Keynote speaker Michael Spence receives a token of appreciation from HR Council chairperson Cedie Lopez-Vargas, Energy Development Corporation SVP Beth Nasol and fourth-generation Lopez Erica AbelloThe 2018 Lopez Learning Synergy Summit organized by the Lopez Group HR Council lived up to its “learning” name and packed the entire day with eye-opening sessions revolving around its theme, “Sustaining a Culture of Agility.”

Held at the ABS-CBN Vertis Tent on November 23, the summit gathered experts from companies that have succeeded in their chosen markets through agile approaches and solutions.

HR Council chairperson Cedie Lopez-Vargas said: “The need to build agility into the fabric of our organizational culture is the new imperative. How we attract, retain, motivate and engage our employees has never been more exciting.”

Michael Spence, director of Partners in Performance International, in his keynote message shared a step-by-step guide on how to foster agility in any organization.

At the CEO forum, First Philec and First Philippine Power Systems president and First Philippine Electric Corporation managing director Ariel Ong, Dentsu JaymeSyfu CEO Merlee Cruz-Jayme and Philippine Digital Asset Exchange CEO Nichel Gaba each shared specific practices that have helped their teams move quickly in the marketplace. Gartner research director for the HR Practice in Asia Sumit Malhotra said the strength of the Agile Model of management is its iterative approach, but it is not a blanket that can be applied to any situation such that it should not be used blindly.

Satoshi Citadel cofounder and CEO John Bailon gave an introduction to blockchain technology and its applications. ABS-CBN Corporation recruitment head and concurrent sustainability head Arlyn Fausto spoke about sustainability reporting and why it is important for companies to track their progress.

The concurrent sessions were led by ABS-CBN reporter Jeff Canoy, Energy Development Corporation Agile coach Michael Casio, Bantay Kalikasan program director Jen Santos and fitness coach Jim Saret.

LinkedIn regional sales leader Kunal Malhotra and LinkedIn Philippines lead Pappan Kallivayalil gave an overview of how the application works with organizations to find people with the right fit. AECOM Philippines country representative Arnel Casanova talked about creating opportunities while ABS-CBN TV and news personality Kim Atienza left everyone inspired with his personal story of how he faced life’s challenges. SKY president and COO Antonio Ventosa closed the formal program, which was cohosted by ABS-CBN’s Arvin Crisol and SKY’s AR Ticzon. First Gen Corporation’s Sidney Cordero facilitated the CEO forum and provided the day’s summation.

According to SKY’s Jennifer Acierto, one key message of the day was, “to be agile, one must draw his agility from the core values that he holds important and gives him strength. One must also understand how to use this agility to grow and be of service to his family, company and for others.”

The summit was followed by a fun and engaging fellowship night, where Lopez Group contestants competed in a special version of “I Can See Your Voice” with Vargas and Lopez HR heads guessing which among the secret singers have real singing talent. (Carla Paras-Sison and Dimpy Jazmines)

Lopez Group HRs and other attendees are all smiles after a day packed with new insights
The 2018 Lopez Learning Synergy Summit working committee