Fast Forward

Mr. Peter L. Wallace – “Flying Without a Net” Trapeze artist can give their very best performance on the high wire because they’re secure in the knowledge that there’s a safety net below, ready to catch them should they slip and fall. But what if you’re flying WITHOUT a net? In his talk, Peter Wallace will share some of his thoughts on what coping strategies we can use to survive, and even thrive, during this volatile, uncertain and risk-laden Year of the Ox. Not one to mince words, the acerbic Mr. Wallace – written up in Australia’s Business Review Week as “a well-known consultant and arguably the most prominent foreign businessman in the Philippines” – will reveal how past and present foibles have contributed to our current situation, and what we can all do to ensure that we sail through these difficult times with a minimum of pain.

Rowen Paul A. Untivero – “Upping Your Nego Quotient” He’s back! After his outstanding talk on Strategic Selling at last year’s annual conference, professional trainer, sales practitioner, educator and consultant Rowen Untivero will now discus Negotiating Skills – how to strengthen a salesperson’s effectiveness in modern selling, based on communication and persuasion. But when does persuasion leave off and negotiation start in a typical sales situation? How can we defend a higher premium and what are some of the “bargaining chips” we can use to give us an edge over the competition? How do we achieve the ideal “partner” or “win-win” outcome in every sales situation? Mr. Untivero, whose large and diverse clientele includes the likes of Nestle, Unilever, Del Monte, Caltex, Nissan and San Miguel – will address these questions and share other useful negotiation techniques that will help us in dealing with many of life’s person-to-person encounters.

Mr. Guy R.A. Mills – “Look for the Silver Lining” One among the “sunrise” industries least affected by the economic downturn, the BPO and Call Center business in undoubtedly the fastest growing business sector in the country today. But what do these companies actually do, and why are they here? Mr. Guy Mills, Senior Vice President and General Manager Processing Services industry – the people it supports through the jobs it provides, the risks and opportunities ahead, and the significant contributions that it makes to our local economy. Mr. Mills, who has had a diverse career at Manulife with

positions in Canadian Agency, Manulife Japan, the John Hancock merger and at its corporate head office in Toronto, now oversees Manulife’s offshore operations around the world from his office in Quezon City. Ironic as it may seem, coming as it does from an expat, ‘Pride in the Filipino’ is the central theme of his talk as he firmly avers that “…we can hire better qualified people here (in the Philippines) than in some places in North America!”

Ms. Sanirose Orbeta – “Achieving Balance: The Road to Wellness” In today’s fast-paced, stress filled work environment, it has become more and more difficult to achieve balance in all the areas of our lives. Sanirose Orbeta knows this only too well, so she actively collaborates with other practitioners in allied health professions, conducting clinical studies and giving scientific lectures in an effort to address this crying need for balance. Founder of the first private Nutrition Therapy and Diet Clinic in the Philippines, Ms. Orbeta is one of the only two Asian Certified Fellows of the American Dietetic Society. She is currently the Philippines representative to the International Association for the Study of Overweight and Obesity. The focus of her vision – and her talk at this conference – is overall wellness and how to improve the health status of the Filipino through proper nutrition and dietary counseling.

Mr Gonzalo B.A. Bongolan – “Tough Professionals Outlast Tough Times”

Mr. “Bong” Bongolan began his career in securities as a Research Analyst and was at one time one of the most popular and heavily-quoted market analysts in the country. Today he is the youngest-ever President of Home Guranty Corporation, having joined HGC soon after the 1997 Asian financial crisis that ravaged the real estate industry. When he took over the reins of HGC in 2001, he was met with a monstrous P16 Billion in unpaid guaranties and a vast portfolio of non-performing assets. He subsequently turned around HGC into an unimpaired credible organization with a highly motivated workforce – the touchstone on which he has based all his future actions and executive decisions. Described by the Philippine Star as “a major feather in the Arroyo-De Castro tandem’s cap”, Mr. Bongolan will share with us lessons from the 1997 Asian crisis, including his thoughts on how to instill a culture of cost-efficiency in the work place, and how to restore public confidence in our collective organizations and the financial services industry.