Ayanthi Philip

Welcome readers! Hope you are reading this today with a glimmer of hope, and a smile on your face. Today, I thought that you deserve to feel relaxed, happy and elevated. Therefore, I am featuring a gifted Corporate Trainer, Coach and Consultant who leveraged her global corporate experiences in strengthening and facilitating learning for over 15,000 participants. She is also a known face on our platforms through her series One-on-One where numerous important individuals and themes were brought to light. Today, I’m bringing her voice in, as she is in her pursuit of elevating people with the launch of her new series Elevate, with Daily Mirror Online. I warmly welcome Ayanthi Philip to today’s conversation.

I am truly excited for your new series! Before we talk about the exciting parts I would like to know how the journey has been like with "One-on-One with Ayanthi Philip.

The journey has been amazing! It all started last year when we were all in lockdown and I realized there were many people battling issues pertaining to their mental health. During a time with much needed light, I was able to step into making helpful content initially with Deepal Sooriyarachchi, with whom I conducted a chat on Mindfulness that eventually reached over 40,000 viewers tuning in. These were great insights, helpful tips and golden nuggets. This set the path for One-on-One where the platform was used for many, from exposing hard facts on Child Abuse and Environmental concerns to giving a platform for Entrepreneurs who have made it globally, yet unheard of in Sri Lanka. In fact, a recent interview with an Entrepreneur received several inquiries from overseas on business opportunities. I am happy to note that it has helped Elevate issues, businesses, ideas and charitable work.

Ayanthi you are ready to take this new experience in a different direction putting forward the encouraging word "Elevate”. Why "Elevate"?

As simple as it sounds, it is truly with the premise of Elevating people, Companies, and Businesses, where we will have 'Gurus' of different industries giving their expert views and advice which will be valuable tips for the audience.

What are some of the key objectives Elevate is hoping to achieve?

Learning is developing. Learning is growing. Learning is elevating! Starting with oneself, one's team, one's company, one's country. The program can help to broaden perspectives, understand what is done internationally, and understand best practices, processes and systems.

  Despite where we are in life, learning is truly timeless. How are you hoping to bring a learning experience to people with different careers and educational interests?

With a fifteen-minute interview, it’s difficult to give concrete learning material to people, however, the hope is to give perspective and steer thoughts in new and insightful directions.

Elevate also aspires to present successful ideology, concepts and blueprints operating globally through expert figures in the field. How important is it for us to have these discussions to take Sri Lanka forward in the global matrix?

I would say paramount! The only companies that have adopted global practices in Sri Lanka are those who are compelled to do so as their global customer base demands them to; a good example being the key players in the apparel industry. These best practices are contained within a few companies and there is knowledge transfer only if employees transfer, or if there is a strategic training plan from Executives right through to Leadership. Are companies ready to expand? Do they have ready leaders and managers to lead new teams in Sri Lanka and offshore? Are companies aware of global HR practices, policies, performance management systems, ERP systems, process improvement systems, international service standards? Are companies geared to motivate teams, stimulate creativity and innovative mindsets? Today, in the developed world, no more do seniors talk down to their juniors. In fact, there is no word called ‘subordinate’. Scolding cultures aren’t tolerated, there is diversity in the workplace and equal opportunity. In the developed world, what’s promoted is a ‘Coaching’ culture, where Managers and Leaders coach their teams. If there is poor performance, it leads to a conversation to understand, not a scolding to pass on judgement.

In the developed world, companies use psychometric assessments to recruit and develop their staff. Employees need to find the right ‘fit’ and enjoy their work and employers have the responsibility to ensure they recruit those who have a good ‘fit’ into the company culture and type of work. In addition to this, my research shows 2nd generation and 3rd generation family-business issues where a proper Family Charter and governance is not outlined. Such policies are outlined, again in the developed world, about 3 companies in Sri Lanka have done the Family Charter, yet it’s foreign to the majority of family-owned Sri Lankan companies. The question is, how many companies in Sri Lanka are poised to be world class? Having trained and coached internationally, I find we need to make a concerted effort in raising the standards in Sri Lanka if it is to be an international business hub and a tourist destination.

What are some key themes of discussion that we can expect in the lineup?

We will have gurus who would help scratch the surface on topics such as, performance management, use of psychometric assessments for recruitment and development, Inculcating an innovative and creative culture in the workplace, Uplifting the Service Culture, Family-Business Governance, Empowering diversity in the Workplace and many other.

With the new season you are hoping to interact with the viewers to get their input in order to optimize and deliver the best possible presentation. How can they participate?

  We are hoping to first highlight the topic a week prior the interview so those interested can post their questions. We encourage participation from the audience as the aim is to make the audience gain as much as possible.