By Ehda M. Dagooc (The Freeman) Updated September 09, 2009 12:00 AM
CEBU, Philippines - While the “Suroy-Suroy sa Sugbo” program of the Cebu Provincial government successfully helped the promotion of countryside tourism, now the Department of Tourism throws a challenge to Governor Gwen Garcia to initiate a program that would generate tourism investments.
Tourism chief Joseph Ace Durano lauded Garcia’s passion to promote province-wide tourism in Cebu through the “Suroy-Suroy Sa Sugbo,” but this time, the program has to go a step higher.
He said the province is blessed with potential tourism destinations, however, still lacks accommodation facilities and tourism infrastructure that needs to be developed to spur tourism activity.
If investors are still scarce due to global recession jitters, the Cebu Provincial government could start a tourism facility project, just like what Camarines Sur had been doing.
“I don’t think the Cebu Provincial Government has no money. Funding is not a problem,” Durano said.
He said its high time to generate tourism investors, not just plainly attracting tourists, or warm bodies. This is to complement the increasing number of local and foreign visitors who now consider Cebu and its neighboring islands as one of their top destination choices.
“It does not have to be big investments, or big investors. One could start up with small facility, “Durano said adding that the Provincial Government could look into potential areas around the province that could also generate revenues.
Durano suggested that the innovative “Suroy-Suroy Sa Sugbo” program should graduate from just merely skip-trip jumping from one town to another, to a leisurely countryside adventure, bringing most importantly the potential investors.
Durano had been calling the attention of the Local Government Units (LGUs) executives around the country, especially in Cebu and Bohol to initiate tourism projects in their respective communities in order to make tourism an economic driver especially in rural towns.
According to Durano, lack of appreciation to develop a potential place for tourism is one of the primary problems of LGU executives, not the availability of financial resources, because state-owned financial institutions like Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) and Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) have available funds for tourism related developments especially projects that will establish facilities that give good revenue generation.
The secretary called the attention of LGU executives in the country, specifically in Cebu, not to wait for private investors to build or develop nature-based tourism facilities, but “they have to start it.”
“It’s a matter of managing finances. LGUs now do not have an excuse not to start developing a [tourism-related] facility in their respective place,” Durano said.
In Central Visayas, Bohol has pioneered LGU-initiated tourism facility project, like the Danao Adventure Park. Nationwide, there are only few LGUs that took advantage of this opportunity such as Camarines Sur’s adventure park, and Pagsanjan Rapids in Laguna.
Since the Philippines has identified its niche in nature tripping, adventure tourism, this is the ripe opportunity for LGUs to develop their areas, and make use of their natural resources as product for tourism.
Eco-tourism should be taken into serious consideration. Foreign travelers now, he said are demanding for nature-based activities and make use of the existing natural resources of a certain place.
“Eco-tourism is our niche. Let’s not try to be what we are not, or let us not try to be ‘Bangkok’. We have to see the example of some young LGU executives who are proactive in maximizing their respective area’s potential,” Durano said.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Ohio-based BPO support firm opens Cebu facility
(The Freeman) Updated September 09, 2009 12:00 AM
CEBU, Philippines - Recognizing Cebu as the second biggest Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) hub in the Philippines, Ohio-based call center BPO support firm has set up a facility here to further strengthen the flourishing BPO industry in the province.
TeleDevelopment Services, Inc (TDS), an international contact center and BPO support company yesterday opened its Cebu site at the Bigfoot Center in Ramos Street, noting the increasing demand for support services of BPO in Cebu.
TDS provides consulting, staffing, trainings, executive placement, and other sophisticated support services needed by BPO companies to stay competitive with the best manpower pool.
In an interview with TDS marketing and events planning officer AJ Perdigon, she said that the entry of the company in Cebu hopes to aid BPO companies’ problem in staffing and training requirements, specifically in getting the mid-management manpower supply.
“We hope to provide solutions to the problem of getting mid-management manpower in Cebu,” Perdigon said adding that the company has a series of programs aimed at addressing this problem, such as higher level courses for higher management.
The company’s entry to the Philippines, through its Manila office in 2004, successfully gained the trust of big multinational call center firms, like eTelecare, and Tele Tech, among others.
Closely working with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), TDS has maintained a growing number of US-certified trainers depending on the requirement of a call center or BPO client.
All trainers of TDS are certified by a call center school in the United States, through the Society of Workers Presentation and People, a group that certifies all trainers for BPO short-courses worldwide.
Perdigon hopes that the company’s presence in Cebu will provide a solution to existing call center and BPO firms here, not just in staffing, but more importantly the development of higher-level management pool.
BPO players in Cebu had been complaining of the shortage of mid-management manpower in Cebu, although, supply of agents remains abundant.
Wipro Philippines country head Romit Gupta earlier said that one of the problems the company has encountered so far for the past year of operating here, is the unavailability of mid-management manpower supply in Cebu. He said Wipro is having difficulties in hiring managers, senior managers and supervisors, although hiring entry-level employees is much easier because of ample supply.
“Cebu has all the things that businesses are requiring for, except for the availability of senior management people,” he said.
Likewise, Michael Burdette, chairman and director-finance for Tech Growth Solutions Cebu Inc., also said that Cebu has no problem in getting entry-level call center or BPO manpower, but what the province has to develop is the availability of mid-management people.
“We don’t have problems in hiring entry level people. But, just like other BPOs, we have difficulties in hiring supervisors, and managers,” Burdette said.
With this problem noted, Perdigon said this will be given a solution by the company, using TDS expertise in providing support to BPO and call center companies.— Ehda M. Dagooc
CEBU, Philippines - Recognizing Cebu as the second biggest Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) hub in the Philippines, Ohio-based call center BPO support firm has set up a facility here to further strengthen the flourishing BPO industry in the province.
TeleDevelopment Services, Inc (TDS), an international contact center and BPO support company yesterday opened its Cebu site at the Bigfoot Center in Ramos Street, noting the increasing demand for support services of BPO in Cebu.
TDS provides consulting, staffing, trainings, executive placement, and other sophisticated support services needed by BPO companies to stay competitive with the best manpower pool.
In an interview with TDS marketing and events planning officer AJ Perdigon, she said that the entry of the company in Cebu hopes to aid BPO companies’ problem in staffing and training requirements, specifically in getting the mid-management manpower supply.
“We hope to provide solutions to the problem of getting mid-management manpower in Cebu,” Perdigon said adding that the company has a series of programs aimed at addressing this problem, such as higher level courses for higher management.
The company’s entry to the Philippines, through its Manila office in 2004, successfully gained the trust of big multinational call center firms, like eTelecare, and Tele Tech, among others.
Closely working with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), TDS has maintained a growing number of US-certified trainers depending on the requirement of a call center or BPO client.
All trainers of TDS are certified by a call center school in the United States, through the Society of Workers Presentation and People, a group that certifies all trainers for BPO short-courses worldwide.
Perdigon hopes that the company’s presence in Cebu will provide a solution to existing call center and BPO firms here, not just in staffing, but more importantly the development of higher-level management pool.
BPO players in Cebu had been complaining of the shortage of mid-management manpower in Cebu, although, supply of agents remains abundant.
Wipro Philippines country head Romit Gupta earlier said that one of the problems the company has encountered so far for the past year of operating here, is the unavailability of mid-management manpower supply in Cebu. He said Wipro is having difficulties in hiring managers, senior managers and supervisors, although hiring entry-level employees is much easier because of ample supply.
“Cebu has all the things that businesses are requiring for, except for the availability of senior management people,” he said.
Likewise, Michael Burdette, chairman and director-finance for Tech Growth Solutions Cebu Inc., also said that Cebu has no problem in getting entry-level call center or BPO manpower, but what the province has to develop is the availability of mid-management people.
“We don’t have problems in hiring entry level people. But, just like other BPOs, we have difficulties in hiring supervisors, and managers,” Burdette said.
With this problem noted, Perdigon said this will be given a solution by the company, using TDS expertise in providing support to BPO and call center companies.— Ehda M. Dagooc
Sunday, August 30, 2009
CEBU IS 4TH BEST ISLAND IN ASIA
Travel+Leisure magazine releases survey results of its Worlds Best Awards 2009
Boboi Costas, Contributor
Cebu may be second to Camarines Sur in the Philippines’ most visited destination, but it is one of the best islands in Asia.
Travel + Leisure magazine recently released the results of its World’s Best Awards 2009, a listing of the best hotels, airlines, cruises in islands and cities all over the world.
Cebu ranked no. 4 among Asian island destinations.
No other Philippine city, island, resort, hotel or airline made it to the listing in other categories.
The awards are based onthe American magazine’s 14th Readers’ Poll survey conducted from midJanuary to the end of March this year.
“An unprecedented number of new names and places made their debuts on this year’s list, sometimes unseating longtime favorites,” says Travel + Leisure editor in chief Nancy Novogrod.
Cebu got a rating of 79.68 points.
It ranked behind Bali (87.41), Maldives (84.43) and Phuket (80.93). It is ahead of Ko Samui (79.29).
Respondents were asked to rate the islands based on natural attractions, activities and sights, restaurant and food, people and value.
They had to rate a candidate on a scale of 1 to 5 where “1” means poor and “5” means excellent.
In the magazine survey, Cebu Island was shut out, however, from the coveted list of Top Islands Overall.
Bali with a rating of 87.41 was still no. 1.
Phuket in Thailand ranked second last year but failed to land in this year’s top ten.
Top Islands Overall
1. Bali (87.41)
2. Galapagos (86.80)
3. Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia (86.09)
4. Kauai (85.90)
5. Mount Desert Island in Maine (85.87)
6. Maui in Hawaii (85.48)
7. Aeolian Islands in Italy (85.13)
8. Maldives (84.43)
9. Big Island (83.92) and
10. Vancouver Island (83.74).
For the past three years, the announcement of the World’s Best Awards winners has been preceded by the release of findings from “The Survey of Affluence and Wealth in America, created by Travel + Leisure’s parent company American Express Publishing, and Harrison Group, a strategic-marketing research firm.
Novogrod says she was struck by the consistency of the insights of American consumers. “They have a high regard for value and service, brand loyalty and small rewards,” she said.
The Best Islands awards were divided into geographical categories: Continental US and Canada; Hawaii; the Caribbean, Bermuda, and the Bahamas; Mexico and Central and South America; Europe; Asia; and Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific.
The questionnaires were developed by editors of the magazine in association with Harris Interactive, an independent research firm. They were posted in the magazine’s website.
Readers were invited to participate and a select group also received invitations by e-mail.
Respondents were screened and responses from any identified travel-industry professionals were eliminated from the final tally.
In the Condé Nast Traveler annual Readers’ Choice Survey, Cebu has occupied the seventh spot in the best island destination in Asia/Indian Ocean three times: in 2008 at 70.9 which is two points short of 2007’s 72.3 points and 2004’s 72.8 points.
Twice, it has been ranked 8th best island destination: in 2006 with 71.0 points and in 2005 with 69.5 in the same magazine survey.
Both Travel + Leisure Magazine and Condé Nast Traveler are American publications based in New York.
With reports from Reporters Marian Z. Codilla and Dale G. Israel
‘Much to be proud of: beaches, hospitality, diving’
Tourism Undersecretary Phineas Alburo said the award proves that Cebu Island has a lot to be proud of.
“That's good news. It really speaks well of the destination and has erased doubts among travellers. It is a very good development,” Alburo told Cebu Daily News.
He said Travel + Leisure, based in New York, was a “prestigious” American publication.
Alburo said Cebu gets a share of 500,000 international tourists in a year while local tourists exceeds more than 500,000 a year.
“Cebu has all the ingredients for an ideal destination,” he said.
He cited the island's accessibility with an international airport, natural attractions such as diving and beaches, heritage sites and the hospitality of the people, making it one of the best destinations in Asia.
Lapu-Lapu City Vice Mayor Mario Amores said “tremendous” efforts were poured by officials into tourism development.
He said the presence of an international airport and world-class resorts were a big plus, aside from the business appeal.
“Without a business-friendly environment, these resorts would not be investing here. They look for assurance of returns on their investment and that the environment factors are stable.”
Lapu-Lapu first lady Paz Radaza, co-chairperson of the City Tourism Committee, said the recognition would encourage more cooperation between the public and private sector.
“With this recognition, it will encourage both the private and the public sector to work hard to give tourists the best amenities at par with the world standards. The recognition will make every Cebuano proud,” Radaza added.
Boboi Costas, Contributor
Cebu may be second to Camarines Sur in the Philippines’ most visited destination, but it is one of the best islands in Asia.
Travel + Leisure magazine recently released the results of its World’s Best Awards 2009, a listing of the best hotels, airlines, cruises in islands and cities all over the world.
Cebu ranked no. 4 among Asian island destinations.
No other Philippine city, island, resort, hotel or airline made it to the listing in other categories.
The awards are based onthe American magazine’s 14th Readers’ Poll survey conducted from midJanuary to the end of March this year.
“An unprecedented number of new names and places made their debuts on this year’s list, sometimes unseating longtime favorites,” says Travel + Leisure editor in chief Nancy Novogrod.
Cebu got a rating of 79.68 points.
It ranked behind Bali (87.41), Maldives (84.43) and Phuket (80.93). It is ahead of Ko Samui (79.29).
Respondents were asked to rate the islands based on natural attractions, activities and sights, restaurant and food, people and value.
They had to rate a candidate on a scale of 1 to 5 where “1” means poor and “5” means excellent.
In the magazine survey, Cebu Island was shut out, however, from the coveted list of Top Islands Overall.
Bali with a rating of 87.41 was still no. 1.
Phuket in Thailand ranked second last year but failed to land in this year’s top ten.
Top Islands Overall
1. Bali (87.41)
2. Galapagos (86.80)
3. Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia (86.09)
4. Kauai (85.90)
5. Mount Desert Island in Maine (85.87)
6. Maui in Hawaii (85.48)
7. Aeolian Islands in Italy (85.13)
8. Maldives (84.43)
9. Big Island (83.92) and
10. Vancouver Island (83.74).
For the past three years, the announcement of the World’s Best Awards winners has been preceded by the release of findings from “The Survey of Affluence and Wealth in America, created by Travel + Leisure’s parent company American Express Publishing, and Harrison Group, a strategic-marketing research firm.
Novogrod says she was struck by the consistency of the insights of American consumers. “They have a high regard for value and service, brand loyalty and small rewards,” she said.
The Best Islands awards were divided into geographical categories: Continental US and Canada; Hawaii; the Caribbean, Bermuda, and the Bahamas; Mexico and Central and South America; Europe; Asia; and Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific.
The questionnaires were developed by editors of the magazine in association with Harris Interactive, an independent research firm. They were posted in the magazine’s website.
Readers were invited to participate and a select group also received invitations by e-mail.
Respondents were screened and responses from any identified travel-industry professionals were eliminated from the final tally.
In the Condé Nast Traveler annual Readers’ Choice Survey, Cebu has occupied the seventh spot in the best island destination in Asia/Indian Ocean three times: in 2008 at 70.9 which is two points short of 2007’s 72.3 points and 2004’s 72.8 points.
Twice, it has been ranked 8th best island destination: in 2006 with 71.0 points and in 2005 with 69.5 in the same magazine survey.
Both Travel + Leisure Magazine and Condé Nast Traveler are American publications based in New York.
With reports from Reporters Marian Z. Codilla and Dale G. Israel
‘Much to be proud of: beaches, hospitality, diving’
Tourism Undersecretary Phineas Alburo said the award proves that Cebu Island has a lot to be proud of.
“That's good news. It really speaks well of the destination and has erased doubts among travellers. It is a very good development,” Alburo told Cebu Daily News.
He said Travel + Leisure, based in New York, was a “prestigious” American publication.
Alburo said Cebu gets a share of 500,000 international tourists in a year while local tourists exceeds more than 500,000 a year.
“Cebu has all the ingredients for an ideal destination,” he said.
He cited the island's accessibility with an international airport, natural attractions such as diving and beaches, heritage sites and the hospitality of the people, making it one of the best destinations in Asia.
Lapu-Lapu City Vice Mayor Mario Amores said “tremendous” efforts were poured by officials into tourism development.
He said the presence of an international airport and world-class resorts were a big plus, aside from the business appeal.
“Without a business-friendly environment, these resorts would not be investing here. They look for assurance of returns on their investment and that the environment factors are stable.”
Lapu-Lapu first lady Paz Radaza, co-chairperson of the City Tourism Committee, said the recognition would encourage more cooperation between the public and private sector.
“With this recognition, it will encourage both the private and the public sector to work hard to give tourists the best amenities at par with the world standards. The recognition will make every Cebuano proud,” Radaza added.
Setting up JVs for real estate
(The Philippine Star) Updated August 28, 2009 12:00 AM
MANILA, Philippines - To hasten our economic recovery, three major resources must be encouraged to join together for real estate development. One is the real estate developer who has the experience and knowledge but may or may not have the capital needed. Another is the one with the financial resources and capacity, interested in real estate business but lacks the knowledge or experience. The third is the one with the land who may lack either financial resources or knowledge to develop his land.
It would be a big economic contribution if the three resources can join together and made productive. However, before a joint venture could be concluded, many questions and other important aspects should be learned and answered for the protection of all the parties. In this regard, Urban Institute of Real Estate will conduct a seminar on Joint Venture and Syndication For Real Estate Projects on Wednesday, September 9, 1:30 to 6 p.m. at the Maximo Function Room, 2nd floor Max’s Restaurant, near the exit of Glorietta 2, Makati City.
The lecturer is Engr. Enrico Cruz, who has more than 40 years in real estate, engineering, construction, management and education. Cruz is also a licensed real estate consultant and 1st and 8th placer in the real estate appraiser’s and broker’s board examinations respectively, and was invested as a “Real Estate Fellow” by the Philippine Council of Real Estate Educators.
Urban will also be conducting lectures on other topics every Wednesday until Oct. 14, at the same time and venue as follows: Sept. 2 – Legal Aspects of Sale, Mortgage and Lease; Sept. 16 – Property Valuation: How To Do It Yourself; Sept. 23 – How to Start and Manage A Successful Real Estate Brokerage Company; Sept. 30 – Taxation of Real Estate Transactions; Oct. 7 – Real Estate Finance and Investment Analysis; Oct. 14 – Making Big Money in Distressed Properties.
For other details or advance registration, Urban Institute may be reached at 948-8191 or 796-8019, or CP# 0916-426-9174/0921-683-9431 or by email at urbanet@pacific.net.ph or urbanet.ph@gmail.com. Details may also be viewed at www.urban-institute.blogspot.com.
MANILA, Philippines - To hasten our economic recovery, three major resources must be encouraged to join together for real estate development. One is the real estate developer who has the experience and knowledge but may or may not have the capital needed. Another is the one with the financial resources and capacity, interested in real estate business but lacks the knowledge or experience. The third is the one with the land who may lack either financial resources or knowledge to develop his land.
It would be a big economic contribution if the three resources can join together and made productive. However, before a joint venture could be concluded, many questions and other important aspects should be learned and answered for the protection of all the parties. In this regard, Urban Institute of Real Estate will conduct a seminar on Joint Venture and Syndication For Real Estate Projects on Wednesday, September 9, 1:30 to 6 p.m. at the Maximo Function Room, 2nd floor Max’s Restaurant, near the exit of Glorietta 2, Makati City.
The lecturer is Engr. Enrico Cruz, who has more than 40 years in real estate, engineering, construction, management and education. Cruz is also a licensed real estate consultant and 1st and 8th placer in the real estate appraiser’s and broker’s board examinations respectively, and was invested as a “Real Estate Fellow” by the Philippine Council of Real Estate Educators.
Urban will also be conducting lectures on other topics every Wednesday until Oct. 14, at the same time and venue as follows: Sept. 2 – Legal Aspects of Sale, Mortgage and Lease; Sept. 16 – Property Valuation: How To Do It Yourself; Sept. 23 – How to Start and Manage A Successful Real Estate Brokerage Company; Sept. 30 – Taxation of Real Estate Transactions; Oct. 7 – Real Estate Finance and Investment Analysis; Oct. 14 – Making Big Money in Distressed Properties.
For other details or advance registration, Urban Institute may be reached at 948-8191 or 796-8019, or CP# 0916-426-9174/0921-683-9431 or by email at urbanet@pacific.net.ph or urbanet.ph@gmail.com. Details may also be viewed at www.urban-institute.blogspot.com.
The story of the seed
BUSINESS MATTERS (BEYOND THE BOTTOM LINE) By Francis J. Kong (The Philippine Star) Updated August 09, 2009 12:00 AM
A successful business man was growing old and knew it was time to choose a successor to take over the business. Instead of choosing one of his Directors or his children, he decided to do something different. He called all the young executives in his company together.
He said, ‘It is time for me to step down and choose the next CEO. I have decided to choose one of you. ‘The young executives were shocked, but the boss continued. ‘I am going to give each one of you a SEED today – one very special SEED. I want you to plant the seed, water it, and come back here one year from today with what you have grown from the seed I have given you. I will then judge the plants that you bring, and the one I choose will be the next CEO.’
One man, named Jim, was there that day and he, like the others, received a seed. He went home and excitedly, told his wife the story. She helped him get a pot, soil and compost and he planted the seed. Everyday, he would water it and watch to see if it had grown. After about three weeks, some of the other executives began to talk about their seeds and the plants that were beginning to grow.
Jim kept checking his seed, but nothing ever grew.
Three weeks, four weeks, five weeks went by, still nothing.
By now, others were talking about their plants, but Jim didn’t have a plant and he felt like a failure.
Six months went by – still nothing in Jim’s pot. He just knew he had killed his seed. Everyone else had trees and tall plants, but he had nothing. Jim didn’t say anything to his colleagues, however. He just kept watering and fertilizing the soil – He so wanted the seed to grow.
A year finally went by and all the young executives of the company brought their plants to the CEO for inspection. Jim told his wife that he wasn’t going to take an empty pot...
But she asked him to be honest about what happened. Jim felt sick to his stomach, it was going to be the most embarrassing moment of his life, but he knew his wife was right. He took his empty pot to the boardroom. When Jim arrived, he was amazed at the variety of plants grown by the other executives. They were beautiful – in all shapes and sizes. Jim put his empty pot on the floor and many of his colleagues laughed, a few felt sorry for him!
When the CEO arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted his young executives.
Jim just tried to hide in the back. ‘My, what great plants, trees, and flowers you have grown,’ said the CEO. ‘Today one of you will be appointed the next CEO!’
All of a sudden, the CEO spotted Jim at the back of the room with his empty pot. He ordered the Financial Director to bring him to the front. Jim was terrified. He thought, ‘The CEO knows I’m a failure! Maybe he will have me fired!’
When Jim got to the front, the CEO asked him what had happened to his seed – Jim told him the story.
The CEO asked everyone to sit down except Jim. He looked at Jim, and then announced to the young executives, ‘Behold your next Chief Executive Officer!
His name is Jim!’ Jim couldn’t believe it. Jim couldn’t even grow his seed.
‘How could he be the new CEO?’ the others said.
Then the CEO said, ‘One year ago today, I gave everyone in this room a seed. I told you to take the seed, plant it, water it, and bring it back to me today. But I gave you all boiled seeds; they were dead – it was not possible for them to grow.
All of you, except Jim, have brought me trees and plants and flowers. When you found that the seed would not grow, you substituted another seed for the one I gave you. Jim was the only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a pot with my seed in it. Therefore, he is the one who will be the new Chief Executive Officer!’
End of story.
I have read variations of this story credited to anonymity but in terms of lesson is worth repeating specially in a country like hours that need to be reinforced with lessons on virtuous leadership.
Scriptures say whatsoever you sow you shall reap.
Plant honesty and reap trust.
Plant goodness and you reap friends.
Plant humility and reap greatness.
Plant perseverance and reap contentment.
Plant consideration and reap perspective.
Plant hard work and reap success.
Plant forgiveness and reap reconciliation.
Plant faith in GOD and reap a harvest.
I guess the question is what are you planting now?
A successful business man was growing old and knew it was time to choose a successor to take over the business. Instead of choosing one of his Directors or his children, he decided to do something different. He called all the young executives in his company together.
He said, ‘It is time for me to step down and choose the next CEO. I have decided to choose one of you. ‘The young executives were shocked, but the boss continued. ‘I am going to give each one of you a SEED today – one very special SEED. I want you to plant the seed, water it, and come back here one year from today with what you have grown from the seed I have given you. I will then judge the plants that you bring, and the one I choose will be the next CEO.’
One man, named Jim, was there that day and he, like the others, received a seed. He went home and excitedly, told his wife the story. She helped him get a pot, soil and compost and he planted the seed. Everyday, he would water it and watch to see if it had grown. After about three weeks, some of the other executives began to talk about their seeds and the plants that were beginning to grow.
Jim kept checking his seed, but nothing ever grew.
Three weeks, four weeks, five weeks went by, still nothing.
By now, others were talking about their plants, but Jim didn’t have a plant and he felt like a failure.
Six months went by – still nothing in Jim’s pot. He just knew he had killed his seed. Everyone else had trees and tall plants, but he had nothing. Jim didn’t say anything to his colleagues, however. He just kept watering and fertilizing the soil – He so wanted the seed to grow.
A year finally went by and all the young executives of the company brought their plants to the CEO for inspection. Jim told his wife that he wasn’t going to take an empty pot...
But she asked him to be honest about what happened. Jim felt sick to his stomach, it was going to be the most embarrassing moment of his life, but he knew his wife was right. He took his empty pot to the boardroom. When Jim arrived, he was amazed at the variety of plants grown by the other executives. They were beautiful – in all shapes and sizes. Jim put his empty pot on the floor and many of his colleagues laughed, a few felt sorry for him!
When the CEO arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted his young executives.
Jim just tried to hide in the back. ‘My, what great plants, trees, and flowers you have grown,’ said the CEO. ‘Today one of you will be appointed the next CEO!’
All of a sudden, the CEO spotted Jim at the back of the room with his empty pot. He ordered the Financial Director to bring him to the front. Jim was terrified. He thought, ‘The CEO knows I’m a failure! Maybe he will have me fired!’
When Jim got to the front, the CEO asked him what had happened to his seed – Jim told him the story.
The CEO asked everyone to sit down except Jim. He looked at Jim, and then announced to the young executives, ‘Behold your next Chief Executive Officer!
His name is Jim!’ Jim couldn’t believe it. Jim couldn’t even grow his seed.
‘How could he be the new CEO?’ the others said.
Then the CEO said, ‘One year ago today, I gave everyone in this room a seed. I told you to take the seed, plant it, water it, and bring it back to me today. But I gave you all boiled seeds; they were dead – it was not possible for them to grow.
All of you, except Jim, have brought me trees and plants and flowers. When you found that the seed would not grow, you substituted another seed for the one I gave you. Jim was the only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a pot with my seed in it. Therefore, he is the one who will be the new Chief Executive Officer!’
End of story.
I have read variations of this story credited to anonymity but in terms of lesson is worth repeating specially in a country like hours that need to be reinforced with lessons on virtuous leadership.
Scriptures say whatsoever you sow you shall reap.
Plant honesty and reap trust.
Plant goodness and you reap friends.
Plant humility and reap greatness.
Plant perseverance and reap contentment.
Plant consideration and reap perspective.
Plant hard work and reap success.
Plant forgiveness and reap reconciliation.
Plant faith in GOD and reap a harvest.
I guess the question is what are you planting now?
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