Of Synergy, Elective Affinity and English Proficiency
By Mary Rose Solina

Leadership is lifting a person's vision to higher sights, the raising of a person's performance to a higher standard, the building of a personality beyond its normal limitations. - Peter F. Drucker

During college, what I assumed to be another boring lecture on Sociological theory had me all ears for a change. My professor's discourse on Max Weber's concept of Elective affinity—that two things without a pre-established connection may intersect at a point in time and produce an unanticipated consequence—had me glued. Weber really made sense beyond establishing the link between Calvinism and Capitalism but in illustrating how events in our lives are not products of coincidence nor fate nor of a capricious cosmic being, but of conscious decisions, opportunities foregone, and calculated costs. Each step we take brings us closer to where we intend to be and ultimately, this brings us closer to other personalities who have undergone the same process of elimination, and from then we synergize to make something worthwhile.

This is not a crash course on Sociology 150, this is an evaluation of the case of Camarines Sur.

From July 17 to 21, 2006, John Clements had an opportunity to conduct another Train the English Trainers (TET) program for Camarines Sur's Office of the Governor (CSOG). This is the third TET project and the fourth program (including the Assessor's Training) that the human resources firm has handled for the English Proficiency Program (EPP) of the provincial government. This time, a total of 17 participants trained under Agnes V. Celdran in preparation for 15 upcoming “100-hour Finishing Course for Call Center Agents” classes of the EPP Department.

Fueled by the passion to erase Camarines Sur from the list of the poorest regions in the Philippines , Governor Villafuerte has already undertaken steps to revamp their town into the IT hub of the Bikol region. Among these measures include governor's brainchild: the EPP. With a total of 225 graduates every 5 weeks, the EPP near-hire program of Camarines Sur serves as a launch pad for skilled and determined Bikolanos.

“Our governor has the foresight and the drive to make things happen,” says Suzette Satuito-Ubalde, Head Trainer and Unit head of Camarines Sur's EPP program. “The rationale behind the free programs is the governor's desire for everyone to have a shot at a better life. Just imagine how happy he was when three of our trainees were sent by GENPACT to India for advanced training—this is indicative of the positive impact this programs have on individuals,” she continued.

So where does Elective Affinity come in? It is in the partnership of John Clements and Camarines Sur's Provincial government.

John Clements prides itself in being proactive, and as the foremost business solution provider and training outfit, the company looks for partners in entities aspiring to scale greater heights. The CSOG, on the other hand, believes in working with people having the same energy level and commitment to service. “We chose John Clements as they have the best technical know how with regards to English training, and as pioneers in the BPO-Contact Center training field, why should we get someone else?” added Ms. Satuito-Ubalde.