CEO Insights Magazine

A visionary leader can pave a firm’s path to success and with over two decades in the industry, Ann Bernardino-Lim, General Manager of Hilti Philippines, exemplifies this role. Holding key positions at Jardine Schindler Group, Philips Lighting, to Honeywell, Ann’s journey reflects her extensive expertise in the domain. She prioritizes transparency, alignment, and empowerment, driving the performance mindset at Hilti. Ann's strategic approach involves setting clear goals, fostering collaboration, and prioritizing impactful solutions. She strongly advocates for empowering women in the construction industry. Beyond work, she enjoys movies, Japanese and Italian cuisine, and traveling to destinations like Japan and Italy. Her accolades include High School Valedictorian and awards at Philips Lighting and Honeywell, showcasing her leadership prowess. Let’s hear from her.

Can you provide a succinct overview of your professional experience and share what drives your daily activities?

My professional journey began in the construction industry 18 years ago in Hong Kong. I was fortunate to join Jardine Schindler Group's regional headquarters as a Sales Engineer, focusing on high rise projects across South-East Asia. After almost four years, I returned to prioritize personal goals and pursue my master's studies. In 2011, I ventured into Philips Lighting, spearheading turnkey projects. Transitioning to Honeywell Philippines in 2015, I played a pivotal role in enhancing the fire and security business, eventually serving as Country Director. Joining Hilti Group in 2019 as Regional Manager, I standardized project management processes in South Asia. Progressing to Sales Director and later General Manager in Hilti Philippines by 2022 marked significant milestones in my career journey.

Describe HILTI Philippines as an entity and its standing within the market.

Hilti Philippines represents the local extension of the esteemed Hilti Corporation, a global leader in innovative technologies for the professional construction industry. Our objective is to drive improvements in safety, productivity, and sustainability. Our comprehensive range of hardware solutions, including tools, fastening systems, installations, and fire protection, caters to diverse construction trades. Additionally, our software solutions empower consultants, engineers, and end-users to enhance productivity and efficiency. Our services solutions are tailored to support construction professionals in their daily operations, both on and off-site. Boasting a dedicated team of around two hundred professionals, we actively engage with customers to address their technical and commercial needs. Furthermore, we take pride in being recognized as a certified 'Great Place to Work,' ranking 4th in the Medium Category across industries in 2022.

How do you leverage your 18 years of construction industry expertise to devise strategies for enhancing company efficiency and profitability?

Over the past 18 years, I've engaged with diverse roles and stakeholders in the construction industry by visiting project sites and attending industry events and meetings. These experiences have deepened my insight into the industry's evolving needs. Leveraging this knowledge, I challenge conventional practices, collaborate with my team to explore innovative solutions, and make informed decisions. For instance, during a site visit to Cebu last year, I identified an opportunity to enhance battery turnaround time, prompting the establishment of a distribution hub for the Vis Min region. This pilot initiative, set to launch this year, promises to improve service levels by 2-3 days and potentially reduce logistics costs through strategic partnerships.

Could you impart your proficiency in budget oversight and cost management?

Ensuring a company's profitability stands as a paramount duty of management, influencing both employee welfare and the organization's future. Personally, I approach cost management through three essential steps: planning, steering, and reflecting. Firstly, I emphasize alignment with my team on critical activities & objectives to remain relevant in the industry. While controlling costs is vital, aligning spending with core goals is equally crucial for progress. Secondly, driving ownership of numbers through regular checkins with stakeholders enable prompt adjustments in case of deviations from plans. Lastly, reflecting on yearly expenditures provides a comprehensive understanding of our financial trajectory, informing wiser decisions for the future. This cyclical process ensures not only competitive fundamentals and employee engagement but also strategic investments that propel the company forward financially and operationally.

How do you ensure a harmonious coordination of responsibilities while guaranteeing that departments remain aligned with the objectives set by the executives?

In our company, transparency, alignment, and empowerment are core principles. We begin by aligning our organizational goals with global and regional objectives, set by the management team. During our annual kick-off, these goals are communicated across the company. Team leaders then formulate their business plans in line with these objectives, with input from their teams. The extended management team evaluates how these plans contribute to our overarching goals, setting clear expectations for execution. Regular reviews ensure alignment and guidance. Our collaboration standards are predefined and scheduled to optimize time spent in action rather than meetings. Management meetings prioritize critical topics and goals for efficiency. With empowered and aligned team leaders, we ensure the daily execution of company objectives with excellence.

How do you identify areas for improvement and outline your future roadmap for Hilti Philippines?

At Hilti Philippines, our business goals are set at the start of each year, serving as our guiding principles. During collaboration meetings, we assess progress and identify improvement areas aligned with our objectives. We prioritize solutions based on their relevance and impact on our goals. Looking ahead, my vision is for Hilti Philippines to remain a highly engaged, high-performing team, driving our mission of making construction better. We aim to foster diversity, equity, and inclusion within our workforce, striving to remain a top employer in the country. Furthermore, we see opportunities to introduce advanced products and solutions to the Philippine market, leveraging Hilti's global expertise to accelerate the industry's transformation in alignment with international standards.

Ann Bernardino-Lim, General Manager, Hilti Philippines

Ann Bernardino-Lim, a seasoned leader with nearly two decades in construction, holds a degree in Geodetic Engineering from the University of the Philippines. Passionate about driving excellence, she's led impactful initiatives at renowned firms like Jardine Schindler, Philips Lighting, and Honeywell. Wife to a supportive businessman, mother of two amazing kids.