Starbucks gets schooled at Meralco Development Center

MANILA, Philippines - Top companies like Starbucks Philippines continuously return to Meralco Development Center (MMLDC) not only for its top-caliber training programs; MMLDC prides itself on providing a total learning ambiance for its clients. To ensure that organizations can fully focus on their core operations, maximize their convenience planning and other details, MMLDC provides and takes care of all the training materials, logistical, manpower and other requirements of clients.

“We love working with MMLDC as their team truly pushes the envelope in the creation of new, innovative and out-of-the-box ideas, for such a seasoned group such as our team who undergo the exercise annually,” said Angela Cole, operations director, Rustan Coffee Corporation. “We appreciate their ability to brainstorm through different ideas in order to tailor-fit a program to suit our increasingly challenging needs and themes.”

As part of their Leadership Conference Program, 225 district managers and supervisors from Starbucks Philippines escaped the sweltering heat of the metropolis for learning, camaraderie, and summer fun facilitated by the MMLDC at its facility in Antipolo last April.

This year’s event, dubbed “Mind Matters: Starbucks Science and Math Olympics,” tested mental agility and stimulated the creativity of Starbucks district managers and supervisors to make them think, analyze, and formulate strategies through basic science and math theories and formulas.

Participants were divided into 25 groups and had to compete with each other by completing eight stations. From solving algebraic equations through giant Sudoku-like puzzles to getting into the challenge of flora and fauna identification to steadily piling up big Jenga-like blocks to create a giant tower, all team members hurdled the activities designed by MMLDC to enhance problem solving and group communication skills of the participants. It also encouraged each one to continuously improve.

For the past two activities facilitated by the Center for Starbucks, MMLDC took the participants on a virtual tour of the country and its customs and traditions amid a festive ambience. This year, Starbucks specifically requested MMLDC to formulate a program that deviated from the usual team-building approach that focused more on physical activities.

Amor Curaming, associate director of MMLDC’s Academic Services department, explained that the activities designed for Starbucks might seem simplistic at first but often, the simplest solutions are the most effective.

“We’ve always been mystified by the success of great leaders and organizations, trying to identify their formula for success, how seamlessly they move from vision, execution to results,” she said. “Bottom line is every team member has the essential knowledge and experience to help the team achieve its goals. Our goal for this academic Olympics is to show our participants that what is necessary is to make use of their knowledge and experience at critical times through effective communication.”

MMLDC offers leadership and management development programs for supervisors, first-line, middle and senior managers and executives. On the other hand, its individual, team and organizational development programs target all levels of an organization.

But beyond offering a one-size-fits-all template, MMLDC assesses the client’s needs based on their own set of values, culture and goals. By taking into account the needs of the clients, MMLDC enhances and optimizes the learning experience for the participants through customized learning solutions.

To learn more about MMLDC, visit www.mmldc.org or call 632-8111. MMLDC is located along Sumulong Highway in Antipolo, just one hour’s drive from Makati and 45 minutes from Quezon City.