In strategy, what you don’t know can hurt you. But what you “know” for sure, that just isn’t so, will kill you. When we apply the PILA (Problem, Insight, Logic, Assumptions) reasoning stack, we see that the foundation of many global FMCG strategies is where the rot begins. Organizations have replaced “examine and reflect” with a “present and assume” culture, […]
Search Results for: Innovation
ER Rollan, CEO of Growsari and a winner of the 5th Mansmith Innovation Awards, has been transforming the micro-retail landscape in the Philippines. By leveraging technology, he empowers small sari-sari stores, streamlines distribution, and creates a scalable digital ecosystem. In this interview, he shares the assumptions he challenged, the pains he sought to solve, and how he turned innovation into […]
When we launched the Mansmith Young Market Masters Awards (YMMA) 21 years ago, the intent was deliberate: to recognize leaders early, before success was obvious and before history edited their narratives. Over time, a gap became hard to ignore. Many platforms celebrate breakthroughs and speed. Very few honor endurance, stewardship, and the long arc of leadership. Yet leadership is not a moment; […]
Leadership in Philippine business is being redefined. Beyond profits, executives are increasingly judged by their ability to innovate responsibly, build institutions, and contribute to inclusive growth amid digital disruption and global competition. “The scope of the awards grew because leadership in Philippine business has grown in depth and complexity. There is more innovation, more institution-building, and more long-term thinking than […]
It’s tempting in business to chase the next campaign, launch a discount, or offer a flash promotion. But often, these are solving symptoms, not solutions, like painting over a crack while ignoring the foundation. In a low-trust economy like the Philippines, this approach is risky. Customers are skeptical. Partners are cautious. And trust, once broken, can take years to rebuild. […]
Learning never stops. The author during a learning session, reinforcing his belief in lifelong learning. In marketing, what we know expires faster than we expect. Consumer behavior evolves, technology reshapes habits, and what once felt like hard-earned wisdom quietly loses relevance. That is why the most important skill in business today is not mastery, but the willingness and discipline to keep […]
As we close another dynamic year, it’s worth pausing to look back at the ideas that truly mattered. This Top 10 Q&A brings together the perspectives of some of today’s most respected marketers and business leaders, individuals who didn’t just build successful enterprises, but shaped industries and influenced how we think about business. Their strategies, experiences, and personal reflections reveal […]
As a new year is about to begin, many companies are reviewing what worked, what didn’t, and what needs to change. It’s a time for reflection, and for most leaders, that includes confronting failure. But not all failures are bad. Some signal that your organization is learning fast. That was one of my key takeaways from Harvard Business School professor […]
Earlier this year, Mansmith and Fielders, Inc. received the Agora Distinction Award for Nation-Building Marketing Leadership from the Philippine Marketing Association (PMA). The recognition was unexpected and humbling. As the first private company to receive it in PMA’s 70-year history, it reminded us that our work has always been guided by purpose. Purpose in marketing doesn’t only strengthen a business, […]
Marketers know the secret to loyalty: trust. Whether it’s a brand and its customers, a leader and a team, or a government and its citizens, trust drives engagement. Imagine if tax systems applied the same principle. Rethinking the Tax Experience For many entrepreneurs, taxes feel like a yearly hurdle: forms, rules, and the constant worry of penalties. The system often […]