If you dream it, you can own it

Every employee dreams of one day making it on her own, of being captain of her own ship, of being her own boss. Though not every employee gets to do it, former McDonald’s management trainee Norkie Go did. From cleaning tables, mopping floors and taking orders as a McDonald’s management trainee, Norkie now owns a franchise to a bustling McDonald’s outlet. This is her story.

Norkie is 43 years old, a wife and a mother of three. She earned her degree in Hotel and Restaurant Administration in UP. She joined McDonald’s Philippines right after graduation as a management trainee.

Norkie quickly became the assistant manager of McDonald’s second store, the New Frontier branch. That same year, she moved to the Greenhills branch which she managed until 1985.

Norkie next headed the Training Department from 1985 to 1998. In 1998, she was tasked to lead the Product Development group. She managed the two crucial posts simultaneously until 1999 then became head of Quality Assurance. By the time Norkie’s tour of duty in McDonald’s ended last Oct. 31, 2002, she had become assistant vice president.

Maximizing her 20 years of experience with the company, Norkie rejoined the McDonald’s family as business partner for the E. Rodriguez restaurant. Her long-time dream became "official" last Nov. 16.

Of her dream, Norkie elaborates, "I didn’t want to retire as a corporate employee. I wanted my own business and there’s nothing I knew better to do than (work with) McDonald’s. I’m very happy with the decision I made and I’m very happy now."

Asked why and how she stayed on with only one company throughout her professional life, Norkie replies, "I really enjoyed working because my bosses gave me a free hand. They knew how I worked so they allowed me to plan and make my own decisions. I never had any conflicts with them, no clashes or anything like that. We practise open and honest communication. I say what I want to say. I’m a very good listener too so we always work to find a mutual agreement on issues."

Norkie is also a believer in constantly giving rewards and recognition. She says, "As they say: Praise in public, criticize in private. I believe in that. We should coach our people, acknowledge them for a good job and show them how things can be done better."

Norkie’s store is exceeding its targets so far and she is confident sales will continue to increase. Norkie also derives satisfaction from seeing people she has trained grow and become better.

Norkie works eight to 10 hours in her McDonald’s store daily. She lives four blocks away and walks to work.  She’s gone a long way from mopping floors but she thinks her work experience has made her the boss she is now.

Make music, not war

Two outstanding Filipino talents who have shown Filipino artistry and ingenuity in fashion, music and dance have come up with a unique and exciting presentation billed Disenyo’t Musika (The 2003 World Tour Series).

Disenyo’t Musika (The 2003 World Tour Series) will feature the haute couture and costume design genius of Edgar San Diego and the musical magic of the UP Concert Chorus under conductor Janet Sabas-Aracama. Presented by Wella Koleston Perfect in cooperation with Uva, Arias Bar and Restaurant and Stars of Giorgio, it is produced by Proscenium Productions Company. With guest performer Nanette Inventor and under the direction of top fashion director Joey Espino, it will have its Philippine Gala Premiere on March 27 at the Teatro Aguinaldo in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. It will proceed to Europe and the US from April to November this year.

On his 20th year in fashion, Edgar has won awards in various design competitions, including "The Outstanding Haute Couture Designer of 1990" given at the Manila Fashion Designers Awards; "The Grand Prix Winner for Best Costume" in the Carnival in Rio, in Manila in 1991 which brought him to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; "The Best in Maria Clara Award" in Manila Hotel’s Flores de Mayo in 1993; and "The Grand Champion for Best Costume" in Neotopia, the Second Artists and Models Ball jointly organized by the Art Association of the Philippines (AAP) and the Fashion Designers Association of the Philippines (FDAP) in 2000.

As a sought-after costume designer, San Diego shone in such theater productions as The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Rent, Hedwig and The Angry Inch and The Little Mermaid. He is the chairman of FDAP, the country’s largest and longest-running organization.

The UP Concert Chorus (UPCC), meanwhile, is a veteran of 14 World Concert Tours. As the official State University choir, UPCC holds the singular honor of being the only choir in the world to be invited a record 10 times to the prestigious Aberdeen International Youth Festival in Scotland, four times alone for command performances for Queen Elizabeth II of England.

TUP SEXTERS Corner

The SEXTERS (Socially, Emotionally, Sexually, Responsible Teeners) Corner of the Technological University of the Philippines (TUP) launch last month featured a photo exhibit entitled Positive Lives (courtesy of the Philippine Business for Social Progress), a collection of photos depicting the reality of AIDS in the world today.

The SEXTERS program is a campus-based program initiated by the Foundation for Adolescent Development, Inc. (FAD) in partnership with Technological University of the Philippines. FAD’s other school partners are Mapua Institute of Technology; Lyceum of the Philippines; FEU; and PWU. The UN Population Fund is assisting FAD with this program.

Student leaders are trained as peer educators and peer counselors. The SEXTERS can also refer such cases as domestic violence, HIV/AIDS Antibody Testing and Drug Counseling, to name a few, to youth servicing agencies.

Infocom, Green Cross, Bayview Park Hotel, Bistro Michelle, Level Up Games and Avon helped make the event a success.

Dean Ave Belgica of the Technological University of the Philippines; Fr. Constancio Gan; and Foundation for Adolescent Development, Inc. executive director, Cecilia Villa and president Aurora Silayan-Go graced the SEXTERS launch.

A dating game entitled Campus Crush–Cruising of the Hearts, hosted by 97.1 DWLS DJ John Hendrix culminated the launch. Winning pairs were treated to a romantic dinner at the Bayview Park Hotel and Bistro Michelle.

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You may e-mail me at: peopleasia@qinet.net