Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses across several industries have been weathering the effects of lockdowns and restrictions, which have impeded operations and the smooth delivery of services. These restrictions have greatly affected how enterprises—spanning small-scale businesses and huge corporations—will operate to fulfill their commitment to their customers.
For Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines, Inc. (CCBPI)—the bottling arm of Coca-Cola in the country—the challenges prompted by the pandemic only intensified and accelerated the company’s mission of refreshing the Philippines and making a difference. With this resolve, CCBPI has been pivoting and continuously fine-tuning its strategies to be more responsive to the needs of its own people and its customers.
“When COVID-19 hit, we immediately assessed how we could support our people, our partners, and our customers. Every aspect of our businesses, our systems, our ways of working—all of these were put to the test,” shares Winnie Talosig-Rebancos, CCBPI Chief Information Officer.
She adds, “From the Technology standpoint, the biggest questions were: are we ready as a manufacturing company for the changes we will have to implement right away? Are our people equipped with the right tools of trade and the right skills as we accelerate our digital evolution?”
The company worked to support its employees, associates, and communities during the height of the restrictions. CCBPI equipped employees with the technology to aid an easy transition to the work-from-home setup and to ensure that their workflow will not be affected by the new working arrangement.
CCBPI also upheld its services to the community through its products, even amid mobility restrictions that impeded deliveries in several areas. The company collaborated with local government units for the smooth transportation of their products to cities under lockdown.
“It was difficult, but through collaboration from within and outside of Coke, we were able to deliver on our commitment and make sure that Coca-Cola is brought to the homes of the Filipino people,” said the CCBPI executive.
It is essential for CCBPI to find reliable partners it can turn to as it pursues efforts to serve Filipinos. PLDT Enterprise has been a dependable partner of CCBPI for technological solutions that empower the business to stay resilient amid these extraordinary times.
PLDT Enterprise has delivered connectivity solutions to support the workflow of employees and facilitate the operations of Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines, Inc. Through PLDT Enterprise’s digital solutions, CCBPI was assured that every employee would stay connected wherever they were, seamlessly bridging the distance created by physical restrictions.
“One of the major shifts we made at the start of 2020 was to transition to Smart. That shift opened the way for us to be more collaborative and more productive in many ways,” notes Talosig-Rebancos. “It has ensured a seamless collaboration from our distribution sales partners, drivers, pre-sales team, and even our support center teams. I am thankful for the engagement that we have gotten from PLDT Enterprise and Smart. Because of our partnership, the ingestion of new and existing and emerging technologies has always been possible.”
PLDT Enterprise presented its Unbreakable Commitment campaign to introduce its ongoing partnerships with several institutions in the country and exhibit how collaboration has supported companies thriving and growing despite difficulties and, thus, better contribute to the lives of Filipinos.
The campaign cements PLDT Enterprise’s unbreakable commitment to empowering organizations through innovation and embracing digital transformation.
For CCBPI, innovation is a key driver for growth. The company continues to adopt relevant digital tools into the organization’s protocols to ensure a digitally enabled business. It also aims to boost its employees’ digital dexterity, wherein every personnel could maximize the digital solutions available to them.
“I know for a fact that it’s not just a matter of aptitude and skills but also making sure that we are able to embrace change and make the most of the digital investments that we have,” Talosig-Rebancos shares. “With the help of business partners like PLDT Enterprise, we are going to be supported with the right tools and with the right technologies, all within easy reach.”
As they continue to move forward, Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines, Inc. will keep pursuing its unbreakable commitment to refreshing the lives of Filipinos.
“Coca-Cola has been in the Philippines for 109 years and we want to be here for another 100 years,” says Talosig-Rebancos. “And for that to happen, technology will play a very integral role. We continue to evolve as an organization—but our mission to serve and support Filipino communities will always be at the very heart of how we run our business.”