CEO Insights Magazine

In the journey towards becoming an industry expert, practical work experience often surpasses theoretical knowledge. While academic understanding undoubtedly has its merits, it's the hands-on application of concepts in real-world scenarios that truly solidifies one's expertise. This principle holds true across various industries but finds a particularly strong resonance in fields such as civil and structural engineering, where hands-on experience plays a crucial role in mastering the craft.

Giuseppe Garofalo embodies this ethos, having been immersed in structures since childhood. His early exposure to practical knowledge laid a solid foundation for his future endeavours. Embracing his passion, Giuseppe earned a Master’s degree in Structural Engineering which complemented his hands-on practical experience. With expertise spanning domains like value engineering, sustainability, and construction, Giuseppe is leading Italpinas Development Corporation effectively as the COO.

What are your educational qualifications & professional background?

My journey began early, working with my father's construction company. I started as a helper and eventually took on roles as a builder in his construction company. Along with instilling strong work ethics, this experience ignited my interest in building structures and understanding the process behind it, fuelling my desire to delve deeper into the field. This passion led me to pursue engineering, and I graduated from Politecnico di Torino, one of Italy's top universities, specializing in Structural Engineering. Post-graduation, I worked as a professional Structural Engineer at Minneapolis Studio SPERI, contributing to various complex projects, including the preliminary design of Muscat's main train station in Oman.

In 2017, I joined Italpinas Development Corporation as a Project Manager. While profitability remained a priority, our focus extended to creating positive impacts. In my initial year, I established a proficient project management team, achieving significant cost savings of around 20 percent compared to the budgeted costs. Recognizing my contributions, I was promoted to Director of Engineering within two years, overseeing design, project development, and construction activities.

In 2021, I assumed the role of Chief Operating Officer (COO), coinciding with an expansion of our portfolio. We successfully tripled our project portfolio, diversified our brand, and ventured into the hospitality industry. Notably, we sealed a management agreement with Ascot for two distinguished properties last year.

What are your roles and responsibilities as the COO of the company?

In my capacity as the COO at Italpinas Development Corporation, a publicly listed real estate development company in the Philippines, I oversee all company operations, including design, construction, HR, and strategic planning. My primary objective is to ensure the company aligns with its plans and achieves strategic goals while minimizing costs and driving business growth.

Part of my responsibility involves balancing operational capital with our annual budget. To achieve this, I prioritize strategic procurement, focusing on bulk agreements to reduce costs. Additionally, we've initiated direct imports from factories in China to further minimize expenses. Vigilant monitoring, meticulous planning, and closely adhering to our budget ensure we never exceed our financial targets.

What's your leadership strategy within the organization?

My leadership style is all about ensuring my team feels comfortable and valued. I emphasize open communication, encouraging everyone to share their thoughts and concerns freely. This creates an environment of trust and transparency where team members feel empowered to speak up without hesitation. I believe in making decisions together,

involving the team to enhance their commitment and sense of ownership. Regular communication and feedback help me monitor progress and make any necessary adjustments to our plans. And when it comes to taking action, I believe in being proactive while also giving everyone the time they need to learn and develop.

How do you maintain service quality?

In our company, we've established both a compliance and legal department to ensure that we meet regulatory deadlines and maintain quality standards. We effectively communicate with all departments and external stakeholders to meet these deadlines and ensure compliance. Though challenging, it becomes manageable with organized processes and thorough understanding of requirements. We use checklists to systematically address each item, ensuring nothing is overlooked. Internally, our audit department assess our practices and identify areas for improvement, ultimately adding value to the company.

How do you update yourself with the latest industry dynamics?

To maintain our competitive advantage, we continuously explore new strategies and innovations. As a real estate development company, we've differentiated ourselves by expanding into emerging locations outside of Metro Manila, a strategy we initiated early on.

Innovation drives us to seek out new opportunities and locations that align with future trends. However, we also recognize the importance of building on our current successes. We regularly assess what's working well and commit to continuing those strategies for the foreseeable future.

In addition, staying curious and continuously learning has helped me to acquire knowledge in various fields beyond engineering, including marketing, finance, business development, and HR. This broad understanding allows me to lead effectively as the COO.

What future roadmap have you envisioned?

For the company, our future roadmap involves continued expansion in the thriving Philippine real estate market. We aim to solidify our position as one of the top real estate development companies in the country while also venturing into the hospitality industry. We will maintain our focus on excellence and growth, scaling our operations to reach even greater heights.

As for myself, I find fulfilment in my current role and am committed to contributing to the company's success. While I'm open to new opportunities in the future, my priority remains dedicated to the company's journey. I approach my work with the same care and dedication as if it were my own.

How do you maintain a work-life balance and what advice would you give to budding industry leaders?

I strive to separate my work and family time, dedicating weekdays to work and compensating with quality family time on weekends. It's crucial to leave work-related concerns at the office to be fully present with my family. Setting boundaries and prioritizing effectively has been key in achieving this balance.

To budding industry leaders, I advise cultivating passion for your work and continuously expanding your skill set. Remain vigilant for opportunities and be prepared to dedicate time and effort to your career. Above all, it's important to have family support and prioritize quality time with loved ones to prevent burnout.

Giuseppe Garofalo, COO, Italpinas Development Corporation

Giuseppe Garofalo's journey from a construction company to becoming a structural engineer and eventually COO reflects core values of work ethic, innovation, and passion for the industry. Leading Italpinas, he drives growth while promoting a balanced work-life ethos.