Asia Society Philippines, together with Powerbooks, launched Ken Mc Elroy’s lauded book “The Sleeping Giant” last September 18 at Powerbooks, Greenbelt 4.  Ken McElroy provides a voice of optimism in his fourth book which inspires people to believe that they can be part of solving the world’s economic problems by channelling their ideas and creating their own business. The Sleeping Giant brings together twenty self-employed entrepreneurs around the world who share their powerful and inspiring ideas and stories of how they found success through self-employment.

                With a special message from the author himself, the event started with Ken McElroy sharing how as an entrepreneur himself, he believed that everyone could be an entrepreneur if they wanted. One of the contributors of the book, Asia 21 Philippines Young Leader Rommel Juan of Binalot Fiesta Foods shared his insights at the event. The Co-Founder and President of Binalot Fiesta Foods, it is a major food franchise with 42 outlets most of which are found within Metropolitan Manila that emphasizes the importance of its CSR programs. Speaking to an audience of 70 aspiring entrepreneurs and interested participants, he shared how the book came about, some of its common principles in successful entrepreneurship as well as the back story to the first chapter he contributed which he wrote on his Blackberry during a trip in China. He ended with a hopeful message to the audience stating that there are endless possibilities here in the Philippines for success if Filipinos only realize their potential and talent and discover their entrepreneurial spirit.

                Other speakers that shared their insights on the book and on entrepreneurship were Pacita “Chit” Juan, social entrepreneur and President of the Philippine Coffee Board as well as Ramon Lopez, Executive Director of Go Negosyo. They both stressed the importance of having the proper mindset when being an entrepreneur: perseverance, adaptability and overcoming one’s failures were a few of the characteristics they mentioned that were essential to being an entrepreneur.

                When asked how one could transform their local business into a global one, Chit Juan promptly replied that the world can be our frontier right from the comfort of our bedrooms what with the technology that we have today. Be resourceful, have passion and with the use of technology available to us in this generation, she stated that it’s easier to reach out and connect to people on a global scale than it was a few years ago. We must use this to our advantage and continually find ways to improve our the business.

                The event ended with a much-anticipated book signing and picture taking with Rommel Juan and the speakers. This event was brought about with the generous support of Citibank Philippines.

For more information on Asia Society Philippines’ programs, kindly email [email protected]or call 550-2612.