CEO Insights Magazine

Real estate is indeed a significant driver of the Philippine economy, contributing to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), job market, individual earnings, and tax inflows. The growth of real estate development leads to a need for infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and public transportation, fostering economic advancement. Anchor Land is a real estate developer that has been recognized for its distinctive residential projects in Manila Chinatown. The company is dedicated to achieving exceptional standards in addressing various property market needs. This commitment has propelled the company to successful ventures in commercial, retail, office, warehousing, and hotel and resort developments both within and beyond Metro Manila. Lyndsay Marie L. Ang serves as Director of Operations at Anchor Land and consistently pioneers innovative concepts within the industry by integrating technology, positioning the organization at the forefront of advancements.

During a private interview, Lyndsay provided insights into the industry's operations and shared details about her early life, career progression, and future aspirations.

Could you please elaborate on your professional history and past involvements? Additionally, what inspires and drives your daily activities and routines?

After my education, I delved into property management at my family’s firm. Later, I oversaw property management for a significant commercial development. A stint in China managing operations broadened my experience, and upon returning, I focused on mixed-use property management for about seven years. Joining Anchor Land expanded my role to oversee both residential and commercial properties. My daily motivation centers around the impact of my actions on my colleagues, fueling my dedication to fulfilling responsibilities effectively.

Can you describe the organizational identity of Anchor Land and its market standing?

Anchor Land is a real estate developer that has been recognized for its distinctive residential projects in Manila Chinatown. The company is dedicated to achieving exceptional standards in addressing various property market needs. This commitment has propelled the company to successful ventures in commercial, retail, office, warehousing, and hotel and resort developments both within and beyond Metro Manila. It’s interesting to note that Anchor Land has a unique market niche that allows the company to sell its properties without heavy reliance on extensive advertising campaigns. Most of the properties are sold out before completion, a testament to the strong support and loyalty of its existing client base. These same clients often request Anchor Land to develop properties in specific areas, demonstrating a clientcentric approach and a keen focus on meeting market demands.

In your role as the Director of Operations, what strategies do you implement to maintain efficient business operations?

From my perspective, there are three fundamental approaches that hold great importance. First and foremost, immersion is a critical factor in comprehending the unique dynamics of each business, even with over a decade of experience in property management. It's imperative to recognize that every organization and property possesses distinct cultures and intricacies, making it essential to delve deeply into their specific characteristics for effective problem-solving.

Secondly, creating an environment where feedback can be comfortably shared is equally crucial. This fosters the exploration of innovative methods, encourages adaptability, and promotes ongoing improvement, thus steering clear of potentially outdated approaches.

Lastly, regular audits are vital to maintaining efficiency, preventing complacency, and promoting a culture of continuous improvement.

How do you utilize technology to enhance operational efficiencies, particularly concerning team performance and upholding customer satisfaction?

AI adoption is indeed on the rise, and concerns about job displacement persist. To address these concerns, it’s essential to choose technology aligned with the organization’s culture and adaptable to its operations. For example, implementing Microsoft 365 streamlines document management and reduces physical paperwork. Microsoft 365 is chosen over Google Workspace due to employee familiarity with its tools. The aim is to enhance existing workflows and emphasize the value and ease of new tech, ensuring a smooth transition. Another example, is the implementation of Property Management Software in the organization. It has helped streamline dayto- day operations, such as document management, maintenance requests, and reduce physical paperwork. The key is to make it easy for all stakeholders--- both the client and the service provider.

Describe your leadership style. What principles or methods do you adhere to as a leader?

My leadership style is flexible and responsive to the needs of each property and each team member. Depending on the situation, I can adopt a broad overview approach or a meticulous approach. For instance, when I managed a property with a stable performance and a reliable team, I focused on the overall perspective and trusted them to handle the details. On the other hand, when I managed a property that had frequent issues and a new team, I was more involved in the specifics and asked detailed questions to ensure quality and consistency. By adapting my leadership style to the context and the people, I aim to deliver high-quality results and foster a positive work environment.

What are your future career goals and aspirations?

My career plan has evolved to include digitalizing organizations, despite it not being in my initial career plan. In 2019, I began researching and implementing quality management software. Convincing the board was initially hard, but the pandemic made them more receptive. Despite facing resistance from end users who were used to traditional paper-based applications, I pushed for a paperless system. I highlighted the long-term issues with document management using paper and overcame this resistance, which eased subsequent tech implementations. The Philippines overall is a melting pot to introduce innovation. Most companies have not even started their digitalization journey, resulting in opportunities in Cybersecurity, Cloud-Based Solutions and Innovative Leadership. These three are the foundational structures for every company’s digital transformation.

Lyndsay Marie L. Ang, Director of Operations, Anchor Land

Lyndsay Marie L. is an exemplary leader within the real estate industry, displaying unwavering dedication and commitment to advancing the sector. She stands at the forefront of integrating cutting-edge technology to enhance the overall experience for their clientele. Lyndsay continuously strives to bring forth innovative and distinctive living experiences for their customers, ensuring they receive nothing short of exceptional service and a modern, state-of-the-art living environment.