The Medical City : Leading a change in a changing organization.

Change for change's sake is a recipe of failure. Change should only be pursued in a context of a clear goal, be it personal, group, organizational or societal.

The inauguration of the Medical City more than the transfer of address and physical makeover, rather about its organizational transformation. Meticulously and systematically redefined structures and systems, reengineered business process and programs, renewed attitudes and actions to a better alignment of institutional imperatives.

Their Mission, Vision, Values, Balance Scorecard Strategy Map gives them the clear direction that's solidly based to drive definite decisions, communicated in a way everyone understands that make them successful, special and exceptional.

Among the initiatives of Organizational Development and Transformation process that they adapted includes Formulation of a Strong Mission and Vision, Primacy of Human Resources, Re-engineering Business Process, Culture Scan and Institutionalizing New Approaches.

Behind the successful transfer of the Medical City is Dr. Alfredo Bengzon, AGSB alumni, whose leadership is worth following. A role leader who acted as conservator of values and institution.

The Medical City was structured as a decentralized organization, and voiced out as a great, grand, fantastic and world class hospital. Its organizational development and transformation has made significant contributions to the financial growth and operational efficiency of the organization.

CONTINUOUS TRANSFORMATION

It does not stop being transformed, they set sights on an even more challenging goal, programs were continuously evaluated with the changing environment and needs of organization, new product development and service enhancements. Aiming to be the "Capital of Health" on a vision to contribute and serve for the national purpose.

True to say Leadership, Change Management and Communication are so intimately linked, that its really not possible to be successful at the first two without well develop communications skill.

Part of success in manging organizational change lies in the manager's ability to choose the right channels of communication that match the context and to phrase the messages properly.

"As the business and market evolves so too do business process."

If it ain't broke, don't fix it

In a competitive business environment, there is a constant battle for market share and brand dominance. And occasionally even large competitors make very public errors. The rivalry between Pepsi Cola and Coca-Cola is almost as old as time itself. Pepsi have always been No. 2 but they certainly rocked the boat when they introduced the “ Pepsi Challenge” – blind tasting to see if consumers could tell the two brands apart. Much to the horror of Coca-Cola’s senior executives, most participants preferred Pepsi’s sweeter products. The bait was set.

In the 1980s Pepsi continued their assault by not taking only the Pepsi Challenge global but also further strengthening their position with the help of celebrity endorsements aimed at the younger end of the market. Coca-Cola were losing ground not only to Pepsi but also to other drinks in the market.

The problem as far as Coca-Cola was concerned came down to taste – the Pepsi Challenge highlighted that time and time again – so Coke took what could be seen as a logical next step… they tinkered with the recipe.

What Pepsi had succeeded in doing was to bait Coca-Cola into competing on the one issue they wouldn’t win. Coca-Cola started to work on a new formula and on 23 April 1985 (doing my maths, that’s exactly 25 years ago) “New Coke” was launched. A few days later, production of the original Coca-Cola was stopped. This two-pronged decision has since been referred to as the biggest marketing blunder of all time. Consumers demonstrated their outrage by boycotting New Coke. Even Pepsi realised the magnitude of the error before Coke did and exploited the situation. They ran a TV advert featuring an old man sitting on a park bench looking devastated, staring at his can of coke : ‘ They changed my Coke; I can’t believe it”

Coca-Cola seriously underestimated the power of their brand. Coke, it seemed, had a passionate, loyal and committed market that didn’t care whether Pepsi tasted better or not – they would never switch. On 11 July 1985, Coca-Cola chairman Roberto Goizueta announced at a press conference: “We have heard you!” New Coke was scrapped. The reinstatement of the original recipe was considered so significant that it appeared in a news flash on ABC News and other US networks and has not been touched since.

Coca-Cola was baited in fighting a battle it never needed to enter. It was after all, ‘the real thing”.

1985 Coca-Cola commercial after reverting to old recipe.

Turning misfortune into gain

When Erin Brockovich was involved in a car accident she was already down on her luck - after two failed marriages, she had three kids and precious little money in the bank. She hired Los Angeles attorney Ed Masry to seek compensation from the negligent driver but lost the case. In desperation, she begged Masry to give her a job. He did and her initial misfortune turned into such staggering gain that Hollywood made a film about her story, starring Julia Roberts.

What makes her story special is that the gain was not just hers. She got interested in a case involving residents of small Californian desert town called Hinkley. Mysterious illness had affected the residents, who all lived near Pacific Gas & Electric ( PG&E). Although she had no experience, she followed the case like a dog after the bone. Masry realised she was on to something and sued. In 1996, PG&E settled for $333 million. Not only it was the highest pollution lawsuit ever settled in US history but it also meant that hundreds of families seriously affected by corporate negligence got the help they deserved.

When opportunities arrive - whether through accident, chance or synchronicity - take them. Always seek to find something good from every challenge you face and "turn misfortune into gain".

Exploring Services : Cura Kalikasan

Environmental obstruction through deforestation, air, water and soil pollution and careless waste disposal are the issues confronting Mother Earth and these were brought to the fore in the recent devastations wrought by typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng in the country.

Massive tree planting is my ambitious move to improve the air that we breathe. But how can the tree seedlings survive if the soil, water and air they need are polluted?

We must learn to reuse and recycle our garbage and dispose them through proper segregation.

Patronize commercial establishments that use recyclable or biodegradable materials for packaging or serving their products.

Support farmers who grow vegetables organically grown which are safer to eat.

Save the water used for rinsing clothes and use this to flush the toilet or water the plants.


Save Mother Earth now. It’s the only one we have!

How did Ateneo Maintain Leadership in Education?

They have the WOW! Tools. A strong BRAND that was created and maintained!

Exploring Services : Internet

Technology has reshaped the way we play, communicate, plan our lives, and where we worked. The internet has create a new business model - e-commerce, in which business transactions and relationships can be conducted electronically.

We can send online greeting cards, purchase clothes, flowers, airline tickets and even pick up groceries for you. Companies can connect with job candidates accross the world on http://www.monster.com/. Internet gives employees instant access to experts whom they can communicate with and to newgoups , which bulletin boards are dedicated to specific areas of interest, where employees can read, post and respond to messsages and articles.