DEFINITELY, it is not in being adorned with sorts of medals and public recognition, showered with all kinds of honors and privileges. It’s rather in being simple and humble, in having a heart completely emptied of its ego and filled with love and compassion for everyone, even to the extent of offering one’s life for the others out of love, the way Christ offered his life for all of us.

We are reminded of this truth of our faith in that gospel episode where the disciple asked Christ, “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?” (Mt 18,1) To this, Christ simply called a child over, and placing him in their midst, said: “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.” (Mt 18,2-4)
There you have the clear description of who can be considered truly great and how we can be so. It is to be like a child, simple and humble, the qualities that would enable us to be like Christ himself, able to capture and assume the very spirit of God in whose image and likeness we are.

We have to acknowledge the intimate and mutual relation between simplicity and humility, on the one hand, and greatness on the other hand. When one is great in his earthly stature and dignity, he knows he has to serve more and to give more, to be truly great. True greatness is never shown in pride and vanity. It is proved and verified in humility and simplicity.

Christ is the epitome of true greatness. And he showed it by going through this process of self-emptying that St. Paul once described in this way—that Christ “being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!” (Phil 2,6-8)

This mutual relation between humility and greatness is expressed when we manage to value others, whoever and however they are, above ourselves and when we look after their interest instead of our own. (cfr. Phil 2,3-4)

In other words, our greatness is when we are fully driven with love. That’s when we would not have any dull moment since we would always be thinking of others, of how to help them. We would even be most willing to make sacrifices for them. We would have our whole life dedicated to serving God and others.
This is what we clearly see in the life of Christ. Let’s call to mind that stunning example of his when he shocked his apostles when he started and insisted to wash their feet at the Last Supper.

For us to have this humility and greatness in our life, we need to be always with Christ. We need to be in constant conversation with him, referring everything to him, asking him for the answers to our questions, clarifications to the many issues we have to grapple with in life, strength for our weaknesses and temptations, contrition and conversion after our falls, etc.

Global business increasingly relies on strategic outsourcing. From software to marketing, vendors provide cost-effective access to specialized skills and expertise, boosting efficiency and competitiveness in today’s interconnected marketplace. However, this reliance also introduces a significant risk: encountering subpar work that can jeopardize deadlines, budgets, and even the reputation of your company. This article explores the common causes of this issue and outlines a strategic approach to address and mitigate the damage.

Identifying the Root Causes

Subpar vendor work can stem from several sources. Poor communication and unclear expectations often lead to problems. Ambiguous contracts, poorly defined deliverables, and insufficient feedback loops can leave vendors unsure of what’s expected, resulting in work that misses the mark. This is often compounded by inadequate project management on both sides. Without clear milestones, regular progress checks, and proactive communication, problems can fester unnoticed until it’s too late to rectify them effectively.

Another major factor is the vendor’s internal capabilities. While a vendor might boast impressive credentials, their actual capacity and expertise may fall short. This could be due to a lack of skilled personnel, inadequate resources, or a failure to properly allocate resources to your project. Overpromising and underdelivering is a common tactic used to secure contracts, leaving clients with substandard results. Finally, unforeseen circumstances, such as internal restructuring or unexpected technical challenges within the vendor’s organization, can also contribute to subpar performance.

Addressing the Issue: A Proactive Approach

When faced with subpar work, a reactive approach often exacerbates the problem. Instead, a proactive and strategic response is crucial. The first step is to document the deficiencies thoroughly. This involves compiling concrete evidence, such as screenshots, test results, or specific examples of unmet requirements. This documentation will be essential in subsequent discussions with the vendor and potentially in legal proceedings if necessary.

Once the issues are documented, initiate a direct and professional conversation with the vendor’s project manager or point of contact. Clearly articulate the specific problems, referencing the documented evidence. Maintain a calm and professional tone, focusing on solutions rather than blame. The goal is to collaboratively identify the root causes of the problem and agree on a plan for remediation. This might involve revisions, additional work, or even a partial or full refund, depending on the severity of the issues.

Negotiating a Resolution

Successful conflict resolution necessitates a delicate balance: assertive yet collaborative. Clear communication, mutual respect, and a willingness to compromise are essential for achieving a mutually beneficial outcome. Clearly state your expectations for rectification, outlining specific timelines and deliverables. Be prepared to compromise, but don’t settle for anything less than acceptable quality. Persistent vendor unresponsiveness or lack of cooperation necessitates escalation. Attempting to resolve the issue directly with the vendor’s management is a crucial next step. Clearly articulate the problem, the attempts made to resolve it, and the desired outcome. This formal escalation often prompts a more decisive and timely response, protecting your interests and ensuring the project remains on track. Document all communications throughout this process. This might involve contacting the account manager or even the CEO, depending on the vendor’s structure and the severity of the situation.

Mitigating Future Risks

Preventing future instances of subpar vendor work requires a proactive approach to vendor selection and project management. Rigorous vetting of potential vendors is crucial. Thorough due diligence, including background checks and reference reviews, mitigates risks and ensures a successful partnership. This includes verifying their credentials, reviewing client testimonials, and requesting references. Clearly defined contracts are crucial, outlining specific deliverables, timelines, payment terms, and dispute resolution mechanisms. Regular communication and progress checks throughout the project lifecycle are essential to identify and address potential problems early on. Finally, building strong relationships with vendors fosters trust and collaboration, making it easier to resolve issues should they arise.

In conclusion, encountering subpar work from a vendor is a frustrating but not insurmountable challenge. By adopting a proactive and strategic approach, focusing on clear communication, thorough documentation, and collaborative problem-solving, businesses can navigate these difficult situations effectively and mitigate future risks. The key is to prioritize clear expectations, robust project management, and a commitment to achieving high-quality results.
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If you have any questions or would like to share your thoughts on the column, feel free to send an email to jca.bblueprint@gmail.com. Looking forward to connecting with you!

I may be more than 4 decades now working with the agriculture sevtor, however, I can poignantly say that our farmers are the most hardworking people in the face of the earth. But through all these years, I’m still baffled by the very slow pace of countryside development when we have the most workaholic persons yet they cannot do so much to uplift their own socio-economic condition.

In this article, I will attempt to dissect what is truly happening to our food heroes.
A typical day for a Filipino farmer starts early, around 4:00-5:00 AM, with chores such as tending to rice fields, coconut plantations, or vegetable gardens. Men usually focus on farming or fishing, while women handle household tasks, childcare, and sometimes assist with farmwork.

Among others, their daily routine consist of the following:

• Morning Chores: Farmers begin by feeding animals, watering crops, and preparing for the day’s work.

• Farmwork: They spend most of their day tending to crops like rice, corn, coconut, sugarcane, and vegetables, or working on livestock like pigs, chickens, and carabaos (water buffalo).

• Afternoon Break: After a long morning of work, farmers take a break to rest and eat lunch, often consisting of simple meals like rice with vegetables or fish.

• Evening Routine: After finishing work, farmers might spend time with family, watch TV, or socialize with neighbors. Women often continue with household chores or part-time jobs.
Challenges Faced by Filipino Farmers:

• Low Income: Many farmers struggle with poverty due to low prices for their products, high production costs, and limited access to credit and markets.

• Limited Access to Resources: Farmers often lack access to quality seeds, fertilizers, and equipment, making it harder to increase productivity and income.

• Climate Change: Rising temperatures, droughts, and floods affect crop yields and farming schedules, making it challenging for farmers to plan and adapt.

• Landlessness: Some farmers face land ownership issues, with many working on small plots of land or as tenants, which can limit their ability to invest in their farms.

• Government Neglect: Historically, the agricultural sector has received limited support, leading to persistent poverty and limited opportunities for farmers.

But I would like to qualify the aforesaid statement considering that in the recent years, and in fairness to the national government, fund allocations for agricultural development programs continue to rise. Meaning, countless program interventions have poured in year in and year out, funded in Million of Pesos by the government. But at the end of the day, it could hardly create a dent of progress to the overall state of Philippine Agriculture.
If asked what are their Aspirations as farmers, most likely their answers would run like these:

• Land Ownership: Many farmers dream of owning the land they till, which would give them more control over their crops and income.

• Better Income: Farmers aspire to earn a stable and sufficient income to support their families and improve their quality of life.

• Sustainable Livelihood: They hope for a sustainable source of income, perhaps through diversification or value-added products, to reduce dependence on a single crop.

Due to our limited space, I promise, in the next issue of my column “Sow and Till” we will dig deeper into this problem. Or probably explore some possibilities that the farmers and other agristakeholders need to do – to better address the problems in the best way possible.

So, to our dear readers, pls. standby and watch out for the Part 2 on the next issue concerning specifically on this topic. Bye for now!