MANAGEMENT FILIPINO STYLE

BRENT GREG E. GOMUAD Mountain Province State Polytechnic College

Tadian Mountain Province

1. Background to Business in Philippines 2. Filipino Business Structures 3. Filipino Management Style

On Teams On Communication Styles On Meetings On Gift GivingOn Dress Code

4.Five (5) types of Filipino managersERNESTO A. FRANCO et al. 1988

1. Background to Business in Philippines

ᴥ The Philippines represents a cultural puzzle

ᴥ Situated in the heart of South East Asia but heavily influenced by such non-Asian forces as Spain (and Mexico), the United States and the Catholic Church

ᴥ Majority of inhabitants are of ethnic Malay stock but, unlike neighboring countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia, the influence of Islam has been limited.

ᴥ Thus, issues such as 'loss of face‘ - neither completely of the East nor of the West but a culture unto itself

Cont’d…Background to Business in Philippines

The Philippines is the result a unique cultural mix of Asian and Western influences and presents the overseas business visitor with a host of seemingly conflicting characteristics.The Philippines is the result a unique cultural mix of Asian and Western influences and presents the overseas business visitor with a host of seemingly conflicting characteristics.The Philippines is the result a unique cultural mix of Asian and Western influences and presents the overseas business visitor with a host of seemingly conflicting characteristics.The Philippines is the result a unique cultural mix of Asian and Western influences and presents the overseas business visitor with a host of seemingly conflicting characteristics.The Philippines is the result a unique cultural mix of Asian and Western influences and presents the overseas business visitor with a host of seemingly conflicting characteristics.

The Philippines is the result a unique cultural mix of Asian and Western influences and

presents the overseas (regional) business visitor with a host of seemingly conflicting

characteristics.

2. Filipino Business Structures ᴥ Most Filipino companies are hierarchically structured

and local employees would look to a strong hierarchy

it is imperative to have good contacts at this level

much time can be wasted trying to influence people lower down the chain who are not really decision-makers

championing such concepts as delegation may be viewed with suspicion

decisions will emanate from the top and be filtered down to middle management for implementation

Cont’d… Filipino Business Structures

it is important that senior level contacts are not insulted by being asked to receive lower ranking representatives

It is important, however, to Develop contacts at all levels of an organization - at the top for decision making purposes, and lower down

for when programs/projects begin

3. Filipino Management Style

ᴥ Management style tends towards the paternalistic as is often found in strongly hierarchical structures

ᴥ people are extremely careful to ensure that others do not suffer embarrassment or any sense of shame (hiya) as a

result of their own actions or their inability to meet the expectations of others

ᴥ It is considered to be very bad behavior to criticize another in public As this is the greatest insult that can be given

Cont’d… Filipino Management Style ᴥ Any attack on an individual's self-esteem may have to be

revenged

ᴥ Therefore, managers treat subordinates with respect whilst, at the same time, maintaining the dignity of the position of boss

ᴥ Relationship bonds run deep in Filipino culture and the manager expects loyalty

ᴥ In return for this loyalty the boss will look after the interests of those subordinates

Cont’d… Filipino Management Style On Teams

ᴥ the concept of 'pakikisama' is so strongly programmed into the Filipino consciousness

ᴥ it is extremely important to be aware of the sense of 'face' of every member of a group because an insult to one could be construed as an insult to all

ᴥ Teams expect to be clearly led by the manager and the manager is expected to act as the champion of the group in all situations

Cont’d… Filipino Management Style On Communication Styles

ᴥ communicating in the Philippines is extremely easy for many Western business people

ᴥ Filipino's would rather say 'yes' even if they mean 'no‘ and smiles at you the whole time!

ᴥ It is dangerous to take everything you hear at face value. Look for the coded messages behind the words that are spoken

ᴥ In addition to the use of coded-language, Filipino body language can also be misleading

Cont’d… Filipino Management Style On Meetings

ᴥ Time can be very elastic - the meeting start time will be delayed

It is important, however, that that you arrive punctually in order to show the right amount of respect

ᴥ Meetings will usually start with quite a lot of small talksmall talk is part of the relationship-building process and will probably precede meetings at all stages of a

projectᴥ Filipinos tend to be extremely non-confrontational

ᴥ meeting seems to be progressing very well if people are not openly contradicted

Cont’d… Filipino Management Style Cont’d.. On Meetings

Meetings can seem quite relaxed with time keeping being less rigidly adhered to than in many other cultures. Meetings can start up to one hour late

Cont’d… Filipino Management Style On Gift Giving

ᴥ Take a supply of small gifts with you to help oil the progress of the relationship-building process.

Remember that gifts should be wrapped

Cont’d… Filipino Management Style On Dress Code

ᴥ Dress code tends to be reasonably formal.

ᴥ Clothing is pack lightweight

4.Five (5) types of Filipino managersERNESTO A. FRANCO et al. 1988

1. Manager "by kayod." 2. Manager "by lusot."

3. Manager "by Libro" 4. Manager "by oido." 5. Manager "by ugnayan."

1. Manager "by kayod."

Cont’n…Five (5) types of Filipino managers

→ action-hungry, highly dedicated

→ his manners are rather formal and that of an introvert→ He is a serious worker and will not give in to bribing or

any anomalous deals

→ He is also given to make shortcuts and to do unconventional or even illegal ways to attain objectives

2. Manager "by lusot." → which means capitalizing on a loophole

→ He always be on the lookout for loopholes of anything and will use them to avoid too much work or as an excuse for failure

→ Generally an extrovert, he deals with people informally

Cont’n…Five (5) types of Filipino managers

3. Manager "by Libro"

Cont’n…Five (5) types of Filipino managers

→ manager operates by the dictates of the book

→ He is systematic, though, and analytical

→ He usually has adequate formal training in management

4. Manager "by oido." Cont’n…Five (5) types of Filipino managers

→ manager learns his managerial skills by oido or by ear

→ He has a vast field of practical experiences to compensate for his lack of formal management education

→ He is the opposite of "libro" manager

Cont’n…Five (5) types of Filipino managers5. Manager "by ugnayan."

→ A hybrid of all types of managers

→ Tie integrates various styles of management depending on the need and conditions of his organization

→ He is participatory and coordinative

Manager by “kayod”

Manager by “oido”

Manager by “libro”

Manager by “ugnayan”

Manager by “lusot”

CONTENT-ORIENTED

Interested in what to do

and why

PLANNERS & THINKERS

PROCESS-ORIENTED

Interested in how to do

the job

IMPLEMENTORS & DOERS

Five (5) types of Filipino managers ERNESTO A. FRANCO et al. 1988

highly dedicatedIntrovert & formal

Avoid much workExtrovert & informal

Systematic & analyticalBy the books and establish rules

Thoroughly situationalIntegrative; a reconciler

Based on practical experiencePragmatic

End of Presentation

GOOD DAY AND GOD SPEED !!!