AUSTAL Ship: Building relationships in the Philippines for warship order?

Philippine President Benigno Aquino and Austal Engineering's new CFO Greg Jason unveiling a plaque to officially open the company's shipyard in Cebu, the Philippines

Building relationships in the Philippines

Three years ago, Perth-based shipbuilder Austal's new chief financial officer, Greg Jason, discussed his career aspirations with chief executive Andrew Bellamy, who told him he needed more operational experience if he wanted to become finance chief.

He subsequently took on the role of chief operating officer Asia, based in the Philippines, where he has been overseeing the mobilization of the Cebu shipyard.

When former CFO Richard Simons resigned in October Jason says he immediately put his hand up.

"I'd made a commitment to mobilize the Philippines shipyard and that was almost completed so the timing was pretty good," he says.

"Now I have been responsible for delivering the numbers not just commenting on them."

Days into his new role, Jason gave Philippine President Benigno Aquino a tour of the Cebu shipyard at its grand opening.

He invited the president to attend the event after both men spoke at an Australian government-organized trade forum in October.

"The Philippines exports a lot of labor, and so many of the local workers are proud to be manufacturing and exporting something," says Jason. The president seems pleased to see that Austal is not just building in the country but transferring some intellectual property, he says.

In the long term, Jason hopes Austral will win contracts from the Philippine government.

To be successful offshore it is important to build relationships with stakeholders, including government agencies, by meeting face to face, he says.

"If you allow consultants and advisers to get in the way it becomes harder to articulate yourself, and harder to understand what the other side wants."

"The Philippines has worked hard to change its image as a more investment friendly country."

"People don't want to lose face so you have to be very careful to praise publicly and if there is any negative feedback which needs to be delivered coach privately. "

Jason relocated back to Perth late last month, but he expects to spend a considerable amount of time travelling to the Philippines and the US. (http://bit.ly/V5sXpJ)

Financial Review 

Continue reading

Google open its fifth office in Southeast Asia in Manila

Julian Persaud says Google is in the Philippines "for the long term."

Google Opens Office in Manila

Google is expanding its presence in the Philippines, opening its first office in the increasingly Internet-savvy Southeast Asian country.

"The Philippines is a key country in Southeast Asia in terms of its digital economy and tech-savvy population," Julian Persaud, managing director of Google in Southeast Asia, said at an event Wednesday marking the milestone office in Manila. "This new office will allow us better engage with our local users, partners and advertisers."

Google's move reflects the growing use of the Internet in the Philippines.

According to a report by the Asia Digital Marketing Association, 33.6 million Filipinos tapped into the Internet in 2011. That's already about one third of the population. By 2016, the report said, 59 percent of the population will be turning to the Internet, for everything from shopping to building a business to connecting with friends.

Google opened its first regional office in Southeast Asia in 2007. It also has regional offices in Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia. Google officials said they will hire some people, but didn't say how much the latest investment will be.

Persaud said Google will be in the Philippines "for the long term."

The move follows such Google activity in the Philippines as the launch of Free Zone, which allows those with Internet-capable mobile phone and a Google account to use Google services for free, including Gmail and Google Search.

Government Undersecretary Manuel L. Quezon III said he was pleased by Google's latest step.

"We are delighted that Google has decided to set up an office in Manila," Quezon said. "Their presence is a testament to their commitment to the Philippines. We hope that Google's entry will encourage more local businesses to go online and tap into international markets."

Narciso Reyes, who has more than 16 years of digital marketing and finance experience in Asia and the U.S., has been named country manager for the Philippines.

"We're excited to be deepening our investment in the Philippines with the opening of our office here in Manila," Mr. Reyes said.

"Our local team will be committed to providing better services to our Filipino users and to helping businesses — large and small — grow locally and globally, contributing to the growth of the Philippine economy,'' Mr. Reyes said.  "We envision Google as part of everyday Filipino lives and as a partner in the development of local communities, culture and business." (http://on.wsj.com/Xxqxja)

Wall Street Journal 

Continue reading