Capacity to Compete in Global Market
JAKARTA, KOMPAS – Indonesian companies have the capital to compete in the global market. Their capacity to compete globally is the same as companies from other countries, even developed ones.
A relaxed workplace environment and recognition are important factors for the employees of Indonesian companies able to compete in the global market.
Six Indonesian companies are on this year’s Forbes World\'s Best Employers list, along with the companies of 60 other countries, drawn from the US magazine’s 2018 Global 2000 list of largest public companies. The six companies are Bank Mandiri, Bank Central Asia (BCA), PT Gudang Garam, PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia (Telkom), Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI) and Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI).
Google\'s parent company Alphabet, which provides computer services, tops the list. American companies hold the top five positions.
"This shows that our companies can compete in the global market. Similarly, we have four companies that have obtained unicorn status, or companies valued at over US$1 billion," Atma Jaya Catholic University lecturer Prasetyantoko said in Jakarta on Thursday.
The six Indonesian companies’ successful entry on the Forbes list indicated that the levels of entrepreneurship and professionalism in the country were sufficient to compete on the global stage, he added. However, further expansion of capacity was needed to arm small and medium-scale companies with the same standards so they could also compete globally.
"I predict that, on this achievement, talents from abroad will become interested in entering Indonesia, because the list is a barometer for measuring the performance of companies that are globally accepted. The list also gives a good image, in terms of both size and substance, and it also indicates that we are part of a cluster of companies that are considered good," Prasetyantoko said.
The possible entry of talents from abroad was a classic dilemma, said Prasetyantoko. On the one hand, Indonesia still needed foreign workers to improve its companies’ competency; on the other, the country had a large workforce but they possessed insufficient qualifications, he added.
Meanwhile, Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) chairman Rosan Perkara Roeslani said that the six companies’ inclusion on the Forbes list reflected international recognition for the companies, especially regarding best business practices and sustainable growth.
Employee appreciation
According to the Forbes companies’ senior executives, human capital was the key to their success. As Bank Mandiri president director Kartika Wirjoatmodjo stated, his focus was to build a team that was happy, participative and productive in their work. As for BCA president director Jahja Setiaatmadja, BCA’s success depended on the human resources that run it.
Indri Y, 24, and Fina, 24, who both work at Bank Mandiri, feel that the bank showed high appreciation for its employees\' interests and talents. Their office had employees’ hobby clubs. The relationship between employees was also good, because Bank Mandiri often held employee events.
Maya A, 24, who works at BNI’s Jakarta office, is happy and enthusiastic about the company’s human resource development program. She appreciates the company’s directors, who openly spoke to young employees. The openness makes her feel a part of the bank\'s activities.
Fahrurozi, 25, who works at Telkom, said his company did not hesitate to appoint young employees to strategic positions to motivate them. The company also held a variety of training workshops, which helped improve productivity.
As for Jay, a Gudang Garam employee, he said his heavy workload was compensated through the sports facilities and games the company provided. "The company tries to keep employees relaxed and not stressed," he said.
(CAS/DIM/LKT/JUD/KRN/MAR/MED)