By Tom S. Noda
Computerworld Philippines

Wanting to make a positive impact to the whole world, Stephen “Tep” Misa appears to be in great challenge. But he believes otherwise, claiming anyone can actually do it by simply influencing, at least, one person. And for his case, Misa does it by propagating technology.

“It has always been my philosophy to make a positive difference in other people’s lives,” says Misa, country manager of Cisco Philippines. “If you made a difference with one person, you already made a difference in the whole world.”

A graduate of BS in Computer Science with Specialization in Software Technology from De La Salle University, Misa shares he makes it a mission to share his core competencies.

“I want to propagate great technologies to people and businesses and make them world class,” he says, adding that in serving others, one also makes others to be great as well.

As a professional, Misa notes it is important to work and live with passion and purpose.

“I am very passionate about doing the right things for our customers and partners, Misa says. “I enjoy building great organizations and developing leaders.”

Unlike most country managers of IT firms who are non-IT pros, Misa’s core skills and talent was originally on IT.

His first job was systems analyst/programmer of Unisys and he was assigned to implement the branch banking system of United Coconut Planters Bank (UCPB) at its main branch in Makati City. He later became the firm’s junior account manager.

Misa recalls his sales career started when former Unisys general manager Jun Hallare gave him a break.

“As a newbie, this is where I learned the ropes of sales and account management, with the likes of Dave De Leon, Jorge Yulo, Raymund del Val, Rod Perez and, most especially TJ Javier, who served as my mentors,” he says.

Misa later moved to Oracle and served there for eight years handling banking and financial services as well as telecommunications industries. It was in Oracle where he became a more seasoned account manager and sales manager as his skills and competencies were deepened by strategic and solution selling, and large account management.

“After Oracle, I joined Microsoft headed by TJ Javier and stayed for more than five years. I am really grateful to Microsoft for its leadership and management development programs. It also allowed me to lead a wide variety of businesses, first as a sales manager in the corporate and enterprise accounts segment, then as director in the mid-market, small business and consumer sales and marketing space, wherein I also got the chance to lead the nationwide channels, distribution, OEM, and Microsoft Dynamics businesses,” Misa shares.

It was in July 2008 when Misa joined Cisco to head the commercial business group. And in January 2009, he was entrusted to lead the company’s Philippine operations as country manager.

Driving Misa to pursue his career further is the goal to help the Philippines achieve first world status.

“I want to change the way Filipinos work, live, play and learn. I wish to contribute in our own humble way to make the Philippines fly high,” he says. “Everyone has a purpose, a gift, a set of talents. You have to find it and unleash it. If you don’t, you burden someone else to do it yet they are not really good at it.”

Tidbits:
Age: 38
Civil Status: Married to Hazel Ferrer Misa
No of children (if any): Three; twins Gio and Chili (5 years), and new born Santi.
Favorite Technology: Cisco’s cool Telepresence, road bike
Hobbies and Interests: Cycling, Triathlons (swim, bike, run); used to play tennis and golf
What people don’t know about you: A few years back, I won the prestigious Bill Gates’ Chairmans’ Award, the lone Filipino and the first for the Philippine subsidiary, and one of only 12 awardees out of 72,000 employees of Microsoft worldwide during that year.

Possibly Related Posts:

• Henry Aguda Chief Information Officer Globe Telecom
• Mariels Almeda Winhoffer: First Female President of IBM Philippines
• Jeffrey Uthoff
• Keeping IT Positive
• Harnessing Excellence

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