Top 3 Reasons why Smart can no longer climb back the saddle

“We have fallen off the saddle. We’ll climb back and ride on it but it will take a while. This year will be tough.” These were the frustrating words that our beloved chair Manny V. Pangilinan reluctantly uttered during the 2nd quarter report to the media.

The post-Charles A. Lim era created a positive perception within the organization that the newly appointed head of the wireless consumer business, Ariel Fermin, would lead us to recovery. We all knew that the task at hand is not a walk in the park.

This blog was silent for a while because we wanted to give our new boss the benefit of the doubt.  We needed to support him like how we embraced Noel Lorenzana and Charles Lim when they first took over.

But a few months after the announcement of the much anticipated leadership revamp, it seems that, still, nothing has changed in the wireless business. We have become very aggressive in terms of marketing visibility. However, there are no game-changing and innovative marketing programs in sight that would catapult us back to leadership or back to that “saddle”. Aggressive marketing campaigns won’t get us the much needed numbers, as seen in the 1st half of the year.

We strongly believe that we will never recover due to the following reasons:

1) Bad Eggs. The company continues to undergo organizational change. Many have been offered their lucrative walking papers but many of the bad eggs are still very much in charge. If MVP wants change, he needs a massive change of leadership team. There are rumors that Poly is about to retire but it’s not just him or the people that they kicked out. The existing leadership team members who are traditional telco professionals are the ones pulling us down because of their old school strategic mindset disguised as innovation. These people will always implement old school approaches.

2) Old Dogs Can Never Learn New Tricks. MVP said that the company is preparing to adapt to evolving telco landscape. How can this become a reality if the two prong strategy of the new leadership is basically “Bash the competitor with a different brand (Sun) while the flagship brand (Smart) is copying what the competitor is doing.”

Let me give you an example. When Joel Lumanlan launched the brand refresh for Sun Cellular, many were hopeful that this would be the game changer to jumpstart the momentum in the postpaid segment. Apparently, the brand refresh was nothing more than changing the brand tagline and offering the same value proposition that Charles Lim started in 2006. The competitor has been selling a lifestyle and no longer postpaid plans. But wait there is more. The advertising materials bashed Globe (probably because the tagline Choose Better is designed to show that competitor is inferior).  We already did that attack-the-competitor-strategy when we launched “Live More” during the time of Noel.

We even spend advertising monies to do this bashing thing. Check this out http://rodmagaru.com/2015/08/18/madonna-rebel-hear-manila-concert-brand-defamation-responsible-journalism/

Then while we are wasting A&P budget to bashing the competitor, we are copying them with our Smart Life brand repositioning offering basically what they have right now such as Free Instagram, Iflix, BigBytes, among others. There is nothing wrong here but if we want to be on top again, we need to change the game and not play the game of our competitor.

3) Revenue vs. Subscriber Base. I was one of those laughing when Globe announced that they are number 1 based on revenue early this year. But after hearing MVP say that we have fallen off the saddle and have declined company performance, I am now having second thoughts on the measurement of leadership. We still have the higher the subscriber base against Globe but they have the higher revenue.  It’s only a couple of months before 2015 ends, I just hope the number of subscribers we have now can give us the amount bonus we used to have when we were still on top.

We have indeed fallen of the saddle.

TOP 4 RUMORS WHY CHARLES LIM IS STILL HERE

CONTRIBUTORS’S NOTE:  We are back! After our last post “A Quick Guide to the Rumors inside SMART”

 (http://smartbehindthescenes.blogspot.com/2015/03/a-quick-guide-to-rumors-inside-smart.html), we were overwhelmed by the traffic it generated. Honestly, we became afraid and feared for our job security here (not that we have one anyway). We even contemplated of shutting down this blog site after it was cited in Philippine Daily Inquireronline  last April 10 in their BizBuzz column but it mysteriously disappeared after (note: the article about it is now gone - http://business.inquirer.net/189965/biz-buzz-management-shakeup).But after a secret meeting with all the contributors composing of existing and former employees of Smart (some were offered the walking papers last year), we decided to continue our crusade for the love of Smart.  We want the old glory of our beloved company restored. We will be the eyes, ears and voice of all the employees who are loyal and whose family livelihood relies on the well-being of the company. And so here is another edition of Smart Behind the Scenes.

Perhaps many of you were surprised when our beloved Chairperson MVP announced the recent organizational movement. Contrary to the rumors circulated for the past months, Charles A. Lim or CAL as we call him is still part of the PLDT organization. The announcement killed all the rumors about CAL’s supposedly imminent exodus. But it only gave birth to a new series of rumors on why he is still here which we all gathered and compiled to share it with you.

Here are the TOP 4 Rumors Why CAL Is Still Here:

NUMBER 4:  CAL overpriced himself to SMC.

According to a very reliable source, there was indeed an offer from the camp of Ramon Ang to bring in CAL to head the upcoming third player telco in the country. However, our sources revealed that he asked too much. When CAL was offered to lead Sun back in the day, JG Summit big boss James Go offered him a fortune like international scholarships for his children in the country of their choice, a luxury car, at least a 7-figure monthly salary excluding bonuses and a lot more.  How much did he ask? Let’s just say it’s at least double than what he is getting now. The SMC group found his asking price ridiculous and drop the idea altogether.

NUMBER 3: James Go to the Rescue.

After the dismal performance of Smart for several consecutive quarters, everyone knew that he was on his way out and it was only a matter of time. But CAL they say has an ace up his sleeve and that is his patron, James Go, Chairman of JG Summit and PLDT Board Member. Rumor has it that because of CAL’s sterling performance as business unit head of Sun Cellular, Mr. James has CAL’s back.  We heard that it was Mr. James who endorsed CAL to MVP to head both Smart and Sun in 2013 to replace Noel Lorenzana.  Many believed that he is again responsible why CAL is still with PLDT today.

NUMBER 2:  We pre-empted his departure! It’s our FAULT!!!

Before we published our last blog post, many of us here were certain that CAL was already on his way out.  Everyone in Smart Tower was hopeful and excited that justice can be attained here against his Machiavellian rule.  We too got excited and we published “A Quick Guide to the Rumors inside SMART”.   After a few weeks, this was featured in BizBuzz column in Philippine Daily Inquirer online where San Miguel executives denied that they were in talks with CAL and where Boss Poly disputed all rumors written in our blog.  Perhaps management changed their mind to prove this blog wrong. Funny, the portion about management shake-up that cited this blog vanished (good thing we have a screenshot, see below).   You have to hand it to our Public Affairs team, they know how to put out a fire. But this also reflects negatively on the business editorial of PDI for succumbing to pressure by removing online the said published material.  They even forgot to remove the tags of Napoleon Nazareno, Manuel V. Pangalinan, Sun Cellular, and PLDT. This only strengthens our credibility and our resolve to continue this blog.  #WeAreNotAfraid

NUMBER 1: The Ateneo-Basketball Connection

From being the head of individual wireless business for Smart and Sun, CAL now reports directly to MVP as the head of wireless strategic investments and acquisition group. Our chairman was quoted that CAL will be with him on a “secret mission”.  You have to give it to CAL, he knows how to save his ass. Good thing he was a former Ateneo Blue Eagle Basketball player.  Go figure!

Off with his head: Smart Executive may secretly own a retailer store

We all thought that all is lost for our company given the what seems to be the endless politicking and bickering among the different forces here in Smart Communications.

A lot of us are happy that the organizational cleansing has finally begun. The internal crackdown has resulted to almost 300 employees due to different types of fraud in both Smart and PLDT. Yes, an estimated 300 employees have been suspected to be involved in fraud. Yes, we are like a government agency with the high number of people involved allegedly with corruption.

It's disappointing but at the same time, it's a welcome move for all of us here who honestly work our butts out day in and day out. It's an open secret in the grapevine that these under the table activities happen.

We just hope that the cleansing happens not only among middle management and rank and file but also up there in the executive level.

I am writing now to let management know that we, concerned Smart employees, are watching to see this organizational cleansing goes up to the top. And at the same time, give top management the lead on who to check as well.

We urged the bosses to audit one of the retailers called SIMPLUS in Bulacan and trace who is the rightful owner of the said business. This is again an open secret. I can't believe our former sales head who recently got sacked missed this one or he knew but remained quiet about it. Everyone knows that one of the top honchos has a major stake in this retailer. Others believed that he actually owns it. The stories said that he set this company right under the nose of the previous owner of Sun Cellular. Many of us wondered that how come this was not seen or checked by his new employers here in Smart before they made him head to lead our future?
Let us give you a clue: He appointed one of his many lieutenants from his previous company which became a part of this company to head a major business segment and discreetly calls her “Babe” (figure this out)

Another clue: He was positioned as the “Messaiah” of Smart because of his so-called innovative marketing mind only to lead us with a -14% financial performance slump this year. Because of the financial downtrend of the company, all of us here won’t have any of the bonuses Smart is known for this year except this guy. He will get his bonus in full because it’s part of his contract. I wonder what our PLDT counterpart will say if they find out about this? PLDT performed well this year but their bonuses will not be in full as well because of Smart poor performance. Damay-damay na.

Again, we call on our top bosses and even to our beloved Chair Manny V. Pangilinan to check and audit the retailer SIMPLUS and unravel its real owner.

Epic Irony: Sun Cellular takes over Smart Communications

It was December 2012 when Smart Communications started firing hundreds of their loyal employees disguised as early retirement to pave the way for an ironic hostile "Sun Cellular" take over. Who would have guessed that people from Sun Cellular would eventually take over Smart? And everyone thought Smart bought Sun Cellular.

And this is sad for me because I am one of the Smart employees who availed the so-called retirement package because I can't bear the thought that I would be reporting to my Sun Cellular counterpart.

I used to be proud of being part of the Smart organization especially when it was announced that Smart would be taking over Sun Cellular. We just killed one of the competitions by buying it out. And when we changed the Smart Communications logo under the "Live More" brand positioning, I said to myself that this is the beginning of a new great era in the Telco industry and I am part of it.

But I was wrong.

I feared for my job. I got scared of losing  the only source of my family's livelihood. Will I be next? I held on for as long as I can. My dad told me to always prepare for the worst. I did. But I still gave my best. I was able to stretch it until November last year (yes, 11 months after the first wave of cutting manpower, it's still happening till today, sad. :( )

When Charles Lim of Sun Cellular took over from Noel Lorrenzana as big boss of the wireless business of Smart, it was time that I realized the hopelessness of the situation for true blue Smart employees. Little by little, Sun Cellular executives took over key positions in Smart from marketing to customer care. And oh, Charles Lim also put his "babe" to be in charge of the broadband business of Smart.

And again, everyone thought that Smart bought Sun Cellular. Anyare?

Until now, no one is safe from Smart. Anytime, an offer sheet would come to anyone. Unless of course, your name is Mitch.

As for me, I want justice for my hundreds of colleagues who lost their source of livelihood after giving their life in the service of what was once a great organization. Good thing I managed to still interact with Smart as one of their contractors! ;)

Smart Burns Bridges with Bloggers

Just recently Smart Social Media team sent us invitations for the re-launch of the Smart Prepaid LTE. I know they are having this event because of the issue of hoarding LTE Sims in the past weeks. We didn't know that Smart is opting to cancel the event without informing us. I just knew it the same day. It is was a terrible for me since I have to drive all the way from Alabang just to know that the event was cancelled. To save me from the hassle, just went to Greenbelt to have some coffee and write some articles.

I am really surprised but also disappointed when I knew that the event did push through. I received a call from colleague asking why am I not present in the event. I told him that I received a call the event was cancelled. I knew it, these people from Smart has a plan. The bloggers present are the ones being paid to write for them so that they can request that the write ups will be on their favor. The event pushed through but exclusive to Smart's bloggers.

I guess Smart should be professional enough to inform us or not invite us anymore if they are planning to cancel it. We are not event-hungry-asskissing-bloggers. This kind of incident is very unacceptable. We are professionals, we work for a living. We have our own day jobs. We blog for fun and for the people reading our blogs. We do not blog to earn a living.

This is not the first time that this happened. This person named Abbie Real has been calling and inviting me to these events and suddenly cancelling it or requesting to tweaks the content of my write ups. Smart is really pissing me off. She already did this a couple of times already. Such unprofessionalism shouldn't be tolerated.

I guess Smart is really desperate right now. Their former bloggers and podcasters are already getting back at them. Soon, Smart's social media team might be dissolved of the whole team will be replaced because of this mess that they are doing, or Abbie Real should be the only one to be replaced. Anyways, she's the root of all these mess.

Black Ops Failure

What is this that I heard from the inside? Smart Communications was not able to pay the bloggers that are writing for them.

It has been known in the blogging industry that Smart is really paying good money for selected bloggers to write for them. They even give out premium phones as a reward or should I say bribe for the articles to be one sided. They even get bloggers to do black ops for them. I should know because I was one of them before. I was able to get this premium phones, prepaid loads, and other stuffs. I get to drink with their marketing people to the death. But what is happening right now seems to be unacceptable.

I have just recently heard that Smart was not able to pay the amount that they have agreed upon. Promised sponsorship were not granted, and a lot more. I have known some people who are part of this. Been issued an iPad or their dream gadgets for the first pay and was promised a substantial amount of money in exchange of writing something against its competitors. Sad to say, they didn't receive the pay that they are expecting. They had the first month pay. The second month was delayed until the third month came, then fourth, then fifth, and another few months of unpaid work. Then it seems that they got tired of it. Not all bloggers are unpaid. Some of them received their cash but when they sign the acknowledgement, the amount stated were way higher than what they received. Another digit was added, so who is getting this another digit?

Maybe this is the reason why there are some blogs who used to write good thing about them suddenly has turned their articles against smart.

I have read some of it and was not that surprised with it. Smart used to command these writers before on what to write but of course they only agree if the price is right.

Adding more to my questions, a group of Smart employees were removed from their positions. It was said that these employees resigned from their posts but it was rumored that they were terminated. Offered big amount of cash just to be silent. Perhaps Smart wanted to avoid issues with the Department of Labor and the circumstances that happened with the Digitel Employees Union. 

Good for these former Smart Employees. After leaving Smart, they immediately bought a lot of things for themselves. New cars, New apartments, etc. To take note, these employees are from a specific department running this so-called "Black Ops". Is this where the money is going? The money that should be for the bloggers and writers that worked for them. 

Also, a friend just informed me that Smart called her asking to remove her write up about them. She did, and guess what, she got an iPhone 5. I bet this  also happened to the other articles I have read a few days ago which cannot find anymore. I guess if Smart knows my number, I’ll be receiving an iPhone 5 too. But enough is enough. I wont be accepting any offer from them anymore.. I've had enough of their games, playing with us.  No amount of money is enough to compensate for the TRUTH.