Articles

By: Anthony  Pangilinan

As I wrote this article Saturday night, my wife Maricel and I were on a plane back to Manila from Bacolod after speaking at a Microfinance event organized by KMBI Philippines. Sharing the same flight with us back to Manila were personalities who joined us at the conference: Mari and Enchang Kaimo, Donita Rose and husband Eric, Richard Reynoso, Raymond Lauchengco and “Tita” Nannette Inventor. Earlier that day, I shared the stage with top counselor Dr. Violeta “Bolet” Bautista. I am unable to name a few other subject matter experts who generously gave of their experience and competencies, but over-all, the “star studded” event was what I’d call another defining and amazing moment! A full force of presenters, speakers, hosts and performers “engaging” 4,000 women micro-entrepreneurs from all over Negros. All in a Day. With results we will never be able to measure adequately in the coming days. And people we may never again see in this lifetime.

Inspirational speaker and author Dr. John Maxwell shares his personal definition of success: “knowing my purpose in life, growing to my maximum potential and sowing seeds that benefit others.” Using that definition as basis, I declare: all who contributed to that educational and entertaining event were “successes,” even for that one special day. And I like the idea that we all can be successes, even now as we read this article, right this very moment, as we engage, today.

I have opted, in this article, to explore key elements of success as I observed them in this notable event. And, you multiply a moment, my mentor George Blake once said, and you have hope for a better lifetime.

It takes a critical mass of like minded people. A leader may have initiated it, but other people who shared the vision had to come on board to help fulfill it. And may I add, other people who had the competencies to make the whole thing work: from concept, to script, to casting, event planning and execution. The most unappreciated, and under-rewarded team member? The first follower who turned the unpopular pioneer into a recognized leader.

It calls for unrelenting passion until the initiative’s completion. From the initial invitation Maricel and I received two months ago, to the boarding passes handed over to us a full two hours ahead of departure at the Bacolod airport, someone had to have the foresight and the energy to see the project through. That requires passion, yes, but add to that, planning, scheduling, and delegating with top dog accountability. Thank you Cicey, for personally paying for my departure fee and handing over my boarding pass before you said goodbye to finish the “rest of the program.” I must say, it is the first time an event producer personally handed over to me my travel documents and passes, even as the event was wrapping up some 10 kilometers, or 40 minutes away.

It necessitates flexibility “in the Spirit of excellence” to create and sustain impact. Hats off to Donita and Eric, neither Tagalog nor Ilonggo speakers, to work until the wee hours of the night to edit and master the script with the event scriptwriter Luna Inocian. These guys are busy people and parents, but quality – to them – is not negotiable. It was exciting to see production team members, KMBI officers, talent coordinators, and the talent/speakers themselves, adjust to a “surprising development” and work out plan B (or Z!) to still achieve an audience-appreciated and valued outcome. From opening spiels to closing lines before take off!

It calls for team members who are “goooooood” at what they do. You can’t squeeze excellence out of mediocrity. I must acknowledge KMBI for having worked with an excellent production team, “connected” entertainers and credible speakers (haha, I wasn’t referring to me…but to my wife!). It’s not enough we work with people who are all-nice and all-good; the key is to find these people who are also excellent (and sometimes straightforward) at what they do. They’ve done the work: combining “nature” with “nurture”…and so giving many who are willing, a brighter future!

It underlies “service” and “giving” as foundations to business and finance results. By example, all the guests and production members engaged with a purpose to “add value” to the underprivileged yet highly-committed audience of 4,000.  I saw no “mayordomas” nor “divas” who normally see such events as means to affirm themselves. From the opening prayer offered by the KMBI staffer at the night-before-team gathering to Mari’s immediate action to help me and my team load luggage to my arriving vehicle, the spirit of service and humility was shining through. And when he gives up, He goes up! Think about that, for now and for always.

4,000 people. All in a day. keep ‘em coming. The principles, and God’s intervention, will see us through.

First Posted in Business World - The Wealth Manager, Monday October 25, 2010 s3/pg1

http://www.anthonypangilinan.com.ph/2010/10/4k-in-a-day/#more-268