The Master in Business Administration (MBA) Program of Ateneo de Naga University-Graduate School (AdNU-GS) through the MBA 201 – Organizational Development Class and in cooperation with the Center for Local Governance organized a two-hour Lecture-Forum entitled “Developing Successful Virtual Community in the Organization” on 10 September 2016 at the CLG Training Room of Ateneo de Naga University.

Alex Francis A. Santos, Human Resource Delivery Manager, IBM Global Business Services, Naga Site and Peter B. Gojo, Transition Training Lead, IBM Global Process Services, Eastwood Site, Quezon City were the speakers in the said activity. Mr. Santos who is also an alumnus of ADNU-GS MBA Program has an expertise in handling virtual meetings, interactions and presentations with the clients and internal teams while Mr. Gojo who has been with IBM for eight years has a wide experience in project management trainings including virtual trainings. Change Management and Design Thinking Methodology are his fields of expertise.

The purpose of the Lecture-Forum was to expound further on the concept of virtual community, evaluate if it is helpful to the participants’ current organization and to give practical guides in setting up a virtual community. During the Lecture-Forum, the speakers prepared interactive activities. The participants shared their ideas and opinions about the concept of virtual community. Aside from describing the concept, the speakers also gave practical tips on how to create a virtual community.

Both the speakers agreed that there is no need to depend too much on technology for a virtual community to be successful. The key to a successful virtual community is to establish a good relationship with the clients, colleagues and top management through the use of virtual applications. Personal touch, trust and commitment still matters during virtual communications, meetings and trainings.

By Rose Mary Franz Lopo-Lara