The Accidental Businessman By Dean Francis Alfar
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The Accidental Businessman By Dean Francis Alfar Manila, Philippines, July 1, 2011 - Growing up, I never thought that I would be a businessman. The books that surrounded me in childhood pointed to a life of writing and to a great degree, that was what I pursued. I started with plays and later dabbled in film and television before settling down with fi ction. I never thought my brain and temperament were in any way wired beyond the comfort and power of words. But life likes to throw curveballs once in a while. One evening I went to pick my wife up from her workplace. Arriving early, I was invited to brainstorm with the creative folk at her agency while waiting for her. So I dove in, contributed an idea or two. This ultimately resulted in my being the groups GM for their Hong Kong arm a whirlwind that firmly affixed me in the corporate world. From there, a series of fortunate events and great partnerships led me to the realm of the entrepreneur, founding my own company. But through all of this I considered myself an accidental businessman. Then came an irresistible opportunity named Binalot. My business partner and I met with Rommel Juan and through the power of time-lapse photography I found myself the happy franchisee of Binalot at SM Megamall. Contrary to the risk-taking stereotype of the classical entrepreneur, I am actually a conservative at heart, preferring to consider the situation before enga ging. On paper, the Binalot franchise looked good good location, good terms, good outlook. The concept of favorite Filipino dishes wrapped in banana leaves had immediate appeal. In practice, I found that it is all that and more. With any new business endeavor there are birthing pains, but the management and back office of Binalot worked hard (and continue to do so) to iron out the kinks, with the goal of achieving a dynamic franchise support system that is able to deal with the associated challenges of a growing business. I found that at the heart of Binalot is a singular drive to be the best in its class, by not only by managing business-related concerns but also by acting as a responsible Filipino company should by giving back to the nation and by considering its welfare. In these times when Corporate Social Responsibility is most lip service, Binalot takes its responsibility seriously. An example: the banana leaves that form the eponymous food wrapping are sourced from communities who have entered into relationship with Binalot, providing livelihood and a better quality of life for many families. Binalot also takes the concept of Green with due gravity. Apart from the banana leaves, it also uses biodegradable packaging (including an alternative to polystyrene derived from rice paste) which, combined with its use of electric bikes for delivery service, combine for an e co-friendly approach. And most importantly for me the food is great.
Transcript of The Accidental Businessman By Dean Francis Alfar
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The Accidental Businessman
By Dean Francis Alfar
Manila, Philippines, July 1, 2011 - Growing up, I never thought
that I would be a businessman. The books that surrounded mein childhood pointed to a life of writing and to a great degree,
that was what I pursued. I started with plays and later dabbled
in film and television before settling down with fiction. I never
thought my brain and temperament were in any way wired
beyond the comfort and power of words. But life likes to throw
curveballs once in a while.
One evening I went to pick my wife up from her workplace.
Arriving early, I was invited to brainstorm with the creative folk
at her agency while waiting for her. So I dove in, contributed an
idea or two. This ultimately resulted in my being the groups GM for their Hong Kong arm a whirlwindthat firmly affixed me in the corporate world. From there, a series of fortunate events and great
partnerships led me to the realm of the entrepreneur, founding my own company. But through all of
this I considered myself an accidental businessman.
Then came an irresistible opportunity named Binalot. My business partner and I met with Rommel Juan
and through the power of time-lapse photography I found myself the happy franchisee of Binalot at SM
Megamall. Contrary to the risk-taking stereotype of the classical entrepreneur, I am actually a conservative at
heart, preferring to consider the situation before engaging. On paper, the Binalot franchise looked
good good location, good terms, good outlook. The concept of favorite Filipino dishes wrapped in
banana leaves had immediate appeal.
In practice, I found that it is all that and more. With any new business endeavor there are birthing pains,
but the management and back office of Binalot worked hard (and continue to do so) to iron out the
kinks, with the goal of achieving a dynamic franchise support system that is able to deal with the
associated challenges of a growing business. I found that at the heart of Binalot is a singular drive to be
the best in its class, by not only by managing business-related concerns but also by acting as a
responsible Filipino company should by giving back to the nation and by considering its welfare.
In these times when Corporate Social Responsibility is most lip service, Binalot takes its
responsibility seriously. An example: the banana leaves that form the eponymous food wrapping are
sourced from communities who have entered into relationship with Binalot, providing livelihood and abetter quality of life for many families.
Binalot also takes the concept of Green with due gravity. Apart from the banana leaves, it also uses
biodegradable packaging (including an alternative to polystyrene derived from rice paste) which,
combined with its use of electric bikes for delivery service, combine for an eco-friendly approach.
And most importantly for me the food is great.
8/6/2019 The Accidental Businessman By Dean Francis Alfar
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Nowadays, managing a handful of businesses, I still find myself surprised once in while when I think
about the past and how I never dreamed Id be a businessman. But Im glad to be a Binalot franchisee. Its a business I believe in.
(Dean Francis Alfar is a 10-time Palanca Awardee for Literature, including the Grand Prize for the Novel
for Salamanca, as well as an internationally published fictionist.)
Contact Information:
Liezle Canotal
Corporate Communications
Binalot Fiesta Foods Inc
3688 Sun Valley Drive Paranaque City Philippines 1700
Phone: +639178174869
Email: [email protected],[email protected]
www.binalot.com
