Filipinos and the financial crisis

I had a chance to interview Professor Brian To, a practicing global strategic management consultant and a professor of management in top Ivy League universities. My interview, which is coming out at the Lifestyle Section on Sunday, is, however, about his pro bono and charity works in different countries, including the Philippines.

But Prof. To, who is considered as Asia's corporate strategist and is a consultant to Fortune 500 companies and top family corporations in the world, could not help but talk about the financial crisis. I am sharing some of his advice here in the hope that the different companies out there can get a few tips.

Without meaning to scare people by painting a bleak picture of our economy, he said that without question, the Philippines will soon feel the effects of the global financial meltdown, especially since our economy is dependent on money sent by Overseas Filipino Workers. He, however, said that the country can prepare for this eventuality.

The smart companies, he said, as a way of dealing with the crisis, can prepare instead for the upturn. Now is the time, he said, to innovate, refocus and re-energize. To be able to do this, companies can get the services of advisers to help them improve their brand. It is not a wise move to cut staff and to downsize, he said. However, he also admitted that a lot of companies refuse to do these things. "It's a choice between entering the upturn with fatigue or with energy," he said.

Prof. To, who has so much faith in the Filipino, however, believes that the Filipino can handle the financial crisis well because Pinoy workers, he said, are masters of collaboration. Pinoy workers are the best and also have the best work attitude. The proper work attitude of Pinoy workers, he said, is our strength and not our capability to speak English.

Another thing that Professor To feels very positive about is the idea that the Philippines can become a progressive nation in Asia again. But to achieve this, he said, the government should do something about Filipinos leaving the country to work abroad. The dollars that OFWs bring in may be helping the country for now but this, he said, is not the solution to our problems. We are losing the good people to other countries, he said. Governing a country like ours, he added, also needs moral leadership in all levels starting with the poorest of homes up to the highest position in the country. "Anything is possible in the Philippines. The challenge is the elimination of ego and arrogance," he said.

I am so fascinated by people like Prof. To who believe in the Philippines as a country and the Filipinos as a people. They have a very high regard for Filipinos and the work that we do. If only our leaders will listen to people like Professor To.

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