"My road to TED Talks and how it inspired me."
- Korina Mercado
- Mar 10, 2018
- 4 min read
"My road to TED Talks and how it inspired me."
“Set KPIs for yourself.”
“ If You Can't Measure It, You Can't Improve It.
Management thinker, Peter Drucker
As an Industrial Engineer in the Multi Billion Aviation Industry, I am constantly observing performances in all facets. It has been my belief that Data Analytics is a ‘No Go’ item for improvement. With this, I am also able to apply it in my personal life. Fascinating that I have comprised on my KPIs watching TED Talks twice a day. Doing so, I added value to my life by endlessly learning innovative things. For the longest time TED talks have taught me a lot and have been my inspiration, so much that it has also become my dream to be a TED Talk speaker.
One day came, someone from LinkedIn sent me a message inviting me to be a:
“Resource Speaker of a talk regarding Industrial Engineers on Airline Industry
at University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City in the IESHIKAWA11 Event“
Without hesitation I said “YES”
I thought to myself that this could be the start. I was so excited! My goal is really to inspire and motivate other Industrial Engineers to make the world a better place. This thought… just fills my heart with Joy.
I think of that day when I gave my speech. IESHIKAWA being one of the important conferences in the Philippines if you are an Industrial Engineer. The IESHIKAWA11 was held last November 12, 2016. I was still working with Cebu Pacific as the Inventory Specialist of Engineering and Fleet Management. I shared all my experiences in the field and how I lived my life as an Industrial Engineer. Aside from sharing my skillset as an Industrial Engineering, I shared with them how I apply process improvements in my life. Setting KPI’s, Goals and Deadlines are really important.
“Pressure is better than incompetence.”
At the end of the day, we don’t just live here on earth. We live to leave a legacy. That is what we do between Birth and Death. The response from the audience was amazing, we took selfies, I gave them my calling cards, offered my time so I can help them with their career. The experience was just simply fulfilling and amazing.
IESHIKAWA11 Event – Airline Industry Seminar
University of the Philippines Diliman
Talk: Industrial Engineers in the Airline Industry
The feedback was so great the audience sent me messages on how I inspired them and how they learned a lot from me. This sentiment right there is incomparable, I just knew that perhaps one of my purpose in this world is to be an integrator. I really thank God for it.
My dream to inspire more people and be a TED Talk Speaker intensified. To my surprise, I started receiving more invites, I wanted to accept all of them however I just can’t accommodate those who will be having weekday events as I have my work. I am now employed by our Country's Flag Carrier, Philippine Airlines, It is indeed a great joy to work for Philippine Airlines. I love the Philippines and I am enthusiastic to do my best to be part of its Success.
The next invitation is:
Divergence Event
University of Sto. Tomas
Talk: Operations Research and Industrial Engineering in the Airline Industry
Operations Research, Industrial Engineer’s favorite subject (many might disagree. :)). I remembered this day, it’s the start of 2017. January 22, 2017 to be exact. I shared with them how I use Operations Research in my field of work. My work is heavily inclined in Data Analytics and Statistics. I really enjoyed hearing their queries, and how they react whenever I mention “Let’s make the world a better place.” I knew right there, that God is really working in me to share my knowledge to inspire all engineers from different universities that participated the event.
Voila!!! I received more invitations coming from those who attended my previous talks and recommended me to be one of their speaker as well.
UPLB IESO: 9th Southern Tagalog Industrial Engineering Seminar (Southern T.I.E.S.)
University of the Philippines Los Banos
Talk: Aviation Industry and Service Quality Management
Novitate: Experience Innovation in Aviation – Airline Management Seminar
PATTS College of Aeronautics
Airline Trends and Challenges | Sustainable Aviation | LCC Business Model | Airport Economics | Airline Profitability | Airline Success
Now looking back at the audience that I have had, I hope and pray that all, and I mean all of them are taking my success and failure as an inspiration. We build our own life and success, success is being the best we can be and serving our purpose. We might have different strategies in order to get there, but I am sure that we will see each other if we start today.
“We never know which lives we influence, or when, or why.” ― Stephen King
If everyone will be aware of their capability to make the world a better place, I think nobody will experience adversities in this world. It’ll be a joyful place.
I hope next time I can share that TED Talks already invited me and that will be a dream come true.
This goal didn’t just inspired me, it inspired all the people I presented my talks, it inspired their inner souls to be the best they can be and to make the world a better place.
"One talk at a time"
See you on TED Talks!
Korina Mercado
Industrial Engineering and Aviation
P.S.
A simple appreciation of this article is your support to my dream. All the best LinkedIn friends! :) For those who want a copy of my presentations, please send me a personal note. Thanks!
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