In the latest episode of “The Philippine Business Playbook” podcast, Bryan dives into the unique intersection of business and pleasure available in the Philippines. This episode promises to reveal how life can be like for CEOs with an offshore team in the country. 

Flying to the Philippines

Frequent trips to the Philippines are a necessity for Bryan, who is known for his hands-on leadership approach. While acknowledging how the trip from New York to the Philippines can be quite long, he assures how it is sure to be worth it once one arrives in the beautiful tropical country. Meanwhile, he shares some of his go-to activities while flying such as watching movies and listening to podcasts.

Tahche’s strategic location

Bryan emphasizes Tahche’s strategic position for clients doing business in the Philippines. Located in Cebu City, Philippines, it is at the heart of a highly developed area. 1Nito Tower, it’s office building, is also geared with high-speed internet, generator backups, and complete modern amenities for offshore teams. 

Building strong connections

For Bryan, visiting the Philippines is crucial for maintaining strong connections with his offshore teams. Once in the country, Bryan takes the opportunity to connect directly with staff, team leaders and managers who oversee Tahche’s day-to-day operations. These face-to-face interactions allow him to share not only strategic directions, vision, and energy, but also develop personal connections and empathy, ultimately fostering stronger relationships and better teamwork. 

Quarterly meetings in the Philippines are another critical aspect of Bryan’s trips. These sessions are essential for addressing important business planning and tackling on-the-ground issues. The immediate feedback and free flowing conversation during these meetings ensures that Bryan and his management team are aligned and operating efficiently. The need for him to be on the same wavelength as his management team is crucial for running a tight ship.

Mixing business with pleasure

After all the hard work, Bryan emphasizes the importance of bonding with staff beyond the office setting. Transitioning to the fun side of the visit, he shares his experiences with the Tahche Cheetahs, Tahche’s basketball team with whom he played a game during a local basketball tournament. These types of activities provide a chance to get to know team members on a personal level, fostering a more human connection within the company.

Bryan’s trips also often include visiting new restaurants that seem to be opening every day in Cebu. One of the stops he made in his last trip is NUSTAR, a 5-star integrated resort where he brought clients. It’s his way of emphasizing that when they come to the Philippines, they get a first class experience.

On company culture and community engagement

Company culture developed through company events is another thing that Bryan highlights. Company events are something he looks forward to. Recently, he celebrated with employees  from all over the Philippines at the Tahchella Festival, a summer event hosted by Tahche.  It had everything from team-building activities to live band performances and a sumptuous dinner, giving employees a chance to bond during a night they won’t be forgetting any time soon. With activities like this, Tahche ensures that offshore teams are motivated to work excellently and cohesively with their teams.

Each of Bryan’s visits is packed with purposeful activities, including community-building and giving back through Tahche’s corporate social responsibility (CSR)  initiatives. During his last visit, he had the opportunity to join the CSR event at Banilad Elementary School where Tahche volunteers painted the school back to its former glory. The initiative is part of Tahche’s commitment to building up future Filipino professionals and contributing positively to the local community.

Personal trips and an anniversary

The episode concludes with Bryan sharing how he celebrated his wedding anniversary at Kandaya Resort in Cebu. An amazing place where they were able to enjoy the Philippines’ world-renowned beaches and hospitality, Bryan and his wife Delores made the most of their special day.

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All these in just one trip! Truly, business and pleasure in the Philippines is a must!

Watch the full video for more personal insights and anecdotes from Bryan!

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