B2B: Breakfast to Business

In this episode of Breakfast 2 Business, Bea Lim talks with NCC Group Country Director Saira Acuna about their commitment to social responsibility and how they’re shaping future cybersecurity defenders through university partnerships and industry programs. Saira also shares how NCC Group fosters a dynamic work environment to attract and retain top talent. Join us to learn how NCC Group is securing our digital future and developing the next generation of cyber defenders.

In this Breakfast 2 Business episode, TeamAsia President and CEO Bea Lim engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Pointwest Chief Executive Officer Mitch Gross, who shares insights into the company's holistic approach to solving business challenges. Drawing from over 20 years of expertise in digital transformation, data analytics, cloud computing, and AI, Mitch explains how Pointwest has distinguished itself as an industry leader. Mitch also outlines Pointwest's expanding global vision and strategy to leverage international market experience to enhance business relationships and services. He delves into the significance of the company’s robust global partnerships and tailored solutions designed to meet the unique needs of clients worldwide. Furthermore, Mitch highlights the impact of Pointwest's recent hackathon, a collaborative effort with Amazon Web Services (AWS) that introduces students to the transformative power of AI. This initiative not only equips the next generation with essential skills but also fosters a culture of innovation and community engagement, nurturing future leaders who will drive technological advancements and societal progress.

In this episode, Bea Lim talks to The Blue Leaf’s Eugene Sandejas as he shares how they curate transformative culinary journeys, offer innovative takes on classic dishes, surprise courses, and multi-course feasts. We delve into their groundbreaking "Who's Cooking" series, where renowned groups of chefs or artists collaborate with their partner-caterers, redefining event cuisine and pushing the boundaries of Filipino culinary innovation. We also discuss their latest offering, Cleo by The Blue Leaf.  This stunning venue boasts neo-classical elegance and high ceilings, offering a perfect canvas for any event. We'll explore how Cleo can transform your dream celebration into reality.

Bea Lim talks to Capital One Philippines’ Heather Ramos and Wax Pangan about the transformative impact of women leaders in shaping the workforce. Explore inspiring stories, leadership insights, and the dynamic strategies employed by these remarkable women to drive positive change, foster diversity, and redefine success in the corporate landscape. This episode also highlights the valuable contributions of women in leadership, sparking a conversation on empowerment, resilience, and the limitless possibilities they bring into the professional realm and how these #InspireInclusion every single day, even past Women’s Month.

AI is here and it’s here to stay, to learn, to evolve and to enable. There are a multitude of discussions, threads of comments and conferences on the topics as people around the world make sense, understand and prepare for the “age of AI.” Big questions on market readiness, job securities, ethical use and practices and many many more have taken up headlines in the past year or so.  In our curious world here in TeamAsia, we’ve been exploring how we can embrace AI and see how it can help boost productivity, aid in the creativity process and challenge our innovative thinking. In this episode, we tackle the journey of AI discovery and the human x tech mindset.

How can women thrive in male-dominated industries? In celebration of the National Women’s Month and International Women’s Day, we talk to Winnie Rebancos, the  Technology Director and Chief Information Officer of Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines, Inc. and discuss the current condition of women in the workplace. We will also talk about how companies like CCBPI can use its platform and voice to promote equity and enable women to thrive in the workplace. What are the challenges they encounter in male-dominated industries and what they can do about it?

It’s that special time of year where we gather to celebrate women everywhere and put the spotlight on issues that need attention and action to push gender equality forward. The 2023 International Women’s Day theme is all about embracing equity. When we embrace equity, we embrace diversity, inclusion, harmony and unity --- driving success for all. Equality is the goal and equity is the means to get there. We talk about embracing equity and challenging the status quo and preconceived notions on gender and the role it plays in society.    https://www.internationalwomensday.com/  https://www.weps.org/

In this episode, Bea Lim talks to Capital One Philippines’ Head of Operations JP Paperman to discuss the pathway to the future of work. This episode will deep dive as to how Capital One Philippines manages operations in the work-at-home set-up (W@H), especially since the company just recently officially transitioned to this type of operations. Paperman will share insights on how they allow their associates to thrive, maintain work-life balance, and successfully maintain exceptional service for their clients amid the W@H system.

The pandemic and technology transformed how companies operate their businesses. From the work-from-anywhere set-up to how they deliver their services, technology has paved the way for companies to sustain operations no matter the disruptions. However, not everyone was able to adapt instantly to this transition; and some are still in the process of doing so. In this episode, B2B talks to NTT Ltd. 's Head of Solutions Andrei Lopez to share insights on the hybrid operation–the new reality of operations, its benefits, and its potential to lead companies to success.

Equality Inside Out is a special episode in partnership with the IMMAP and Investing in Women, An Australian Government Initiative. Last June, the IMMAP and Investing in Women organized a Breakfast Roundtable, which was a unique opportunity for IMMAP members to get up close and personal with some of the country’s leading digital marketers. Our focus: Gender equality at work and how it manifests in the work we do as movers and shakers in this digital creative industry. There is a clear business case for gender equality in campaigns. Research suggests that progressive gender portrayals can increase brand equity and have an impact on sales. As the industry endeavors to improve gender portrayals in campaigns and challenge tired stereotypes, the tendency is to look into the work itself. Three speakers. Ten participants with thought-provoking questions. One relevant and powerful conversation.

IWD 2022 calls individuals, communities, businesses and nations to break the bias by calling out inequality, discrimination and stereotyping at work and at home. In celebration of international women’s day, we are actively participating in this challenge of creating an equal world where everyone can flourish and belong. We talk to our number one role model and women economic empowerment champion Monette Hamlin to discuss the different stereotypes we consciously or subconsciously have in the workplace, how we can break the bias and some concrete actions or next steps we can take to create a more inclusive and healthy environment for all.

We end 2021, the year of transition, with amazing lessons from our inspiring guests and breakfast conversations throughout the year. It’s the ultimate throwback to meaningful discussions on our workforce, the future of work,  innovation, gender equality, mental health and sustainable leadership. What do you want to bring with you in 2022?

In this B2B episode, Bea discusses with Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation the general landscape of education in the country and why education will give hope and inspiration to children and the communities they belong to. This will be a platform where year 13 of MDIAS will be announced and how TeamAsia together with Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation will help empower students of today chase their #BiggerDreams.

Uploan is back on B2B. They launched its 2021 Employee Satisfaction Survey which looked into what Filipino employees need to feel well. Health & wellbeing, personal finance and mental health are this year’s frontrunners, and are strong indicators of what’s needed to empower and take care of our workforce. The question is: is mental health part of your 2022 planning agenda? Listen to Bea and Jenn discuss strong insights on the survey’s results and some tips and tricks on how to include health and overall wellbeing in your business agenda.

Russell Reynolds Associates released a study on the leadership competencies needed to drive the consumer sector in a post-covid era. The Covid-19 pandemic triggered rapid changes in consumer behaviour globally, including increased digitalisation, a rebalancing of life priorities, increased focus on hygiene standards, and a gravitation towards brands that align with their social values. A pre-Covid head start in digitalisation gave Asian companies an edge above other regions, and companies quick to respond to these sudden changes in their consumer profile saw a massive influx of new customers during the pandemic. The unique challenge leading Asian companies now face is retaining these new customers in the long term, and enabling their companies to be agile and resilient to navigate any future drastic shifts in consumer behaviour. In this B2B Episode, RRA’s Michelle Chan Crouse offers deep insights and best practices on what kind of leadership we need going forward into this continually evolving now normal. She also delves into the skills we should all prioritise in a post-pandemic world.

Nowadays, every business needs peanut butter to their jelly. Partnerships are important as ever as the business landscape continuously shifts and evolves responding to the times. How do you build strong and lasting partnerships? What are the key elements in making it work, growing it and sustaining it? What's the secret sauce in cultivating authentic business relations? In this episode, Bea talks to Moe Soriano, an amazing partner from UnionBank of the Philippines on the value of business partnerships and how this plays a huge part in succeeding and claiming the now normal.

In a fast paced world where everything just constantly changes and evolves in tune with the new beat, how important is it to have your community, your tribe? Mirela Sula shows us how it’s done. A global award-winning entrepreneur, Mirela created, cultivated and powered the global women movement inspiring women across the globe to achieve their goals and be financially empowered through the Global Woman Club. She created her tribe and grew it to be an empire, highlighting the amazing things that can move the world forward when you give a woman a microphone.

Against a backdrop of prevailing uncertainties, strengthening the country's global competitiveness remains at the center of the IT-BPM sector's key priorities. Currently, there is particular focus on how technology can further or hinder the industry's agenda for the next couple of years and ultimately, how it will impact growth. To ensure the sector’s growth, IBPAP leads conversations with stakeholders and partners on digitalization and human capital, which significantly influence (1) the Philippines’ economic recovery and (2) client/investor confidence in the country as an investment destination. In this episode, IBPAP President and CEO Rey Untal discusses how digitalization and the pandemic are reshaping employer and employee perception on hybrid work, its sustainability, and how it has become a crucial aspect in the sector’s “now normal.”

Early this year, we released a B2B Podcast episode on business trends for 2021, a year of transition. McKinsey & Company released an article at the start of the year that named eight major trends that would lead the course of transitioning from a year of uncertainty and constant shifts due to the COVID-19 pandemic, to years of recovery and evolution. In this podcast episode, Bea does a quick review of the trends and shares her insights on how these will play out for the second half of the year. We talk future of work, culture management, hybrid models, innovation and entrepreneurship.

Speaker: Rob Nunnally, Assistant General Manager, Capital One Philippines    A workplace should always be an avenue for growth, and to ensure that, companies should always push for an environment that is open and limitless for their associates. In order to do this, observing and practicing diversity, inclusion, and belonging should be at the very core of their culture.  Capital One Philippines has always been a company that values, respects, and accepts associates from different backgrounds, gender, age, and ethnicity. In this interview, Capital One Philippines’ Assistant General Manager Rob Nunnally will be discussing how Capital One is a workplace that shows malasakit to every associate including those who are a member of the LGBTQ+ community by creating a supportive environment that inspires them to be their authentic selves at work. He can also shed light on the fact that Capital One Philippines’ associates, no matter how different they are from each other, still feel that sense of belonging because of their DIB philosophy.