HWM: Good day, Ms. Nacario. Please share with us your roles and responsibilities at HP Philippines, in particular the Personal Systems Group. Can you also give our readers a general overview of the Personal Systems Group and how this unit fits within HP’s overall corporate structure?

Bernadette Nacario: As the country general manager of PSG, I’m responsible for both the top-line and bottom-line targets of this business unit. It is also part of my charter to make sure that we maintain our leadership position in the country, as well as to make sure that we have a solid infrastructure for both channels and end-user market operations.

HP is one of the IT companies in the world that offers end-to-end solutions. PSG is the business unit, in fact, one of the biggest units within HP, that manages the personal technology portfolio. Products such as desktop, laptop, workstation, and thin client PCs, as well as handheld devices, and now, the RPOS (Retail Point of Sales) solutions, the most recent addition to our portfolio, fall under the Personal Systems Group.

HWM: Throughout the past year and well into this year, HP has managed to maintain its position as the world’s overall number one computer manufacturer. What factors have contributed to this overall excellent performance and how has HP sustained its amazing growth pattern over the last three years? Does HP enjoy the same standing here in the Philippines?

A testament to HP’s commitment to making the computer “personal again,” the HP Mini Vivienne Tam edition is a special, limited edition HP Mini 1100 variant specifically designed for today’s stylish, yet technologically-savvy female users. Ms. Nacario takes pride in being the first among only 250 users here in the Philippines to own one of these beauties.

Bernadette Nacario: It has always been HP’s vision and strategy to make sure we provide the best technology products in the market. We want to make sure that we don’t just deliver the best and the greatest products, we also want to establish a relevant and meaningful partnership with the market, both locally and globally. This is how we can really deliver a competitive platform to the different segments in the market. At the heart of our strategy, we focus on creating and delivering a positive customer experience.

In the Philippines, we have been enjoying our leadership position for a couple of quarters now. Based on the recent IDC (International Data Corporation) report, we are number one for combined desktops and portables, both in consumer and commercial markets.

HWM: HP seems to have stumbled upon the perfect formula for selling machines with its massive and highly successful “The Computer Is Personal Again” campaign. How has this affected consumer’s perceptions of computers as well as HP as a manufacturer?

Bernadette Nacario: HP is one of those companies which have realized that the computer has evolved into an extension of our lives. We have this special connection, both personally and professionally, to our computers.

A good example of the campaign is the HP Mini Vivienne Tam edition. This release is proof that HP is very much aware of the needs of women users. Just like men, women also love technology, but at the same time, they want to incorporate fashion in their gadgets. The Vivienne Tam edition is one way of proving to you that when we talk about “The Computer Is Personal Again”, we make sure that whatever offerings we have, these are all attuned to the customers’ needs.

HWM: Speaking of the HP Mini, this series is one of the most sought after mini-notebook PCs in the market today, especially now with offerings catering to both enterprise (2140) and consumer segments (1100). How does HP plan to tap further into this ever-increasing but low-margin segment? Are there any new products, bundles, or tie-ups in the pipeline?

 HP PSG is keeping things exciting with new PCs lined up for the rest of the year. At the left is the ProBook 4710s, the cream of the crop among HP’s new brand of affordable and stylish notebook PCs for business users. The ProBook series joins the award-winning EliteBook line in HP’s versatile business notebook portfolio.

Bernadette Nacario: For the last couple of quarters, we have seen the growing demand for ultra-portable solutions. So rest assured that we will continue to create products that will provide computing solutions for people on-the-go and we will continue to create products that will address this segment of the market.

Currently, we are in the process of establishing partnerships locally to make sure that we can also create special bundles from other providers in the country, particularly those from the telecommunications industry.  

HWM: With all-in-one PCs currently being announced one after the other just like the Netbooks of last year, what are HP’s plans for the TouchSmart series of AiO PCs in the local market? Does HP see any opportunities in this particular kind of product and are there plans of expanding the line-up to accommodate the lower end segment of the Philippine market?

A personal favorite of Ms. Nacario is the HP TouchSmart all-in-one PC, also set to make its way to local store shelves soon. It promises to redefine the “personal computer,” offering intuitive touch-based operation to match today’s best technologies.

HWM: Can you perhaps share with our readers the current setup that HP has in place for their customers as far as technical support and service is concerned? What options are available to them if they buy an HP PC and they encounter problems or it breaks down?

Bernadette Nacario: We have two official HP Service Centers, one in Manila and the other in Cebu. On top of these two, we also have about 50 authorized service providers nationwide. For any of our customers who would like to bring their machines should they encounter any problem, they can always go to either of the Service Centers of HP or to any of our authorized service providers, and they can be confident that their product will be well taken care of.

HWM: As a high ranking official of HP Philippines, can you perhaps share with us the range of HP’s offerings that you make use of in your daily routine? Why did you choose these products among all of HP’s other offerings?

Bernadette Nacario: Let me start with my phone. I carry two phones with me, and I make sure that one of those is an HP iPaq. In terms of ease of use, I really find the iPaq more user-friendly compared to other phones. It makes it easy for me to send messages to my team or to call them when needed. For my laptop, I use an HP tablet PC, the 2710p, at the office, but when I go to meetings outside, I always make sure that I bring with me my HP Mini Vivienne Tam edition, primarily because I want to make sure I’m carrying something very light. Plus, I know I’m carrying around something that looks good, at the same time. I use an HP AiO printer and an HP photo printer at home, too. Eventually, I plan to use an HP TouchSmart PC.

HWM: How does a high-powered official from a world class company relax and enjoy her spare time? While you unwind, are you able to make do without the conveniences that modern technology affords us today, such as Internet access, mobile telephony, and portable entertainment? What is your general attitude towards technology and its place in our lives?

Bernadette Nacario: I’ve always been a gadget person, so even during my leisure time, I always make sure that I bring some of my gadgets with me, like my phone and my Vivienne Tam Mini. Even when I go to places like Boracay for vacation, I still carry a laptop around. I just really can’t survive without a laptop; I feel disconnected from the world.

When I’m not working, I usually go to spas and I love trying out different restaurants. Also, when I’m out of the country and I have time, I love to shop. Most of all, I enjoy spending quality time with my daughter, Bianca Nicole.

HWM: Thank you for your time, ma’am.

(For the print version of this interview, grab your fresh copy of HWM Philippines this month!)