Natural flair for mathematics and analytical processes during
the high school years have nurtured an inclination to pursue a
technical college course. However, an early exposure to the corporate
world (with Carpetmasters), right
after college, gave a lucid glimpse into the somewhat harsh realities
of business. Then, and to a certain degree, still up to now, more
significant premium is obviously placed on the roles of marketing
frontliners than those of technical personnel. It confirmed the
irony aired by college engineering professors that most technical
people are paid less - as compared to marketing executives - despite
the more rigorous education they have to go through. Thus, the
beckoning of a more lucrative sales career prevailed. It turned
out to be a wise decision after all. What began as plain salesmanship
in the carpet and industrial machineries industries progressed
into accentuated versatility in the marketing and technical arenas.
The technical background did not altogether
go down the drain, however. In fact, it even proved to be very
instrumental in the pursuit of more viable career and business
opportunities with more flexible options. In addition, it laid
the basic structure necessary to engage in technically inclined
commercial activities like construction. Learning the ropes, in
a manner of speaking, became easy because of the rigid engineering
foundation.
In the progression of this somewhat uncommon
career path, numerous acquired skills were continuously harnessed
and became essential tools that accelerated professional advancement.
Oral and written English communication skills, even
out of high school, were already deep-rooted on solid ground under
the tutelage of the La Salle Brothers of America. Interpersonal
skills, honed through marketing stints, helped create a break
for an entry level computer job in the Sultanate of Oman in 1989.
This marked the beginning of a continuous self-initiated computer
education, a major breakthrough not only in terms of coping with
modern technology, but more importantly, in being more potently
equipped as the demands of an advancing career later on became
more complex. The stint also accorded the chance to realize an
inherent passion for writing as the job in the German consulting
firm, Weidleplan, included contributing write-ups for integration
into urban and regional development planning and studies.
Proficiency in WordStar and Lotus 123,
rigidly developed in Oman, was very advantageous in succeeding
marketing tenures as sales supervisor of Astron
Philippines and Sinclair Paints
Philippines, respectively. Preparation of marketing reports,
plans, programs, objectives and correspondence would have been
more tedious and outdated by way of the typewriter.
The opportunity to learn the rudiments of construction
during the stint with Sinclair was very vital. It brought to fruition
a long thought-of plan to establish a contracting firm. This was
another turning point as it started off a career diversion into
the field of construction.
The establishment of Vernon
Construction, with this contractor as partner, paved the way
for the thorough exposure in the overall management of a contracting
firm, including administrative, finance, operations and the all-important
value engineering. Mandate to be proficient in Excel (for cost
estimates, work programs, value engineering, etc.) and MS Word
(for correspondence, documentation, etc.) was self-imposed. The
operations of the company spanned almost three years, even after
the 1997 global economic crisis began to adversely affect the
paying capacity of the company's on-going project owners. The
worldwide slump placed a heavy toll on the financial viability
of the company's existence, eventually forcing the cessation of
operations.
It did not take long, however, before
an invitation was offered to join another construction and development
company (JR Plus) in need of a
qualified executive to help management in the macro operations
and business development concerns of the company. Part of the
job responsibilities called for working with a composite team
of affiliated architects and engineers preparing and/or evaluating
project studies for investments which the company either planned,
or was offered, to venture into. It was the most opportune time
to further learn more applicable computer software. The immense
advantages of using AutoCAD in designing and detailing plans and
schemes (and ensuing countless revisions) were without question.
Adobe Acrobat significantly hastened network transmission of portable
document files (PDF) created by each team member using diverse
application software file formats aside from retaining their original
appearances. Knowledge of PowerPoint likewise became a necessity
for enhanced credibility and representation in transacting
with clients. Basic knowledge of MS Access was also very handy
in maintaining databases of client and suppliers directories,
material inventories, etc.
As the Philippine economy continued its downturn
due to political instability, and construction projects became
scarce, the need to diversify into other lines of business became
inevitable. Besides, the wealth of experience in preparing formal
project studies, and managing and supervising actual construction
work, substantiated the logical pursuit of more advanced career
involvement as an independent entity - consultancy.
Writing skills were further harnessed. Research and data gathering
methodologies became even more fluid with prolonged access and,
thus, better proficiency in the use of the Internet. The ability
to dissect, analyze and articulate all the vital components of
project development progressively notched a higher degree of competence
each time an undertaking came along. Voluminous documentation
gave rise to the need to learn even just the basic functions of
Adobe Pagemaker. Furthermore, keeping up with the fast-paced changes
of e-commerce was deemed absolutely necessary. For this reason,
capability to develop and maintain websites using the integrated
functions of Adobe Photoshop and MS FrontPage was self-acquired.
If the projected overall operations of a still non-existent company
can be conceptualized, outlined, pre-planned in detail, and evaluated
through feasibility studies, it therefore comes as an inter-connected
undertaking for this same consultant to engage in systems development
including re-engineering and streamlining business processes of
already existing firms. Afterall, the opportunity to closely observe
and study the manufacturing and production methodologies of diverse
industrial firms (Carpetmasters, Astron, Sinclair) - a must for
marketing frontliners - proved to be very invaluable experiences
ready to "reap dividends". This latest involvement gave
rise to the need to learn and become proficient in more powerful
web development tools like Macromedia Dreamweaver MX, Flash MX,
Adobe Illustrator, Dimensions, and further study of MS Access
for web applications (in connectivity with databases and spreadsheets)
and business solutions.
In the light of the foregoing, it would not be hard
to imagine how the manner of approach by which projects or designated
tasks could be undertaken is encompassed with much versatility,
flexibility and technological expertise. In this context, quality
shall never lag behind.