---

Successful Davao briefing

Despite the minor glitches, the Davao E-Services capabilities briefing went pretty well. Friends from the media attended too and here are some of the write-ups you can refer to. Thanks!

Davao ICT firms target Japanese market
by Lawrence Casiraya, CW Reporter;
WHILE the rest of the industry is still largely looking at the US
market,information and communication technology firms in Davao are
eyeing a lucrative niche in providing outsourced services to Japan.

Full story at:
http://www.itnetcentral.com/computerworld/article.asp?id=14293&leveli=0&info=Computerworld

Davao pitches IT services offer to Japan
By Alexander Villafania
INQ7.net
BANKING on what it says is the city's sizable Japanese-speaking
population, Davao City's information and communications technology
(ICT) businesses are enticing Japanese firms to outsource to the
region, an industry association based in the southern Philippine
city said.

Full story at:
http://news.inq7.net/infotech/index.php?index=1&story_id=28136

Davao lures Japan to outsource to RP
By KERLYN G. BAUTISTA, Reporter
The image of Mindanao as the troubled south has weighed down on
Davao's pitch to bag outsourcing deals from investment-rich Japan.

Full story at:
http://www.itmatters.com.ph/news/news_02172005b.html

Helping Davao friends

I just got a chat with friends from Davao last week. One thing frustrating that has happened recently is that so many organizations have been doing research in that part of the country on its outsourcing developments. However, most don't go back to fulfill their developmental promises to the said area. I hope this effort can help in its own way. For those you who are into outsourcing are encouraged to give Davao a look.

This coming February 16, Wednesday, 1:30 pm to 4:00 pm, there will be a briefing on Mindanao/Davao eServices Capabilities at the Pethouse, Board of Investments, Jupiter St. corner Paseo De Roxas, Makati City (near MRT Buendia Station).

Organizations who have a commitment in developing outsourcing capabilities of companies outside of Metro Manila, I hope, shall look into ASID.

Companies interested in opening an office in the Davao area or possibly look into outsourcing, you are more than welcome to attend:

The following is the agenda:

1:00 - 1:30 registration
1:30 - 2:00 Talk on Mindanao’s ICT Capability
2:00 - 2:30 Davao City as an eService Investment Destination
2:30 - 3:00 Introducing the Association of Solution Integrators in Davao (ASID)
3:00 - 3:30 Davao’s eServices Capabilities
3:30 - 4:00 Open Forum
4:00 - 5:00 Snacks/Coffee Break/Networking

Parties interested to attend are encouraged to email me at [email protected] with the following information:

Name:
Position:
Company:
Address:
Phone:
Website:
Expectations from the briefing:

Details about ASID can be found at http://www.asidph.org/

I encountered this interesting page of Sacha that contains links to all articles and blog posts published about the Digital Pinay 2005 contest. Check it out when you have time. This issue is very interesting and have never seen bloggers, especially women, got so vocal in expressing their opinions.

Helping SMEs

I just read Mike's first post in his e-Trade Quest blog and he surely has a lot of exciting things happening up to his alley. The International Trade Center has always been known of assisting SMEs on how they can become exporters, sooner or later.  Becoming part of an international project presents a lot of thrill and challenges. I certainly hope that he'll succeed in this regard.

Digital Pinay 2005 Out and PCS
Instead of updating my previous entry, I'll just add here my thoughts. Digital Pinay was finally out na last week and no post was made in the PCS website cancelling the project. I guess it is one of those better be buried and forgotten.

Digital Pinay and the meaning of Power

Like many Internet users, I was surprised when I received the application form for Digital Pinay 2005. Right there and then, I knew this would solicit many reactions and have read some of them in various mailing lists.

After reading the Inq7.net article, I visited the Philippine Computer Society website but no details are posted so far. I think the only way that this project will succeed is for PCS to organize this competition at the school level where JPCS exist and let all winners compete at a nationwide level. At least, all participants were pre-selected.

I don't really have anything against the contest. Well, I was a product of a contest too, Miss STI Kalookan 1988. It was one of the Foundation Day activities and each class send a representative. I was asked to represent our class. As I'm not in my high moods at that time, I took the challenge. There were I think 10 of us then during the practice session but only 3 showed up that night. So I guess winning that contest didn't hold any weight.

Did I benefit from it? Yes. When I was looking for work the next year, I decided to go back to school and ask if I can be accepted as a trainee, without pay. I just want to be able to say that I have some trainee experience when I apply for work. They accepted me. If I didn't "won" that contest, the school personnel would hardly remember me and neither give consideration. It is at this time that I met Jun Mendoza, the school's CEO and have taught me a lot as my career blossomed.

A "beauty" contest, in a way, can help you get started. Let people know that you're not just another girl in the class.

What strikes me in the Inq7.net article is when it mentioned that the contest will help produce the next "Most Powerful Women in I.T." My question is, are they ready to mentor them? Will they be mentored to do what is right and not what is popular? In my opinion, most organizations are now behaving according to what is popular especially if the personalities at stake are one of their own.

From one success to another, you gain power. Without warning, power can blind you. Makes you believe that you can do anything even when you fail.

However, the true test of leadership is when you give someone power. There are personalities today who got hold of power, did not get contended, and wanted to have more. What makes them dangerous is they were able to persuade the mob. Some who think otherwise are afraid to speak up and become unpopular.

Principles, sadly, are easily compromised these days. One day, you find organizations fighting with all their heart as one government entity wants to control all ICT related projects. But today, because the proponent is one of their own, they are in an all out support. I don't know what kind of mentors they will make. How will they be remembered? Those who try to twist the law today to their favor (like what is being done by some to the E-Commerce Law) have no moral authority to lobby for new laws. What's the use of asking Congress to fix things if an E.O. can be easily executed, insult the law's intent, thereby humiliating Congress and proponents as well. 

Jun Mendoza was betrayed by the people he trusted the most in business. His betrayal story is no different from Alexander the Great and our Philippine heroes. In 1999-2001, I wielded power as the Y2K Law and E-Commerce Law got passed. I tried dispersing the power I had, even to critics. However, like snake, they turn on to you when you don't speak on interest that favors their perspective. It is a law of power that I now don't believe in - giving those who don't like you, whether you know them personally or not, a chance to gain their trust and be trusted. 

After experiencing the worst betrayals from friends and allies that I cherished the most, helped, and even fought for, I decided to stepped down in 2001 and vowed not to give in to the mob and neither to what is popular (but unrighteous), protect the E-Commerce Law, and patience in due process.

I re-build my life with my family, who matters the most. As I turned my back from power, I realized who my true friends are.

 

Customers not worth keeping

In Shery's first blog, she talked about why some customers are not worth keeping. I really find it interesting and feel the same in a lot of ways in my dealings with customers.

I guess there are customers who will really try to get beyond what they are willing to paid for. In research, for instance, one of the reasons why I got disheartened is when customers want so much and yet they are not willing to pay at the earliest time possible. There are those who are good payers but suddenly becoming non-flexible in adjusting to the scenarios that you are encountering. The problem with research is that you don't have any control on your respondents. If they cooperate, fine. If they don't, you're in trouble. The problem comes in as well when you deal with other project consultants who are eager in squeezing you just to please the proponents of the project. I guess this is primarily the reason why I lied low in this area and realigned my focus.

I must admit that I have my own share of weaknesses too.  As my research work got criticized in the past, I'd rather break schedules than produce a bad report or article. I guess its best that I stick to self-funded projects.

That's life. You can't have it all.