Ridwan Hafiz’s Post

Montgomery is posing an intriguing question, especially for those who are called urban specialists or architects to rethink of making a happier city for all. Subsequently, what is the rhetorical definition of achieving happiness as it will be so different between bankers who drive luxury cars to a wife who works as a cleaner and only uses the bus daily such as cities like Bogota, New Jersey, Kolkata, Tokyo to Jakarta? According to Kovács & Musterd (2013, p. 98), they define a sense of place as a condition of distinctiveness in a local domain and linked to a certain place differently from others and rooted in the place. So, it is about topophilia (love of the place) versus topophobia (resentment of the place) and about place-made to avoid the placelessness that decreases a sense of community belonging in a particular geography. Accordingly, happy city should be a loveable place for everyone. Eventually, will the New Capital City or IKN Indonesia be the evidence in the next 30 years from now of becoming the happy city or plummeting to the hole just as likely possible as Megapolitan Jakarta nowadays? Let us hope it will be happier than before. Note: Kovács, Z. & Musterd, S., 2013. The Importance of Places and Place Branding. In: Z. Kovács & S. Musterd, (eds). Place-Making and Policies for Competitive Cities. New York: John Wiley & Sons, pp. 97-104. Note: Rating 4,36 on https://lnkd.in/eCZSVycb Rating 4,60 on https://lnkd.in/eZ3y7eUn

https://lnkd.in/eXgmdj9a MOTHERLAND is an initiative between me and my business partner’s merchandise/clothing brand Casual Fan Club with Saint Daddy, a prominent bootleg designer in the vintage scene. This is our story. Challenge: - Merchandise is very popular amongst the indonesian youth market. Aside from being a fan, the primary reason for a purchase is affordability. This has lead to a ‘rule-of thumb’ of price points in the range of RP 150-180 thou per item. This price range has not increased for years despite the yearly inflation that affects supply of fabric, cost of workers as well as other elements regarding production including silk screen development. - There is an unwritten rule about how much profit you can make to avoid ‘alienating’ the target market, if the price point is too expensive it gets a little bit ugly. - We have met with incredible creative talents that aren’t decently paid (if they actually DO get paid). You can’t buy pisang goreng Bu Nanik with exposure. - How do we educate the scene by producing a higher quality product and increase the price point to what we think is fair. Price is a fickle matter because - a lot of brands don’t calculate items that are untangible such as time, manhour people’s fee regarding projects, all those night meetings and WA chats, etc. More often than not the main point of reference in regards to profit margin is solely cost of productin (hpp) and then sell it for Rp 150 k - 180 k. They then just subtract the selling price with the production cost and that’s what they end up making. Solution So what did we do? Yup, exactly, we took a chance, made high quality merchandise, took careful and creative steps to identify and create the market, then officially launched a few months back. Two items are already in the market, there are 3 more in the pipeline. For me, this shows how we are blessed to be surrounded by creative people from all walks of life that has the same vision as us. And how we can create niches of our own. With this in mind we made sure that all our collaborators are paid fairly. Interested to finding out more? You can contact us throgh our IG. We are very open to collaborate. Click the link below to see one of our protfolios. - End

Is Bandung becoming Indonesia’s Silicon Valley? ⛰️👨🏻💻 When we think of Bandung, we think of its cool climate and charming art deco buildings. If you’re a foodie, then delightful batagor or delicious cuanki may also come to mind. We don’t usually think of the city as a hub for high technology, à la Silicon Valley. But Bandung is fast becoming Indonesia’s second tech hub besides Jakarta. According to one count, it ranks 8th in Southeast Asia for its number of startups—behind Kuala Lumpur and Hanoi but well ahead of other “second cities” like George Town and Surabaya. Today it is home to many of the country’s tech startups, including Evermos and FirstSupport (YC W21). Legis also called the city home at one point! This should come as no surprise. The city is home to the Institut Teknologi Bandung as well as private institutions like Telkom University and Bina Nusantara University—so a lot of tech talent are already here. Locals are creative and enterprising, with Bandung already a centre for Indonesia’s creative industries. Despite its strengths, Bandung faces headwinds. Its cool mountain air attracts those escaping Jakarta’s heat, especially now that the two cities are connected by the Whoosh high-speed rail—but Jakarta-based companies do not need a secondary hub in a city just 45 minutes away. So it must convince companies to relocate away from the capital. Infrastructure remains Bandung’s biggest challenge. An LRT system has been planned for decades but never materialised, leaving residents with few alternatives to the city’s clogged streets. And ever since its only international airport closed, residents have no choice but to travel to Jakarta to catch a flight. This could change. The most recent LRT proposal is picking up steam and the city may soon be connected to Kertajati Airport by high-speed rail. So don’t be surprised if Bandung is one day swarmed by techies seeking respite from the sweltering Jakarta heat. My thanks to Vincent, Thomhert, Terry, and Borgias—all Bandung-based AI engineers and enthusiasts—for the warm welcome and the thought-provoking chats we’ve had. Always great to catch up with Rio, too, whom I know is also a fan of Bandung.

In Uncertain Times, a Strong Brand Stands Firm 🌟 In today’s volatile business environment, companies face numerous challenges. Market shifts, economic instability, and changing consumer preferences can unsettle even the strongest enterprises. But amidst these trials, one principle remains steadfast: a strong brand stands firm. Consider a business grappling with fierce competition and shrinking revenues. They partner with RAYS and TARANG Technologies LLP, seeking a lifeline. Our team revamps their online presence with a captivating website, ensuring it is both user-friendly and visually engaging. The transformation is profound. The business not only survives but flourishes, turning adversity into a stepping stone for growth. This exemplifies the power of a robust brand—resilient, adaptable, and poised for success. At RAYS and TARANG Technologies LLP, we've guided numerous brands through uncertain times, helping them shine brightly. Let us help you build a brand that stands firm and thrives in any market condition. Ready to strengthen your brand? Contact us at +91 93688 72895 or visit our website: raysandtarang.com. #BrandResilience #DigitalMarketing #WebDevelopment #SocialMediaStrategy #BusinessGrowth #RaysAndTarang

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐦𝐲 𝐣𝐨𝐛 💡 𝘋𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥𝘴 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 I never thought I would know so much about urban mobility, circular batteries, hydrogen and ship dismantling by now. 🔦 𝘚𝘭𝘦𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴  Makes you feel like Sherlock Holmes sometimes. Searching, deducing and ideating solutions for these topics. Elementary? Not at all! 🔨 𝘉𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘶𝘯𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘺 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 We are all about building, getting practical as soon as possible. I'm a bit of a perfectionist, so that means getting out of my comfort zone often. Rewarding every time, although maybe not in the moment itself! 👯 𝘋𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘴𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘥𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 Actually dancing? Yes, also. You would have been floored by my sorry attempt at Bollywood moves in Bangalore in February 😅 But also work-wise, I ask a lot of people for an opening in their ball book to try a dance with them. Because that is how it feels sometimes, seeing if there is chemistry to enter the floor together. And you can see in the picture I'm not joking 😉 ❤️ 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘸 Where else could you present your program like a tell-sell commercial, have regular cocktail office parties and have deep conversations about what it is that brought us all here: a motivation to make social and sustainable impact. 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐮𝐬! Check the link in the comments to visit our vacancy page, and join the Enviu crew. Team NL: Paul van der Linden Dieuwertje Nelissen Mark Cremers Nienke Nijholt Elise Lippens Linus Mueller Huub Verstraaten micke magnusson Vitalina Ivakhnenko Tchar Ling Chang Anne Poggenpohl Jesse V. Sophia Agostinelli And of course our lovely colleagues in Bangalore, Nairobi and Jakarta! #vacancy #innovation #venturebuilding #circulareconomy #sustainability #socialinnovation #mobility #textile #plastics #food

Collaboration Conundrum Two years have passed since #ruangrupa introduced the #Lumbung concept as the central theme for #documentafifteen in 2022. This significant art event, once viewed as exclusive and distant due to its global-north dominance, now radiates warmth and inclusivity for the first time. Lumbung, loosely translated as "rice barn," holds deeper meanings for many communities in Indonesia beyond mere storage for harvested crops. In several regions, 'lumbung' embodies scarcity intertwined with local rituals, serving as a vital food reserve in rural areas, crucial for addressing community food insecurity. Within this context, local communities have fostered 'collaboration’ within themselves as a solution to past and potential future challenges. ** Recently, I've been pondering a lot over the concept of #collaboration — its essence and implications. When is collaboration necessary? Who should join forces to ensure its effectiveness? Why do different organizations, products, services, or brands sometimes opt to devise individual solutions rather than embracing others' contributions? In Indonesia, collaborative efforts between brands or public-private sectors to tackle societal or individual challenges are not very common, or once initiated, sadly it's often done ineffectively. Despite facing collective issues, numerous organizations, products, services, or brands often prioritize profit motives. Understandably, effective solutions often lead to financial gains. Regarding brand collaborations, while not always focused on problem-solving, I particularly like a Ramadan/Eid advertisement jointly presented by tiket.com, #Sasa, PT Matahari Department Store Tbk, and #NutriSari. I can’t recall if similar collaborations have occurred in the past, but this campaign stood out because of the perfect timing and it just feels…natural. Aren't we all just living embodiments of multi-brand collaboration in real life? A notion perfectly captured by Camus: "Life is a sum of all our choices." ** Now, returning to ruangrupa, as a consistent collaborator engaging in societal discourse through artistic practices, I'm thrilled about the forthcoming project with these Jakarta baddies! It's a joint effort organized in partnership with a ministry (can't spill yet!) that has steadfastly supported the local art scene. I'm unable to give more details about the project now, but it involves artists, collectives, art curators and researchers, and local communities from 10+ different cities throughout Indonesia. ** “Do you feel like you're coming home now that you’re working in arts and culture again?” a friend once asked. “Not really, because I never truly left home.” I firmly believe that pursuing multiple interests doesn’t require you to abandon one for the other. Sometimes, when different interests come together, they can create unexpected benefits. Isn't that the essence of true collaboration?

Thanks Ali Kennard and Jodie Kuntzsch for the invitation to introduce myself and One Beautiful Life to the Moananui members. If you haven't heard of Moananui then you must look them up. It's an amazing Blue Economy Cluster, with a Pledge it its core that all members must commit to, focused around being tūpuna pono / good ancestors. As part of my introduction, I was invited to share a few "learnings". It was a really interesting exercise to distil more than a decade in management consulting and even longer in technology, policy, etc. and I quite enjoyed the reflection! I thought I would share them here in case some are of use to anyone else in my network. They may all sound basic, but they're things I've seen done wrong many times and I've seen the power when they're done well: 🙋♂️ Be clear on client problems. No matter how cool your tech, if it's not solving a problem, it's a hobby not a business. And don't just guess. Ask. Better yet, have someone pay you for it. This also applies for internal customers. ✨ Ruthless focus on value. Change programmes are all in serve of a bigger aim. Don't just focus on deploying the tech; focus on faster processes, happier customers, less risk. The same goes with products and services: focus on what your customers want and ditch the rest. This is harder than it sounds! 🤔 Planning is powerful. For some reason, us Kiwis seem to devalue the time spent thinking deeply about a problem, identifying root causes, assessing options, and developing comprehensive strategies to address them. Yes, this applies to early stage companies too! We can derisk market entry, capital pathways, technical development, etc., with a bit of prior work. 💪 Purpose is paramount. We all know by now the value of purpose in the way we engage with customers and supply chain partners, but often overlooked is the value of purpose on attracting and retaining talent. But purpose it has to be genuine. The authenticity of purpose is slow to build and easy to undermine so don't be afraid of a bit of some hard conversations before you make a commitment. Let me know your thoughts. Have you got other "lessons" you'd share? #ManagementConsulting #purpose #planning #customer #value #benefitsrealisation #lessons

A few years ago, Vietnam surpassed Malaysia in global furniture exports, which made me curious about the country. Recently, I was invited to share my experience in sustainable manufacturing at an APEC event in Hanoi. Here are some business insights from my short visit. Vietnam has about 100 million people, three times more than Malaysia. This large, young population and growing middle class create big market opportunities. Retail shops are usually smaller than in Malaysia, often less than 1,000 square feet, even for large items like furniture. Many narrow alleys are filled with small shops, motorcyclists, and pedestrians. The cost of living is low. For example, a cup of sugarcane juice from a street vendor costs 10,000 dong (about RM 1.80). Dining at a nice restaurant costs around RM 30, compared to RM 50-70 in Malaysia. Roadside vendors are common, offering food, drinks, and haircuts with just a few stools and tables. Most people use motorcycles for transportation, including moving large items. I saw motorcycle rickshaws carrying cabinets as big as 6 ft by 8 ft. English is not widely spoken, making communication a bit difficult. Infrastructure is still developing but improving fast, with investments in transportation, energy, and telecommunications. This is making it easier for businesses to grow. It's interesting to see how Vietnam will impact Southeast Asia's growth in the future.

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