My JA Story: Principles I Have Learned to Achieve Success

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My JA Story: Principles I Have Learned to Achieve Success

By Krishna C. Alejandrino, MSc, ChBA

?(Notes: Krishna C. Alejandrino is the Executive Director of Junior Achievement (JA) Philippines and A Member of JA Worldwide), a charity dedicated to inspiring and preparing young people to succeed in a global economy. Under his leadership, the organization has engaged over 800 business volunteers serving over 15,000 students. Krishna is also currently the founding Executive Director of the Registered Marketing Professional (RMP) and the Registered Business Professional (RBP) under the Chartered Association of Marketing and Business Professionals (CAMBP).

Prior to his appointment as the Executive Director of JA, he is a guest and adjunct lecturer of business, and market research at De La Salle University – Dasmarinas, Southville International School, and Colleges, and Colegio de San Juan de Letran. He was a recipient of the following awards in the industry and the academe: The 2013 Youth Development Award conferred by the Chartered Association of Business Administrators, the 2007 JA Marketing Adviser of the Year, and The Associate Fellow of Business Educator distinction (Philippine Councils of Deans and Business Educator).

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? If there was one perfect phrase to describe the success we’re at, it would be that “time flies so fast”. The Junior Achievement of the Philippines, which began its foundations on dreams, is now celebrating 46 years of hard work and excellence in entrepreneurship education.

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Looking back as its Executive Director, I would say that the seven years I spent was a picture of progress through dedication and excitement in equipping the young with business-mindedness and will. Aside from this, we were geared towards the goal of helping them invest in the right things, and stand out in whichever field they may take in the future.

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To put these into facts and figures, we are currently honing 7,000 students at the elementary, high school, and college levels. These young people are taught the basics of financial literacy and are workforce-ready. Aside from this, we are getting support from 35 of the biggest companies, both local and multinational. Our partners have continually supported us by providing financial support, but most importantly, have given their time and shared their expertise. Many corporate volunteers who train the kids have emerged from our ties, making a strong collaboration.

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???????????The question asked most often now is, “How?” How were you able to start with nothing, and end up being one of the most trusted business NGOs in the country? How did you withstand the many obstacles faced and come out successful? Some can call it a miracle, perhaps. The organization had no existing Executive Director from 2002 until 2007. With this, JAPI also had a challenging time budgeting expenses and creating programs that could improve the level of training being received by the students and the corporations’ investments.

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???????????All of these are now connected to what I call the “3 Cs”. For me, following the 3 Cs becomes the measure of successful organization-building, and even for the personal set of goals. The first C is Character. I think that the most important quality a leader should possess would be his or her integrity in guiding his or her people. I remember my first year in JAPI – probably one of the most grueling since it was a time when I almost had nothing to give to the workers. I had to go out of my way to refuse my own salary and join speaking engagements to earn money for them. Sometimes, it is important for a leader to sacrifice a piece of himself or herself for the good of the many. I think that showing them that I am able to do this for them, allowed me to earn their trust, thus making everyone cooperative in achieving the same goals.

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?????????The second C is Commitment. To be able to achieve the unity one wants for an organization, you must start being committed. This reminds me of one instance wherein I had the guts to “court” one big corporation to get their financial help for $ 25,000. Through work commitment, JAPI was able to get their “yes”, and has given us the trust in implementing a project that they have long wanted to do. Right now, this company is in its 7th year of being our partner in building bright futures for children through business. The domino effect of work commitment also proves right because by having a good track record with one company, we were able to build strong public relations that other large companies witnessed. Through this, other large corporations were the ones who came to us to share not just financial means, but also their knowledge of the business.

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???????????Lastly, there is Competence. Aside from sharing your heart or character, and your spirit or commitment, you must also show your truest intentions through actions. People may easily agree with your words, but they are caught through actions. With the right decisions, one is able to gain the trust of many. Being competent allows you to show your skills and abilities to achieve your goals, making stakeholders trust you. As the saying goes, it is good to have the intention of saving a drowning person, but you will never be successful in doing so if you cannot swim. This combination of the 3Cs is something that organizations and even individuals must take into account – it may sound simple, but it will take you to farther places.

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???????????In my years of running the organization, I have always stressed to its members and workers the importance of education, and of not stopping no matter how rough the road gets. Aside from this, it is also important to learn from one’s mistakes and to ask the right questions to get the right answers. Working together with the 3 C’s allows you to build another bigger C, and that is Credibility. This end-of-equation solution is very important because this is the very thing that other people will look after you. This sells ideas and even products for those with businesses. Credibility silences a room full of noise so people listen, as it encourages participation from all members of a team.

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???????????I am a strong believer that if these principles of Character, Commitment, Competence - and building Credibility — will be known by heart and lived in one’s life, obstacles will be overcome and allow our inner selves to soar and achieve greater things. I am strongly convinced that these are the very same principles I would like to impart to the young lives we are privileged to influence and help.

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???????????Right now, JA has continually produced the cream of the crop. It is my pride that many of the most successful people in the field of business and entrepreneurship came from JAPI. It puts a smile on my face when I remember walking along the business district in Makati, there was one former student who patted my back and said, “Thanks to JA and to you, I’m who I am now.”