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How’s your industry doing these days?
Not bad. People Dynamics (PDI) is in the growth mode. Last year, we started working on more clients/projects and catering to the BPO and non- BPO accounts. A lot of opportunities still abound. In 2004, Profiles Asia Pacific (PAP) made a major expansion that gave birth to People Dynamics Inc. (PDI). I joined the company in November 2005 was tasked to set up the recruitment business. We practically started the recruitment operation two years ago. We have the advantage of being the affiliate of Profiles Asia Pacific (PAP) which is an assessment company with widely known products and services that are used by local and multinational companies largely for recruitment, training and OD. This business works like a “finder’s keeper” kind. Every minute counts….the search is not over even until you have placed someone and up until the probationary period is over. Competition is tough but we know we have our edge. Therefore we can’t just sit on our laurels but “leave no stone unturned.”
What is it like handling and organizing people?
Handling people and making them deliver is the most challenging task but by far the most fulfilling. When you get to see the results they produce, somehow it finds its way back to you. It doesn’t take a genius to get things done through people; it’s a matter of humility, trust and of course leading by example. I have to make sure that my team is happy and comfortable in what they do. There’s got to be fun and appreciation of one’s work and create an exciting environment at work.
What are the challenges facing your industry right now?
Competition is tough in this kind of business. Clients are as demanding as ever and requirements change even before you delivered the first one. There is no such thing as an exclusive contract.
How do you respond to the challenge?
Relationships. We have to invest building a positively reciprocal relationship with our clients. I treat it my business dealings like winning and gaining more friends. You have to be comfortable with each other. Of course you have to manage some dynamics and differences. When clients are at ease, it encourages them to tell you what they want, their timelines, relevant issues, how many vendors they are talking to, how they can express freely their concerns; that becomes my advantage because I get to listen to their situation, understand where they are coming from and now I know how to respond to them and address their needs. You know when you are successful…because they will look for you or chase you even when they move to another company.
What is your main concern right now?
Growing the business and getting more people to join the sales and marketing team for PDI.
How did it all start? Please tell us about your career path.
You can’t imagine this woman with a Nursing Degree in the corporate arena. I started my career almost 20 years ago. After I passed the board exam, I hung my diploma and told my Mom “Can I study now?” Though I never got to go back to school to formally study the course I wanted for financial reasons, the world offered me a lifetime education that satisfied my passion. My medical background was my ticket to get a job in the Health and Benefits Department of a multinational manufacturing company.
I was blessed to have supportive supervisors and managers who coached and mentored me along the way. They saw the potential in me, helped and encourage me to go for what I want and what I do best. Soon after I moved from the Health and Benefits Department and become the Unit Head of the Employee Relations dDpartment. Five years later I joined PCPD, an NGO under the USAID. I was the youngest Project Manager then. I will always be grateful to this organization because they gave me all the training, exposure, formaleducation and the break to a greater career.
Five years later I joined Ancilla Consulting, a leading training and consulting firm in the country. I was one of the youngest faculty members/consultants at that time and later became the Manager for Corporate Sales. I went to the US to further my training in the field of Assessments and later offered a job to head the new business unit of Profiles Asia Pacific, that is People Dynamics.
What is your most fulfilling experience so far? There were many, but in this line of business?
Providing jobs and giving opportunities to everyone is by far the most rewarding. I never realized it until two years ago. I realized how much impact I have created on the lives of the people that I placed. This job has my your life, passion and dreams.
How would you describe your management style?
Years ago, I was always the youngest in all my previous organizations that I worked with. Today, my team is composed of people 15 years my junior if not half my age now. It was so different then being a subordinate during my time. And so I have to adjust my style. I have to be “with” them but not necessarily “be” them. Then drawing the line becomes easier. My style has always been consultative so my decision is always supported by accurate information; but if and when the situation calls for a competing decision, then I have to be responsible for calling the shots. Of course I have a very supportive Boss. Our National Director Mr. Malcolm Pick also employs a participative style of management.
What are your plans for the foreseeable future?
I have always known my forte is in Sales. I see myself as an entrepreneur, building a business of my own.
How do you remain competitive, as a leader in the industry?
As a talent provider PDI is not yet a leader in the industry but we are getting recognized as a new entrant with robust potential in the industry. So, how do we get there? I think creating a service differentiation between other players is a key to the top. Plus of course having a cohesive team and management support. Profiles Asia Pacific, Inc. is now the leading assessment provider in the country today. We are proud to say that we are” judged by the clients we keep”. Right now we continuously develop new products and services. And we invest heavily on IT and improving our testing facilities as we envision them to be the premier & sophisticated testing center in the country.
What’s it like coming to work every day?
First, one must love and enjoy work. If we just see work as our means of livelihood and a means to survive, it would be dreary. But I see work as my expression of being. Coming to work every day is like visiting my garden. I am always excited to see what will bloom today, what’s going to happen, the latest news, feedback etc., and meeting new clients and eventually becoming friends. Seeing friends and officemates and enjoying a noisy lunch.
What advice can you give to the young professionals who want to be entrepreneurs themselves?
Learn from your superiors, listen to them, and be humble and willing to be a student so when your turn comes to be a superior, you’ll make a fine one. Make every day a learning experience. Then study the business environment, get updated. Find out your strengths and weaknesses and what are you passionate about. If you are in the business that aligns with what you love to do, then you are in the right track. Business is a risk; you have to be bold enough to plunge into it.
Can you give us an idea of a day in a life of “ET” (that’s me) ?
Busy and yet I make time for everything. My Philosophy is: If you have time for GOD then you have time for everything. . I have always been a working mom all my life. I usually start my day based on what’s required of me that day. From 9 in the morning until 3 in the afternoon, I am consumed by my work. My work life revolves around my team, my boss, my laptop, cellphone (and all the necessary gadgets I needed to function) clients, and peers. At 3:30 PM I start to wear a new “Hat”. I would call home and check on the kids, their day at school, food, homework etc. etc. I want to be prepared on what to tackle even before I get home. My husband and I share in parenting duties and responsibilities (I’, lucky to have one like him). At PM I change to wear another “hat”, that of a wife; it’s the time to talk how the day went watch TV. It’s very ordinary yet I always try to balance everything.
Who is ELVIE TARROBAL outside the office?
A weekend homemaker. But on a daily basis, a loving wife to Jimmy and a Mom to my angels, Angelica And James.
Who or what keeps you going? What inspires you to do all these?
The Master of everything. My faith in Him and my family and friends makes me tough enough to embrace life and enjoy it. It gives a new meaning, now that I have turned 40, to do significant things for others. I think we all have the capability and influence to do this and expect nothing in return. It’s paying forward.
What for you is success and contentment?
I now have a different meaning of those two words. Sometimes I find it corny. Anyway, success is when I think less and less of myself and be more for others. Then I believe contentment follows.
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