{"id":48747,"date":"2022-04-11T15:22:23","date_gmt":"2022-04-11T07:22:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.upgrademag.com\/web\/?p=48747"},"modified":"2022-04-11T15:22:27","modified_gmt":"2022-04-11T07:22:27","slug":"creating-equal-opportunities-for-filipina-logistics-leaders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.upgrademag.com\/web\/2022\/04\/11\/creating-equal-opportunities-for-filipina-logistics-leaders\/","title":{"rendered":"Creating equal opportunities for Filipina logistics leaders\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As businesses continue to navigate the evolving complexities of international trade, Filipino manufacturing companies have embraced diverse talents that contribute to success and productivity.\u00a0Many Filipino\u00a0business leaders have put in place\u00a0policies adapted from international best practices to help\u00a0build a company culture that embraces\u00a0gender diversity on the back of a growing body of research that shows organizations with more diverse workforce and leadership teams perform better.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cResearch shows that if women are given the chance to contribute equally to the global economy, it would boost the world\u2019s GDP by $28 trillion,\u201d said Precious Milaor, UPS Philippines marketing manager. \u201cOne of the best ways to do that in the logistics context is to push for an industry that provides opportunities for women and supports the growth of women-owned businesses.\u201d   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the Philippines, progress in female diversity has been more pronounced. The Global Gender Gap Report 2020 of the World Economic Forum report shows that the Philippines 16th out of 153 countries with the narrowest gap between men and women.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marilou Navoa Ombania, Import and Export Head of UPS customer Ponderosa Leather Goods Co Inc., a leading export manufacturer of baseball and hockey gloves, says that it helps that her company places a premium on affording women the equal opportunity to excel.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn our company, most of the department heads are women \u2013 our production manager, finance manager and the human resources manager are all women \u2013 and these positions are crucial in the operation of a big company like us.\u201d  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ombania says to get the best out of her department,\u00a0she considers\u00a0every member\u00a0to be family and\u00a0each of them is given as much opportunity as the company has given her. \u201cI believe that for us all to work effectively and productively, the environment needs to feel right and homely despite the stressful and fast-faced nature of our job.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marigold Marcelo Agustin, International Freight Forwarding Manager at Samsung SDS Global SCL Philippines Co Ltd. Inc, believes that she is able to thrive because her employer recognizes the importance of diversity in the workplace.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur company values people of any race and gender. Based on my experience, women are treated the same as men. We acknowledge the contributions and milestones of women employees, celebrating special occasions like birthdays, Mother\u2019s Day, and even modest accomplishments at work.\u201d  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That emphasis on equality cascades down to her team. \u201cEvery one of them is treated fairly and given the chance to perform. I have always advocated sharing my knowledge and skills, to learn together and push my team to be better.\u201d  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overcoming the challenges of the pandemic<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the suspension of baseball and hockey games in the US, many orders at Ponderosa were canceled. Ombania says the company\u2019s earnings were affected but its management had doubled down on efforts to win back customers, and orders are returning.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe have been using UPS services to send baseball gloves all over the world; to the USA, Canada, Asia, and Europe. They are one of our partners in delivering products that are all finely handcrafted and made with passion here in the Philippines.\u201d   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Samsung SDS Philippines, Agustin says they have been able to navigate their way through \u201climited flights and vessel schedules and space shortages\u201d. She says that with the company\u2019s logistics partners, including UPS which also provides express service for Samsung\u2019s semiconductor shipments, they have been able to overcome the challenges of the pandemic.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UPS approach to equality in international trade  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere is certainly a strong sense of belonging at UPS Philippines,\u201d adds Milaor, \u201cas we strive to promote a working environment free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. Our rallying cry is \u2018You belong at UPS\u2019 \u2013 meaning everybody; our people, customers and the communities we serve.\u201d  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019re proud to partner with progressive, like-minded companies such as Ponderosa and Samsung, which have taken steps to embrace gender diversity in their local operations.\u201d  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Did you know?  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n