Business as usual under a new reality

Frederick Ong

To say that it is business as usual these days is almost impossible for most companies. In the time of a pandemic of this scale, businesses—whatever the industry—are navigating unchartered waters that seem to be a first for most of us to work around, given the limitations and restrictions in movement.

There’s the extended enhanced community quarantine, total lockdown in some areas, or general community quarantine in some, limited manpower, closed stores, depleting resources due to paused operations and manufacturing of products, among many others, which are clearly causing an economic downturn with financial losses left and right. And the effects of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic don’t discriminate, as startups, small and medium enterprises, and big companies are on the same boat at this time.

Essential goods

Even for sectors consi­dered as essential goods, there’s a lot of learning and adjusting that we need to do—from replanning business calendars to fit our “new normal” to implementing contingency plans and activating risk management committees to, at least, manage the potential threats and problems that may arise during this health crisis. This is because we need to continuously deliver our products and services to areas that would need us most.

In our case, since Pepsi Cola Products Philippines Inc. (PCPPI) is a company engaged in the business of manufactu­ring and distribution of basic commodities—such as water, juices, hydration drinks and other carbonated beverages—we are tasked with continuously operating our manufacturing plants.

As we would need the service of some of our people to heed the call of the government to ensure that basic commodities, such as food and beverages, are delivered and made accessible to the Filipino people, PCPPI implemented various flexible work arrangements, including days of plant closure in select areas and the use of a skeleton workforce to support our operations, as we remain committed to deliver high-quality products to our countrymen. Work-from-home arrangements were also made available to employees.

These efforts are coupled with continuous health advisories to ensure the safety, health and well-being of our people. But operating in an uncontrollable environment, such as that we are currently in, is harder than it seems. When I was appointed as the new president and CEO of PCPPI in February of this year, I had clear visions in mind—for PCPPI to conti­nue hitting growth targets, while championing sustainable practices and advocacies, to deve­lop stronger work culture and ethics, and to continue growing the company for our people, the nation, and the generations to come.

But as the saying goes, “plans don’t always go as planned.”

Meaningful changes

Now, we are operating via new ways of working and systems we never thought possible before. This is us adjusting quickly to the changing needs of our people, customers and other stakeholders while managing financial and operatio­nal difficulties. We developed community consumer programs to satisfy direct consumer requirements ensuring the safe practices for our employee protection. This is us operating in a Vuca (volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity) world where we need to adapt swift decision-making to manage risks and present opportunities, despite the threats of lost revenue and added expenses.

But it is during these times that we are given the chance to turn challenges into meaningful changes to give back to the communities and save more lives. True to what we espouse as the “bayanihan” spirit, all plants of PCPPI have initiated donation drives for the be­nefit of the country’s unsung front-line heroes such as me­dical professionals and those who are manning checkpoints during the time of COVID-19 pandemic. We have donated more than 6,000 cases of drinks, and lent to local government units tents for the use of front-liners across regions. We have also provided our important beverages to COVID-19 centers and hospitals because this is our way of showing that PCPPI and our employees truly care.

The water tanks we dona­ted last year for the “Water for Peace in Marawi” project is also being used in the quarantine facility in Marawi for their water needs. Likewise, we continue to take part in programs related to water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH) activities for children, as hand-washing becomes all the more critical these days.

And then we ask, when will normal operations resume? As far as the business sector is concerned, we still don’t know. But almost all of us, our competitors included, are now openly sharing best practices and resources to respond to the immediate needs of the nation and the world.

This is continuing our businesses in unusual times, because we hope to fulfill our commitments to the people we serve.

Clearly, the plan is to continue moving forward. Although recovery would take time, at least we are all doing our best to win this battle together. This is us now saying that it may still be business as usual for us, albeit under a new reality. —CONTRIBUTED INQ

The author is the president and CEO of Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines Inc. (PCPPI). A seasoned industry professional, Ong has over 25 years of senior-level experience and expertise in commercial management in various sectors, including FMCG in food, personal care & pharmaceutical, consumer electronics, and automotive supply industries.

Before his appointment as the head of PCPPI effective on Feb. 16, he served as the vice president and group general manager and chief marketing lead for the Yokohama Group of Companies and Century Motolite Battery Sdn Bhd based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.