non-profit business association | business forum Philippines

By: Rizalina G. Mantaring

The Boston Marathon this year was historic for many reasons, starting with arguably the worst weather conditions in memory.

Boston was hit by the storm that had been moving through the east coast, and I ran in the worst conditions I had ever run in. Rain was pouring throughout the course, strong headwinds pushed us back, and it was freezing.

Have you ever been frustrated by the manual process of filing for any government permit? You usually have to fill out multiple forms, line up in various offices or even commute from one office to another, and wait for some time.

One of the challenges we’ve faced in the Ease of Doing Business project was developing technology solutions quickly. For a variety of reasons, we couldn’t get government agencies to move fast enough. Procurement processes took too long, or procedures for obtaining licenses and permits could not be simplified. In the meantime, entrepreneurs and investors suffered through the manual procedures.

By: Julia Abad

The future of “work” has become more than just a buzzword, and is now a focal topic of discussion in several international fora. To contextualize this point: Google recently introduced a new product being developed, “Google Duplex,” where it was revealed that the company’s Artificial Intelligence technology could eventually make phone calls and engage in conversations on our behalf, and eventually reach a wider base of consumers and businesses and streamline processes.

No question about it, the Fourth Industrial Revolution is happening and is transforming human activities. This could eventually change the face of the workplace and affect our workforce. In particular, these changes, and the prevailing outlook on women’s contributions in the workplace, be it positive or negative, are factors that may affect the very work foundation we are all accustomed to.