Written By Loy M. Palapos
Bohol Sunday Post Island City Mall, more popularly referred to as ICM, is now on its fourth year of catering to the basic needs of the Boholanos, and even those who have been lured to visit the province as a tourist destination. Previous expectations figured that it would take at least five years before the establishment would gain wide patronage. The conjectures, although well-founded, turned out to be an exaggeration. On its first year of operation, ICM proved beyond reasonable doubt that it was what people have been waiting to materialize in their midst. Marketing strategies were planned and implemented, albeit with a tint of anxiety. Now, the ICM clientele has increased more than a hundred percent since the Mall first opened to the public in 2004.
ICM has been a unique experience for all its customers, and in keeping with its corporate image, the Mall has successfully answered the needs of the people. As one of the 18 companies of the Alturas Conglomerate, ICM stands alone in terms of customer service. Its Operations Manager, Mario Florig Cirujales (MFC) himself, can attest that managing Bohol’s Pride is the most unique and most challenging experience he had in his entire professional career.
This interview took place after a meeting of the Execom, the spark-plug of the Alturas Group of Companies last Tuesday.
LMP: How long have you been the Operations Manager of Island City Mall?
MFC: I’ve been here even during the planning stage of ICM. I’ve been the Operations Manager since it opened to the public.
LMP: Considering that Island City Mall was a new kind of job you involved yourself in, was there any adjustments you had to make?
MFC: I’ve learned so many things as I go along the way. I may not have a background in mall management, but as to administrative matters, like people handling and teamwork, I am well-experienced.
LMP: In the years that you have been with Island City Mall, what are the things that you have encountered?
MFC: How to deal with the tenants, considering that they are Manila-based; how to do target setting, and detailed operational planning. And also how I deal with my subordinates who come from all walks of life. .
LMP: What kind of subordinates do you have?
MFC: They vary, Sir. Different age level, different maturity level. Different educational attainments. They have mixed work attitudes. We have newcomers, and those nga dugay na sa ICM.
LMP: Comparing these newcomers to those who were with the Mall since its opening, who give you the problem?
MFC: With the seniors, the advantage is they respect you. They have adapted already the culture and nature of the company. With the newcomers, Sir, they are aggressive which is why you need more time to guide them. There are also some times nga makurat sila kay ang ilang tanaw, negative ang style sa akong management; meticulous and strict.
LMP: Approximately, how many people do you have here, including those from the agencies?
MFC: Almost 1500, including the security, janitorial and general services.
LMP: What are the peak months of ICM?
MFC: Second half of March to first half of June. Then second half of October to second half of January.
LMP: Pagsugod sa ICM, did you notice an increase in the number of people coming here?
MFC: Considerably. Compared to 2004, more than 100% ang increase.
LMP: How about the use of the Carpark?
MFC: Unexpectedly, ang Carpark mapuno gyud, especially during week-ends. The clientele keep on increasing every year.
LMP: I can still remember during the first year of operation sa Mall, dihay, morag libre nga transportation going to ICM.
MFC: The objective, Sir, was to make the people get used to coming here at ICM, and it paid off.
LMP: Pagkakaron, wala na ba’y mga libre?
MFC: Wala na, Sir. Everybody comes here on their own volition and their own means.
LMP: How about sa mga tenants?
MFC: Sa bag-o pa ang Mall, naa ra sa mga 50% ang tenants. Karon 99% na ang occupancy.
LMP: There are some talks nga migamay na ang ICM kay nagkadaghan na ang mga tawo. Do you feel the same way?
MFC: Yes, Sir. In fact, there are some inquiries kon kanus-a mag-expand.
LMP: If you have your own way, kinahanglan ba gyod ang expansion?
MFC: Kinahanglan gyod, Sir, especially sa building, sa Carpark and the facilities.
LMP: Pila na ang banko diri?
MFC: Two banks and six ATMs.
LMP: Nakatabang ba ni sa mga customers?
MFC: Nakatabang gyod ug dako, Sir. Landbank is just an extension office. But there is a plan by the top management of Landbank to make it a full branch. With BPI, it’s a branch already.
LMP: Ang World of Fun, miabot naman sa lobby; is that a sign of progress?
MFC: Definitely, Sir. In fact, sige sila ug pangayo ug additional spaces aron ma-spread out ang ilang facilities. Unfortunately, wala na gyod ta’y mahatag nga space.
LMP: How about BOHECO; kanus-a nag-start ug operate sa Mall.
MFC: Year 2006, Sir.
LMP: Nakatabang ba kini sa mga tawo?
MFC: Nakatabang, Sir, especially nga duol ra ang Bus Terminal dinhi. Ang mga tawo nga gikan sa lungsod, moderetso na dinhi sa Mall para mobayad. Dili na sila kinahanglan pa nga moadto sa opisina sa BOHECO sa Cogon. The BOHECO branch in the mall is open even on Sundays and everybody is happy about this convenience, ilabi kadtong Domingo lang makagawas sa balay ug opisina. .
LMP: What is the news about National Bookstore? Is there any increase in the number of patrons?
MFC: ICM is privileged to have National Bookstore for the first time in the province. They have their own market. The people don’t have to go to Cebu anymore kay naa naman ang Bookstore dinhi.
LMP: Most of the time, mapuno na ang Foodwalk, especially during lunchtime. What is the action of the management in order to solve the problem?
MFC: Ang solution, Sir, is to modify the sitting arrangement of the Foodwalk.
LMP: We have different kinds of gourmets. Ang Foodwalk which is open to anyone; ang favorite sa mga middle class nga Jollibee, KFC, and Greenwich; then for the upper class, ang Rai-Rai Ken and Prawn Farm. Kini nga mga establishments, have they already gained clientele?
MFC: They have different markets, Sir. The Prawn Farm is now a favorite in fine dining.
LMP: How about the coffee shops, unsay mga improvements?
MFC: Na-maintain ang clientele sa mga coffee shops. The problem lang is when you are a coffee drinker, it goes with smoking, but limited ra atong smoking areas. The solution is to expand.
LMP: ICM’s Supermarket is considered the biggest in Bohol. Unsa man ang ikasulti sa mga tawo nga anhi mopalit, especially those nga nagdala ug sakyanan.
MFC: Convenient gyod daw, Sir. Second, is maayo pod ang pricing and we have a variety of products.
LMP: Ang Bread Cottage, adunay panahon nga labing taasa ang linya. Do you have any solution?
MFC: Before, duha ra man ka counters. Karon, gipun-an na nato ug duha pa. Upat na tanan.
LMP: In entertainment, who were the celebrities who came here part of 2007 and part of 2008?
MFC: Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson were here, and also Makisig Morales. Bea Alonzo was also here, same with Dominic Ochoa.
LMP: What are the plans for the 4rth year celebration of Island City Mall?
MFC: It will be a one-week celebration which will kick off on Monday, June 23. On that same day, until the 29th, na’ay whole day food fair at the lower ground level of the Mall, fronting the Foodwalk. It’s a showcase of native foods; On the 26th, there will be a thanksgiving mass in the morning, and Kwarta o Kaban, local version of Pera o Bayong at 1:00 PM. It’s sponsored by Unilever and Save ‘n Earn. On the 27th, a Friday, would be the Guess It Right Game Show sponsored by Pepsi. The following day, there will be a motorcade at 8:00 in the morning, Fantastikid by Nissin at 2:00 in the afternoon, Breakdance Competition by Dunkin Donuts, and the Grand Finals of Sexy Babes at 5:00 PM. At 7:00 in the evening will be Parokya ni Edgar, live Concert at the Carpark. There will be a grand fireworks display before the band comes on stage. We also have an anniversary sale on that same day, wherein the Mall is open until midnight with 50% discount on selected items. On the 29th will be the Grand Finals of Quest for the Voice and Mossimo Fashion Show.
LMP: Are we expecting a very significant celebration for the 4rth anniversary of Island City Mall?
MFC: This would definitely be another significant event, Sir. It’s all systems go for the 4th anniversary of Island City Mall.
The success of Island City Mall is not a product of one brilliant mind, but a contribution of varied talents and attributes honed by experience and ability to react positively to the opportunities at hand. The commitment and dedication of these people, exquisitely motivated by top management, has produced a landmark every Boholano is proud of.
As far as Mario Cirujales is concerned, the habitués of ICM are the real heroes in this business endeavor. “Without them, there is no ICM,†he answered. Thus, the week-long fourth anniversary celebration is the Mall’s “way of expressing its gratitude to the people who have made Island City Mall what it is today and the many years to come.â€
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Topic: ICM Manager: Blending the Finest and the Best (Read 1966 times)