From coming up with programs to ensure there are enough quality graduates from universities to promoting Cebu as a global IT-BPM hub, the different CIB.O committees presented strategies and other innovations to further develop the industry under new normal conditions.
Called the Strat 8 Super Committees of the Cebu IT-BPM Organization (CIB.O), the groups were formed to manage challenges and take advantage of opportunities brought to light by COVID-19, said Chairman Francis Monera in his opening remarks during the first ever virtual town hall event “Gearing Up for New Normal and Beyond” held on October 29, 2020.
The liaison directors of CIB.O’s Talent Development, Innovation, Linkages, Value-Added Services, Marketing and Advocacies, Finance, and International Relations committees presented their programs and agenda in one-minute spiels.
Upgrading IT skills
CIB.O President Gregg Victor Gabison, who is also Liaison Director for Talent Development, said his committee seeks to fill the need of the evolving industry for IT-capable students, graduates, and teachers through talent development support programs.
Another role of the committee is to continue its training programs and workshops aimed at upgrading the skills of human resources in CIB.O-affiliated companies and institutions.
Beyond cultivating the manpower pool, the Linkages Committee is tasked with bringing together the academe and companies on initiatives that would further hone the skills of IT professionals in Cebu, said Trustee Gregory Escario.
Escario, who is the committee’s Liaison Director, said such linkages can range from simple internship and on-the-job training programs to more involved projects like collaborative research and development, industry mentorship, faculty immersion, and commissioned research.
On the other hand, the Finance Committee guards the organization’s fiscal health, according to Trustee Kim M. Aranas of P&A Grant Thornton. He added that their group coordinates with the other committees to ensure that planned projects and programs are fiscally feasible and in line with CIB.O’s vision and mission.
Innovating the way forward
The Innovation Committee intends to strengthen the industry through the triple helix principle, which involves the top three sectors of industry, academe, and government getting involved in three crucial roles of producer, customer, and enabler, according to its liaison director, Trustee Pert Cabataña of Auksilyo Professionals.
Providing ways for beneficial interactions and interconnectedness among various stakeholders, particularly large multinationals and start-up micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and developing local capabilities in advanced technologies like Data Science, Analytics, Machine Learning, and Artificial Intelligence are other important tasks of his committee.
It has become apparent in recent months that industry stakeholders will have to come together to come up with creative solutions to industry challenges, and Trustee Kris Villaba of Sykes sees this as a role for the Value-Added Services Committee where he is liaison director.
Part of his committee’s role will be to transform CIB.O into a one-stop-shop for membership services and main hub for business permit and other needs of members. He cited that the organization through the years has contributed to the growth and sustainability of the industry by helping IT-BPM companies connect with PEZA and local government units.
Cebu as global IT-BPM hub
Trustee Aseem Roy of WIPRO sees the role of his committee, which is International Relations, as one that would help promote the Cebu he now considers home as the leading provider of IT-BPM services for all global companies.
He added that Cebu has distinguished itself as a center for manpower talent, innovations, IT infrastructure, and business sustainability and credited the visionary leadership of its local government units, academe, and industry bodies for its achievements in the IT-BPM industry.
Through the committees for Marketing and Advocacies, with Trustee Rey Beluso of Tech Mahindra as Liaison Director, CIB.O will become a catalyst for change in Cebu.
He added that they will continue CIB.O’s role of continually disrupting traditional practices to conform to the new normal, challenging the status quo, and innovating for the good of people and the business.
