By Bianca Gempesaw

In our journey to become the Philippines' first Techglomerate, transforming the way we work amidst rapid technological advancements is crucial. Positioning the organization as the Philippines’ first Techglomerate is not a walk in the park, so that’s why it is important to rally everybody and arrive at a common destination.

This was underscored by AEV Vice President for Transformation, Dea Franko-Csuba, during the 2024 Aboitiz Leadership Conference. During her talk, Dea stressed key messages on transformation that are vital in moving the needle of transformation. For this article, four areas were highlighted: a) Why transformation is important b) How do we navigate change c) What are the opportunities, and  e) Why transformed leadership is important.

Why Transformation is Imperative

The rise of generative AI, represented by tools like ChatGPT, Gemini and the likes, emphasizes the accelerating rate of technological advancements and the subsequent disruption of many industries. As AI tools become more mainstream, the imperative for transformation is more pressing than ever. For Aboitiz to remain relevant, individuals and business units alike must adapt. This transformation extends beyond the organizational level, impacting team leaders and members who risk being left behind if they fail to evolve.

The Transformed Aboitiz Group is not an end destination. The future of our industries is unfolding in front of our eyes and we have to constantly reimagine ourselves on the fly.

– Dea Franko-Csuba, VP for Transformation, Aboitiz Equity Ventures

Navigating the Uncharted Waters of Transformation

Despite an uncertain future, the Aboitiz Group has a clear roadmap to guide them toward achieving their vision of becoming a Techglomerate. A-People can find direction by focusing on critical objectives such as:

• Building a Smart Organization: Develop the capacity to sense and capture external and internal signals of change, using data to anticipate and respond to future scenarios.
• Being Simple and Articulate: Streamline processes, enhance decision-making agility, and communicate effectively.

Opportunities for Transformation Across the Organization

Transformation spans from the edges to the core of the organization. While the Group has ventured into strategic initiatives that drive portfolio optimization and synergies, the core requires a focus on People, Processes, and Technology. Leaders during the event were encouraged to identify at least one profoundly transformative initiative within their sphere of influence.

The Evolving Role of Leadership

Transformational leaders must possess distinct qualities:

• Balancing Challenge and Skill: Creating an environment where employees are challenged but not overwhelmed, fostering innovation and deep work.
• Agile Empowerment: Shifting from command-and-control to collaborative leadership, allowing teams to define the path toward shared goals.

At the Leaders Conference, everyone got a glimpse of the future of work, where virtual team members like Albert and Elsie worked alongside human team members, showing us how AI can handle routine tasks and free up the human team members to focus on more strategic work. AI has the potential to make us all more efficient and productive, and it's clear that it's going to play a big role in the future of work.

The Bottom Line

• Embrace the Unknown: GT2025 is not an end destination but an ongoing journey of transformation.
• Prioritize Transformation: Dedicate resources and energy to driving transformative change, emphasizing on behaviors.
• Empower Teams: Foster a culture of synergy and agility.
• Lead by Example: Demonstrate the qualities of a transformational leader.

It's more important than ever for team leaders and members to be able to adapt and change. This means encouraging team members to learn new skills, experiment with new technologies, and be open to change. When it comes to technology, it is crucial that we use it to simplify and improve our work.

By taking a human-centered approach, we can create a future where technology is a tool that helps us to reach our Techglomerate potential.