Anthony Joseph Garcia
How does the concept of noblesse oblige apply to being a Benildean-Lasallian? If you think it does not
apply, defend your answer. (250 words)
I think this conception can be applicable to us Benilideans-Lasallians. First off, let us let us look
at the theory supposing noblesse oblige pertains to the Jesuit motto, which was founded by St. Ignatius of
Loyola. “Men and women for others”. The men and women here are the nobility, and as the French
believes, if one person sees himself a nobleman, then he should act as a nobleman. Nobility then entails
service for the “others” or the people belonging to the lower class. We can’t be sure if the nobility serves
the others with the most benevolent intentions; nonetheless, the gesture is noble.
Now comparing St. Ignatius to St. John Baptiste de La Salle, in the contrary, St. De La Salle was
not a noble man although he was born to a well-off family. Looking back at the history, period of
knighthood died in the early 15th century before De La Salle was born. St. Benilde Romançon himself
came from a farming family. Thus, Lasallian thinking is not historically or in any way associated with
noblesse oblige. Also, Lasallian mottos such as “Fight a Good Fight” and “Religio, Mores, Cultura” do
not seem to be related to the concept of noblesse oblige. In fact, from the very beginning, Lasallian ideal
is to provide Christian education.
However it can be argued that in the Philippines, the Lasallian rhythm is a bit different. Most of
Lasallian students here are from affluent families—who we can say are the equivalent of the medieval
nobility. Lasallian schools have always been—even getting more—devoted to the mission of helping the
underprivileged kids to attend school. Of course the funds come from many rich benefactors and soaring
tuition fees. Thus we can say that somehow the motto “Men and women for others” is logically
appropriate for Lasallians.
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ignatius_of_Loyola
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Baptiste_de_La_Salle
http://historymedren.about.com/library/faq/blmedieval.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B%C3%A9nilde_Roman%C3%A7on
ITC e-Choupal Case Study Guide Questions
1. What is the innovation of the e-Choupal?
ITC, with the objective of connecting Indian farmers and fishermen to bigger market, installed
widely networked PCs in their villages. The initiative was called e-Choupal. Surprisingly, the
farmers responded positively, and proved the innovative project beneficial. Farmers and
fishermen were able to auction their produce—solving the problems such as disjointed farms,
poor communications and transportation, and enormous intermediary participation.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E-Choupal)
2. Discuss the paradox of Indian Agriculture?
To begin with, to India, agriculture is especially important in economical, nutritional, and social
aspects. Agriculture has remained a vital element of the Indian economy, yet it is deeply
regulated. A lot of functions in the agricultural facets are controlled and limited, which resulted to
corrupt and archaic scheme. Another paradox is that India has high production but the producers,
the farmers, are deprived through land distribution.
3. Why is soya an important innovation in the Indian oilseed complex?
In the 1970s when supply of oilseed was exceeded by demand, various changes were applied by
the Indian government. Production of oilseed was doubled in order to avoid or tone down the
increased percentage of importation. The variability in oilseed was limited. The increase in local
production was then associated to the introduction and utilization of new crops such as soya and
sunflower.
4. Describe the marketing processs before the introduction of e-Choupal.
Before the implementation of e-Choupal, harvests go through channels that depend on the
condition of crops. These channels are mandis, dealers for resale to crushers, and cooperative
societies. Mandi is a designated marketplace where farmers bring their produce for trade. The
next channel is the commission agents. They buy harvests and sell it to the crushers. They
unbelievably manages trades across the country.
5. Why is the mandi not an optimal procurement channel?
Mandi cannot be an most favourable procurement means because it is (the commission agents to
be specific) a good source of inefficiencies that mostly put burden on the end of the producers.
Some of the common problems are ITC’s distance from farmers, price inflation, and price shifts.
6. What were the advantages of ITC's competitors? How did ITC address them?
The competitors can enjoy the horizontal presence where competitors can diversify supply across
different locations; vertical presence where incorporation permits extraction of value-chain
efficiency; being old and family-owned where over years competitors have gained and organized
knowledge gathered; and their risk management where risks are managed well and even much
better.
To address these edges, the ITC came up with a plan to use information technology that will
become customer relationship systems which is aimed to identify the needs of the target market.
7. How did ITC "re-engineer as opposed to reconstruct"?
It means the ITC supposed that the system should be re-engineered as to just change some parts
of the system and not to reconstruct from the very start. It has two benefits: it avoids reinventing
and appointing of people from the rural setting.
8. How did ITC "address the whole, not just a part"?
Basically the power of trade cycle is under the control of traders in the villages since all the
needed components are coming from them. The farmers become dependent on them. Other
cooperatives should get in the scene and try to provide all the needed elements to compete with
the realm of traders.
9. Was it wise for ITC to install an IT-driven solution where most people would not?
Yes. Because it is only an assumption that people would not use it. Well, e-Choupal was a
success.
10. Why does the ITC insist that the sanchalaks NOT give up farming?
Sanchalaks cannot give up farming because that is the reason why they are chosen. They stand as
liaison to the other farmers. They have to know and understand what farmers want. And this
keeps the feeling of belonging to the farmers.
11. Why did the samyojaks introduce the ITC to the sanchalaks?
Samyojaks felt the sincerity of the ITC and its genuine goal to build the nation, thus they
introduced the ITC to the sanchalaks. They also thought that it could protect their commission
earnings despite the fact that it would reduce, mandi trade will be kept, and they know every
attempt is for samyojaks to trust the ITC.
12. Describe the new ITC value chain. How different is it from the former value chain?
The new ITC starts with pricing where prices are set and then disseminated. Next is the inbound
logistics where harvests are given by the farmers. Afterwards, the harvests will be inspected for
damages; then it will be segregated according to quality. After weighing the harvests, the farmers
will be paid. Then the paid harvests will be stored.
13. What is the social impact of the e-Choupals?
The major social impact of the e-Choupals is the opening of new door for farmers to the rest of
the world. The agriculture is improved, and this means better stability for the farmers. Farmers’
lifestyle is also enhanced as more money is now coming in their pockets. Better future is then
waiting for the village farmers.
14. Describe Wave 6 of the e-Choupal. DO you think it is feasible?
Wave 6, after obtaining goods, is the last and the most motivated wave so far. It aspires to make
rural India ready to source IT-enabled services. I think it is feasible. People from the rural India if
given the chance to be trained penetrate the world of IT. They proved it by responding positively
to PCs in e-Choupals.
15. Can something similar to an e-Choupal be implemented in the Philippines?
Yes. So long as the major players in the scene such as ITC, commission traders, and others are
present here, it should be easy. Government intervention should beneficial and not restricting. We
have many agricultural producers that need something like e-Choupal.
CEMEX Case Study Guide Questions
1. How did CEMEX fundamentally change the way it conducted its business?
CEMEX started looking at the BOP as a good market. The do-it-yourself method is used where
consumers are trained how to save and invest. In other words, CEMEX attempted to make the
consumers regulate consumption while saving.
2. How does information systems contribute to CEMEX' competitive advantage?
Information systems supports the business ideas and strategies of CEMEX.
3. What is social capital? How does CEMEX build social capital?
Social capital is a sociological theory where the social network is believed to be the solution to
many problems of society as people involved here share the same values (Wikipedia). CEMEX
first built trust from the poor to convince to construct a house using CEMEX. Second, CEMEX
made them see that credit is actually beneficial.
4. How are the low-income savings characteristics of Mexican society characterized?
Because the low-income families receive pay check in irregular basis, have no grants and so on,
they have no access to banks. Thus, they come up with tandas or pools. Families will collect their
paychecks together. People can bid for pool or can get it through lottery. Social capital keeps this
system going.
5. How are the enterpreneurial characteristics of the women in Mexican society tied to the CEMEX
BOP strategy?
Mexican women are very creative in allocating their money and of course growing it. They find
ways on how to double the salary that their husbands make. BOP strategy of CEMEX is one
opportunity for the Mexican women to build their houses.
6. What did the CEMEX initial market research in Guadalajara discover?
The market research found out three things that make Guadalajara distinct from other places in
Mexico. First, the most of the populated locations in Mexico was illustrative in social and
economic profile of low-income communities. Second, CEMEX was losing domination in the
second largest city. Third, as to tradition, people in Guadalajara allocate only 22 pesos for
cement. They use limestone and clay.
7. What is the role of socios in the Patrimonio Hoy system? How important are they in the making the
system successful?
Socios are the three members of each group who are enrolled in the system. They are basically
the partners in this enterprise.
8. Why do you think it was important for CEMEX to position itself as a complete solutions provider vs.
just another product provider?
It appeared important to CEMEX because it was the first of its kind to offer BOP strategy, thus
they have control on the strategy. Besides, the enterprise is working and a success.
9. How is the social capital of Patrimonio Hoy promoters related to economic capital?
Promoters are essentially the ones who gather partners for the Patriminio Hoy. They bring in
money through new socios. They have dynamic binds with the socios because they are socios
themselves.
10. What, in brief, is the value of Patrimonio Hoy to a) it's promoter b) its socios & partners c) its
suppliers and d) its distributors?
Promoters are the representatives of Patrimonio Hoy. They find prospective socios, they sell the
enterprise to them. Essentially when they recruit people, they get commissions that are expressed
in points system. To socios and partners, their dream houses are constructed in shorter span of
time as opposed to their common belief. More and more supplies of constructing materials are
ordered from the suppliers and distributors.
11. What is patrimonio? Why is this important for the marketing efforts for the Patrimonio Hoy system?
Patrimonio is anything that parents can leave to their children—mostly lands and wealth. It is
very important because it’s like promoting something that is very valuable to the Mexicans. It is
like supporting what is already embraced by the people.
12. How can Patrimonio Hoy offer a slightly higher price than its competitors and maintain a competitive
edge?
Patrimonio Hoy is capable of doing this because they socios will still patronize them. The socios
deems this just right as it offsets with the quality they get.
13. How does the concept of freezing prices encourage socios to do more business for Patrimonio Hoy?
When the prices are fixed, the socios feel secure that they can pay.
14. Intuitively, doing with business with a low income group would be riskier than traditional lending
models but it is profitable for Patrimonio Hoy. Why?
It works well for Patrimonio Hoy because of three significant factors: social capital, group
commitment, and the penaltyfee model.
15. What is the role of peer/community pressure in the Patrimonio Hoy lending model?
16. How has Patrimonio Hoy changed the consumer behavior in Mexico?
Patrimonio Hoy, with its innovative enterprise, helped the Mexicans like the opportunity of
building and having their own houses. The business has somehow made the growth sustainable.
17. What are the challengs of the Patrimonio Hoy program?
The challenges faced by Patrimonio Hoy program are to keep the customers on expanding their
house in a long time. Most of the customers cannot afford to pay in short-term basis.
18. What does Construmex take advantage of the existing remittance market between U.S.A and Mexico?
This is something really pioneering. The Construmex, a subsidiary of CEMEX, directly receives
remittances that Mexicans living in the US allot for home building.
19. CEMEX Philippines is exploring the possibility of replicating the Patrimonio Hoy system in the
Philippines. What are the parallels between the Mexican and the Philippine market?
There are also many poor families in the Philippines who want to have their own houses. Come to
think of it, Filipinos are willing to do such things. Direct selling will attest to this—where people
patiently recruits. We also have many OFWs who send their money which some of it are for
building houses.
20. As an IT practitioner looking at the Construmex business model, what IT-driven systems can you
propose to make CEMEX more competitive? (name 10-15)
There are different IT-driven systems that are applicable to CEMEX such as ERP, supply chain
management, CRM, business intelligence system, document management, inventory management
system, workflow management, etc.