In our continuing quest for people who can serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration, we met Lito Banal, an engineering graduate from Mapua Institute of Technology (Philippines), Director of Kiwi Roofing Limited, and Chairman of the NZ-Philippines Business Council, who took time from his busy schedule for a Q&A. I've met him several times in social and community gatherings. His answers would help aspiring and existing entrepreneurs who are facing the challenges of starting and maintaining a business in NZ, while raising a family too.
Q: What's the inspiration behind your business?
A: My family is my inspiration why I am in business. I like to have that freedom where you have control of your own time and activities. My family inspires and motivates me to be a good businessman and to fulfil my dreams.
Q: What challenges did you meet while building your business and how did you manage it?
A: It is always a constant challenge when you are starting and building up a business. You have to be determined, motivated, and you have to know what will be your goal, what would you want to achieve in a certain time frame. You have to work on a deadline. You have to ask yourself "will I want to be a market and industry leader or will I be contented with what the majority does"? As much as possible, you have to determine and know the best answers to your questions and anticipate consequences of your actions even during the planning stages and before they will be implemented. Careful planning, analysis and wise decisions will always help you in dealing and facing the challenges in doing business. It is not always a guaranteed win situation. But don't be afraid or discouraged if you fail. Go back to the drawing board and take this advantage that now you will know what you should have done better to succeed. This will only make you stronger for your next step. Moving froward, know your competitors well. Look after your staff by rewarding them, they are the company's life blood. You don't only lead them, you have to work along side them and work behind them. Understand your supply chain operations, they are your partners, as their support will be vital to deliver your goods and services to your customers and clients. It is always challenging to be an industry leader. You have to be a step ahead, flexible and innovative. Pressure and hard work will always come with it. But I must tell you, it is more rewarding to be a leader than being a follower.
Q: Name 3 people, dead or alive, you'll like to have dinner with, and why?
A: My great grandfathers (paternal/maternal) - I would like to know how life was during their time. Dr. Jose Rizal - I would like to know him more because he is the most famous Filipino for me. U.S. President Barack Obama - why won't you dream of meeting the most powerful person in the world.
Q: Are you a cat or dog person, and why?
A: Dog, I always wanted to be the best friend of everyone, and can always count on me.
Q: Where in NZ is the place you can call your sanctuary, and why?
A: Any golf course for - 4-5 hours, time to relax especially a bonding time when I play with my son Ethan a.k.a. "Mike-Mike". This is a place that I know where I can be hopefully for many years to come.
Q: Something not many people know about you?
A: I love cooking, in fact, experimental cooking where I don't follow recipes. I am a very flexible and outgoing person and this reflects on the profile of my friends, who come from all walks of life, from the very young ones to the not very young anymore. Also, I love watching really really old Filipino comedy movies.
Q: If you could travel back in time, where and when would it be, and why?
A: World War 1 or 2 in the Philippines. I want to experience living with our forefathers, witness their miseries, hardships and how they fought for our freedom. Hopefully I would come out alive.
Q: What are your plans for the future?
A: I am already happy and very grateful with the blessings I have - my happy and vibrant family. I'm very fortunate in deed to have all these wonderful and very good friends around me. So my plan for the future is to enjoy life as always, to continue sharing and ready to help anytime and when there is an opportunity to do so. But as everyone says, "you just don't know what is a round the corner." I suppose, I juts have to deal with it and be ready for whatever these might be. May God continue and always guide me along the way.
