Fasclad’s millenial CEO on young leadership, art collecting, and beauty in life.
What a building looks like from the outside says much about what people do with it on the inside. While the jury’s still out on what today’s mirror-smooth skyscrapers convey, for at least one young captain of industry – they are a reflection of both the future and the city around it.
“Our firm’s vision is to create stunning architectural facades for a first-world Philippines.” Says Fasclad’s Chief Executive Officer, Miguel V. Tan. Given today’s economic quagmire, it’s an aim as tall as the buildings he works on. But Miguel, at 24 years of age, is someone with his head in the clouds, whilst keeping his feet on the ground. “My Father (Chairman of the Board), mentored me since High School,” shares the clean-shaven CEO, “although he has taught me everything about management, it still made me nervous. It is a big responsibility to head the family business.”
“I am a big believer in the process of a ‘baptism by fire,’” shares Miguel, “I make time to make weekly jobsite visits – hearing out issues and concerns so that me and the team can collectively make decisions based on first-hand assessments.” It’s this process of laying out strong foundations that Miguel believes contributes a stable rise to the top. As well, admittedly neither an engineer nor architect, and oft surrounded by people with much older than he, Miguel recognizes the need for collaboration…and humility. “(The senior engineers) have the knowledge and experience to make the business flourish. I am simply a manager who manages their talents and skills to align with the firm’s vision.” His blueprint for Fasclad’s growth gradually earned him the confidence and respect of his colleagues and employees.
“I have learned a great deal of the business being with my team,” admits Miguel, who has made the bold call of restructuring the organization to run more independently. “We began assigning managers and departments— allowing them to make their own decisions according to regimented goals and the company’s overall vision.” Miguel is pleased to report that with his team’s cooperation, they’ve made great stride towards professionalizing most of the company’s processes.
Among the ways that he’s taken Fasclad forward is by differentiating from other contractors through speed and innovation. “We’ve taken the advantage of introducing new ways to innovate through quicker and safer methods of installing glass facades,” shares Miguel, “thankfully, we’ve had great success in our ongoing and already-turned-over projects.” To date, Fasclad’s research division has introduced industry breakthroughs such as seamless facades and Solar-Powered Glass. “But there is still much to improve on everyday,” says the always-on, Kaizen-inspired CEO. It’s a mantra he applies to more than just his work life.
Taking Time for He(art)
Unbeknownst to most, even at a young age, Miguel is also a patron of the arts. “At first, I merely looked at them as investment pieces,” admits the young executive, who counts Senator Zubiri among his mentors, “I bought my first work for investment purposes, and it was a disaster. I did not enjoy it because I did not like the work.” Learning his lesson, he’s since then proceeded acquiring based not on numbers but on something far more intangible – his feelings.
“I have a rule that I have to like it,” he states, “the most important aspect when buying art is that you should love and enjoy what you buy— because at the end of the day it will be on your wall!” His advice to budding patrons is to not buy art people don’t like, as well as to purchase based on “a unique story— which makes the art work even more meaningful.” Somewhat of a traditionalist, he is also convinced that “nothing beats the unique beauty that physical art done by the hands of a talented artist— basically a piece of the artist’s heart, mind, and soul.”
A self-confessed “gatherer,” Miguel’s appreciation of beauty also transcends beyond aesthetics and looks – right into ways of life, relationships, and beautiful experiences.
Behind Facades
“I generally start my day very early waking up between 5am to 5:30am. I like to start my day with a 30-40 min HIIT workout, cooling down with a short meditative Yoga routine.” He shares it helps him clear his head. Work comes soon after, with him checking off priority lists at 6:30am, and taking a broad view of the company. “I usually strategize how we approach people. Our clients, architects, and developers — and present to them options to pitch for building projects.” Given the reality of Covid, most of his meetings are done online til lunch, “I call this my ‘keeper time,’ since I make it a point to do my hardest tasks first.” After a quick meal, he enters his “Doer” phase til 7pm, where he executes to tasks committed during morning “keeper” time. “I mostly hold all my internal committee meetings with my finance, procurement, and suppliers,” he says. 7pm is non-negotiable dinner with family, with a wind-down and assessment for the next day, promptly hitting his pillow at 10:30pm.
Still, Miguel keeps flexibility in his schedule. In particular, the pandemic and lockdowns have taught him the value of family and relationships. “I would say my entire family, my Girlfriend, and the company— are the closest people in my life,” shares Miguel, “I definitely got closer to my family because of our extended bonding period.” He says this despite admitting some cabin fever during quarantine. “But each moment I spend with them is a blessing.” It has taught him to appreciate the value of simply being together, and spending not just money, but time. “Before the pandemic I would often come home very late from work and will frequently miss dinners, which inevitably make me spend less time with them only during weekends.”
Taking the time to self-reflect in a mirror clearer than any of those he clads buildings with, Miguel realized that “life goes on very quickly, so we must take time to slow down and enjoy the present— the days are long and the years are short so cherish each moment you can with your loved ones.” A mental routine that allows Miguel to live a life devoted to engagement, meaning, and beauty— giving credence to that age-old saying “discipline is freedom.”
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