Roms, a training specialist at SPi Global, proposed a collaboration with local government units (LGUs) as a talent acquisition alternative to help the company meet its staffing needs. His idea involves conducting training workshops in communities to help unemployed residents learn skills for jobs at SPi Global. He devotes his own time on weekends to provide the training. Roms' plan benefits the company, the communities by reducing unemployment, and himself through referral bonuses when trainees are hired. His initiative earned him over PhP100,000 in 2014 and a PhP50,000 cash prize for his successful 2 Cents 4 Change proposal.

1. A dash of
News tidbits from the intranet newsletter of SPi Global
Please email article contributions to spice@spi-global.com.
2C4C idea proposes
a triple win
BY KAMILLE C. BORROMEO
Helping others is good. Finding a way to help others while helping yourself
is way better.
This idea steered a 2 Cents 4 Change (2C4C) proposal for Rommel Solicar Calimlim,Training Specialist – Language,Training and
Development.His suggestion of SPi Global’s collaboration with local government units (LGUs) as aTalent Acquisition alternative,
has been a big help to the company in reaching the number of required full-time employees (FTEs) in various accounts.
Roms, as what his friends would call him, said that when he was still with Operations, he saw firsthand the need for
more people, especially during ramp ups. He thought of helping his friends land good jobs by referring them as potential
employees, until he eventually received PhP10,000 worth of gift certificates as referral reward.
“I admit that the reward was one of the things that got me motivated,”Roms said.“To a certain extent, it’s not all about
the money. But, if you’re doing something, might as well use the perks as your motivation.”
That’s when he started crafting his plan to get more referrals.Through the Talent Acquisition team, Roms got information
on the available positions in the company.
ENHANCING
EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCEXPPPERERERERERER EIEIEIEIEIEIEIE CNCNCNCNCNCNCNCNCEEEEEEEEE
Roms (right), helps his friends land good jobs by training them and eventually referring them as potential employees.
January 27, 2015

2. A Dash of SPiCE | News tidbits from the intranet newsletter of SPi Global
Please email article contributions to spice@spi-global.com.
ENHANCING
EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCE
His plan was made easy with
the help of Facebook.“I made a
template of a really generic but
straightforward message and I sent
it to my friends who were looking for
jobs,”Roms said.“I told them what I
needed right away, and what’s in it
for them.That’s one thing I learned
about the BPO industry, it’s better to
be straightforward, otherwise, you
may confuse people.”
Hitting three birds with one stone
Roms said his project is hitting not
only one, but three birds with one
stone,“You get to help yourself, you
are helping those who need jobs, and
you are also helping the company hit
the number of FTEs at a macro level.”
The Training Specialist said the
increasing number of jobless people
in small communities motivated him
to collaborate with LGUs.“I knew the
local officials in those communities
want to address the unemployment
issue in their place, not to mention,
they also need publicity for a good
political record,”Roms said.“I thought,
if they need publicity and we need
people, it will be a compromise.”
Roms started talking to officials of
cities and municipalities such as
Mandaluyong, Makati, Dauin (Negros
Oriental), and Dumaguete.“I got very
good feedback. In fact, in Dauin, no
less than the mayor received me,”he
said.The communities then agreed
to provide Roms with a venue, like a
covered court, or a small gymnasium,
where he could conduct trainings.
Conducting trainings alone
Roms committed to volunteering
his time—at least four hours during
his rest days, to conduct workshops
to help people who are interested
in exploring job opportunities
at SPi Global.“I devoted my time
for trainings. I made sure that I
taught them a little bit of sales and
marketing, a little bit of customer
service, a little bit of banking and
finance—things I was immersed
with since I started in the BPO
industry,”He said.“I did this because
some people feel intimidated by the
industry. Some are scared of speaking
English. I convinced them that there’s
an easy way of speaking English and I
taught them how.”
Roms conducts trainings alone.“I don’t
need to teach them everything.I just
give them enough information to say
yes, to apply for a job,”he said.
The 2C4C winner said he even went
around malls and asked around,
“Do you need a job?”He convinced
interested applicants that he can
provide training and that the only
thing needed is their willingness.
While the partnership is ongoing in
some communities, Roms said he
intends to tap more communities
this year to be able to help more
people land good jobs.
Dare to make a change
TheTraining Specialist said he is
grateful that SPi Global is not afraid of
transforming and retransforming itself.
“I love the fact that SPi Global gives
opportunities for new ideas. I am a
living testimony that the company
values the ideas of employees
and that it’s willing to make them
happen,”Roms said.“If I don’t feel
good in this company, I will not invite
others to work here, but I love it here
and I love the people here, which
is why I would also want others to
experience what it’s like to be here.
I may not be a politician but this is
my own way of helping other people,
and I am grateful to the company for
helping me do this.”
Roms has earned over PhP100,000 out
of referrals in 2014. He will aslo get
PhP50,000 cash prize for his 2C4C idea.
His project is another proof that the
greatest impact can come from the
simplest gestures.
Watch out for more employee ideas
that came to life through 2C4C in the
coming months.
The 2C4C winner devotes his time to train those
who are interested in exploring job opportunities
at SPi Global.
Roms receives a PhP50,000 cash prize for his 2C4C idea on the Talent Acquisition alternative.
January 27, 2015