The Cs of Life: My BusCom Reflections

My second term at the graduate school has taught me a handful of life lessons. One of my three fountains of learning this term is my Business Communication subject. Yes, another fourteen weeks of discovering skills, of gaining knowledge and wisdom, and of building relationships.

Confession: I’ve always had this thing about life lessons. They are like chocolates to me: cravings. Ever since high school, I’ve been searching for deeper meanings of events and conversations.Even a professor’s simple statement can lead to a profound revelation that becomes an integral part of ME.I remember one college friend wrote on my yearbook something like this: “ Jaja loves to think and to talk about life.”

Until now, I still carry that repute. And my friends can tell. Even a simple statement from a professor can lead to a profound self-discovery or revelation that eventually becomes an integral part of ME. I always try to see the reasons behind a particular incident and its implications to my life.

My Business Communication (BusCom) subject is like Prince Caspian, Revenge of the Fallen, or New Moon—a sequel to my box-office (in my opinion) subject last term, Business Writing (BusWri). It’s quite obvious to my former BusWri classmates that I really loved the subject and of course, my section. And just like the box-office movies, we do love the first release, but we can’t wait to see the second part. We always hope that the sequel will be as good as the first, if not better. Same thing with my BusCom.:)

Confession: While I looked forward with anticipation to my second term, I had my apprehensions, too. I heard that BusCom is more difficult than BusWri.

Former BusCom students say that BusCom requires a lot writing and rewriting. Students are required to write letters and memos. For the finals, we will do videotaped oral presentations and will be criticized. And since I deliberately chose to take it under the grammar guru Ms. Marissa C. Marasigan, they said that it is going to be very arduous. I even remember asking Ms. Marissa a silly question during my BusWri farewell lunch out if she is demanding in BusCom. She replied wittingly, “What do you think, Jaja?” With that riposte, I still enrolled in her class.

Going back to my schoolmates' grievances on BusCom, isn’t the course all about Business COMMUNICATION? Shouldn’t we expect from our professors to teach us how to develop effective writing and oral presentation skills? How will a teacher assess our understanding of the lessons if he or she will not give tests? And shouldn’t we at least CHOOSE to learn from the best? So I resolved to prove that what people think of Ms. Marissa’s BusCom class is merely an urban legend.

You know, there is something more than just passing the subject or getting a 4.0 at the end of the term. I was under Ms. Marissa in BusWri last term…and I’m still alive. Actually, I'm better. So I decided to take on a different perspective. I set my heart and mind to learn as much as I can to be a better communicator. I constantly reminded myself of how much money I'm paying and how much time I'm spending in the grad school. But more than those reasons (and this is serious), I know one day God will use me for His grander plans and my ultimate job will require a great deal of communications. Now that’s a motivation!

BusCom has guiding principles and we call them the Cs of Effective Business Communication. For me, they are like steps to becoming a great leader! While Ms. Marissa did a wonderful job in teaching us these lessons (and my classmates did well in our business presentations), I figured that there is more than “meets the eye.” I find the principles - Cs of BusCom - relevant to one's life journey.

Let’s take a short walk.

1. Clarity

As human beings and the highest creation of God, we should all have a sense of purpose…a sense of direction. And that purpose must be clear to us—what God wants us to be and to do with our time, talents and resources. We will know His heart for us if we spend time reading His Word and cultivating our relationship with Him. We need to remember that God has a plan for us. A great future. We just need to fix our eyes on Him. In time, we will be able to see our lives through His lenses and live according to his pleasant, good and perfect will.

2. Coherence

Our lives must have a certain order. It’s not a shoot-anywhere kind of living. We need to have a definite plan to achieve the unity of purpose. That is why we need to have a purpose so we know what to plan on. Also, we need to set our priorities straight. And God must be the first in our list. If we seek Him first, we will have everything we need. That is why we have to be united with God. Our hearts to His heart. Our minds to His mind. Our spirits to His Spirit. Everything in and about us must be connected to our Creator.

3. Completeness

Everyone wants to be loved. Everyone needs to be loved. But we can only be perfectly complete in Christ. Jesus Christ completes us, not our Jeremy Maguires. God alone can fill that vacuum inside of us; Only He can make us whole. However, oftentimes we seek people’s approval and attention to find self-worth. Sooner or later we realize that they will never satisfy us. But God continues to reach us with His love. God’s love can quench our insatiable desire to be whole.

4. Conciseness

Less is more. We must learn the art of cutting unnecessary things from our lives such as anxieties, regrets, bitterness, and pride. They cripple us and make us miserable. In this journey, we have excess baggage: things we just want but don’t really need. We spend so much on the latest gadgets thinking that they will make our lives easy; however, they deprive us of the quality time we spend with our loved ones. Let us not let the hustles and bustles of life rub us from the best life God has for us.

5. Concreteness

While most people think that life is abstract, we need something concrete to appreciate it. For example, love is absolutely abstract, but we can see, hear and feel it by the actions and words of those who dearly loved us. God showed us how much He loved us by giving Himself to us first. That is love in action. Specific. Precise. Defined. Tangible. Real. Another thought about concreteness, however, speaks of our stubbornness. Sometimes, we don’t pay attention to the warnings, advices, and opinions from our loved ones, but we recklessly decide for our lives thinking that we are old enough to face the consequences, yet end up sorry for committing foolish choices. That is a concrete experience—the trouble and the pain that could have been avoided had we listen.

6. Consistency

Our actions must be consistent with our thoughts and words. Our decisions must be consistent with our convictions. Our values system must be defined by God’s opinion and not by our client’s affluence. Our leadership is measured by our integrity, honesty, and courage, and by our influence on others.

7. Courtesy and Considerateness

Life is all about people. Business is all about people. And pursuing people requires not much of a brilliant mind but considerably a good heart. We can never build relationships with out having the compassion and showing care for others. We have to think highly of others and we need to put their interest above ours because relationships are more important than profits.

8. Correctness

Though the correctness principle is a BusWri leitmotif, I find it appropriate to include the principle here because it is, after all, one of the Cs.

Since we all have messed up and there is no way for us to make up for our wrong doings, God has provided a way for us to be restored. He offers redemption through His Son Jesus Christ. He has lived a perfect, sinless life. And in Christ, we can receive forgiveness and adoption as God’s children—perfect, holy, and glorious. By the work of the Holy Spirit, our minds are renewed and our hearts are transformed.

Confession: After several sessions in BusCom, I realize that our lives are like letters and memos. People read our letters and memos and somehow our choice of words and punctuations speaks of who we are. That is why we have to proofread what we have written. Moreover, we have to reflect constantly on how we live our lives and how can make things better. :)

Sounds like I have proven the other students wrong about the urban legend. I don't really know. However, my BusCom "plight" was all worth it. That is why our weekly session became a thrill for me. I always awaited with eagerness - except for the waking up on Saturday mornings! - because I wanted to learn something new, something interesting. Each lesson has brought a new understanding though at times my classmates and I looked quizzical.

Every time Ms. Marissa introduced something new, my feedback was always accompanied by my subvocalized Oohhs and Aaahs. Along the way, I realize that yes, I love BusCom...and that includes the all quizzes, the assignments, the midterm (sigh!) and final exams, and the business presentations. I even have a BusCom suit. I had it tailored just for my presentation, which by the way, my dear professor announced to the whole class.

Oh, did I mention I was class president? Yes, I was. For the second time in Marasigan Republic. But nobody knows that my "executive" position (and my spiritual reputation) made me strive for excellence. Admittedly, I pressured myself to perform. I have never had copious grammar books in my life until Ms. Marissa became my professor.

In closing, I wish my classmates will remember all the good things we've shared in class and yes, the spiritual messages I courageously shared with them, including my reflections on the Cs.

But more than that, I pray they will remember the greatest C of all: Christ. He is the Alpha and the Omega…and everything in between. Apart from Christ we are nothing. In Him we move, we live, and we succeed. From Him, we draw strength, courage, hope, faith and love. May we always remember that Christ is the living WORD. He is the greatest communicator of all time—the WORD became flesh. He did not only tell us how much He loved us but also demonstrate His love for us by giving His life that we may live.

My hope is this: Message sent equals message received. :)

P.S.

If I have seriously committed circumlocution here, forgive me.

I thank Ms. Marissa for everything she has taught us. She may be one of the most difficult professors yet I believe she is one of the best assets De La Salle Graduate School has. I could not find any better words to say how grateful I am to be gleaning lessons from her field of expertise. I just wish everyone gets to appreciate the same.

BusCommified

CSR: Individual SL Journal No. 3 (submitted last November 27)

Give, and it will be given to you

"Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure-- pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return." Luke 6:38

Our Service Learning activity at the Tahanang Walang Hagdanan last November 22, 2009 made me realize that there are indeed great opportunities to serve others through the graduate school. Though I regularly get myself involved in community work for the children, youth, and young adults, my TWH experience is a significant event because it was my first official community involvement with the persons with disabilities.

Opportunity to influence others

Although it has limited resources and technical skills to address the major concerns of TWH such as funding for rehabilitation (after Ondoy) and for operation (business activities), the class still contributed something worthwhile and meaningful to the people at TWH, both to the adults and children. Being there for a few hours and making the people important—as the theme “kayo ang star!” clearly expressed our aspiration for that day—is a privilege for us. To recognize them and to let them know that we care make them feel assured them that there are people who truly concerned of their welfare.

As part of the team in charge of the children, I saw a great opportunity to influence young minds. I remember the saying: I want to touch the future therefore I teach. Children are the hope of tomorrow, but we must remember that we are the hope of today. So investing my time with the little children was indeed an occasion to build the future. They may belong in a marginalized community right now, but I believe that if they will have the opportunity to be educated and to be exposed, there is a possibility that a number of these TWH children will be good leaders someday. That’s why I treasured the time that I spent with them.

Also, the opportunity to influence others means that we can rally people behind us for a good cause. We influence people to run with the vision. And we took that opportunity to share our SL to some DLSU business students, family and friends, colleagues at work, and others. As a result We were able to raise about sixty one thousand pesos (P61,000) and received donations in kind through class contribution, DLSU business students gifts, corporate sponsorships, and family and friends pledges. The class campaigns was not only to raise funds but also to increase awareness of the activities that business students can have in the graduate school especially doing community service.

Opportunity to collaborate with community partners

We cannot do it alone. We need other people to help us achieve our purpose. And in the case of our TWH SL, we tapped the Preppi School to teach the TWH children. And this is one principle we have learned in class. To use our networks with entities that are competent in their respective endeavors. Through them, we can effectively implement our programs and our activities.

Also, I was able to engage the free service of a corporate logo designer to make our SL’s backdrop design. Since this is voluntary work and for a cause, my friend agreed to do the design for free.

We need to partner with people and organizations in order to attain our goals and to have a greater impact in the society. Doing these collaborations gave me a glimpse of how I could better construct and implement a good CSR program for my company in the future.

Opportunity to build relationships

The class became cohesive because we were geared toward a common goal: to make a difference. It’s not because we are required to do SL but we want to make a positive change in the lives of others. And because we have a prevalent purpose, we have developed better relationships among ourselves.

It is when we work with people that we get to know who they really are. Through our SL activity, I was able to interact with my classmates in a deeper level. And I am grateful for the opportunity that our SL activity gave.

Opportunity to use talents and abilities.

Quoting from Madsen’s SL in Management Education, “…most [business educators] use the pedagogy to provide students with opportunities to develop their other competencies important for successful business professionals such as critical thinking, writing, speaking, analysis, teamwork, interpersonal communication, and problem-solving (Godfrey and Grasso, 2000).”

I have seen how everyone contributed in the SL using our strengths and skills. I believe that this is how we can successfully address the community needs. I was so glad to see everyone helping one another and everyone doing even the simplest task of carrying water. It was a joy to see everyone serving, to see everyone going out of his or her comfort zone to extend hand—and heart—to the community.

Opportunity to learn by experience

I am thankful that the CSR class is not limited within the four-corners of our classroom. Our learning went beyond classroom discussions and reporting. It was really a real-world learning. And because of this, we gained educational depth and understanding of our responsibilities to others.

Opportunity to thank God and to celebrate Christmas

Furthermore, our SL is a time to be thankful for what the Good Lord has given us—our gift of life, our talents, our education. We ought to be grateful that we are in the position to bless others. He also has given the great honor to serve our friends at TWH. And Christmas approaches, it reminded me of the real reason for the season: Jesus Christ—One who demonstrated the greatest love that we can experience. Having an early Christmas celebration made our SL more meaningful because we celebrated the life of Christ. I could not think of any person who exemplified service moved by compassion and love for others better than the One who laid His life down for us to live.

My whole CSR SL experience gave me a better understanding of my role as a business leader. We make use of our resources to improve the lives of our stakeholders and to influence our community. Indeed, when we give, it will come back to us in good measure-- pressed down, shaken together, and running over. In fact, we will always have something to give. That is the secret of success and significance.

May we always learn to give ourselves to others and experience the joy of touching lives. May we use our influence in our respective companies to craft CSR activities that will contribute to the transformation our country. May we never forget the important principles and valuable lessons we have learned [and we will learn] in the graduate school and may we have the courage to apply them wherever we go. May we all be inspired to build businesses to be a blessing. J

CSR: Individual SL Journal No. 2 (submitted Nov. 10)

Not Forgotten

“But the needy will not always be forgotten…” Psalm 9:18

When the CSR class decided that the Service Learning (SL) would be at the Tahanang Walang Hagdanan (TWH), I realize that it will be my first community service for the people with disabilities (PWDs). Although I have had several encounters with differently-abled in the past and visited some communities with active PWDs as a guest, our service learning at TWH is a hands-on experience for me.

During my active involvement in conceptualizing and planning for our SL activity, I realize that for more than three decades, people here and abroad are supporting TWH commitment to the paraplegics. Our disabled kababayan may seem to suffer from physical paralyses—physically challenged—but they are loaded with gifts and special abilities that make them extraordinary. I saw a video of TWH residents compete in ballroom dancing. It was astonishing. I can’t even dance—how much more in a wheelchair! Last Sunday, I saw their talents in woodcrafts, metal works, and paintings. They were amazing! One can never tell if people with missing legs or arms made them! I even stumbled upon an episode in Korina Sanchez’s show featuring TWH. This means that people are interested in the treasures at TWH.

However, I recognized that TWH needs packaging—not their products but organization itself. Yes, some organizations are also helping them when it comes to facilities, advocacy, business opportunities, and funding; nevertheless, the need to repackage TWH is necessary.

I think Tourism must come in. Trade and Industry should extend extra help. If TWH can be packaged as an interesting tourist destination in Metro Manila with a nice showroom of its products then it could be included as part of the must-see places for local and international tourists. Vietnam did it with their Agent Orange victims; it created a special industry for them by promoting handicrafts made by handicaps.

For our SL, we desire to help TWH with its products designs by linking them with Philippine Design Center. Through this network, the design experts can assists TWH by orienting them with the trendy and marketable designs as well as how to package its products.

As I get more involved in the project, I become more aware of the PWDs situation, but what also moved me is the need of the children (both handicaps and children of PWDs) to be valued and to be reaffirmed. So I volunteered to conceptualize an activity for the kids since I can tap my friend who owns an international preschool in Ortigas to help our class with children’s workshop and activities. I believe that children are the hope of the future; they are the hope of their parents. Children should find their place in the community especially in an environment like the TWH.

Along the way, I realize that doing CSR SL that is short term has many benefits as well as challenges. First among its benefits, the class is able to work together as team and synergize our talents and resources. Second, the class is able to apply the concepts and principles discussed and covered in the classroom. Third, the class is given exposure to communities like TWH. For the challenges, I believe that the time is really short to formulate a more sustainable plan. First, we need to come up with a plan and work around an achievable-to-raise budget. Second, we have to get more inputs from our classmates, which we are having difficulties right now. But given some of the encounters we have had, I believe that we can still do better in the coming days as we prepare for the SL activity.

Tonight, we were able to improve our plans and promote our SL to two classes where we got some support and commitments. The video that I created as part of our promotion greatly helped in giving the other students an idea about TWH and our SL.

Working on the SL for TWH is a great experience for me. I know that we will have a good and meaningful time on November 22. We just need to be reminded of our purpose and our calling: to help other people at all times. We must not forget our responsibility to others. One day, we, too, will realize that we need other people’s help.

Moreover, I think we should reaffirm their concern and love to the needy, to the PWDs. Beyond their physical and financial needs, I realize that they need social support—to let them know that they are not forgotten.

Reference:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cainta-Philippines/TAHANANG-WALANG-HAGDANAN-INC/181091870037?ref=ts

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFr8Po0RLzA

CSR: Individual SL Journal No. 1 (submitted Oct.27)

More Blessed to Give

“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” Acts 20:35 (New International Version)

I enrolled in the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) course almost two months ago without any expectations but to learn. Although I have a wide range of volunteer experiences since star scout days, the CSR course gave me a deeper understanding of not only the business entity’s responsibilities but also its accountabilities to the communities.

The lectures, discussions, group dynamics and reports, etc., helped me see the realities of corporate practices: first, the community involvements of some corporate giants and NGOs to improve the condition of our society mainly through education and poverty alleviation campaigns; second, the adverse effects to the stakeholders and communities due to some businesses’ lack of responsibilities; third, the role of the government and its ineffective implementation of laws and programs; last, the countless ways we can do to help the marginalized people.

One of the many questions that we face, after going half way through the entire course: What can we do to help build this nation? One of my many proposals: We can help build our nation by touching one life at a time.

I think CSR (HRM 510M) has done that for us—touching one professional/entrepreneur at a time. The CSR course continues to convey a simple message: We can make a difference. And because of this course, my desire to make a difference, even in seemingly insignificant ways, has been fueled. I have a high hope that our class will embrace our call to be catalysts of change. Hence, we are not here to simply accumulate knowledge and earn high grades but we here for the experiences that will positively impact our business decisions and dealings with the communities.

As our class plans for our SL activity on November 22, 2009, I recalled the very words of the Apostle Paul, “we must help the weak” as he counted on the message of Christ, “it is more blessed to give than to receive.” Paul knew the secret of blessings: GIVING. So whether it is Tahanan ng Walang Hagdan, Hannibal, GreenEarth, GK Maralit, Counselling the Ondoy victims, or CSR SL, we are called to help the weak with the encouragement that we are more blessed to give.

Our upcoming SL activity is also an opportunity to apply the La Sallian values: faith, zeal for service and communion in mission. I believe that our SL is an avenue for us to check our level of CSR learning, to authenticate our depth of concern to the society, and to make an inventory of our talents resources. Attending the classes and engaging in discussions about corporate ethical practices and social responsibilities opened my eyes to the many possibilities that a single organization can do for its shareholders, its communities, and for the country. And what we are about to do, in a smaller scale through our SL, can be a great start to do something worthwhile (and hopefully sustainable) for the greater good of the community. Furthermore, our actions must steam out of our love and compassion for others.

I believe that organizations (both government and private) such as PBSP, LCF, the Commission on Human Rights, Lamoiyan Corporaton, and Tahanan understood the stakes and benefits of carrying for the communities. I think what they further realize and recognize is the joy of being a blessing. More than the public recognitions, I think what compels these organizations to help is the transformation they see in the lives of their beneficiaries. These blessings and rewards cannot be bought by any material wealth this world offers.

Today, I am truly grateful for our privilege to bless other people. I am grateful for the gifts and talents our Creator has given us. I am thankful for resources that we can use to bring hope and joy to others. I am thankful that despite our economic difficulties, our political predicaments, our spiritual crisis, our emotional setbacks, our disasters and calamities, God is still able to mobilize a number of people in various organizations to do good for others, even to the point of not expecting something in return. I hope we, too, will join the ranks of those have given themselves for the love of people and country.

If we just keep on seeking, we will discover that there are many ways to give; If we just make ourselves available, we will surely experience the joy of giving. If we sow something good, we will definitely reap an abundant harvest; if we learn to selflessly serve our fellowmen, we will live in a nation free from greed and pride. If we teach the next generation to love God and country, we will certainly see a land rising to its glory.

When all has been said and done, I have to constantly remind myself: One is more blessed to give than to receive.

I look forward to a more interactive SL preparation. I hope to get to know my peers better, to understand their points of view, to embrace their passions, to be united in one purpose, to have a synergy of our all our resources, and to open my life to a new adventure that CSR has in store for me.

Hangover

Confession: Lately, I get emotional. I miss my last term's classmates. I miss my BusWri every Monday; I miss winning-woes gang every Tuesday.

I've been mulling over that for almost a week now. I can't stopping thinking about the good old days. I miss those days when I would look forward to going to class. It's not that my subjects this term are boring. It's just that…I feel different.

Last term, I developed an unusual study habits—totally different from the one I had if you knew me in college (I would never study in advance, except for Cost Accounting that almost ruined my social life). I had a sense of excitement going to my BusWri class that I even read some materials in advance. My ManStat nearly transformed me into a nerd. In both subjects, I’m glad I survived…my professors!

In contrast to my academic enthusiasm, I hardly scan my book or google the lessons this term. I don't have the zest for studying corporate social responsibility, and even worse, I don't have the devotion for my economics subject. BusCom is quite exceptional that I do read my textbook. It's probably because Miss Marissa is still my professor, but I don’t have the drive to excel unlike before. The least I could do, for the sake of my 4.0 grade in BusWri, is to read the book and participate in class. So I'm trying. However, I need motivation here, hello?!

For the record, my CSR is not dull. In fairness to Dr. Berino, we do have class discussions... presentations on relevant topics and issues concerning environment, decent salary structures, legal implications of management's decisions, a little of ethics, and philanthropic activities of various corporations. It is, in fact, very informative and engaging. My classmates are very warm and smart, but I’m searching for more.

My Econ class is too-good-to-be-true. Dr. Sy is a very practical person. I am totally amazed with his teaching style. He never brings a book in class nor a copy of his lecture. He is a master of his subject. Though there are some familiar faces in class, I still feel a little uncomfortable. In his class, I am not even pressured to perform. And because there is no challenge in his class, I feel like somebody simply occupying space. I want it to be mentally stimulating. I think I’d thrive better in adversity…but I’m not asking for another the winning-woes system. Oh no!

I had a great start in the MBA program. Thanks to BusWri and ManStat last term; the bar of my graduate school standards was raised two feet higher. But I also give equal credit to my former classmates. Your friendships were far better than the average grade of both my subjects: 3.5! :)

I have to constantly remind myself: better days ahead. Keep moving!

In the mean time, I have to deal with my first-term hangover. And an aspirin won’t even help! Sigh!