The future of business and why sustainability matters
Tough choices, turbulent world—these are the challenges that today’s CEOs face.
Globalization 4.0 is changing the business equation that now, they have to aim for sustainability with the same vigor they put in pursuing profitability targets.
As discontent with the old order continues to escalate because of perceived global imbalance, people are turning to businesses to help solve society’s problems.
The 2019 Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) CEO Conference boldly brings this discussion in a forum that will tackle the future of business and how business leaders can navigate the pressure points in this emerging world order.
Thought leaders will provide insights that can help expand the arsenal of strategies and options as they face the future.
With climate change and sustainability becoming two of the world’s most serious challenges, businesses have to review the way they operate alongside governments and communities to address the triple bottom line—profits, people, planet.
Keynote speaker Eur. Ing. Henry K.H. Wang (president, Gate International) will speak on “Business Sustainability Impacts and Future Developments,” sharing his extensive knowledge on energy and sustainable business.
A figure in the international speaking circuit, Mr. Wang has published over 100 papers and speeches plus several books on climate change and renewable energy, and holds international patents on new process inventions.
Author and innovation strategy consultant Deepa Prahalad will explore the profound changes that are moving the needle to close the gap between the haves and the have-nots. With the business environment continuously in a state of flux, it’s time to realize “The New Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid.” Ms. Pralahad’s book, “Predictable Magic: Unleash the Power of Design Strategy to Transform Your Business,” was selected by Fast Company as one of the Best Design Books of the Year. She will share her thoughts about emerging markets and innovation.
Businesses cannot operate in a vacuum and they have to pay attention to their stakeholders—regulators, investors, employees, governments and NGOs alike. Companies are now expected to disclose their sustainability efforts and performance, yet many still have to define the linkage between what they do and the value these create for their businesses and stakeholders. Sustainability is more than just a compliance requirement, it is poised to become a core business agenda.
In “How Sustainability Practices Impact Shareholder Value,” Andrew WK Chan (Sustainability & Climate Change Leader, PWC South East Asian Consulting Services, Malaysia) will share the insights gained from PWC’s research, especially on the factors that will establish the link between sustainability performance and value creation.
All these raging issues cannot just be plain talk. Social entrepreneurs are showing through their initiatives that development can be a major undertaking that can combine doing well by doing good.
These pioneers will take the spotlight in the panel discussion on “Doing the Unthinkable,” where a new breed of entrepreneurs will share their experiences in building enterprises anchored on engagement with their communities.
Four Filipino social entrepreneurs who are slowly changing the world will discuss their philosophies and how they animate what they do.
Jeannie Javelosa, founder of Echostore and of Gender-Responsive Economic Actions for the Transformation of Women (GREAT Women), is an advocate for culture and sustainable development, providing opportunities for underprivileged women in the Philippines and in Southeast Asia and helping them establish their own micro-enterprises and gain access to global markets.
Illac Diaz founded Liter of Light, which has helped thousands alleviate themselves from energy poverty through a clever and environment-friendly lighting concept, using recycled plastic bottles to avoid relying on traditional and centralized energy providers, such as coal, nuclear or hydro plants. Mr. Diaz works to empower communities in the Philippines and around the world through several pioneering programs in rammed earth, bamboo, and PET plastic bottle construction. Georgianna Carlos, who made it to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Asia 2019 list, is the cofounder and CEO of Fetch! Naturals—a premium pet care brand that uses only natural ingredients such as neem or jicama.
Bro. George Maria will talk about Yamang Bukid, a successful agrifarm endeavor that shares the harvest of the enterprise with the employees and staff whom they consider partners in their initiatives.
The future of business places people front and center. Today’s competitiveness will hinge in a large measure on the ability of organizations to leverage their human capital.
“How Top Tier Companies Across the Globe Create Organizational Excellence” highlights human capital development as key to outstanding results, particularly the actions that produce the most significant increases in energy, performance and relationships.
Deanna Murphy (founder and CEO, People Acuity), author of the book “Shift Up! Strengths Strategies for Optimal Living,” will talk about people acuity—clearly seeing and effectively optimizing people in a people-focused human economy.
She will be joined by psychologist, coach and adventurer Steve Jeffs (Chief Innovation Officer, People Acuity), who translates his passion for extreme sports and environments into results. He focuses on helping people to achieve what was previously impossible.
Clearly, the 2019 MAP Conference is where we expect ideas to trigger innovation and action by providing Filipino business leaders with the spark and inspiration to begin the process of reinventing themselves, at least for those who intend to sustain their operation now and in the future.
Mark this not-to-be-missed conference in your calendar: Sept. 10, 2019, at the Makati Shangri-La. This is spearheaded by MAP and BusinessWorld, along with knowledge partner PwC/ Isla Lipana & Co.
Platinum sponsors include Ayala, Shell, BDO, SM Investments and Sun Life Financial. Diamond sponsors are EON and FranklinCovey. Gold sponsors are Divina Law and Navarro Amper & Co./Deloitte Philippines. Silver sponsors are BPI, Development Dimensions International (DDI) Philippines, Digital Out of Home, Inc. (DOOH), Maynilad, Meralco, NOAH Business Applications, SGV and Unionbank. Bronze sponsors are Air21, BDB Law wts, FPH, FWD, Gardenia, Grand Hyatt, Healthway Medical, IP Converge, Megawide, MPTC, NLEX, P&A Grant Thornton, Philippine Coffee Board, PLDT, RSM (Reyes Tacandong & Co.), Stradcom, Teleperformance and The Bellevue Manila.
Print media partners are the Philippine Daily Inquirer, The Daily Tribune, The Manila Times, and The Philippine Star. Broadcast Media Partner is ANC. Makati Shangri-La is the hotel partner. The conference will be livestreamed by BIPStream.
The author is the chair of the MAP CEO Conference Committee and the CEO of The EON Group, a fully integrated communications agency. Feedback at <[email protected]> and <[email protected]>. For previous articles, please visit .
