The 5Ms challenge to leaders towards excellence at home and at work (Part 1)

By MIFLORA M. GATCHALIAN, PhD. PFT

CEO, Quality Partners Company Ltd (QPCL)

Academician Emeritus, International Academy for Quality (IAQ)

Introduction to the 5Ms challenge

THE YEAR 2025 could mark the beginning of a journey where dedicated individuals can bring about meaningful changes that lead to excellence. Anyone from the Community at large, the Government, Academe or Industry can respond to the CHALLENGE of building an excellent Philippines. It involves making a personal commitment to harness one’s leadership abilities in pursuit of actions that serve the greater good beyond personal interests. A dedicated Filipino Leader guided by compassion and a clear conscience can overcome the difficulties of the times given the right direction and support. How can he/she achieve this? By first learning, then implementing the 5Ms Challenge to Leaders.

Challenge to Leaders: There are five (5) major Challenges to LEARN, UNDERSTAND, then PRACTICE in one’s own sphere of influence as a leader which, if fully engaged-in, can be multiplied a million times among leaders. While it takes selfless determination and commitment to accept these challenges, acceptance can raise a person’s status into a HERO after successful leadership!

Imagine a region where leaders are committed to develop their fellow-workers in the quest for excellence at HOME and at WORK. One person’s contribution multiplied by a million other Leaders who are working sustainably and in unison can bring the Philippines to greatness never before imagined.

Absence of innovative management: According to DOST’s former Secretary, Fortunato de la Peña (2020) ‘innovative management” is the missing component in their successful “SET-UP” program in support of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) nationwide. Following this realization, a three-year project proposal entitled “Knowledge Transfer to DOST Technical Staff, Catalyst to MSMEs Gaining PQA for SMEs” was prepared and subsequently approved for implementation in all regions of the country starting August 2021. The project was led by Marvin Wee, Region IX Director with project proponent Quality Partners Company, Ltd (QPCL) where I personally led the Consultant-Trainer Team. The project was completed (during the term of current DOST Secretary, Dr. Renato Solidum) on May 2024 when all 20 MSME participants applied for either National or Regional PQA, the major project goal.

The MSME participants were individually coached by trained DOST Technical Staff, who acted as mentors, for more than three years. The participating 20 SMEs from 16 regions, whose PQA applications were accepted or seriously considered, measured the extent with which Total Quality Management (TQM) via the culture-based “SUGOD” approach (Gatchalian, M.M. 2015) had been embedded (measured through their enhanced Quality, Productivity and Profitability (QPP) in the respective Company of the PQA Applicant. This is one proof that cooperative efforts between the public and private sectors in the journey towards EXCELLENCE can lead to success.

First challenge - MAKE 2025 (1^st M)

This year presents a promising opportunity to secure Leaders' commitment to pursuing excellence within their areas of responsibility. The overall goal achievement can be partly measured in terms of progress in Quality, Productivity, Profitability (QPP). This is a major call to Leaders in public and private organizations to consider the 5Ms Challenge towards excellence, which include: First Challenge Make 2025 (1^st M); Mind-setting (2^nd M); Measuring (3^rd M); Motivating (4^th M), and Mobilizing (5^th M). These are simple engagement terms, yet strong enough to propel a nation towards QPP through leadership efforts of seriously committed individuals. It is extremely important that Leaders realize the urgency of “coaching” by equipped Mentors as one of the fastest approaches to effective learning.

Who are the “Leaders”?

In any group or organization, there will always be a person expected to provide the direction towards success. Figure 1 shows a conceptual organizational structure emphasizing the roles and responsibilities assigned to designated Leaders to meet the Company’s goal. This is an example of a manufacturing firm organizing themselves to pinpoint the basic requirements necessary to pursue their understood and agreed-upon company directions. It is imperative on the Top Person (i.e. the President) to have the capability to choose the right people in the quest for business success.

To be an effective leader, the President must have the ability to inspire those who work with him before initiating on the selection of potential Leaders. The most important strengths expected from a Leader is briefly described in the acronym GRAND as shown in Figure 2. To ensure that these qualities can be developed among the Team, the Top Person should realize that he must first serve as a role model. This is a major challenge to all Leaders desirous of business success. Top leadership transcends a mindset and action to those next in rank in the Group, who in turn, serve as models for those next in line down to the lowest level.

Business plan development: No matter how small the business or organization, the task of planning is imperative and such responsibility must be initiated by the Leader, then shared with his/her constituents. A Business Plan (example shown in Figure 3) designed by the Leader will serve as the blueprint of how the organization can achieve its goals at least cost in terms of time, money and effort.

Knowledge and full understanding of the short and long-term directions should serve as the starting point in the journey towards business excellence. How the plan is finally executed depends immensely on the leadership. This highlights the importance of Leaders receiving coaching from experienced mentors who can offer guidance throughout every stage of business development. The extent of success could be measured in terms of levels of performance in the process of achieving quality, productivity and profitability (QPP-the overall goal).

References

De la Peña, Fortunato, 2021. Personal conversation of Dr. M.M. Gatchalian with Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary in connection with DOST SET-UP Project. Manila, Philippines.

Gatchalian, M.M. 2015. Filipino “SUGOD” (move-on-together) Roadmap/Framework for a Sustainable Quality Improvement. Proceedings. International Academy for Quality (IAQ) First World Quality Forum. EOQ, Budapest Hungary.

U.P.I.S.S.I. 2017. Business Plan Format. Start Your Own Business Course. UP Institute  for Small Scale    Industries, Diliman, Q.C. Philippines.

The Second M Challenge (“Motivating”) and the Third M Challenge  (“Measuring”) will be discussed in the next issue of FoodPacific Manufacturing Journal.