Digitalization, collaboration and sustainability are biz tools for the great reset

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

CEBU CITY-- “Digitalization, sustainability and collaboration are the three accelerating trends taking place during this great reset.” Ayala Corporation president and chief executive officer Fernando Zobel de Ayala said this in his keynote speech at the Mandaue Business Summit 2022 in August this year.

Zobel de Ayala, in his speech delivered by his nephew Jaime Alfonso Zobel de Ayala via zoom shared that the pandemic has changed the world view and decision-making process and that people found themselves at unprecedented crossroads, learning and adapting to disruptions and uncertainties at every turn.

The great reset that is happening now forced businesses to rethink how to do business and forcing businessmen to focus on new priorities as they continue to navigate major headwinds and find ways to transform them to opportunities, Zobel de Ayala added.

Because of COVID-19, businesses had to shift to digital services for day-to-day activities adding that digitalization presents to better serve customers.  Ayala cited as an example the financial services, which saw the dramatic increase of users who transition to online payments.

“In 2021, GCash reached P3.8 trillion in gross transactions from 55 million registered users. Digitalization also accelerated the rise of e-commerce particularly in online shopping, food deliveries and entertainment. There is also an accelerated movement for environment sustainability,” he noted.

According to Zobel de Ayala the persistent experiences in natural calamities have shown the Filipinos the urgency to respond to the ongoing climate crisis and shared responsibility to protect and safeguard Planet Earth.  “It has become increasingly clear to us that the way forward is not business as usual.”

The Ayala Group, he bared, has committed to attain net zero gas emission by 2050 and he urged businesses to do their share in combatting practices that have disastrous effects on climate change.

He also cited the importance of collaboration and its tremendous power in working towards common goal, citing how the private sector working closely with government and with each other in response to the pandemic.

“I believe that the path towards recovery is not one we could walk alone but a journey we must navigate together,” Zobel said.

Meanwhile, Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) president Kelie Ko cited the need for the business sector her to unite in one goal with a stronger resolve to make a better world. “Today, we are in a window of opportunity to shape the recovery of our society to make it better, inclusive, resilient and sustainable. It’s time to usher the great reset.”

Mandaue Mayor Jonas Cortez lauded the MCCI as the catalyst for growth for Mandaue and said that the City is turning a new chapter, filled with many challenges and it’s time to rediscover its resilience. Today is the great reset and the city remains on tract as a resilient city to survive, he added.