David Paman is serving at the forefront of our organization as the Chief Operating Officer and President of Multibook Philippines. His present goal in launching a subsidiary in his country and establishing it as a self-sustaining entity aims to prove that a locally tuned, yet globally aligned operation can speed our scaling worldwide.
In this interview, David shares how he discovered the company, why he decided to take on his role, how he envisions multibook in the ERP market, and the environment he fosters in order to attract the best clients in the region.
Discovering Multibook
PR: How did you first learn about Multibook, and what motivated you to join?
David: My longtime friend, who helped in the launch of Multibook Philippines, asked me to finish several projects before he moved to the UK. During the handover of those projects, I met our President, Watabe-san, and was immediately drawn to his vision of building a true international company from the ground up.
I had the chance to build a new team, set my strategies in a fresh market, and work with colleagues in Japan, Thailand, and other countries. It was an offer I couldn’t resist.
Building the Philippine operations
PR: Since joining the team, where have you focused your efforts?
David: Phase 1 was all infrastructure—company registration, office setup, policies and procedures, and the transfer of a small core team from my previous firm. It let us run at full speed from day one. With the basics in place, I worked on our product-market fit, which includes our pricing, a brand voice that resonates in the Philippines, and a stronger pipeline.
Our short-term goal is clear. We want to generate enough revenue for Multibook Philippines to stand on its own.
Challenges, motivations, and goals
PR: What key challenges have you faced, and what motivates you?
David: Positioning ourselves in the industry proves to be our main challenge. In the ERP market, SAP owns the high-end category, while QuickBooks and Xero lead the entry-level category. multibook already outperforms the starter tools, but it is a must to add features that can compete with SAP while remaining user-friendly and easily accessible as the smaller systems. Bridging that gap is a product-led marathon.
Every release and every happy client proves we are moving forward. My top performance indicator is profitability this year. Long term, I want the Philippine office to be the standard for future branches in Vietnam, Malaysia, and beyond.
Crafting a high-performance culture
PR: What kind of culture are you building?
David: There are three pillars guiding our local team. The first pillar is well-rounded excellence. Through our collaborative efforts, everyone becomes skilled in accounting, IT, client communication, and basic marketing. Next, we focus on psychological safety. Mistakes can happen, but fast learning matters. We give and receive feedback, upbuild one another, and strive towards progress. Lastly, we are fueled by empowered growth among our team. We support the development of language skills, technical certifications, and leadership training because we believe that personal gain lifts up the company.
Message to future colleagues
PR: Any closing thoughts for potential colleagues?
David: At Multibook, we all bring different experiences, cultures, and ways of thinking—and that’s what makes the work meaningful. We don’t always see things the same way, but that’s exactly why we come up with the best ideas. Everyone has a voice here.
If you want to grow, contribute, and be part of something that’s constantly evolving, you’ll fit right in. We’re building this company together, one challenge at a time.
Editor’s Note
David’s story exemplifies the entrepreneurial drive behind Multibook’s expansion: the courage to enter uncharted markets, the discipline to form solid operations, and the humility to refine the product. For our clients, Multibook is more than an ERP provider; it is a place where personal ambition and business growth align.
