“Choose to be an entrepreneur because then you create value. Choose to be an entrepreneur because the products, services, and jobs you create then become the lifeblood of our nation. But most of all, choose to be an entrepreneur because then you desire a life of adventure, endless challenge, and the opportunity to be your best self.” These inspiring words, uttered by the late John Gokongwei, Jr. nearly two decades ago, remain true to this day. And in light of the current economic situation brought about by the global pandemic, heeding his advice may hold the key to spurring the country’s recovery and sustainable growth.
To inspire more Filipinos to try their hand at entrepreneurship, the Department of Science and Technology has launched a series of books that highlights the triumphs of small and medium enterprises, achieved through the help of technological innovation and creative thinking.
Aiming to “present the very essence of Filipinnovation,” in the words of DOST Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña, the “Science for the People” series which was launched virtually on 24 September 2020 includes the books Science for Scale, Science for Success, and Science for Social Change.
The second book in the trilogy, which has the full title Science for Success—Stories of How Science and Technology Can Help Your Business, was co-authored by Maret Follosco-Bautista, chairperson and president of the CL Follosco Group, and Robina Gokongwei Pe, president and CEO of Robinsons Retail Holdings, Inc.
“In tough times, entrepreneurs display grit to steer the people they are responsible for toward a stable future. Through this book, we would like to add another superpower to the business owner’s toolkit: a focus on research and development, inspired by innovative individuals all over the country who have embraced science and technology as a strategy for survival and growth,” write the authors in the book’s foreword.
The authors’ friendship goes back to their college days, which were both spent at the University of the Philippines School of Economics. Similar to Pe’s father, JG Summit founder John Gokongwei Jr., Bautista’s late father, the former DOST Secretary Dr. Ceferino L. Follosco, was himself a serial entrepreneur and innovator.
Today, as second-generation entrepreneurs, Pe and Bautista are staunch advocates for programs that encourage entrepreneurship, science and technology, and nation-building. Through their book, the authors hope to impart “our hard-earned knowledge to the next generation of businessmen and women.”
Presented in an easy to read and engaging style, Science For Success is broken down into 10 chapters, each covering essential elements of a successful business, which include Research and Development, Innovation and Creativity, Marketing and Communication, Investing in Human Capital, and Risk Management, among others. As revealed in the inspiring stories of successful entrepreneurs, each of these concepts is highlighted and explained through their application in the real world.
Included in the book are the insights and experiences of SMEs that were supported by DOST’s Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading (SETUP). This is a nationwide strategy to encourage and assist SMEs to adopt technological innovations to improve their operations and thus boost their productivity and competitiveness. These SMEs are: Aurochs Aerospace Precision Manufacturing Corporation, Answer Advertising, Bambike Revolution Cycles, CocoPatch, Cropital, Carl Jan Cruz, Envirotech Waste Recycling Inc., E.G. Energy Corporation, Ellana Mineral Cosmetics, Filipina Hybrid Corn Seeds, Golden ABC, Great Harvest Food Industry, Greenlands Agritech Ventures, Greentropics Coffee, Greenthumb Food Depot, HML Foods Corporation (Bicol’s Best), IDNTT (Identitee), ix, J. Emmanuel Pastries, JBM Food Products, JBT Prints, Jhaymarts Industries, Joncyr Enterprises, Inc., Kalsada Coffee, Misty Cool, Mushroom Producers Cooperative, Novellino, NutriDenseFood, NVIRO, Power Up Fuel Combustor, Rimo (Rice + Mongo), Rgies, Thelmie’s Dried Fish, Theo & Philo Artisan Chocolates, Inc., Salinas Corporation, Seed Manila, Seedworks, Sunlight Foods Corporation, The Moment Group, VL Food Products, Workshop Bespoke Bakery, Wood Tech Builders, Zapateria, and the Zarraga Integrated Diversified Organic Farmers Association (ZIDOFA).
The Science for the People book series is published by the Department of Science and Technology and produced by CAN Creative Capital (can.ph)
