Of Meritocracy and Choosing the Right Man for the Job

Based on the volume of readership that has been spawned by my Dutdutan entries I'm sure that they are still awaiting the next installment of my picture blogs (which I must say that there are still a lot to be posted) but after going out for coffee with my wife this afternoon, I chanced upon the Lifestyle Asia Magazine which featured an article about four of the country's top entrepreneurs, namely:  Tony Tan Caktiong (Jollibee), Jaime Zobel de Ayala (Ayala Corporation), Lance Gokongwei (Cebu Pacific), and Martin Lorenzo (Pancake House).   Both Tony Tan Caktiong and Jaime Zobel de Ayala mentioned about MERITOCRACY.  And as I shifted to reading the day's Philippine Star this word again came to my attention as the topic of Carmen Pedrosa's column in "From a Distance".  Is this by happenstance or is there something about this word that I need to write about?  So I start thinking and scribbling my thoughts and here's what I have to say about the matter.

By definition, meritocracy  "is a system of government or other administration wherein appointments and responsibilities are objectively assigned to individuals based upon their "merits", namely intelligence, credentials, and education, determined through evaluations or examinations."  Both Tan Caktiong and Zobel de Ayala subscribe to getting talent when there is nothing to be found in the organization.  This reflects the value of humility in both leaders to realize that much that keeping their companies within the family enterprise, certain expertise needs to be outsourced if they intend to move forward.  

I do not intend to contest this for a fact.  Both have their business portfolios (and bank accounts) to give credence to this.  However, the key to making this as a true instrument for business continuity and growth, the selection process should be attuned to the corporate values and the experience aligned to the company industry.  This is especially true for key positions.  The intelligence factor maybe off the charts, the accomplishments and the prestige of coming from a multi-national company  adorning the curriculum vitae but these do not guarantee an automatic job fit.  Intelligent people do not automatically have the people skills to lead.  Unfortunately, many intelligent people are too intelligent to admit to this fact.  If you give the reigns of leadership to a general who does not know how to lead and influence his troops to action do not expect to win any battles.  

I believe that in order for big companies to repeat the folly of the Roman Empire, all battle fronts should be led by loyal, charismatic and battle hardened generals to keep the ranks on their toes and the enemy at bay.  

Outsourcing key management positions is critical.  The hiring process should be able to spot leaders who have both the wisdom and charisma to move the company forward.  Unfortunately, this is not an exact science and there will be instances that actual performance does not back up the colorful CV.  The next challenge is how to weed out these false leaders and continue the quest for the one who can lead and provide the stability in terms of business continuity.

A leader who do not have the power of influence within his command cannot be expected to hold the fort from the enemy.  

Rumble in NAIA 3

It was the hot item yesterday and I'm sure it will be so for the next couple of days!  

Mon Tulfo vs. Raymart Santiago, Claudine Barretto, and a pink shirted dude who seemed to have thought himself an MMA fighter.  End result:  Mon Tulfo was black and blue and the Santiago group a picture of notoriety given the cam phone footage of the event.  

Contrary to what we saw on the YouTube video, Santiago and company said that it was Tulfo who initiated the fisticuffs.  Unfortunately for them the CCTV camera in that area of the airport was not working (apparently, there were a lot of CCTV camera in the airport premises not working).  

Mon Tulfo has his own share of notoriety.  Actually, he and the other Tulfo brothers, Raffy, Ben, and Erwin have had their share of headliners.  However, theirs is more on the side of justice---headbutting with the powers that be.  This is also the case why Mon Tulfo's attention was diverted to a commotion at the arrival area when he saw a Cebu Pacific ground crew being berated by a young lady (who happened to be Claudine Barretto).  

The siblings are tightly knit and with their eldest brother accosted the other three are fuming and retaliatory remarks has been issued during the T3 broadcast yesterday in the direction of Raymart and his gang.  Mon Tulfo already filed a case against Santiago, Barretto, and his companions for grave coercion and physical injury and cautioned  his brothers in such an action since "public sympathy" is on his side.

Abangan ang susunod na kabanata!

Tulfo Brother's Reaction to the Mon Tulfo vs Raymart Santiago incident:

http://pinoy-ako.info/more-videos/64377-video-tulfo-brothers-react-to-raymart-tulfo-brawl.html

Tulfo and Santiago brawl at NAIA 3:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7n2CWK7IEM&feature=share

Cebu Pacific FAs---Dancing No More

Ever since the Cebu Pacific flight attendant dance routine became a YouTube craze my wife and I have been looking forward to become witnesses to this ourselves. We were booked to go to Iloilo via Cebu Pacific and it was one of our trip's highlight. Unfortunately, no dance routine happened (much to the dismay of my wife who was already poised with her video cam). The flight did have its good points though---Cebu Pacific does have the best looking FAs to ferry us to our destination!

Iloilo Tripping Part 2

Day 4
The weather took a slight turn for the better. After having luncheon meat, egg, and fried rice for breakfast, we set off to visit nanay’s grave site around 8am. We were escorted by Lola Ayak, Auntie Judith, Jurome, Noynoy, Kayla and Francis. Visitors were still scarce in Dingle Public Cemetery but the place was already abuzz with workers tidying up the place for the coming “undas”.

Nanay’s grave is still in the same barren state we left it last year. Not for long. My brother-in-law, Nelson, and I made arrangements to have this situation remedied. We miss you Nanay! Rest in Peace!

After eating lunch, we bade Lola Ayak and the rest of the Tingsons adieu! If hospitality had a surname I’d say is has got to be Tingson!

The weather was gloomy and we took the first opportunity to get going before the rain starts again! Unfortunately, we did not have the luxury of hiring an air-conditioned transportation for the kids so we had to settle with a jeepney. Good thing Noynoy was gracious enough to accompany us until Jaro City and help us with the luggage! Daghang salamat, Noynoy!

We took a taxi from Jaro City to Century 21 hotel. We booked for a standard room (since it’s the only room available), reserved a room for Nelson for his arrival tomorrow, freshened up a bit and went to SM City Iloilo to buy pasalubongs! We bought the usual stuff: “biscocho”, “pinasugbo”, “barquillas”, “piyaya”, toasted muffins, and a couple of souvenir shirts.

Day 5
It was an early morning for us. Woke up at 5:30am, got my dose of a long hot bath and started packing up my things.

Ceasar, the taxi driver, arrived at 7:15am. We took our last minute pictures on the hotel lobby and off we went to the airport.

7:55 Am. We bid Ceasar good bye and thanked him for his excellent service.

Tim saw his very first, up close airplane, when Air Philippines air bus landed around 8:15am. As usual, Tim’s voice was the only one heard in the airport! It was a big playground for him and he ran from one end of the airport to the other! I tell you, this boy has got a LOT of energy!!

We only ate left over pizza from the previous night for breakfast so when we finally got settled in the airport, our tummies started grumbling. Good thing there was this coffee shop which offers affordable pastries and extra strong java to boot! The name of the stall is JO Coffee Shop.

Justine on the other hand, sat quietly as he stank up the place with a huge dump! He was, hands down, the best baby in the airport---mainly because HE WAS THE ONLY BABY in the airport!!

9:42 am. Well what do you know, two babies enter the terminal---sorry, STILL NO CONTEST!

The PA announced the boarding orders for Cebu Pacific flight 454 bound for Manila at 10:15 am. Justine was already asleep when we boarded so we only had to contend with Tim and his tantrums. Fortunately, his conniption came out in the latter part of the flight.

I have been flying Cebu Pacific for personal travels and have not participated in their in-flight game. This time was different. The category for the game was famous movie lines. Being a movie buff I found it hard not to join. Actually, I tried closing my eyes to the commotion but when I heard the first line, “May the force…”---I immediately jolted from my oblivion and raised my hand! For all I knew I was the first! Kreesa, the stewardess, may have thought I was asleep and was staring far at the back---darn! That movie was “Star Wars”! Then came the second movie line, “Life is like…” There would be no missing me this time as I raised my hand high in the air! “Forrest Gump!” That earned me a Cebu Pacific pouch! Not contented, I raised my hand once more to snare the third and last movie line, “I can see dead people!” Unfortunately, the crew did not mention the undeclared rule that you can only win once---so the price went to another passenger! Bummer! At least I won!

We landed at NAIA Terminal 3 at 11:45 am. I was supposed to take pictures of the pretty Cebu Pacific stewardesses but they seemed to have vanished when the door opened. Actually, there was one left but I wanted to get all three in one shot. Maybe next time!

This is the first time that I de-planed in this terminal. One thing I can say about the place is that, “It’s huge!” The length of the walk from tarmac to the luggage claiming area was about 4x the length of Terminal 2! Anyway, vacation is over! Hoping to do this again next year!