Innovation

Initially, given that the business was male-dominated, before Mr. Emmanuel took over, most of the employees were male. Before he took over the company, his aunt tried taking over it but could not make it flourish; thus, it was turned over to him. The innovative solution was then focused on Sustainable Development Goal number 5– Achieve gender equality and empower all.

It started with the idea of having more people and great minds brought to the company by hiring qualified people regardless of their gender orientation. Before Mr. Emmanuel's handling, every woman was given a critical position that entails a huge responsibility in the company. Now, with the business's current situation, it has been healthier than ever, and employees are emotionally and mentally satisfied. By ensuring gender equality, the company addressed employees' just and fair treatment in the workplace.

The innovation is rooted in his compassion towards the equality of everyone, where he always believed that everyone has potential regardless of their orientation. People are allowed to show their full potential and maximize their capabilities. As Mr. Emmanuel mentioned during the interview, "Hindi siya lagi tungkol sa pag hihirap na pinagdadaanan mo or sa pinagdaanan mo, you always have to look forward and see how far you've come - then you can tell yourself, "Wow ang layo na pala ng na abot ko," you give yourself a job well done." (Translation: It's not always about the hardships you encounter, you always have to look forward and see how far you've come - then you can tell yourself "Wow, look how far I have come") and "Kahit several times ka nag fail, you always have a chance to do better and improve every day.". (Translation: "Even if you fail several times after numerous attempts, you always have a chance to do better and improve every day") To him, it was his purpose to be a servant leader and a leader that help the people around him grow, and when they do, the business grows as well.

I had a chance to speak to the sole proprietor of Tolentino Customs Brokerage, Mr. Emmanuel Tolentino. He has shared a lot of his stories and his journey in business to how it came to be. He also shared about his thoughts on gender equality especially in the business even if the the industry is a man-dominated industry.

Inspiration

Mr. Emmanuel said that his father inspired him to be a better person - "I have always looked up to my dad, despite of his shortcomings. Lahat naman ng tao will have always have something to work on. But it's the impact of that person to your life and what you'll do about it to improve yourself or your surroundings." (Translation: "I have always looked up to my dad, despite of his shortcomings. Every person will always have something to work on. But it's the impact of that person to your life and what you'll do about it to improve yourself or your surroundings"). He said that his dad and his mom are his role models; regardless of how hard his life was before he got where he is, he will always be grateful for the experiences that made him a better person.

"I actually also truly am thankful and blessed to have my family, sila talaga yung source of my motivation, my purpose. They really bring meaning to my life and sila ang rason kung bakit, I strive to do better every day." (Translation: "I also truly am thankful and blessed to have my fare the source of my motivation, my purpose. They bring meaning to my life, and they are the reason why I strive to do better every day"). He also mentioned that it keeps him grounded and focused on the more essential things in life. No matter how busy you get - you should never take the people you love or the things that matter to you for granted. “Naniniwala rin ako na a great leader knows how to balance every aspect of their life, ika nga nila hindi ba – too much of something is not good. Doon papasok yung setting your priorities and knowing what do when to do it, and how to do it." (Translation: "I also believe that a great leader knows how to balance every aspect of their life, as the saying goes – too much of something is not good. This is where setting your priorities comes in and knowing what to do, when to do it, and how to do it.”) He believes that you must know what you are getting yourself into to reach your productivity peak.

Overall impact

The innovation for the Sustainable Development Goal number 5– Achieve gender equality and empower all has several short- and long-term implications for the company such as- for the short term, it immediately fosters a healthy and nurturing work environment for its employees, and at the same time, the long-term effect will show positive results in the business overall. The effects of the innovation have been reaped from several factors also rooted in the people within the company, with the evidence readily seen from the employees and their productivity. The company promotes equality that helps for the overall benefit of the business and its people.

Mr. Emmanuel Tolentino also mentioned that "Kahit small acts of improvement towards the people will go a long way - to both the company's productivity and the workplace environment. Kaya para sakin, equality in the business is very important". This is also why he leads the way he does now, leading to better outcomes and results.

As highlighted with Sustainable Development Goal number 5, this mainly aims to achieve gender equality and empower all; businesses need to acknowledge the significance of even small actions directed to improvement. Fostering and nurturing workplace equality is of utmost importance. Efforts such as this contribute to enhanced productivity and a positive work environment and align with the extensive objective of empowering women and ensuring equal opportunities across the company. By implementing measures such as equal pay, providing equitable growth prospects, and cultivating a supportive organizational culture, businesses can actively promote gender equality and serve as role models for other entities, thus driving progress toward a more inclusive and equal society.

Business benefit

The innovative approach adopted by Tolentino Customs Brokerage in prioritizing gender equality and empowering its employees has resulted in significant and diverse benefits for the business. One outstanding result is the change in representative fulfillment and general well-being. By cultivating a comprehensive and robust work environment that values capabilities over sexual orientation or introduction, workers feel a solid sense of having a place. They are propelled to perform at their best. This, in turn, has driven expanded representative maintenance rates, decreasing turnover costs and keeping up a profoundly gifted and devoted workforce. Moreover, the accentuation on correspondence has positively affected general efficiency, as representatives are more locked in and spurred to contribute their abilities and mastery.

The imaginative technique has opened up unused roads and markets for Tolentino Customs Brokerage. By recognizing the potential of enlisting qualified people notwithstanding their sexual orientation, the company has extended its ability pool and pulled in talented experts who may have already been neglected. This workforce expansion brings new perspectives and concepts, cultivating advancement and versatility inside the company. Furthermore, the commitment to sexual orientation balance has upgraded the business's notoriety, situating it as a dynamic and comprehensive organization. This positive image reverberates with clients who esteem differing qualities and uniformity, driving the investigation of modern trade openings and expanded income. These reflect the evidence of equality in such ways where:

1. Pay is based on the employee's qualifications and experience. The company is an equal opportunity employer, giving local communities/vulnerable sectors more chances. From the previous handling, employees were referrals from connections making the workforce (90% from referrals alone). Still, they are more keen on considering various applicants, which made the employee build up to 70% organic employees and 30% referrals.

2. Before the handling of Mr. Tolentino, the percentage of male workers compared to females was around 80% male-dominated, wherein 20% consisted of female workers who were tasked and limited to admin work only. Now, the percentage of male-to-female workers is 50%, with an equal chance of promotion.

3. Mr. Emmanuel Tolentino has nurtured a more open and accepting working environment. Both male and female workers are now more relaxed regarding their overall welfare at the workplace, and promoting gender equality helps foster a better working environment.

By prioritizing sexual orientation uniformity and strengthening, Tolentino Traditions Brokerage has experienced many benefits. These incorporate enhancements in worker well-being, expanded efficiency, get unused markets, and the foundation of positive notoriety. The company's inventive approach has made a positive input circle, where the victory of commerce and the development of its representatives commonly strengthen each other, cultivating a flourishing and comprehensive organizational culture.

Social and environmental benefit

My discussion with Mr. Emmanuel made me realize that incorporating gender equality and empowerment within the company, Tolentino Customs Brokerage has brought in complex benefits. It is their commitment or obligation to hire people based on their capabilities and not on their orientation – this shows and nurtures a fairer unbiased society that removes discrimination and creates more opportunities. The prominence of various qualities and inclusivity within the company fosters a tight-knit work culture that promotes assurance and collaboration, eventually leading to a working environment with improved efficiency.

The advancement of gender equality and empowerment adds to a skilled, multifaceted workforce. As we continued the discussion, we realized that by grasping and taking in diverse points of view, Tolentino Customs Brokerage has proven that it can adjust to make excellent and educated choices. Integrating sexual orientation also strengthens natural awareness, especially in the workplace. Mr. Emmanuel mentioned, “The benefit of the society and the environment will always begin from within. A perfect example is yung kung paano ka as a person, which reflects how you were raised from the beginning. It almost mirrors who you are in the future, and what you can do better is to improve if there are shortcomings.” (Translation: The benefit of society and the environment will always begin from within. A perfect example is how you are as a person; it reflects how you were raised from the beginning. It almost mirrors who you are in the future, and what you can do better is to improve if there are shortcomings.)

The incorporation of gender equality and empowerment in the company has reached benefits of greater heights. This is where promoting a fairer society comes in; it helps people overall and ceases traditional barriers. In addition, the prominence of supportability advances reliable and truthful staff – this also benefits the environment and the trade. By the inventive approach, Tolentino Customs Brokerage shows the potential for businesses to initiate positive changes in their society and the environment.

Interview

Emmanuel C. Tolentino, Sole Proprietor