Category: Business

Accenture advances to No. 41 on Interbrand’s 100 Best Global Brands

PRNEWS Leave a comment

Accenture has climbed to the No. 41 position on Interbrand’s 100 Best Global Brands, up from No. 43 in 2012.

With a 2013 brand value increasing 8 percent to $9.471 billion—our highest brand value to date—Accenture had the highest growth in brand value among competitors. Accenture’s brand value was $8.745 billion in 2012.

Interbrand’s study, considered the definitive guide to the world’s most valuable brands, comprises global brands with publicly available marketing and financial data and positive economic profit. To determine brand value, the ranking examines a company’s financial performance, role of the brand in the purchase decision process and brand strength.

In its coverage of Accenture, Interbrand says, “The brand continues to explore new ways to deliver high performance to its clients in ways that are meaningful to them, and the integration of digital agency Fjord into Accenture Interactive in early 2013 marks another step toward digital expertise. Accenture further expanded that digital expertise through a recent strategic investment in and expansion of its relationship with Apigee, providers of an enterprise-grade API management platform, forming a global alliance to deliver solutions that help clients more easily build mobile applications and connect enterprise systems.”

Interbrand also lauds our corporate citizenship focus on Skills to Succeed: “Ever delivering against its tagline, the mission of Skills to Succeed is to give people around the world the opportunity to deliver high performance in their own right, showing why Accenture remains one of the world’s leading management consulting organizations.”

“The Accenture brand is a powerful differentiator, and our brand success ultimately reflects the work our people do every day to help clients achieve high performance,” said Chief Marketing & Communications Officer Roxanne Taylor. “I was pleased that Interbrand singled out the success of our powerful marketplace positioning as well as the success of Skills to Succeed, our global corporate citizenship initiative. We should all feel proud to be recognized among the most powerful and iconic brands in the world.”

This ranking is not open to influence and is based on an assessment of three key aspects:
• Financial performance—Reviews revenue and earnings, as well as equity analyst estimates for future performance. Share price and stock performance are not included in analysis
• Role of the brand—Measures the portion of the purchase decision that is attributable to the brand
• Strength of the brand—Assesses the brand’s ability to drive purchase choice, retain customer loyalty and secure expected future earnings

Manila Water Foundation upholds importance of proper handwashing

PRNEWS Leave a comment

In Photo: More than 7,000 individuals from different parts of the country participate in the celebration of Global Handwashing Day. 

Manila Water Foundation, the additional corporate social responsibility arm of East Zone concessionaire Manila Water Company for areas outside Metro Manila, visited different parts of the archipelago spreading the value of handwashing as part of proper hygiene and healthcare. The Foundation joined over 100 countries, involving more than 200 million people across five continents in celebrating the 2013 Global Handwashing Day.

Carla Beriña-Kim, Executive Director of Manila Water Foundation, imparts that handwashing serves as an easy and cost-effective measure in preventing different infections and diseases. “This simple task can lower the number of people affected by fast-spreading illnesses that take a toll not only on one’s health, but also on the family’s budget. When done properly, regularly and collectively, handwashing can create healthier communities”, says Beriña-Kim.

On its first year to lead a series of events for the Global Handwashing Day in the Philippines, Manila Water Foundation staged a week-long celebration that saw more than 7,000 people participating in its activities. Students, teachers, and school personnel from different schools in Metro Manila, Pampanga, Laguna, and Boracay Island were visited by the Foundation, informing them on the proper way of washing one’s hands and how responsibly transforming this into a habit may reduce vulnerability to different health risks and infections. Partakers were encouraged to stamp their handprints on the pledge wall to signify their commitment to practice proper handwashing and to encourage their family and friends to do the same. In a move to further its advocacy, Manila Water Foundation extended its efforts by setting up booths that deliver information on the benefits of handwashing in Trinoma Mall in Quezon City, Pavillion Mall in Biñan, Laguna, Nuvali in Sta. Rosa, Laguna and Marquee Mall in Angeles, Pampanga. Participants showed their support to the cause by contributing in the pledge sticker wall. As its culminating event, the Foundation conducted an information and education drive at the Boracay Beach Front Station One and enjoined tourists and locals alike to practice proper handwashing.

The successful celebration was co-presented by Manila Water, Laguna Water, Clark Water, Boracay Water, and supported by the Department of Education, Globe Telecom, Ayala Malls, Unilever (Vaseline as official soap sponsor), Universal Robina Corporation (Granny Goose Tortillos, Mang Juan, Hunt’s and Refresh), Unilab (RiteMed and Ceelin Plus) and Enchanted Kingdom, as well as media partners, The Philippine Star, Business World, Health Today and Working Mom.

CHRC, Clark Water to gather HR Practitioners in first-ever industry summit

PRNEWS Leave a comment

Clark Human Resource Council (CHRC), in partnership with Clark Water will be holding the First Industry Summit on People Management and Industrial Relations on November 14 to 15 at the Fontana Convention Center, Clark Freeport. The event, dubbed as INSPIRE 1.0, aims to support companies from Metro Clark, Metro Subic, as well as those in the nearby areas in meeting global and social standards in the field of Human Resource Management.

With the influx of local and foreign investments in Philippine Freeports and Ecozones such as Clark, Subic and surrounding municipalities, massive job opportunities have been available. Both locations have opened its doors to some 2,000 investor-locator projects, employing almost 200,000 skilled and semi-skilled workers. According to Precius David, CHRC Board Representative for Clark Water, while these investments have generated an upsurge in employment opportunities, it is equally important that the quality of jobs generated be evaluated as well. “We are extremely thankful that the country’s economic upswing brought about in part by the influx of investments has redounded to more jobs for the people. However, we need to ensure that issues on employment sustainability and employment quality must be addressed. Only if these challenges are overcome can we say that the trickle down impact of the country’s economic growth has the capacity to depress the country’s poverty rate”, said David. She adds that it is essential for companies to ensure that jobs created provide gainful employment. “Understanding employee needs in line with social demands will allow companies to empower their people, and in effect heighten their business competency whether in the local or global arena.”

The event INSPIRE 1.0 will gather more than 500 HR professionals from the region and practitioners from major corporations in the country. Ideas on how to energize the HR practice with the goal of solidifying the country’s role as a global and sustainable investment haven will be showcased by the best minds from the field of Labor, Human Resource, and Industrial Relations. Aside from this, the event will also host a business and investment expo where major investors, suppliers, and service providers will promote their products and services. Open to the general public are the on-site job fair where aspiring employees will have two full days to apply for over a thousand immediate job vacancies; and the all-day Market Fair of different regional flares and delicacies.

CHRC, together with Clark Water, invites HR professionals to join an insightful, engaging, and interactive summit. For more information visit labor@clar.com.ph or call (45)499-2245 or 599-2045.

Bato Balani Foundation Presents its 2013 Honorees

PRNEWS Leave a comment

Bato Balani Foundation believes that by discovering these noble educators and honoring them, it will make every Filipino aware of the sublime nature and valuable contribution of the teacher to society thereby encouraging every Filipino mentor to achive excellence in teaching

Bato Balani Foundation Inc. (BBFI), with the support of Diwa Learning Systems Inc, presents its The Many Faces of the Teacher honorees for 2013. For years now, the foundation through The Many Faces of the Teacher advocacy program searches for teachers who showed exceptional commitment to their profession and to the community where they teach. The search once again took BBFI from the northern end of the country all the way to down south.

Teodora Balangcod, an associate professor of biology at the University of the Philippines in Baguio City, shares her knowledge about plants and human ecology not only to her students but to the indigenous communities she regularly visits in Benguet. “Indentifying the needs of these communities includes helping them better understand and appreciate the role of plant in human life,” said Dr. Balangcod. Endearingly called “Dora the Explorer” by many of her students, Dr. Balangcod also provides free books to assist tribe people in their learning, and encourages them to take part in the rehabilitation of areas devastated by landslides.

Julieta Serrano, a grade school teacher at San Joaquin Central School in La Paz, Iloilo City, has committed her life in leading her students, particularly those with special needs, to excel in class and in competition. Her calling began when she and some friends would look for free areas every Saturday where they can teach special children basic school lessons. In 2008, after years of lobbying, Serrano finally got to make San Joaquin Central School set up a Special Education department that offered services for children with visual and hearing impairment, autism and cerebral palsy. “Given adequate attention, these kids can do better than others,” Serrano said, explaining why it’s not pity that motivates her passion.

The long travel Randy Halasan takes every day to go to Pegalongan Elementary School in Barangay Malamba, Davao City has never wavered his commitment to its students and its community. For six years now, Halasan has been helping its students see the importance of continuing their education and been providing its community a sustainable source of living. “No matter how good you are in teaching, if the people are hungry, your efforts are useless,” said Halasan. To help alleviate poverty in the area, Halasan organized the Pegalongan Farmers Association to teach residents to become food sufficient, capable of farming various vegetables and durable crops. Halasan was also instrumental in getting the Department of Education to build more concrete classrooms in his school.

Two Palanca Awards, a doctorate degree and a Masters in literature has opened a lot of doors for Jesus Insilada to work in Manila or abroad. But he chose to stay in his hometown Iloilo and cultivate in the minds and hearts of his students a love for Hiligaynon and Kinaray-a. “I like my students to express themselves in their mother tongue. I believe when they do that, the feeling is authentic and from the heart,” said Insilada. Many of his well-crafted work, influenced by the traditions and history of his birthplace, are being used by teachers in Iloilo and endorsed by DepEd. By forming a group that focuses on his native heritage, Insilada gives his students an opportunity to be a part of something that would make them proud someday.

Oxford Business Group Partners with De La Salle University in Global Academic Programme Initiative

PRNEWS Leave a comment

Oxford Business Group (OBG), the global publishing, research and consultancy firm, has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Ramon V. del Rosario College of Business (RVR-COB) at De La Salle University (DLSU).

Under the agreement, students and faculty staff at the college will be given a university subscription; which offers online access to OBG’s full library of business reports on over 35 emerging markets, and more than 22,000 original articles from over 20 years of primary research, searchable by keyword.

OBG’s Country Director, Lauren Denny, said “The Group’s collaboration with DLSU is part of OBG’s larger Academic Programme initiative to develop relationships with key universities around the world. Students and academics are using OBG as a key source for their dissertations and lectures, and OBG’s offer underlines our commitment to invest in the future leaders of business, investment and academia.

“Improving education is high on the agenda of President Benigno S. Aquino’s government, and we look forward to supporting the country’s bid to put education at the forefront of its development by sharing our business intelligence with the students and academics who are playing a role in shaping the country’s future.”

The President and Chancellor of DLSU, Brother Ricardo Laguda, said he was confident the university’s students and staff would benefit from having access to OBG’s library of reports.

“De La Salle University has worked closely with Oxford Business Group over the past years, contributing to its research on the Philippines’ economy and education sector specifically,” he said. “This new agreement will make an extensive bank of data available on a wide range of emerging markets in one location, which will prove useful to our students and staff, both now and in the future.”

Professor Maria Andrea L. Santiago, the Dean of the RVR-COB, added that with education earmarked for a key role in the country’s ‘inclusive growth’ programme, all eyes were on educational institutions in bringing through the country’s next generation of public and private sector decision-makers.

“As a higher-education training hub, De La Salle University attaches huge importance to research,” she said. “Any move that takes our collaboration with Oxford Business Group up a level can only be positive for the university and its students who will, I’m sure, relish the opportunity to draw on this rich resource.”

OBG currently partners with more than 60 universities and business schools worldwide as part of the programme, providing more than 10,000 students with access to its data. Locally, OBG is also engaging with Centro Escolar University, Jose Rizal University, National University, Philippine Christian University, University of the East, and will continue to reach out to the leading tertiary institutions in the Philippines.

OBG produces annual investment and economic reports on more than 35 emerging markets across the globe. The Report: The Philippines 2014, which marks the Group’s fifth anniversary publication on the country, will be published later this year with research assistance from Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Makati Business Club, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Banco De Oro Unibank, SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan and Punongbayan & Araullo.

It will include a chapter on the country’s education sector, while also focusing on the many other facets of the country, including its macroeconomics, infrastructure, banking and other sectoral developments. The publication will be available in print or online.