Every person in business knows that getting their venture off the ground is only the first step; what comes after is a lifelong commitment to build up, pare down, and evolve their dream into something that the market will embrace.
In the recently held CEO Awards 2017, visionaries came on stage to share their life’s work. Top executives waited as industry champions named the best in the region and recognized companies that create value, exemplify excellence, and reflect the leadership and acumen of business leaders in this side of the world.
A total of 17 awards were bestowed, including the highly-anticipated Meralco Biz Partners Entrepreneur of the Year Award. This year, William Tiu Lim of Mega Global Corporation, who grew his fishing business into an export-quality sardines brand, bested nine other finalists for the title.
“My dad’s hard work and my mom’s perseverance made our success. He started Mega 40 years ago with only one banca. Now, we have over 75 fishing vessels, build our own ships, and introduce the newest technologies in the fishing industry” said Marvin Tiu Lim, Mega Global vice president for sales and marketing as he received his father’s award.
From Navotas, Lim expanded his operations. The Meralco Biz Partners’ top entrepreneur groomed Mega Global Corporation into an ISO-certified organization that employs over 4000 individuals across the country to provide brands such as Mega Sardines, Mega Creations Premium Sardines, Mega Tuna, and Mega Prime Canned Vegetables to the local market. He is also paving the way for the Filipino brand to cater to markets in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand.
“We want to take (the Mega brand) global, because we believe that the food and the products we provide are really high quality,” said the younger Lim. Despite this, the Lim family remains modest of their success. Grateful for the night’s honor, Marvin said: “I really appreciate that Meralco sees the value and potential even in smaller businesses like us.”
Business as a tool for better value and standards
The hall brimmed of success stories much like the Lim’s. Property developer Elsie Chua of CDC Holdings started with rented home units 30 years ago and eventually built her own mixed-use housing properties. Chua now owns 30 large-scale properties catering to OFWs.
Anna Meloto-Wilk of Gandang Kalikasan started her business at their home nine years ago. Today it operates three factories and 33 branches nationwide, offering products in five markets, including United Arab Emirates and Canada. Her company, Human Nature, continues to set the standard for social enterprise in the Philippines and was recognized in the same event as SME Company of the Year.
The night’s celebration highlighted the evolving business landscape, with contemporary paradigms and solutions brought to fore by companies. Harvey Ong, chief operating officer of Alfamart, a nominee for the ASEAN Company of the Year Award, noted that the changes will only result in “better choices at better value for the consumer public.”
Meralco SAVP and Head of Meralco Biz Partners Ma. Cecilia Domingo expressed support for the continuing effort of the Asia CEO 2017 to honor the industry’s trailblazers. “This is the second year that Meralco Biz Partners is presenting the Entrepreneur of the Year Award. We are honored to build a stronger nation by aiding our allies in business, such as entrepreneurs and start-ups, with energy solutions to expand and optimize operations. We look forward to introducing more individuals and undertakings that are worthy of admiration.”
Businesses that won big
Other winners of the Asia CEO Awards 2017 were Lazada Philippines CEO Inanc Balci as Young Leader of the Year, AIG Phil Insurance & AIG Shared Services PH’s Mark Lwin as Expatriate Executive of the Year, and Integrated Micro-Electronics’ Arthur Tan as Global Filipino Executive of the Year.
Several companies also took home accolades, including B&M Global Services Manila for Medical Wellness Company of the Year, OSM for Heart for the OFW’s Company of the Year, Felta as Most Innovative Company of the Year, Freelancer as Technology Company of the Year, First Gen as Green Company of the Year, Telus as CSR Company of the Year, Teleperformance as Employer of the Year, and Light Rail Manila Corporation as Executive Leadership Team of the Year.
Find out more about how Meralco can help you expand your business by calling (02) 16210 or visiting www.meralco.com.ph/biz so you can become one of the best in your industry.