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Join Shion Canen, Assistant VP & Enterprise Sales Head (VisMin) of Converge Global Business, as we explore connectivity, innovation, and the digital future shaping businesses and communities in the Philippines.
Don’t miss her insights on leadership, tech, and growth—tune in live!
Don’t miss her insights on leadership, tech, and growth—tune in live!
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NewsTranscript
00:35Good afternoon, everyone, and you're watching Beyond the Headlines.
00:39I'm DJ Moises.
00:41We are at Oak Ridge Pavilion today, and in our previous episode, we had a conversation that we honestly didn't
00:48want to end.
00:49We enjoyed that interview so much that we knew it deserved a part two.
00:55Thank you for having me again.
00:57So today, we're able to do just that.
00:59This time, we move from her story to the bigger picture, how leadership shows up on the ground, especially in
01:06Visayas and Mindanao.
01:08Joining us once again is Sean Cannon, Assistant Vice President and Head of Enterprise Sales for the Visayas and Mindanao
01:15region of Converge Global Businesses.
01:19Sean, welcome back to the show.
01:20Hi, DJ. Thank you.
01:21And again, our heartfelt thanks for having me here again to talk about a lot of things, taking off from
01:29the last interview that we had.
01:31And we're very grateful that you're also making time for this conversation, considering your very busy schedule.
01:37We will make time for you all the time.
01:40Thank you. Thank you. We're very grateful.
01:42So now, because in the previous episode, we're able to hear your story and where the why is coming from.
01:49So you've obviously seen a lot of boardrooms and you've also seen a lot of barangays because of your work
02:01engagements in the countryside.
02:03Between the two, which one is teaching you more about leadership?
02:10Both actually, DJ. You know, in the boardroom, we talk about a lot of strategy, the how, the plans, the
02:19why, and when.
02:21In the barangay level, you see it differently. This is where we implement the strategies.
02:28And, you know, you see at the barangay level, the grit of the people on the ground, really just to
02:36meet and achieve that goal.
02:38So both should be important in leadership.
02:42That's why I personally as well, I really go out, travel to the remote areas, be there in the countryside
02:48so I can actually see and even feel how it is there as compared to where we are from in
02:55the city.
02:56And what are the realities in the countryside that still surprises you?
03:04Actually, a lot.
03:05Well, on a personal level, you see how laid back they are still compared to the bustling city, maybe because
03:13there are a lot of opportunity for businesses in the city as compared to the countryside.
03:17But what amazed me and still surprised me is really seeing, you know, businesses are still manual.
03:26And even this, I think I shared this with you, you know, that this experience really helped me to do
03:34more.
03:34Because I still see in one municipality, in one school, that there is just one computer.
03:43And I see a lot of students queuing up just to get the feel.
03:48And we're talking of computer DJs, not even laptop.
03:52So you see, thereon, I would think that how in any little way I could help them access the technology,
04:04opportunities that we can bring.
04:06So that's always my mantra.
04:08That's why I want to work with countryside, talking to municipalities, the LGUs.
04:15And a lot of business organizations are also aligned with us.
04:19And I think you're pretty, pretty sure aware of that.
04:22Because I also look up, you know, I see your posts, different business organizations.
04:29And we are very aligned with that, what we want to do for the communities, not only in the city,
04:35but most specifically in the countryside.
04:39And the reason also why we wanted to have this conversation, and now there's a part two to it.
04:45Because there are also certain realities in the countryside that not many people in the city are aware of, no?
04:51Just like the case that you pointed out.
04:54Do you still struggle with the reality that sometimes a child's future is also anchored to the place that he
05:08or she is born?
05:10And whether connectivity is available in that location?
05:16I'd like to believe, like, personally, way back before, we would think that we are just limited to where we
05:25are born at and to what opportunities that we have in our area.
05:29But because of technology, a lot of opportunities are really open.
05:34And I think that's why we are here, because we want to do the same, that those students, kids, the
05:43example that I mentioned earlier, that they will have also the same digital access, the same rights for opportunities.
05:52Because DJ, we really have talents in the region.
05:57You can see that we have major BPOs in Cebu, in Davao, Bacolod, Iloilo.
06:03So, why these major BPOs are there?
06:06Because they see the talents of the locals.
06:09And Cebuano, Manga Bisaya, we speak good English.
06:12Sometimes we're even perceived as our native language, right?
06:17But we need to bring awareness as well.
06:22That back in the countryside, there are really student kids who are still struggling to even have the basic connectivity.
06:30And I think I make it a purpose, a personal mission.
06:34That's why I'm still here in Converge, and I want to do more to this countryside.
06:38I cannot do it on my own.
06:39I always believe it takes a village for a mission to succeed.
06:46So, if we are then to look on the flip side, was there a particular moment also that you can
06:53share in which you really saw how technology changed lives for the better?
07:01Oh, yeah.
07:02Again, I'll bring up this example.
07:04Well, years ago, so I've been in the industry for over 20 years.
07:11I'm not going to mention how long.
07:12But years, years ago, when mobile data is really the main connectivity that we are using, using our mobile phones.
07:23So, we have this project when we bring in signal in a community.
07:30It's in Leyte, actually.
07:32So, I still remember that moment when one subscriber got her phone from us.
07:42We activated it.
07:44She got the signal.
07:45And the first thing that she did that time was really call her family in Manila.
07:50And the only thing that she said was,
07:54Ma, I'm going to leave her phone from the side of the phone because I'm going to call Mother Richo.
08:01So, even after that, I'm so passionate about it.
08:04It brings me so much joy that this simple gadget, the simple connectivity can actually change lives.
08:13Technology is there for businesses, but it can also bring a lot to the families, especially those, I mean, Filipinos.
08:22We have a lot of OFWs out there.
08:25So, when you bring in connectivity to the community, we not only empower businesses, but as well Filipino lives.
08:33So, if we are then to look at this from a business or leadership standpoint, what are the contexts in
08:46the countryside that you think leaders should not overlook?
08:52I always go back to what will enable businesses.
08:57I'm here because I believe in the mission vision of the company.
09:02And it's really empowering lives, not only businesses, but every Filipino.
09:07I know it sounds like Miss Universe can answer, but it aligns to what I believe and what I want
09:13to do.
09:14The personal mission is to really help local businesses.
09:20When you give them access to technology through a basic connectivity, they can have so much.
09:27And I see that in a simple Sarisari store because I just want to step back a little.
09:33During pandemic, I think, at most, we're habituated already in using, you know, fintech, the e-money and all that.
09:44So, that's one of the advantages that we had.
09:47And I see a simple Sarisari store.
09:52I went to a community.
09:55They don't accept, how do you call this?
09:58I don't have a cash with me.
09:59I don't really bring cash with me a lot.
10:02So, when I went to a Sarisari store to just buy a candy, they accept, you know, e-money.
10:09And I just have to transfer it to them.
10:11And that's really amazing because it helped a lot.
10:15Small things that we can think of, but it helps them to grow more in the business.
10:22And, you know, accept all clients, regardless of industry or how small or big.
10:30And even customers like us.
10:32Do you get that?
10:34Yes.
10:34The reason also that I connect to your personal and professional mission, it's also because we are very aware about
10:44how technology is making people more efficient.
10:49Yes, true.
10:51But it also underscores the reality that if we don't narrow the digital divide, then it also becomes not equitable
11:03for those on the countryside.
11:05So, if you are to communicate then to other leaders who are watching us, how urgent is it to actually
11:13close this gap?
11:15Yeah.
11:17So, I've been to a lot of business meetings.
11:20I just want to say this first half.
11:22So, you know where I'm coming from.
11:24I've been to a lot of technical meetings, different owners, different size in the industry, different industries.
11:33And back in my mind, there are really, you know, decision makers, owners of businesses that they think being where
11:44they are right now, using legacy systems, but the future is in the digital space now.
11:51So, I'd like to say that we need to really invest in our future because this future right now will
12:01become a requirement and it will be more expensive then.
12:05So, invest now in technology that could help you in your operations, especially basic connectivity is really a critical point
12:13in the business to really go forward, you know, future forward, future proof your businesses.
12:20Which is what, which is as essential now, especially that more and more of the world is actually into technology.
12:30So, when you support entrepreneurs, particularly those in the countryside, what mindset also are you teaching them so that they
12:42will look beyond availability of technology,
12:45but how they can even better leverage technology to make their businesses thrive?
12:51Yeah, when we go out, visit different communities, different LGUs, different cities, there's always that mindset in them that they're
13:03not, they don't have it yet.
13:05I mean, they don't have the right skills, they don't have enough talents to do this, like what the other
13:11major cities are doing, but that is really not the challenge there because we really have the talents.
13:19Our schools cultivated in us, you know, to be very hardworking and then to aspire more than what we have.
13:27And I think we can bridge that gap if we bring in the right infrastructure and then basic connectivity, everything
13:39will open up to access to technology.
13:43Like for what I'm, I think one of the examples there is if you have a talent in the city,
13:52a graduate, they can also be employed.
13:56May not be physically in the city, but they can be employed doing digital access, meaning, let's say mga VAs,
14:05they're like virtual assistants.
14:07Virtual would mean online.
14:10So if you can bring that in all the rural areas, I'm sorry, in all the remote areas, we could
14:17have a lot of employment.
14:19We bring business, yes.
14:21So that's really what we want to do, DJ.
14:24And you've mentioned earlier that it takes a village and part, and the term that we commonly use for village
14:32is ecosystem.
14:34So in terms of readiness also with technology, and it's good that Converge is heavily focused on countryside development.
14:43In terms of using technology, what are your thoughts also about how the academe part of the ecosystem can also
14:52help prepare the students for them to be able to optimize what Converge is also giving them access to?
15:01Yeah, that's really a good question, you know, because we are really aligned to what our founder is doing right
15:12now.
15:13We open opportunities to the community, so when it's focused on the academe, we actually have this hackathon.
15:20We select talents, and then we let them, you know, innovate ideas, solutions that could help their businesses.
15:28And it's really working, and we have this, we also have OGTs, we're working with different universities.
15:35We have talents, we groom them to become more, you know, technology, yeah, equipped, enabling them to do more.
15:45And that's just a start.
15:48And then for the schools, I think we should be more open that we open up opportunities when we bring
15:56in the right technology.
15:57And that's where we will come in.
15:59We bring in infrastructure, we provide them the basic connectivity, and then set up a log for them.
16:06Then we groom and grow, equip students to do more using technology.
16:11What particular domains, technology, in which you think the academe, especially those who are in the countryside, can hone, if
16:25not strengthen?
16:27I always believe we can always start baby steps.
16:32So like what you said, it takes a village, right?
16:36Well, a school wants to be at par with the schools and the university, but we need to step back
16:44and think, do we have the right resources?
16:48Do we have the right people to teach the students to do this?
16:56So with that, our company, me personally, we support that, talking to them, what are their plans, and then talking
17:04to different organizations.
17:06And we plan with the organizations, but what we can bring to a community.
17:12So if you want to equip talents, then we bring in skilled people to teach them.
17:20Do they need more technology, then we bring in connectivity.
17:25In fact, one of our mission is always look for an area that we need to expand, because this is
17:35the next big thing.
17:36So this is where the emerging cities, emerging countryside.
17:42So we always start at the basic.
17:44And this is the part in which the academe can develop talents within the remote or countryside locations in the
17:57Philippines.
17:58But what about also the opportunities also that technology can bring if the countryside has more access to technologies?
18:09What are these emerging opportunities that they don't need to go to the city anymore, because it's available in the
18:15countryside?
18:16Actually, top of mind is really employment, DJ.
18:19When you have access to technology, as I mentioned earlier, one very basic example is being a virtual assistant.
18:25You don't need to be physically present in an office.
18:28You can actually upload your resume, your CV, do interviews online, be hired online, and then being paid online.
18:38So everything is about ecosystem and technology.
18:43And how do you convince also, and this is now going back to the boardroom, how do you convince also
18:49leaders who are still looking at technology as an expense rather than a leadership decision?
18:58Yeah.
19:00I think we need to convince them how technology can not only, you know, help them with the financial aspect
19:09of the business.
19:10You need to see investment in a long term, long term.
19:16Because when you compute financials in 12 months, the month will not add.
19:21But when you see it as a future for the business, this is now the right time to invest.
19:30And the good thing about, at least among the players that I know, it's also Converge who is very strong
19:38in terms of putting a focus on the countryside.
19:42What about for those who are watching us and the leaders who would still think that at this point, it's
19:49not yet necessary?
19:51Yeah.
19:53I'd like to say that, you know, this is the right time now.
19:59Converge even, let's say here in Cebu, Converge even invested, bringing cable landing stations closer to the city.
20:08We have in the north, we have in the south of Cebu, we even have in the city.
20:13This means we're investing so much to bring technology closer to home.
20:19So, and I hope that leaders out there, business owners out there will also think it that way to invest
20:26now.
20:27And that Converge is there, not only as a partner, but we will be there to help you to grow
20:34your businesses.
20:35And the other thing also that's unique about the Visayas and Mindanao, but I think this is more of Visayas
20:44because the countryside, it's also composed of islands.
20:50True.
20:51So, there's also a corresponding challenge with that kind of context.
20:58What are also the areas that you are advocating this time so that the islands will not be left behind?
21:07Yeah.
21:08The plan is really, DJ, to connect every remote site across the country.
21:15Investors to come in in the Philippines.
21:17That's why we invested heavily on our global network as well and redundancy.
21:23On the domestic side, we actually part, you mentioned islands.
21:29We want to close that gap in connectivity.
21:33So, we also like partnering with Starlink.
21:36We can bring connectivity to the island.
21:39You don't need to have yet for now the fiber-wired connectivity, but Starlink now will be a good start.
21:47It will also form part of your redundancy, especially during the recent calamities that we had.
21:55And it's proven, having this Starlink service, it will really, really help.
22:02And we always, like for the case example, we go to Samal, we go to Bantayan, we go to Boracay,
22:08we go to Bohol, Panglau, and even Sumilon.
22:11So, we have this, we always have solutions in mind to bring closer, you know, close that gap in connectivity.
22:20What are the future developments that Converge is doing in the countryside that you are most excited today?
22:30Yeah, I mentioned it earlier about this program, the Hackathon program.
22:33It's actually selecting talents because, you know, those who are in the countryside also have ideas.
22:42We're also, you know, students in the city also have great ideas.
22:47So, we bring in this program so that they are aware that their ideas are valid and we'd like to
22:54support that.
22:54Coming up solutions, may using AI, using cloud to support that because we really have the skills and the talents.
23:06It's more of us bringing closer technology to them.
23:09And if there are young entrepreneurs or students in the countryside who are watching us today, what would be your
23:21thoughts or insights that you can share to them that, as you mentioned, their dreams are valid?
23:27Yeah, I'd like to share with you that, you know, what we are doing every day is really to bring
23:35access to technology for you so that we have the same, we will be equipped to, you know, grow personally
23:47as well as open up opportunities for you.
23:56And if there are leaders who are watching and they are still on the fence in terms of bringing technology
24:04to the countryside, what would be your message to them?
24:08Again, I'm going back.
24:10Invest in the future.
24:11This is the right time.
24:13Some are even saying the right time was before.
24:17This is the second best time.
24:18You know, we are future-proofing your business.
24:22Work with us.
24:23We'll help you.
24:24And then this is not only for your own businesses, but as well for the community.
24:29So thank you very much.
24:31Thank you, DJ.
24:31More serious this time, right?
24:32More serious this time.
24:33But at least now we're getting the picture, you know, about why you're passionate about what Converge is doing.
24:42Positively changing lives in the countryside and the opportunities that Converge and leaders like you bring also to the young
24:53entrepreneurs to make technology more accessible and inclusive for all.
24:59And I enjoyed again so much this second conversation.
25:03So most likely there's going to be a part three, if you would still allow us.
25:08Of course, of course.
25:09This is also a privilege for us to, you know, talk about our mission.
25:13And yes, to our viewers, most likely there's going to be a part three coming very, very soon.
25:20The technology gap may seem like a technical issue, but it's hard.
25:27It's a human one because access shapes opportunity.
25:31Where we live should never limit what we can become.
25:36And this is why conversations like this matter.
25:40I'm DJ Moises and to all our viewers, thank you for staying with us and have a good afternoon.
25:46Thank you, DJ.
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