According to a recent study, about 78% of the population or four out of five Filipinos dream of having their own businesses. While most of these are part of the workforce in the country, some people find it hard to juggle the weight of starting a business while working a full-time job. However, such is not the case for Cebuana Lhuillier employees, who are widely encouraged to pursue their passions and aspirations while doing what they can for the company.
Whereas other companies may see entrepreneurship as a hindrance to the best performance of their employees, Cebuana Lhuillier goes the opposite way. As the company treats its employees as its strongest asset, it cultivates a more engaged workforce by empowering its employees to think and act like entrepreneurs. By actively supporting and nurturing employees, aspiring business owners in the organization continuously feel supported.
Rather than confining employees to predefined roles, Cebuana Lhuillier has launched the Cebuanegosyo program which empowers its employees. Through this, Cebuana Lhuillier employees are given a chance to explore their passions and turn their ideas into reality.
Under Cebuanegosyo, employees can apply for a Microbiz Loan without any interest. This is a special loan assistance program that helps aspiring entrepreneurs get enough funding to start their businesses. This makes it easier for them to kickstart their businesses, whether it be for getting initial supplies or processing necessary permits.
But more than the loans that are mainly directed towards microbusinesses, the Cebuanegosyo program for Cebuana Lhuillier employees also comes with coaching sessions that will help them become better entrepreneurs. Aside from that, employees who join the program are also given exclusive use of Cebuana Lhuillier’s social media platform.
Since the program was implemented, Cebuana Lhuillier has been able to inspire a lot of its employees into venturing into their desired industries. Over the years, the Cebuanegosyo program has helped employees open local sari-sari stores, restaurants, salons, and other businesses that align with their personal interests.
“Implementing programs like Cebuanegosyo allows us to serve as our employees’ steppingstone towards the fulfillment of their dreams. As we remain dedicated to help Filipinos towards financial inclusion, we feel that it is our utmost duty to start from within our organization and open the best opportunities for our employees so they can feel motivated to work,” says Jo-Ann Tacorda, Chief Administrative Officer of the Corporate Services Group.
“Here at Cebuana Lhuillier, we care about the welfare of our employees and what makes them happy. It fills us with immense pride and joy when we witness how we improve the lives of our employees by encouraging them to live their dreams rather than confining them within our offices. By doing so, we believe that our support for their businesses becomes a vital force that pushes them to strive better for their families,” says Jean Henri Lhuillier, Cebuana Lhuillier President and CEO.
Given the success of the program and the positive impact it has left on Cebuana Lhuillier’s employees, the program becomes a continuous effort for the company to motivate their people to reach for their aspirations in life.
