Can Pinoys become capable business leaders?

Dr Rex Baccara says Filipinos need to overcome their limitations and the timid image to be entrepreneurs

Despite their ubiquitous presence in the UAE and a reputation for being hardworking and honest, Filipinos are not known to be business entrepreneurs. One can hardly find big establishments owned by Filipinos in the UAE, or business leaders and captains of industry among them.
Why is this so?
Dr Rex Bacarra, digital faculty consultant of McGraw-Hill Education and head of professional development at American College of Dubai, said they can "definitely, certainly and without a doubt" be business and industry heads.
"We are gracious, kind, well-spoken, and accommodating. More importantly, we have leadership potential, so we go should go beyond our limitations and shatter that timid image," notes Bacarra."
What blocks their potential - is it lack of confidence or training? Bacarra notes that while many successful expat Filipinos want to run their own business establishments, the overriding problem is that they do not know where to start.
"In fact, a group of award-winning and respected Filipino educators and businesspersons saw this problem and the potential in it," Bacarra shares. "We have recently launched The Philippine Business School, in partnership with Manila-based De La Salle University, to offer master classes and programmes for Filipinos with ambition and the drive to succeed."
"Our goal is to shape Filipinos not just to be employees, but leaders and CEOs; not followers but pioneers; not participants but critical thinkers who lead the way," he underscores.
Good thing, Bacarra says, some successful Filipino expats today are looking for options to invest their money. "Our mindset is transforming and our financial awareness has improved."
Some of the favoured business options Filipinos want to invest in are restaurants, bars and cafes, salons and spas, and retail establishments.
angel@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE

Angel Tesorero

angel@khaleejtimes.com