Having a Global Mindset
A couple of weeks ago, JobsDB Philippines hosted the organization’s regional meeting and unlike the usual setup wherein only the General Managers were to participate, this time around delegates from the other countries representing the various departments came as well. I was lucky to have been invited to participate and truly grateful for the experience and more so for the many insights I picked up.
In the course of the 3-day session, it was again brought to my attention that a product, service, a business idea or a model must always have a room for improvement, alteration, and maneuvering for it to survive. It has to be flexible and able to evolve with the times, fulfilling the ever changing requirements and needs of its clients, customers, and patrons. Yes, it must constantly strive to be relevant to the people it serves. It must adapt.
JobsDB.com is in the business of interactive recruitment and in line with that, we have managed to maximize our resources to expand and facilitate the establishment of an off-line recruitment company outside of the organization’s original business model of internet job posting. The same resources are available to each of the countries in the JobsDB network, but no two countries are offering the exact same products or services. Factors like the business climate, environment, cultural practices and social conventions have somehow dictated how and what can be offered in each country. As a testament to the nature of globalization, in this meeting we were all able to share ideas on what works and does not work in our respective countries, and from there have managed to come up with fresh outlooks on items not paid much attention to before. We were even able to set up a new dimension to our existing products to make it better.
Personally, I have a healthy respect for international meetings. I have always been fascinated by the complexities and intricacies involved in them, primarily as a result of the cultural diversity. I was fortunate to have attended several since my days at the university and up until today, the feeling remains the same. The intellectual exchanges that transpire within the formal halls of plenary and forum and the casual conversations during breaks and parties are a constant source of information and learning. The excitement flows through your body that just naturally energizes you to unknown limits.
Globalization compels us to think beyond the borders of what is safe and familiar. We should opt for opportunities to expose ourselves to the similarities and differences in how we all think and work. Through this understanding, we will better equip ourselves with the tools to enter any business environment and succeed. We must bear in mind that the present business model and climate is having the world as your marketplace. As such, one must take into consideration all that the world will need, like and want.
When I began my trading business, the use of emails was just starting and so I was racking up huge telephone bills coordinating with my suppliers and clients. I limited myself to supplying the bags that I was manufacturing. But as the years went by, more and more of our clients were asking for other options and so I began attending trade fairs to see what else is available. It was an expense, for sure, but a necessary one. I treated it as an investment and it reaped in rewards. My client base grew such that I was able to service companies all around Asia and Europe.
With technology the way it is today (and constantly innovating to become better), one is free to explore every idea that one can dream of to see if there is a possibility to make it into a viable business. Everyone now has a fighting chance at attaining success in the world of business – most especially when one acknowledges and respects peoples’ varying requirements and differences.
Keep yourselves open to what the world has to offer. We are not just Filipinos living in the Philippines. We are global citizens who happen to be Filipino.
Read up and expose yourselves to multi-cultural activities. Grab every opportunity you are given by your present employers or schools to travel and attend conventions in your field of interest and/or specialization to widen your experience. Build on your network. Dream big. The world is your playground awaiting your discovery and creation! |
