ian the pedestrian

Townhall meeting is one of the most important and notable events of Cebu Landmasters Inc. (CLI). CLI holds this meeting bi-annually and is attended by each and every family member of the organisation. It is that auspicious moment when the heads of the family present what has been happening to the lineage for the past months or what will happen in the next months. Today is the first townhall meeting of CLI for Y2018 and surprisingly a bucketload of good news has been echoed to everyone.

The meeting formally started with EVP for Operations, Jose Franco Soberano, sharing the company’s significant milestones for the first 6 months of 2018:

1. 5.8 Billion sales in less than 6 months (compared to 1.1B biggest sales in 2012)
2. 51 Projects in Key Cities, in different stages of development
3. No. 1 Local developer in Cebu with 18% share of all active projects; No. 1 fastest selling condo in Davao and Cagayan; On track to be the No. 1 Developer in Visayas and Mindanao (VisMin).
4. Publicly listed company and had attended the annual shareholders meeting
5. Received prestigious awards (the only VisMin awardee for BCI Asia)

“We are really sustaining our momentum and I am confident we can exceed the target this year. We are taking CLI at a greater scale. Trajectory is stable and the journey continues. What we are doing now is not enough and there is still much we can do”, reverberated by Franco as he advanced his disquisition to the next pace: What’s next for CLI?

1. 23 projects launching this 2018
2. New expansion cities in 2019: General Santos, Ormoc, Butuan and Roxas
3. Landbank – 1, 079 542 sqm

He also highlighted Davao Matina Business District project juxtaposing it to Fort Bonifacio in Manila. The project’s intent is to help the city and its dwellers. He also made mentioned each team and its accomplishments contributing to the success of the company, starting off with Accounting and Finance, Business Development, Customer Care, Engineering, HR and Admin, Documentation, Legal, Licenses, Property Management, Purchasing and wrapping it off with Sales. It was a well-applauded presentation making each member feeling proud of its ancestry.

Supervening Franco’s yarn is the visionary Chairman and CEO of CLI, Joe Soberano. Everyone was sharply listening to the Father of the family speaking with illumine wisdom and shrewdness the moment he took the center stage. He encapsulated the whole schmear in this phrase, “It only boils down to one reason for having been able to do it… it’s because basically of the people behind the organisation. This is important for us to realise that this is the key and focal point of our organisation. How valuable the company is or has become is because of the people behind the organisation. We have to always bear in mind that you are the extension of the company. Its not just working hard within the office but even when you go outside the office; how you will carry yourself; how you will impart the message to the different people you will be interacting outside; even the matter of having to share your time and the things that go around in the office with your family…something that you have to bring forth in a very positive way because this is the company that will continue to strive to bring more not just for the people or the market that we are serving  but also for us.”

Joe also emphasised the weight of refining and boosting the well-being of every CLI employee. He encouraged small group activities, excursions, even the spiritual side of things in order to create camaraderie and goodwill. He also imparted how he values work -life- family-balance, the rationale why CLI working hours was tapered down from 6 to 5 days. As quoted, “We want you to be with your family and enjoy the weekend with them. While work is very important, it is also equally important to share the fruit of our work to those who are close to us.”

He further alluded how things can be of convenience for employees who cannot afford to acquire a private vehicle yet. He also remarked the activation of corporate social responsibility programs and the promotion of goodwill by constantly being able to develop quality products.

Newly-promoted employees were also broadcasted during the event. Some faces bolt from the blue when they heard their names called upon.  An open forum also took place where few employees aired out their humble suggestions and which were well-received by the management.

The EVP for Finance, Marose Soberano, has also made a short note. She was underlining the importance of being a family helping each other. “Help us. Help you. Help us take care of every family members” as she zealously raised to everyone.

The Townhall meeting curtained with a photo op and a sumptuous dinner everyone shared.  It was indeed a moment with and for the family connecting and reconnecting with one another — a creme de la creme working with the masters.

The blackjacket story: I have always been proud wearing this identity whether I am in a client meeting or traveling back to home town.Definitely, I’m a proud Cebuana working with the masters.