GREAT Together: UnionBank Leaders and GREAT Champions Demonstrate Synergy in the GREAT Workshop
By: Martina Lucero
Aboitiz-led UnionBank held the GREAT Launch and Workshop on May 23, 2024, at UnionBank Square, bringing together 140 Bank leaders and selected GREAT Champions to reinforce the organization’s collective goal of becoming a great retail bank.
Facilitated by Senior Organizational Development Manager TJ David, the workshop included participants from various entities within the Aboitiz Group, such as UnionBank, UBx (fintech arm), CitySavings Bank (leading motorcycle loan lender), UnionDigital (one of the first BSP-licensed digital banks), and PETNET (leading bank-to-bank payment service provider).
UnionBank President and CEO Edwin R. Bautista opened the event with an inspiring speech, urging everyone to strive for excellence. He emphasized the importance of following a specific formula that includes controllable variables to ensure success.
“And if you can control the variables, then the end result will follow. And the end result is: we shall be, and we will be, a Great Retail Bank because we want, because we can, and because we will,” he declared.
He also highlighted the importance of a middle-down approach to foster connections across all ranks.
“We don’t want all the ideas to just trickle down from the top, but rather, get the middle layer to influence both the people at the top and the people at the bottom,” he expressed.
The workshop that followed featured engaging activities designed to enhance teamwork and strategic thinking. Participants were randomly grouped, mixing leaders and champions from different subsidiaries to encourage bonding, networking, and synergy.
The day’s highlight was an exercise where participants created the longest line possible using their belongings and bodies. Initially, each group worked separately, but they were reminded that they could only be “GREAT together.” This emphasized that the Bank’s goals could only be achieved through Ubuntu, a core value signifying unity and collaboration.
The workshop concluded with an oath-taking ceremony, where participants pledged their dedication to the mission and their commitment to embodying the Bank’s core values.
“I am a GREAT champion and I am one in this mission to be part of the Great Transformation with Integrity, Magis, and Ubuntu. I am building a Great Retail Bank with you!”, the participants pledged in unison.
Afterwards, they signed the GREAT Boxes, symbolizing their commitment and dedication.
These leaders are now responsible for cascading these aspirations to their team members, ensuring that every employee understands their role in achieving the bank’s vision. This inclusive approach fosters a sense of ownership and accountability, unifying efforts towards a common goal.
Chief Human Resources Officer Michelle Rubio delivered a heartwarming closing remark, encouraging the attendees to use their hearts in all their endeavors.
“Because when you use your heart, you have passion, conviction, and love. Love for your customers, love for your fellow teammates, love for UnionBank, CSB, UD, UBx — and you know, love moves mountains and makes the impossible, possible,” she stated.
She also reiterated the importance of being prepared to face challenges and working together more than ever.
“Take ownership of this mission and become leaders in your own right. Inspire your teams to rally behind this vision, for it is through our collective efforts that we will reach new heights,” she emphasized.
With the GREAT Journey kicking off, the entire workforce is committed and rallying together towards the common goal of becoming the Greatest Retail Bank.
UnionBank of the Philippines currently boasts the largest customer base among all Philippine banks, with more individual depositors than its competitors despite having fewer physical branches. It also holds the highest net promoter scores among all banks in the country, based on data from a third-party source.
Following its recent acquisition, UnionBank is poised to become the Greatest Retail Bank in the Philippines, possessing reinforced strategies, a more empowered workforce, and a dedicated leadership.