- 3 months ago
LIVE NOW: Join us on Beyond the Headlines as we sit down with Eugene Erik Lim, President and CEO of Topline Group, to discuss how Cebu and its schools can nurture the next generation of entrepreneurs and drive innovation for inclusive economic growth.
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00:02:00Eric Lim, President and CEO of Topline Group, he will share his perspectives on how to strengthen Cebu's entrepreneurial ecosystem and inspire more Cebuanos to venture into business.
00:02:14Mayong Udto.
00:02:16Mayong Udto.
00:02:18Eric.
00:02:19Mayong Udto.
00:02:20Welcome.
00:02:21Mayong Udto.
00:02:22Mayong Udto.
00:02:23Mayong Udto.
00:02:24Mayong Udto.
00:02:25Mayong Udto.
00:02:26Mayong Udto.
00:02:27Mayong Udto.
00:02:28Mayong Udto.
00:02:29Mayong Udto.
00:02:30Mayong Udto.
00:02:31Mayong Udto.
00:02:32Mayong Udto.
00:02:33Mayong Udto.
00:02:34yes anyway so that's when we were having discussion earlier man good one of the the
00:02:44common interests for a topic such as this one is really on our culture siguro now we call it
00:02:53or our academic upbringing in which they tend to encourage successful careers or being employees
00:03:05and not necessarily becoming an entrepreneur so okay so but before we go into the serious
00:03:17stuff if you're not so this is the serious one not yet if you're not an entrepreneur because
00:03:24i know you've been introduced so many times already as an entrepreneur but beyond the titles
00:03:30and beyond the achievements who is eric lim um well again first and foremost thank you for having me
00:03:39it's a pleasure being here i'm mildred and dj um i could probably say uh eric is
00:03:45um it's a family man it's uh of course uh i have a i'm fortunate enough i have a very supportive
00:03:55wife with the kids uh that's what they say uh the one of the most important uh decisions that you
00:04:03would make in life is choosing the right partner agree so so i was fortunate enough to have that and
00:04:11of course my my siblings my parents are also very supportive so i guess i could say um for us what
00:04:18we're doing in not only personally but professionally we're looking at businesses that could give meaning
00:04:24and also hopefully change the world for the better so that's why we're very very focused on what we're
00:04:29doing right now we're doing right now changing the world for the better okay because i don't know
00:04:35if you're an entrepreneur it's always the money making well profit but it's nice for young
00:04:43ceos to think that aside from the profit that you can get it's for a better world they're the world
00:04:50right so but eric interested go on you know how old are you is it okay yeah um okay almost 40 i might
00:05:01say you're almost almost 40 but you're already a ceo right so well i know kind of imo family is into the
00:05:10business but um challenges and struggles again i'm sure it really said to show walk in the park yeah
00:05:19yeah so so i guess um it's always important to understand yeah uh when we start something
00:05:25new or even if it's a succession business or even in our careers you have to uh you have to understand
00:05:34there will be some struggles but there has to be learnings along the way so so for us i'm
00:05:40again i just had that uh great opportunity because i'm the we're basically the third generation in
00:05:45the in the family as what i said earlier uh the first generation the first two generations were into
00:05:52mall development or into real estate and then for us in top line uh as a group we're still as a feel
00:05:59free to ask we're still into uh real estate mall development yep we're into ports and and currently uh
00:06:06just recently uh we just uh listed a different subsidiary which is more into fuel distribution so
00:06:13so for us along the way uh it took us time to develop certain skill sets yeah no uh and uh and
00:06:22when you develop different skill sets you also have to to understand uh there you have to pay the tuition
00:06:29so we have to pay the tuition meaning there will be setbacks there will be challenges but if we just
00:06:37focus on what we can do i think anything is hopefully possible and and we've been hearing about several
00:06:46skill sets now from mindsets also of leaders and entrepreneurs in your case what are the three i know
00:06:53there's a lot now or you can extend to five if you want no five five five five no good and skill sets
00:07:02that are important for an entrepreneur to have well well i guess we have to break down some certain
00:07:09industries that it really depend uh let's say for example if you if you're into a certain industry you
00:07:16have to really dig deeper into research all right now uh in fact um if the 10 years ago if we were
00:07:24thinking about certain skill sets possibly it's possibly the same 10 years later but we may have to update
00:07:32it so meaning uh discipline should be there of course no core that's the core that's the core but but
00:07:39the next thing probably there is adaptability you know as individuals as uh as human as human beings
00:07:48so it's not only for business because for us in a in a fast changing world uh before when we do our
00:07:56strategic plannings uh we can implement it in a year right now because of the fast-paced
00:08:02technologies we have to implement it in a week so what i'm trying to say here is um there's there's no
00:08:11right balance right now in terms of skill set we just have to adapt with the certain industries and
00:08:17the trends as we go along so discipline adaptability and from there the rest will follow
00:08:24like for example the power of the thumb is the power of the
00:08:46technology not um triggers the technology
00:08:49technology sa kanang ano ang pag-adapt good sa technology tinood na kay according to them 365
00:08:55days and real life but ang technology it's only actually six months and one year nila so
00:09:02karon nag master ka sa excel by the time na maxer na ka sa excel na nailaing program which is
00:09:08money trend money gigamit so paskin lang paspas good ka kung if you fail fail fast
00:09:13um in that context about adaptability and also learning the the ropes or the lessons some at least
00:09:24entrepreneurs that i know they're usually compelled or if not the lack of appetite for risk to actually
00:09:37continue what the first gen has started but in your case you actually followed a different a path
00:09:45different from the conventional one so how did you arrive uh into that decision well i think uh i think
00:09:55it's more of the uh as what you've mentioned adaptability of the times so what we're trying to
00:10:02see right now are the trends so so again 20 years ago 30 years ago trends would be more of uh industrial
00:10:10facing and maybe more into real estate and then eventually when we when we when we finish college
00:10:17or even during college we also saw different trends in the mix such as energy security would play a role
00:10:24so we entered into the fuel distribution segment uh ports because there's also more cargos coming in
00:10:31so so um there there's no one size fits all uh decision making right now uh but what's important
00:10:39there is it's either you can you have a succession planning in your business you're the first generation
00:10:45you want to to uh to to sustain it or to give your your uh your business to the next generation
00:10:55it really it really depend on uh what you want to do but what's important there is what's the direction
00:11:01the company that the company has and earlier you mentioned about tuition figurative no that you
00:11:10had to pay so early on growing up in in a family business what lesson did you learn from it
00:11:22which this is a twist you eventually had to unlearn now that you are on your own
00:11:28i think if you're uh this is how i see it i think if you're the first generation and you said it
00:11:34quite nicely earlier um if you're in the first generation mindset uh you want to make sure that
00:11:40you're doing everything and then when you proceed to the next generation the second generation they want
00:11:46to expand no and then they want to see uh how do we how do we how do we do it do we do it uh on the same
00:11:55area of responsibility that we're expanding or do we go to other ventures no other markets and then
00:12:01the third generation they say usually they because they're happy with the two first two generations
00:12:07they squander the yeah yeah i was afraid for you to say that but you did say it they squander the unfortunately
00:12:15that's what they say and for us again we're very very fortunate as the third generation we're still
00:12:20having that uh that uh that desire to even learn more so we have to instill in the next generation
00:12:28on how do we give more value not to to society as a whole to the business because that's what
00:12:35the i think the the main discussion here is about intrapreneurship and intrapreneurship is basically
00:12:41making sure that we're giving you're undertaking a certain business or a certain task to give more value
00:12:47and that's what we're doing as intrapreneurs right now solving a certain problem that could give give
00:12:55more to society what comes to mind is that line in the movie the robots see the need
00:13:07feel the need there's you see the opportunity finding solutions to to problems so it's an opportunity
00:13:17for you not just to expand on your brand but to feel the requirements of society and this is and this
00:13:24is uh if i may add this is actually the best time to be an intrapreneur oh yeah it's not too late for us
00:13:31not too late so you know why uh again we've been discussing about this in uh in our in the office
00:13:40no even i think andrea is here so so we've been discussing about ai yes i think everyone's using ai
00:13:47right now well most of us yes and and there's now a trend right now i just read this in the in the news
00:13:54uh they call it solopreneur oh yeah okay so so meaning before when we discuss with certain ideas
00:14:03we didn't we evaluate maybe we have some drinks not to to make sure that we have an open mind yes
00:14:09on discussing certain ideas and maybe 10 years ago or five years ago we would want to deep dive on
00:14:16certain items no with our friends with our peers with possible partners and now with an advent of ai
00:14:23correct correct we can have a strategic consultant we can ask oh what do you think it's not 100
00:14:29percent accurate but at least you can bounce ideas so right now in the trend of uh of business they
00:14:35have this they call it solo print solo printers that's going to basically bounce ideas with ai or maybe
00:14:43some some friends or whatsoever or augment the needs or augment the needs no and they see certain
00:14:50opportunities that's that's uh that's uh that's still out there that they can they can capture so
00:14:56it's actually a very very good uh time for for young young uh entrepreneurs right now yeah okay there's a
00:15:04lot of tools there's a lot of tools available already although there's perceived bad side and good side to it
00:15:13but i prefer to look at the good side a bit because in this context instead of spending a lot of
00:15:20overhead which entrepreneurs in the past would need to spend just for them to be able to start a
00:15:25business they hire a consultant they they hire an assistant they hire so many people but this time you
00:15:31can just start so i think i like the term solopreneur you can start on your own and then you can ask ai to
00:15:37help you yes i think everything has always has its bad and its good side like social media was really
00:15:44built for it for a good thing you connect families you connect friends and everything but there are also
00:15:50people using it to scam other people so it's just how you use the tool the tool is there i mean even
00:15:58siguro the time of adam wave there's always a good and the bad side just like the apple anyway going back
00:16:04back so how did growing up in a business family influence you approach to risk and innovation
00:16:14well very much i must say uh since um if you're into business there's no usually uh there's no um
00:16:26there's no writings on the wall as they say so if you look at your parents and then they're doing
00:16:33certain businesses you see the traits you see what the do's and don'ts but you're you're also sure
00:16:39that they're they're not perfect and that's why the next generation has to fill that gap so meaning
00:16:47let's say if you go to a certain school for me i went to the university of san carlos they gave us
00:16:53really good um insights you know so uh and uh as what we've discussed earlier on the fourth year usually
00:17:01we have a practical uh mildred now so we we sell our products same time so so even before graduating
00:17:10we had that influence to to uh to probably try to sell to to different customers and and with that
00:17:20background with the family as a part of the of the real estate business it really gave us some some
00:17:28insights on what to do was that your first because they say that every entrepreneur they have their
00:17:35first hustle no was that your first hustle um i could probably say my first hustle remember before when
00:17:44uh we don't have the of course the ipads and everything we had to put everything in a cd
00:17:48which cd that yeah the circle sorry the circle one okay the circle one okay so i thought you reached
00:17:56the floppy one i'm just kidding or continue well before so so what we did before during high school
00:18:02because uh we were given a very limited budget um okay so we had to be um uh be more resourceful
00:18:13so what we did uh this for me so since the computer just came along uh and there was this opportunity
00:18:21to burn but you burned the cds there in a cd so what what i did for me i got a list of songs
00:18:30from my friends and then i said oh i'll charge you how much
00:18:33this was like uh it was still an open market that's just like high high school or elementary or
00:18:50something or something morning panahona katong was it katong isuda ni moang what's it tawag
00:18:57this is the walkman era so yeah so yeah so so again i'm not saying that i did that for quite some
00:19:04time but i think i saw that opportunity now oh if you create something valuable correct um you can
00:19:10actually sell it okay and and obviously that's where that's actually where the playlists are now correct so it
00:19:18it came from that origin okay so now talking of opportunity when you founded top line in 2013
00:19:29what gap or opportunity did you see in the market so so when we started top line um
00:19:38we were thinking about different kinds of businesses at first so uh one of those would be
00:19:45uh of course real estate and everything about the franchise business which is a restaurant
00:19:51we're also thinking about uh at that time fuel so we were into different uh areas of the industry
00:20:00as to where it would make sense and and eventually uh so far because cebu was um again cebu is not cebu
00:20:09uh 15 years ago uh 15 years ago yes if you may uh recall uh and even per industry study cebu has been
00:20:18outpacing the national average for three five years so we've been growing more than the the national gdp
00:20:27yeah and uh cebu and uh cebu is cebu and uh the people here us is very very intelligent very smart
00:20:34in fact i i heard before during college they said um usually though the restaurants would want to
00:20:41make a uh case study in cebu if they would thrive in different in different areas
00:20:46so which is nice so basically if you thrive in cebu you can also try somewhere else just the same
00:20:59and an idea as a concert if you do concerts though and cebu and you can make cebu stand up and clap
00:21:06then that means you're good that most of them don't go in the music industry so can you
00:21:12mga cebuano gabi gini silag standards good siguro no oh kitadeng mga cebuano
00:21:20proud to be a beast duck good okay so now that that there was there is a vision you need people in your
00:21:30team also to to help you or collaborate with you to achieve that vision so what kind of leaders also
00:21:41do you recruit now to your team so so actually um so when we started we were only like
00:21:49how many two or three packs in the office oh no when we started two or three packs and then right now
00:21:55we're we're happy to we're about more than 500 or probably next year we'll be close to a thousand
00:22:02for the group the group so so for us um and and we didn't just leap from one year to the next year
00:22:10took us time 2017 20 so 2013 and then 2017 so different kinds of you know timelines but for us
00:22:19uh what we what we what we what we check in our in our talent not the team because at the end of the
00:22:26day uh we can't do do it alone yes no it's basically the team the people behind yeah so i'm again we're
00:22:33very blessed that we have a really great team uh of course our our vice president the senior vice
00:22:39president is you see mom bridget is handling operations our attorney mikey our cfo is handling the
00:22:46of course the the financial side of the business and and so much other people no advisors and
00:22:53everyone else so so for us uh because what's important in a team level is not only the talent
00:23:05it's how they're they they know what's the culture in the company yeah if they're a good fit or not
00:23:11so that's why when we do do our talent acquisition we want to make sure that
00:23:15do they understand what is top line or do we have the same uh the same outlook or the vision of the
00:23:24company is the same because everyone there has their own skill set them stakeholders stakeholders
00:23:32so we want to make sure that everyone would understand the vision of top line and we grow we
00:23:37empower everyone else so so for us in top time we're very very fortunate that we have a really great team
00:23:43and uh these great team members if we give them uh a very precise vision everyone will just focus on
00:23:53that and that's what we're doing right now and company and i hope our viewers have captured that now
00:23:59especially for those us of this time are still looking for a job not yet to become an entrepreneur but to
00:24:06to work for a company because normally on a personal note when i ask the question about what do you
00:24:13know about the company if the applicant don't have a good answer the impression that i get is this
00:24:20person is just looking for a job not building a career
00:24:24i think it's it's it's kind of it's kind of it's kind of it's kind of it's kind of it's kind of it's
00:24:28and it's all about
00:24:31talent
00:24:31talent
00:24:32recruitment
00:24:33man
00:24:34man
00:24:34kanong kasabot
00:24:35man
00:24:36man
00:24:37why are you there
00:24:37di ba kay
00:24:38mhm
00:24:39mhm
00:24:39kaya
00:24:40mhm
00:24:40kaya
00:24:41mhm
00:24:42kaya
00:24:43mom
00:24:45he
00:24:45You can't miss it. I'm going to edit it.
00:24:47It's just 8 hours.
00:24:49So there's no fit.
00:24:51It's not fit.
00:24:53It's not fit.
00:24:55So I think
00:24:57you can learn things
00:24:59to remember for those
00:25:01building their own business.
00:25:03The
00:25:05success of a business is
00:25:07your human power.
00:25:09It's your human resource.
00:25:11Build good.
00:25:13It's also very
00:25:15inspirational
00:25:17for me and
00:25:19I think for everyone in the company.
00:25:21In terms
00:25:23of the recent
00:25:25earthquake.
00:25:27For us, we want to make sure that
00:25:29everyone is accounted for.
00:25:31Everyone is checking
00:25:33proof of life.
00:25:37Of course, that's important.
00:25:39We didn't have to say anything.
00:25:41We have a really great
00:25:43system in place to check
00:25:45about succession planning at the same time.
00:25:47Business continuity plan is also there.
00:25:49We're even enhancing more systems
00:25:51right now because of the recent calamity.
00:25:53For us,
00:25:55certain heads
00:25:57or certain talents,
00:25:59they even go the extra mile.
00:26:01Even during
00:26:0312 midnight,
00:26:05weekends.
00:26:07There's no weekends or
00:26:09day off.
00:26:11Or day off for us.
00:26:13We're not going to do it.
00:26:15We're not going to do it.
00:26:17We're not going to do it.
00:26:19We're not going to do it.
00:26:21We're not going to do it.
00:26:23Because you should remember
00:26:25that it's a team effort.
00:26:29you should do it.
00:26:31Especially,
00:26:32with your work,
00:26:33it's not related to that.
00:26:34But if you can contribute,
00:26:35why not?
00:26:36That's the environment.
00:26:38Even if you are in theimee,
00:26:39you're not going to do it.
00:26:40You're not going to do it.
00:26:42That's what we're going to do.
00:26:43We're in the newsroom.
00:26:44They have accounts for this.
00:26:46But, later on,
00:26:47that's the first one,
00:26:48you may want to add on this.
00:26:49They are accounting for this.
00:26:50They're already accounting for this.
00:26:51So,
00:26:52exactly what it's like.
00:26:53So,
00:26:54this is safe.
00:26:55Now,
00:26:56you may want to add on this.
00:26:57So I would assume that you are a volunteer.
00:27:01There were a few people that said,
00:27:03this is what we are going to do.
00:27:05So it was, it was,
00:27:07it was, it was,
00:27:09it was not to assign people,
00:27:11but although at first,
00:27:13but you can, you know,
00:27:15there's no story worth dying for.
00:27:17So safety is the team.
00:27:19If you feel that you don't proceed,
00:27:21you'll have to leave it if you're going to leave it.
00:27:23There are a few people,
00:27:25a thousand steps.
00:27:27There's an engagement.
00:27:29But as an entrepreneur,
00:27:31you're a welfare in your society.
00:27:35I think for journalism,
00:27:37that's our contribution as well.
00:27:39And actually,
00:27:41the way I see it,
00:27:43that's because there is a
00:27:45formal definition of
00:27:47engagement, employee engagement.
00:27:49But for me, it's also like marriage.
00:27:51So you have to know the company
00:27:53that you want to join,
00:27:55and what's the fit.
00:27:57So part of that is also,
00:27:59if I would ask,
00:28:01what do you know about the company?
00:28:02So it's like you're getting married with the company,
00:28:04and you don't know the company.
00:28:05So that's the impression.
00:28:06The reverse point.
00:28:07The reverse point.
00:28:08You're like,
00:28:09you're like,
00:28:10you're like,
00:28:11you're like,
00:28:12you're like,
00:28:13you're like,
00:28:14you're like,
00:28:15you're like,
00:28:16you're like,
00:28:17you're like,
00:28:18you're like,
00:28:20you know,
00:28:21you're like,
00:28:22you're like,
00:28:23you're like,
00:28:24you're like,
00:28:25you're like,
00:28:26you're like,
00:28:27you have your job,
00:28:28you have your own connection,
00:28:29spend eight of your waking hours there.
00:28:32Most of your waking hours, actually.
00:28:35And then the other point is,
00:28:36do you have any questions?
00:28:38And then,
00:28:39that to me is also an indicator
00:28:42that this person is just here for the job
00:28:44and not necessarily to be engaged
00:28:46and to really be part of the journey.
00:28:49But if it's not a case, Anna,
00:28:50how are you going to convert that
00:28:52to an engaging person?
00:28:53So, again,
00:28:55when we do certain processes
00:28:58in the company,
00:28:59so there are different layers.
00:29:01And as much as possible for us in Topline,
00:29:04we want to make sure that
00:29:05there's probably one, two,
00:29:07or maximum three layers of hierarchy
00:29:09because we want to extract
00:29:11the best ideas in the company.
00:29:15We don't really think about hierarchy
00:29:18in terms of the decision-making is there,
00:29:20but we want to get fresh ideas from everyone.
00:29:24So that's why the company is set up like that.
00:29:27It's basically built like a startup.
00:29:29From the beginning until now.
00:29:31So that's what we're doing.
00:29:33So to go back to the main discussion
00:29:36about entrepreneurship,
00:29:38so what we're doing right now is
00:29:39we're not talking about employees
00:29:41or just staff.
00:29:43We're also cultivating
00:29:44that entrepreneurship mindset
00:29:46in the top-line group.
00:29:49So meaning,
00:29:50I can be an entrepreneur.
00:29:54A certain head can be an entrepreneur.
00:29:56A certain employee can be an entrepreneur.
00:29:59So as long as they align
00:30:01towards the vision of the company,
00:30:03that would really matter for us.
00:30:05And this is no longer just necessarily
00:30:09with top-line,
00:30:10but for those who are currently employed,
00:30:16meaning they have not taken the leap just yet.
00:30:20So in the context of turning points
00:30:24or differentiation,
00:30:27what kind of trait, man,
00:30:31that a person needs to have
00:30:33or an employee needs to have
00:30:35for him or her to be able to say,
00:30:38I am a good manager,
00:30:40I'm a good employee,
00:30:41but I think this is time for me
00:30:43to build my own
00:30:45and become an entrepreneur.
00:30:47Well, I think it's more of
00:30:49if you see, again,
00:30:52it's always about
00:30:53possible niche markets
00:30:57that you can fulfill.
00:30:59So let's say, for example,
00:31:00if you're an employee right now
00:31:02and you'd want to venture
00:31:04into a certain business
00:31:05and of course the unknown,
00:31:07the fear of the unknown is there.
00:31:09It's hard if it's going to work or not.
00:31:13But at the end of the day,
00:31:14you'll never know until you try.
00:31:16So I always read this line,
00:31:21usually,
00:31:22and it goes,
00:31:24you don't have to be great to start,
00:31:28but you have to start to be great.
00:31:31Correct?
00:31:32So what we're trying to instill there
00:31:35in a different mindset is
00:31:36if you don't want to start right now
00:31:39and you have an idea,
00:31:42you're never sure about it
00:31:44if it's going to work or not.
00:31:46But if you try it
00:31:47and possibly you fail,
00:31:49well, you have no choice.
00:31:50You have to bite the bullet
00:31:51or pay the tuition.
00:31:55But you learn from it.
00:31:56And that's what you said earlier,
00:31:58Mildred,
00:31:58you have to just have to fail faster.
00:32:02So you will learn that it will not work.
00:32:04Because if you're going to get a lot of money,
00:32:06you don't want to be a lot of money.
00:32:07what if,
00:32:08what if,
00:32:09what if.
00:32:10Again,
00:32:10you just have to make sure
00:32:14that you also have a backup plan.
00:32:17Okay,
00:32:17of course,
00:32:17let's say for example,
00:32:18if you're an employer right now,
00:32:20you have your family,
00:32:22everything else,
00:32:23you also have to pace everything
00:32:26for your personal state
00:32:30as of now.
00:32:32And then,
00:32:33this time,
00:32:34you've mentioned about
00:32:36how USC was a contributor
00:32:40for you to be able to
00:32:42not just become an entrepreneur
00:32:44but to actually start something
00:32:46that's also new.
00:32:49But if we are to go back
00:32:50to primary or secondary,
00:32:53what kind of teaching
00:32:56do you recommend
00:32:57that by the time
00:32:58they reach college,
00:33:00more or less,
00:33:01the seed,
00:33:02the entrepreneurial seed
00:33:03has already been planted.
00:33:04Yes.
00:33:05It's a different thing.
00:33:07In the real culture,
00:33:10you can find education
00:33:11and you can find education
00:33:12and apparently,
00:33:14education is really
00:33:16facing great challenges.
00:33:18So,
00:33:18what you see from Mona
00:33:21is that
00:33:22in the earlier stages
00:33:24of education,
00:33:25it's already planted,
00:33:27it's already planted.
00:33:28It's something,
00:33:29he's an entrepreneur
00:33:31to make a business
00:33:33or not to do anything
00:33:34or in a college.
00:33:36So,
00:33:37he's thinking,
00:33:39it's discriminatory
00:33:40it's because
00:33:41it's because
00:33:41it's discriminatory
00:33:42it's because
00:33:42it's because
00:33:43it's because
00:33:44he's an entrepreneur
00:33:45or a non-negotiator
00:33:46but he's no entrepreneur
00:33:47skills.
00:33:48So,
00:33:49what do you think
00:33:51kind of a subject or a discipline or a principle that this is just elementary.
00:34:02Well, I think teaching would play a role at the end of the day. But what's important
00:34:08maybe is for the parents to also evaluate your children. Because not everyone has the
00:34:16entrepreneurial mindset. So meaning, let's say, if you see your kid right now at an early age,
00:34:24let's say, for example, they're still five or six years old. For me, I have a four-year-old,
00:34:32our eldest. So for me, if I would want him to, I would want him to, of course, to be an entrepreneur
00:34:38in the future. And probably for me, what I can do is influence him, show him certain business
00:34:45processes, what we're doing, the systems. But again, at the end of the day, as parents,
00:34:51we have to evaluate what are their skill sets. So what if you can see they're actually meant to be
00:34:59an architect or a doctor and you force them into an entrepreneur? I don't think it's also fair for
00:35:05them. So as parents, we have to be mindful on those certain elements as our kids.
00:35:11our kids, their traits.
00:35:17I don't know how to sell. I don't know how to sell. I don't know how to sell. I don't know how to sell for
00:35:29services or whatever. Because I'm just taught how to write truthfully and everything.
00:35:36you know, my children grow up in the newsroom because I don't have a yaya. So I have to bring
00:35:43them here. So far, the take of journalism, but if it's a big picture, it's a big picture.
00:35:52Because I think they grow up in the environment.
00:35:55I don't know how to sell it. But I don't know how to sell it. But I don't know how to sell it.
00:36:11Because whatever is your profession, if you're a doctor, you're not a good entrepreneur,
00:36:15it's only 500 pesos. You're a doctor's fee. So you don't need to sell it. You're a good value.
00:36:25So you're a good person. I think it's a principle or discipline. It's a generic.
00:36:31So you're a professional. You're a good person. You're a good person. You're a good person.
00:36:35You're a good person. You're a good person. You're a good person.
00:36:39You're a good person. You're a good person. You're a good person.
00:36:45But anyhow, just to dive deeper into that. But this is still a stereotype and impression during my time.
00:36:55But it's just more of a case study. During my time, some people would tell me that if you wish to become an entrepreneur,
00:37:02you go to De La Sal. If you wish to be successful in a corporate career, you go for Ateneo.
00:37:11So to a certain extent, there's an impression that a school can actually mold something out of you.
00:37:19So a perfect example, DJS. So in San Carlos, during college, we have different...
00:37:29I think you mentioned earlier you taught the practicum part, right?
00:37:34But for me, what I experienced there is a little bit different than, I don't know, with other students.
00:37:40I had that opportunity to also enter into different organizations.
00:37:46So let's say, for example, the business organization, the Supreme Zone Council.
00:37:50So it taught us more about leadership roles.
00:37:54And then during the tail end of my student days, the name of that organization was Society of Young Business Executives.
00:38:07Cyber. And then during my last term in college, I said, why are we only teaching them executive classes?
00:38:17There should be an entrepreneur side.
00:38:20So we spoke with our advisors to the whole business community there to amend the name.
00:38:32So we changed it from Society of Business Executives to, we added another E, which is Society of Business Executives and Entrepreneurs.
00:38:44To make sure that there's also that responsibility for us as a school, to also teach entrepreneurship.
00:38:52And right now, there's a lot of classes right now in San Carlos, which they're also evolving with the times.
00:38:59Yeah, you answer your needs in the industry.
00:39:02Industry.
00:39:03It's for journalism, for example.
00:39:05First, why?
00:39:06If you're a print, print, thank you.
00:39:09Why are you now called multimedia?
00:39:11So, you now know how to use the camera even if you're not a photographer.
00:39:16You know now how to use your phone to take videos.
00:39:19So, it's so hard to evolve.
00:39:22I think it's possible.
00:39:23It's very hard to say.
00:39:24It's a hard thing.
00:39:25It's a hard thing.
00:39:26The first thing, Mascom.
00:39:27The first thing, there are a lot of communications, right?
00:39:29Ah, communications.
00:39:30The second thing is that it's broad.
00:39:31I think, but it's all a lot.
00:39:33I feel like it's all like that.
00:39:34It's all like the other people.
00:39:35It's like the discipline of being an entrepreneur.
00:39:40That's how they play.
00:39:42Hey, there's also influence from the parents on the bus. So if we instilled the
00:39:48when we mold our kids to be better individuals in the future,
00:39:52entrepreneurs or of course they're also God-fearing and then so so it also
00:39:57that's their nurture that's their core values and then when they grow up they
00:40:04tend to go back to their core values and even enhance it more hopefully. We had a
00:40:09conversation earlier but when I was teaching practicum in USC one of my
00:40:14students actually asked because at that time I was employed and it's practicum
00:40:18business practicum and then one of my students actually asked bravely no ask
00:40:22sir you're teaching practicum and they're teaching us to become better
00:40:26entrepreneurs but you are not an entrepreneur how come so so that
00:40:33question had was already inside my head but it was at that moment when I just
00:40:37like I think I need to think about this really seriously and yes to make the
00:40:42long story short the answer was nurture I told my class that I grew up with
00:40:46parents who are successful in their careers so that subconsciously became my
00:40:51measure of success but probably if I grew up in a household in which my parents
00:40:55were entrepreneurs then maybe subconsciously that could have been my
00:40:59measure of success so to a certain extent family also has a an influence into that
00:41:07decision
00:41:10and the conversation on the table
00:41:11yeah this is a story right when when we okay you don't have meals during the day because
00:41:18the schedules but on weekends that's the time that you have a story and you have a conversation so
00:41:23you have a lot of parents I'm sure I'm sure Mildred the appearance of the DJ's parents when he comes home
00:41:31to my friend asking you are the people that I have the bus like you are the ones that have been
00:41:32to me because this is the time I came to your family and I have a lot of parents that have been
00:41:36crying like you are in my eyes
00:41:38I was like
00:41:41I'm sorry
00:41:42I'm not sure
00:41:44I'm sorry
00:41:45So, Eric, Topline has evolved from, you know, fuel trading company into a diversified business with retail, logistics, port operations, not interested in support operations.
00:42:02How did you manage this transformation?
00:42:05So, what we do now in Topline is basically, of course, we have a vision, we have a roadmap.
00:42:11And what you want to do in the different subsidiary and affiliates, we want to make sure that everything can synergize with each other.
00:42:21So, meaning, let's say, for example, for the port, since we're into fuel, we basically refuel the vessels in the ports.
00:42:30So, since we also have a tech business, we're the one automating the South Bus, the North Bus, even Saburakay right now.
00:42:38So, what we're doing is the tech business is also doing enhancement to our process flow and systems in our internal organization for the Topline group.
00:42:47So, what we're doing now is we're entering into different segments in the market that could amplify the whole Topline group and integrate.
00:42:55So, each business can synergize and suppliers, suppliers, suppliers, your needs, right?
00:43:05So, we have our own, of course, we're supplying our own needs, but we're also, the main chunk of the business is still from our customers.
00:43:16But since we have that, we're also enhancing the whole internal Topline ecosystem.
00:43:21You have already answered a portion of the question, but just in case there are things that you still wish to add, but you're not the only company in that space.
00:43:31Oh, yeah.
00:43:32So, what differentiates Topline from all these companies in that same space?
00:43:39So, a perfect example possibly would be into the fuel industry.
00:43:42Since that's basically the recent one that we, you know, for that industry, we're quite, we're a small, basically a small player in that industry.
00:43:55There's a lot of giants in the industry.
00:43:58The branded ones, no?
00:43:58The branded ones, pa.
00:44:00So, but for us, so we have, of course, we have Topline, Topline Business, the listed company, and we have two different subsidiaries, Lightfuels, and Logistics, which is importation.
00:44:12For Lightfuels, what we're doing now is we're catering to a certain niche market in the industry.
00:44:17So, what are the niche market that we're looking at?
00:44:19These are the two-wheel vehicles.
00:44:22What are the motors, right?
00:44:23They're already on.
00:44:23They're already on.
00:44:24They're already on.
00:44:25So, what we're doing now is we're enhancing a value proposition for our customers that would cater to that group, to that niche market.
00:44:35So, another example would be we're doing, we're not calling ourselves a gasoline station, but a service station.
00:44:43So, meaning what you, when you go to our stations, it's basically more service-facing.
00:44:49So, Karwan, we're incorporating technologies in the mix, such as we have an automated motor wash, automatic motor wash.
00:44:59It's not a manual, it's not a manual, it's not a manual.
00:45:02Guess how many minutes a motor wash?
00:45:05Automated.
00:45:06I don't know.
00:45:07Five minutes only.
00:45:10How's the water consumption?
00:45:12Very good.
00:45:13It's more limited, man.
00:45:15So, you're still in a delay, right?
00:45:17It's still in a recycle.
00:45:17It's still in a recycle.
00:45:18Yes.
00:45:18So, maybe when you go to subdivisions, you'll see the water, right?
00:45:22You'll see the water, right?
00:45:24You'll see the water, right?
00:45:25You'll see the water, right?
00:45:26Then, you'll see the water in the water.
00:45:29Because of the pressure.
00:45:31So, you'll see the water, right?
00:45:32Oh my God, it's hot in the water.
00:45:34So, you'll see the water.
00:45:35So, I'm very interested.
00:45:37You know, the issue of the business is just also consider the sustainability.
00:45:42Correct.
00:45:43So, that's it.
00:45:44So, these are things, technologies that were very, very, very, it's quite interesting.
00:45:49Yes.
00:45:50And so, when you go to the station, you get the motor wash.
00:45:56We have a lounge there.
00:45:57It's free of coffee.
00:45:58It's free of water.
00:45:59It's free of coffee.
00:46:00It's free of coffee.
00:46:01So, these are things that we're adding to the mix.
00:46:04That's not there in the other giants.
00:46:08Yeah.
00:46:09And then soon, we're also launching an automated car wash system in one of our service stations.
00:46:17How many?
00:46:18Yes.
00:46:19How many minutes for that?
00:46:20The car wash?
00:46:21Okay.
00:46:2210 minutes.
00:46:23One.
00:46:24Two to three minutes, Max.
00:46:25Oh.
00:46:26This is the one that's moving now.
00:46:28It's a conveyor belt.
00:46:30Yeah.
00:46:31Under the chassis and the wheels.
00:46:33So, it's going to be something different.
00:46:36Let us know once it's launched.
00:46:38Yeah.
00:46:39Of course.
00:46:40Of course.
00:46:41So, we're very excited for this.
00:46:42Yes.
00:46:43Very excited.
00:46:44But how many outlets do you have for now?
00:46:47Okay.
00:46:48So, currently, since we also, I think it was disclosed in the exchange, we also acquired a network of 38 stations.
00:46:58Nationwide?
00:46:59This is basically in Visayas.
00:47:01Visayas.
00:47:02But majority is in Cebu.
00:47:04Okay.
00:47:05So, for us, when we build the stations, we build it organically and also inorganic, meaning the acquisition.
00:47:12So, currently, we have about 50 stations in our network.
00:47:18And since we just bought or acquired the other 38 stations, we're also rebranding it.
00:47:23So, now, if you look at, if you go to the north, we have different light fields there.
00:47:28To the south, we're rebranded.
00:47:30So, by, we're looking at possibly by early next year or mid next year, we'll be able to rebrand.
00:47:38I'm curious because of this particular topic.
00:47:43And this is more of the context of your thought process.
00:47:49Oh, yeah.
00:47:50Why did you decide to go for the white station market and not the branded station market?
00:48:00Okay.
00:48:01Yeah.
00:48:02I think since if you're going to the branded market, you have to franchise it.
00:48:07Correct.
00:48:08Right?
00:48:09You have to franchise.
00:48:10Whereas for us, since we're into the fuel industry business, since we're also distributing to, we call it commercial or industrial clients.
00:48:17Yeah.
00:48:18Like shipping companies.
00:48:19Yeah.
00:48:20Like shipping companies.
00:48:21Also doing.
00:48:22So, others.
00:48:23Construction companies.
00:48:24So, in the mix, we have industrial and now we have retail.
00:48:29So, we said, oh, we may have also to expand the retail branch of the business.
00:48:36So, again, we didn't go from one to ten in two years, three years.
00:48:47It took us time to make sure that, you know, the processes and the systems are in place.
00:48:52And in fact, we got three really good talent in.
00:48:55Also, we can put the fuel industry to get them in.
00:49:02And then, to synchronize all these businesses and they talk to each other.
00:49:07And then, the other piece actually, which pleasantly surprised me.
00:49:12It's because, correct me if I'm wrong, but you're also expanding towards EV stations.
00:49:18Oh, yeah.
00:49:19Correct.
00:49:20You're not going to change it, right?
00:49:21No.
00:49:22No.
00:49:23What I meant actually, right?
00:49:24Some people, they look at it, some companies, they look at it as a competition.
00:49:28Oh, yeah.
00:49:29Right?
00:49:30But in their case, instead of looking, I mean, I'm putting words into your mouth.
00:49:33You articulate better, no?
00:49:34But instead of looking at this as competitors, they opened their own.
00:49:39So, it's, again, as what we've discussed before, the trends.
00:49:44Correct.
00:49:45The trends are your friends.
00:49:46So, what are the trends right now?
00:49:48EV is the one.
00:49:49Yes.
00:49:50Maybe in the future, there's another technology, another kind of fuel, maybe, that we can also expand to.
00:49:57But, again, the station soon, it already has the infrastructure to accommodate the EV charging.
00:50:04So, we're just going to install the EV infrastructure soon.
00:50:07I think that's the adaptability.
00:50:09Yes.
00:50:10Okay.
00:50:11Okay.
00:50:12Okay.
00:50:13Okay.
00:50:14Okay.
00:50:15What if, you know, it's already gone.
00:50:16So, when are you going to set up when saturated is the market?
00:50:18So, instead of fighting the trend.
00:50:19No.
00:50:20Okay.
00:50:21Accept it.
00:50:22Embrace it.
00:50:23Same as AI.
00:50:24I've seen a lot of people saying AI is for the dumb.
00:50:27You know, when the internet, it's going to be a lot of people saying AI is for the dumb.
00:50:32I mean, you know, when the internet, it's going to be a lot of people saying AI is for the dumb.
00:50:34Or the older story, although I wasn't born during that time.
00:50:40Wait, wait, are you sure?
00:50:42Okay, go.
00:50:43Give it to me.
00:50:44No, I'm kidding.
00:50:45You're already dead.
00:50:47Okay.
00:50:48No, but I also learned that digital camera was actually invented by one of the engineers in Kodak.
00:50:57But they did not pursue that route because they thought digital camera will compete with their films.
00:51:03Correct.
00:51:03But look what happened.
00:51:04So that's why I would say that instead of fighting EV stations because it would create supposedly an impression like,
00:51:11Oh, this is our competition.
00:51:12But that's a trend.
00:51:15Look at Nokia.
00:51:17You were there but I think the key word you do is adaptability because you will die if you will not adapt.
00:51:27And competition can be an opportunity.
00:51:28And in fact, since we're talking about AI, they say based on the research, there's going to be a jump of about 30%, more or less 30% of efficiency because of that.
00:51:44So what do you mean by that?
00:51:45So during the internet age, this 1990s, or even before us, this was the first time of Atopatag Library.
00:51:54So what's the first time of Atopatag Library?
00:51:55So what's the first time of Atopatag Library?
00:51:57So search, just search, just search.
00:51:59Oh, it's a big one.
00:52:01It's a big one.
00:52:02If you copy it on the internet, it's like, you can copy it.
00:52:06It's like, you can search it.
00:52:08It's like, you can just search it.
00:52:10So right now, when the internet came, we took out the libraries.
00:52:14It's like the internet.
00:52:16So efficiency, the bump is how many percent?
00:52:20Maybe 10% or even more, a little bit more.
00:52:23But now with the advent of AI, they say it's going to increase efficiency, 30% more or less per year.
00:52:33It's like the increase.
00:52:36Remember, Counselor Pipito was here, and he has a proposal about a project digitalization in City Hall.
00:52:45Have an AI to do in City Hall.
00:52:48If you look like this, it's like City Hall.
00:52:52If you get a business permit, then the AI will just have to tell you how to do it.
00:52:59Right?
00:53:00So, if you look like City Hall, you're going to have a business permit.
00:53:03So, you're going to have to tell me how to do it.
00:53:05You're going to have to tell me how to do it.
00:53:07Or, my pet peeve, since yesterday, you get different answers.
00:53:12But if you have that system, if you have that system in place,
00:53:18it's like, it's a good thing.
00:53:20You're going to be like, you're going to be a bad thing.
00:53:25You're going to be a bad thing.
00:53:27So, I think AI is a game-changer.
00:53:31Very interesting.
00:53:32AI is a game-changer, good.
00:53:34So, earlier, I asked you Beyond Titles with Eric Lim.
00:53:37Now, let's go into the top line.
00:53:39Beyond profit and expansion, what impact do you want the top line to make in Cebu or in the country, for that matter?
00:53:51Well, I think for us, as an organization, we're still quite young at some point.
00:53:58And what we want to do here is to lay the foundation of future generations, not only for us.
00:54:07So, what we want to do here is to create the best system, the best talent that we can do.
00:54:13And hopefully, again, there's always succession planning.
00:54:17When the time comes that there's going to be a succession plan, it's already there.
00:54:22And also for us to pay it forward to society.
00:54:26Of course, for us, at the end of the day, we have to earn because it's a business.
00:54:33We're also accountable to our employees, our shareholders, our investors, and everyone else.
00:54:42And for us, for us to sustain that, we have to make sure that what's our North Star?
00:54:51And our North Star right now is to create businesses that's very, very important for society that the companies should also earn.
00:55:02Because when you earn, it also goes back to R&D, to the talent and everyone.
00:55:09So, it's a cycle that we want to improve.
00:55:13And just for that, and this is for our viewers also, because at least from the circle that I'm in,
00:55:20when I ask people about do they want to enter into business, but this is something to be their answer.
00:55:25It's because the common question actually is, what kind of business will I make money instead of where can I add value?
00:55:34It's also common. If I make a business, what kind of business will I make money instead of what do I have?
00:55:40Can you elaborate more of that?
00:55:41So, that's also a mindset that needs to shift.
00:55:44Exactly. I totally agree.
00:55:46Because there's different kinds of businesses right now.
00:55:48Correct.
00:55:49So, I would highly advise when you enter into a business, it's not about two years, three years, five years.
00:56:05Think of the long term.
00:56:06You have to be there in the long haul.
00:56:09You have to make sure that we're actually all in.
00:56:12And it has to always be long term good.
00:56:15Okay, when you set your sights in a 10-year roadmap or a 20-year roadmap, sometimes you still have to adjust.
00:56:23But basically, if you have that direction, usually, more often than not, there are answers along the way.
00:56:31And through experience, you find that treasure of answers there through your experience.
00:56:38And I don't think like a one-time, big-time business can learn that.
00:56:44So, that's what I see.
00:56:45So, it's like this.
00:56:47It's like this.
00:56:48It's like this value.
00:56:49Cebu's economy is rapidly evolving as new infrastructure or investments pour in.
00:56:55How do you see Topline contributing to Cebu's continued growth and development in the coming years?
00:57:01Well, we see the sustainability of Cebu, given the circumstance that a lot of investors are coming in.
00:57:11If we're talking about the BPO industry, it's there.
00:57:15Hopefully, the tourism pod, it's also part of one of the bright spots for Cebu.
00:57:22And energy is also there.
00:57:25So, for us, the way we see it, if you can give a more sustainable access to energy to Cebu, that could help us grow.
00:57:36Because if you're a developing city or even a developing country, you would need all of the different sources of energy right now.
00:57:46So, for us, we're only one of those.
00:57:49And, of course, the service is really nice that we're looking at.
00:57:53But at the end of the day, what you want to do here is to craft a certain story for Cebu that could be a springboard for other entrepreneurs or other younger generations.
00:58:10So, well, hopefully, we can do that not only on the private sector but also from the government.
00:58:17I think we have to help hand-in-hand for this one.
00:58:22And then, the last one.
00:58:25And then, the last one.
00:58:26And then, the last one.
00:58:28Okay, just a few minutes.
00:58:29The last one.
00:58:31But maybe I'll add it later.
00:58:33Semi-last.
00:58:34Semi-last.
00:58:35Just in case.
00:58:36You can plan.
00:58:37Many of our, but you've answered portions of this already in the previous topics that we covered.
00:58:44But many of our viewers dream, actually, of becoming an entrepreneur.
00:58:51But a lot of them are just afraid to take that deep.
00:58:54What would you tell them?
00:58:56Well, I would probably say, you know, just start.
00:59:02You can never know if your idea is well-received or not until you start.
00:59:08But it doesn't mean that you have to go 100%.
00:59:12You can do 50-50 just to test the market.
00:59:15Right?
00:59:16Same with focus groups.
00:59:18If you find a certain product, you'll test it.
00:59:22And if it makes sense, why not?
00:59:24If it's not, then you go back to the drawing board and adjust a little bit.
00:59:29So, if you don't start, you don't know where you're heading.
00:59:35Or where will that take you?
00:59:38Yeah.
00:59:39So, and the data would show that it's not very, very bright.
00:59:45More or less, one out of ten companies are good when they start.
00:59:53They would have a hard time on the first few years.
00:59:58Which is normal.
01:00:00What is a normal, hard time, first few years?
01:00:06I have a figure, I know something in mind, but I want to also know what's yours.
01:00:11So, they said that one, nine out of ten companies would fail in the first year.
01:00:16So, because what you do in your planning session is actually quite different when you execute, when you implement.
01:00:26So, if you think that product A is okay, you would think that the market would absorb it.
01:00:34But you don't have to worry about it along the way.
01:00:37You have to give a variable that you don't have an address.
01:00:40Exactly.
01:00:41And then implementation is like, how many percent?
01:00:43Percent, yes.
01:00:44So, it's quite, quite huge.
01:00:45So, you just need to implement maybe baby steps first.
01:00:49And then eventually, if you get the momentum going, then you add more.
01:00:53And, sorry if I'll press some more.
01:00:56So, how long is a healthy runway?
01:01:00Because some people, in the context of the question,
01:01:02it's the same thing.
01:01:03And then, oh, this is not working.
01:01:05We're not flying.
01:01:06Stop now.
01:01:07So, that's why there's a runway.
01:01:10They just quit prematurely.
01:01:12Okay.
01:01:13So, again, it would also depend on different industries.
01:01:17Okay.
01:01:18So, an example possibly would be, let's say, about AI.
01:01:24AI now.
01:01:25Okay.
01:01:26So, when they developed machine learning, it took them, I don't know, 10 years or even 15
01:01:31years to do it.
01:01:32But after 15 years, that's the time then.
01:01:35You can't do it again.
01:01:36It's the same.
01:01:37You can't do it again.
01:01:38It's the same.
01:01:39It's like building your own business.
01:01:40You're not going to plan a lot.
01:01:41It's like, oh, you're not going to do it again.
01:01:43It's great.
01:01:44So, so, so, so, so, so, so, one is, Karun, we just have to make sure that you have the
01:01:48the right data.
01:01:49You have the right trends.
01:01:50you have to make sure that you're not blindsided when entering a market so you have to also do
01:01:58your research. So you have to do your research and gestation period would depend on different
01:02:12industries but the important thing there is you just have to have the right of course
01:02:19to get you through the runway okay what if a runway two years now or three years now then
01:02:26we have to make sure when the budgeting is also important there's a conscious effort in how you
01:02:46utilize your funds for the entire project. You've positioned Topline as both a local and
01:02:54a regional player what are the biggest challenges and opportunities in expanding operations beyond
01:03:00Cebu and Visayas? Well actually it gives us more flexibility
01:03:07as a local and more focused on Cebu and so there are pros and concepts right now so since we're a
01:03:16regional player we still have to market ourselves but since we're a regional player more or less in
01:03:23Cebu we also know us so what we're doing right now in Topline is expanding in our current market now right
01:03:32now so we're looking at Cebu and then eventually hopefully in other areas we now have a station in
01:03:37Dumaguete and we have a station in Ormo in fact we even have a station in Siquijor do you know Siquijor we
01:03:45even have a station in Siquijor so so right now we want to make sure that we're saturating a certain market
01:03:50segment that we're also comfortable where we're we know the market so we're doing that right now and then eventually when we expand to different areas
01:04:01we'll probably do the same so it's going to be a community-based approach in terms of marketing branding advertising so that's what we're doing right now for the group
01:04:12leadership in a family-founded company can be complex oh yeah yet rewarding so how do you balance tradition and innovation in steering the top line forward
01:04:25so so so so so I just have this really great opportunity to work with my with my siblings so with my part my parents so so as I mentioned earlier
01:04:39Seaman bridge is the CEO operations and attorney mike is the CFO and and they have different skill sets and I also have my own skill sets but when we fuse everything together it amplifies
01:04:51and and and for us if we're in a environment in the in the office we call ourselves professionally mom sir or mr. or miss but if we're in a family setting we're
01:05:05also siblings you know so so meaning for us we understand that even if you're a family-grown company or you're quite I
01:05:17I know your siblings or whatsoever there still has that there's that level of professionalism still has to be there
01:05:25even our our well my my dad is also there also helping us guiding us no so so there are a lot of things in the mix
01:05:33and for us and for us we're just very very fortunate that we have that we have that sibling synergy
01:05:41in the mix
01:05:43so that's why
01:05:53so that's why
01:05:55refreshing to listen bang
01:05:57there is that
01:05:59if you read the column of mr. Enrico Soriano
01:06:01Enrico Soriano okay
01:06:03one man yeah family successions
01:06:05ah yeah
01:06:07it's a problem
01:06:09lucky
01:06:11and good point too
01:06:13the boundaries if we call it
01:06:15where is the family line
01:06:17and where is the professional line
01:06:19okay when the two starts to mix
01:06:21that's when trouble in the business is brought to the home
01:06:25and trouble in the home is brought to the business
01:06:27exactly
01:06:31important
01:06:33just to add
01:06:35that's why
01:06:37for us we're professionalizing the company
01:06:39we're getting a really good talents coming in
01:06:41example
01:06:43from the chief compliance officer
01:06:45attorney Tara
01:06:47the advisors board of advisors
01:06:49Andrea from communications as investor relations
01:06:51so so for us we're learning from everyone here everyone in the in the talent pool
01:06:57and we also want to make sure that everyone has has a say in terms of the decision-making
01:07:05so it's a shared vision and we're just quite happy that we have that kind of culture in the company
01:07:15can you promise last question
01:07:17you
01:07:19you
01:07:21looking ahead what's next for top line are they are there any upcoming projects innovations community initiatives that you're most excited about sharing aside the motor
01:07:29okay
01:07:31i don't know if i can disclose a lot
01:07:33okay
01:07:35i don't know if i can disclose a lot
01:07:37okay
01:07:39okay
01:07:41so um
01:07:43so we have um
01:07:45what the focus right now is uh
01:07:47it's still it's more about expansion
01:07:49so we
01:07:51when we
01:07:52when we
01:07:53when we
01:07:54when we
01:07:55uh
01:07:56made the difference subsidiaries and affiliates in top line we made sure that there's vertical integration in place
01:07:57and
01:07:58that's still going to be the focus moving forward in the next five ten years
01:08:01so
01:08:02why do we say that
01:08:03because when you vertically integrate the different supply chains
01:08:06it makes it more more efficient than ever
01:08:09and if it's more efficient
01:08:11we can even think of other ideas
01:08:13in the mix that can
01:08:15that can add to the talent pool
01:08:17so for one vertical integration is going to be an integral part
01:08:21and at the same time the different processes and systems
01:08:24has to
01:08:25to
01:08:26play a role
01:08:27so that's what we're doing right now
01:08:29okay
01:08:30so
01:08:31so
01:08:32that was a good
01:08:35uh
01:08:36entrepreneurship 101 from
01:08:38from eric
01:08:39although
01:08:40this is a good one
01:08:41but
01:08:42he's
01:08:43straight
01:08:44and
01:08:45we were so engaged
01:08:46so
01:08:47thank you eric
01:08:48that was a very
01:08:49my pleasure
01:08:50my pleasure
01:08:51refreshing
01:08:52ideas of being an entrepreneur
01:08:54and
01:09:01it's
01:09:02it's
01:09:03it's
01:09:04that's it
01:09:05it's very refreshing
01:09:06thank you for the insights
01:09:07you've shared with us and the audience
01:09:09so hopefully we've
01:09:10uh
01:09:11learned
01:09:12you learned a lot
01:09:13i learned a lot also
01:09:14i learned a lot
01:09:15so
01:09:16that wraps up this edition of beyond the headlines
01:09:18we hope today's conversation helps shed light
01:09:21on the bigger picture behind the story
01:09:23and once again we'd like to thank our guest
01:09:26mr.
01:09:27eugene eric lim for helping us connect the dots in ways that matter
01:09:32for those who failed to catch up this interview
01:09:34kagool
01:09:35kay naapani sa atong facebook page in the next 30 days
01:09:38but at the same time we'll have promotions for this
01:09:41for you to watch the full interview with eric
01:09:44so
01:09:45i'm mildred galarpe
01:09:46and i'm dj moises
01:09:47thank you and good afternoon
01:09:49good afternoon
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