, who later presented their respective business plans on how to help their industries based on the knowledge they have learned from the series, at the Alegre Beach Resort, Sogod, northern Cebu.

The P12 million Executive Directors Development Program is a collaborative effort among Pearl 2, the Venture Development Center (VDC) of British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), and the Department of Commerce of the University of San Carlos (USC), in Cebu.

The VDC was constructed by Pearl2 to design the curriculum for the series while USC provided the services of two faculty members to deliver the program.

There were 11 training modules in the series, which covered the core competencies needed for effective management of a BSO. The modules served to build up the skills of participants and help them upgrade the management system of their respective organizations.

Based on the business plans presented by the participants, CIDA second secretary for development Joe Goodings said a lot of industries in the country are now facing serious challenges, citing the entry of China as one of the biggest problems.

He said what is important is that the participants were able to identify the serious challenges faced by their respective organizations, and that the program was able to help them grow and be competitive.

The 18 BSOs, whose executive directors were part of the training include; the Cebu Furniture Industries Foundation Inc. (CFIF), Naga City Investment Promotion Center, Fashion Accessories Manufacturers and Exporters Foundation (FAME), Cebu Software Association, Bohol Investment Promotion Center, Oro Business Promotion Center, Guild of Philippine Jewelers, Sikap Mo Foundation, Association of Philippine Leathergoods Manufacturers, Chamber of Furniture Industries of the Philippines, Animation Council of the Philippines, Philippine Chamber of Handicraft Industries, Philippine Footwear Association, Christmas Decors Association, Gifts Toys and Houseware Association (GTH), Philfoodex, Iloilo Furniture Manufacturers Association, and Davao City Investment Center.

The Executive Director Series of the Pearl 2 aimed at addressing the needs of the BSOs assisted by the Project in upgrading the management skills of their Executive Directors.