Dealing with difficult people

 Economy
Aug 202016
 
Dealing with difficult people

I have three kids. They are all different. You may have kids too and I am sure they are all different. They are not like each other and they are not like you. Isn’t this fact alone a mystery? The question I now ask in many of my leadership seminars is this: “Do I by virtue of my position as a “Father” expect all of them to adjust to me or do I adjust to them?” And almost every single one of the participants will answer: “Adjust to them.” The answer is right. Why do I need to adjust to them? The answer is very simple because I care for them. Good leaders take the time, effort and energy to know their people, connect and engage with them because they genuinely care for them. We need to understand that there are different behaviors you typically find in the workplace. When times are normal, these behaviors do not manifest. When there is a particular threat or difficulty, these are the 10 specific behavior patterns that sane people resort to when they feel threatened or thwarted, that represent their struggle with (or withdrawal from) undesired circumstances. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Rick Brinkman and Rick Kirschner in a book they authored a few years ago entitled: “Dealing With People You Can’t Stand” identified the following people and their specific behaviors. The book may have been written a couple of years ago but the material is still as relevant Read More …

Burying the undead

 Economy
Aug 202016
 
Burying the undead

Time heals the deepest of wounds. So grant his dying wish, and spare him a piece of humble patch of earth, where his family can lay him to rest. Spare the dead of disrespect and let him be remembered by the good that he has done. Spare him this patch of earth and mind not the land and properties of individuals forcibly taken without compensation during his rule. Let him rest in peace as families have laid to rest their dead, whose protests were long silenced by warrantless arrest, torture and execution. Bury him and let the nation move on from the massive pilferage, crony corruption, decades of colossal and callous deception and lies. But most of all – honor him. Why on a Sunday would I write on a topic so divisive? Not for hatred or retribution, not for finger-pointing. My motivation is singular: to serve the millennials, or those among them who are at least open to re-evaluate their sense of history, some truths to tame the lies. It’s not the younger ones’ fault to be born in a time of free press and free social media. For them, democracy is not an issue nor a concern, because they never experienced democracy taken away, except for the occasional “nos” and “don’ts” from parents and in schools. They did not have the benefit of witnessing the horrors, and sadly, not even the benefit of an education of what transpired during the two decades of dictatorship. Of all materials on Read More …

Gov’t role in ICT

 Economy
Aug 202016
 
Gov’t role in ICT

The important role that government plays in telecommunications development is undeniable. Acting as a regulator, government can make or break private sector investment in telecommunications. Take the case of the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) and its insistence to review PLDT and Globe Telecom’s recent acquisition of San Miguel Corp.’s telecom assets despite the absence of legal basis to do so. Had the acquisition been considered “deemed approved” under the PCC interim rules, then PLDT and Globe should have been able to utilize the frequencies that used to be owned by SMC to benefit Filipino consumers. What would happen if PCC disapproves the deal? PLDT and Globe cannot return the assets to SMC. Neither can the two utilize the valuable 700 MHz radio frequencies that form part of the acquired assets. Such a waste of limited resources. Waiting for a third viable telecom player to arise is more like wishful thinking on the part of government. In the meantime, what government should do is invest in digital infrastructure, starting with a national broadband network (NBN) that would complement the existing telecoms backbone already set up by the private sector. Studies have shown that increasing public spending in the telecoms sector would lead to a corresponding hike in the rate of economic growth. Every 10 percent increase in the number of broadband subscribers (broadband penetration) corresponds to a 1.23 percent rise in gross domestic product, while doubling data connection speeds increases the GDP by 0.3 percent. As the economy expands and incomes rise, Read More …

NGCP raises alarm over transmission pilferage

 Economy
Aug 202016
 
NGCP raises alarm over transmission pilferage

RA 7832 or the Anti-Electricity and Electric Transmission Lines/ Materials Pilferage Act of 1994 prohibits the possession, control, or custody of electric power transmission line/material by any person not engaged in the transmission or distribution of electric power, or in the manufacture of such materials. File photo MANILA, Philippines – Despite information campaigns, the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) is alarmed over the increase of transmission line and tower parts theft in the last two years as this could cause interruption in the delivery of electricity to consumers. NGCP said in a statement there has been higher instance of transmission line and tower parts pilferage since 2014. In 2015 alone, 13 incidents of stolen parts from transmission lines, substations, and other related facilities were reported to NGCP. Five cases have been reported from January to May 2016. RA 7832 or the Anti-Electricity and Electric Transmission Lines/ Materials Pilferage Act of 1994 prohibits the possession, control, or custody of electric power transmission line/material by any person not engaged in the transmission or distribution of electric power, or in the manufacture of such materials. Those found guilty will face 12 to 20 years of imprisonment and fines ranging from P50,000 to P100,000. Meanwhile, NGCP’s information campaign has resulted in a steady decrease of electrocution incidents, from a peak of 29 in 2012 to a five-year low of 17 in 2015. No employee-related accidents were also recorded for 2015 and 2016. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 It Read More …

Asia-Pacific suffering from ‘worrisome’ digital divide: ESCAP

 Economy
Aug 192016
 

The “worrisome” digital divide across Asia and the Pacific in terms of fixed broadband subscription is growing, with broadband capabilities and access being highly concentrated in East and North-East Asia, while the rest of the region lags far behind, a new study by the United Nations’ Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) said on Friday.

Central bank further eases forex rules

 Economy
Aug 192016
 
Central bank further eases forex rules

MANILA, Philippines – The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) announced the further easing of foreign exchange rules, this time covering non-banks with quasi-banking functions (NBQBs). BSP Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. said in a statement the Monetary Board has approved the lifting of prior BSP approval and registration requirements for loans to be obtained by (NBQBs) from offshore sources, offshore banking units and foreign currency deposit units (FCDUs) of banks. The BSP said the lifting of the approval and registration requirements for borrowings of NBQBs would take effect on Sept. 15 together with the other liberalization measures approved by the regulator last week. BSP Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo told reporters the new policy would facilitate borrowing transactions of NBQBs to fund their operations and projects and better contribute to economic growth. Guinigundo explained the transactions would still be covered by the reportorial requirements under the Manual of Regulations on Foreign Exchange Transactions. NBQBs are financial institutions that do not have full banking license but they facilitate bank-related financial services such as investment, risk pooling, contractual savings and market brokering. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 These financial institutions are authorized by BSP to borrow funds from 20 or more lenders for their own account through issuances, endorsement or assignment with recourse or acceptance of deposit substitutes for purposes of re-lending or purchasing receivables and other obligations. Tetangco said the BSP would continue to study and adopt policy reforms given prevailing conditions as well as projected trends and developments Read More …

IT security firm bats for regural standards in banks

 Economy
Aug 192016
 
IT security firm bats for regural standards in banks

MANILA, Philippines – As banks are the most vulnerable to cyber attacks, imposing standards to beef up security as well as promoting greater cooperation among financial institutions would be needed to allow them to better address threats, Tokyo-based information technology (IT) security solutions provider Trend Micro said. Raimund Genes, Trend Micro’s global chief technology officer, said in a briefing for CLOUDSEC, an event intended to raise the awareness of enterprises on cybersecurity, putting in place standards to be followed to strengthen safeguards, would help financial institutions better respond to cyber threats. “The banking systems are not standardized enough around Southeast Asia. It could be better and definitely something could be done,” he said. He said stronger cooperation among banks by sharing of information would also allow them to be more prepared for such risks. Given higher online threats against Philippine bank clients, Trend Micro recommends that multiple layers of protection are made available internally. Vulnerabilities must also be addressed immediately. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 As prevention can save the bank or any organization from the stress in dealing with a cyber attack, Trend Micro also recommends the launch of security awareness campaigns in the workplace to ensure employees and clients are prepared. Genes noted that for every five minutes, 1,800 new cyber threats are being generated. Within the same period, about 6,730 customer records are also being breached. “Managing and empowering employees with a security-savvy mindset has to be urgently brought to the top of Read More …

Airlines agreeable on inclusion of terminal fees in tickets

 Economy
Aug 192016
 
Airlines agreeable on inclusion of terminal fees in tickets

MANILA, Philippines – Airline companies have signaled willingness to integrate airport terminal fees into the cost of their plane tickets, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said. Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo said that major airlines have already agreed in principle to include in their ticket charges the domestic passenger service charge (DPSC), more commonly known as the terminal fee. She said this consensus was revealed during a consultation meeting with officials of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and executives of airline companies. According to the DOT, the plan will shorten queues inside airport terminals and make traveling easier for Filipinos. “This one is pursuant to the 10-point agenda of President Rodrigo Duterte. He has mentioned, time and again, the importance of facilitating processes and systems in government,” Tourism Undersecretary for Development Planning Benito Bengzon Jr. said. “In this case, we are working together with the different airlines and our partner government agencies in making it easier for the traveling public. And we do that by integrating the various fees that are collected,” he added. Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1 Bengzon, who chaired the exploratory talks between the DOT, CAAP and the airlines, said there is first a need to finalize the memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the stakeholders to ensure effective implementation. CAAP spokesperson Eric Apolonio agreed, saying, “It works well with NAIA (Ninoy Aquino International Airport). So it’s like replicating that in other airports. However, each airport is unique so we should flesh Read More …

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