Learning about business the Chinese way<\/p>\n
By Edi Petebang<\/p>\n
PONTIANAK, West Kalimantan (JP): At the age of 14 years,
\nAdijanto worked as a manual laborer in the market. In the
\nevening, he went to school. Thanks to his perseverance, he
\neventually succeeded in establishing his own company.<\/p>\n
Adijanto, one of most prominent local businesspeople of
\nChinese descent, is now the boss of PT Bumi Raya Utama Group. His
\nfather was a poor farmer.<\/p>\n
Adijanto, whose Chinese name is Ahian, was the first owner of
\na crumb rubber plant in West Kalimantan.<\/p>\n
Djun Phen, popularly known as Prayogo Pangestu, has another
\nsuccess story. The boss of a number of large companies, including
\nBarito Pacific Timber Group, who hails from Bengkayang regency,
\nstarted earning a living as a kernet, or driver's assistant.<\/p>\n
Adijanto and Prayogo are only two of many successful Chinese
\nbusinesspeople.<\/p>\n
One of their secrets of success is that they had a business
\nspirit, independence and perseverance implanted while they were
\nin their mothers' womb, so the wise men say.<\/p>\n
Based on 1995 research by Baharudin Frank, a local scientist,
\nChinese communities have a tradition of sending messages to their
\nchildren asking them to lead self-supporting lives and learn
\nbusiness at an early age. The famous motto is Sian kuheu tiam
\njung ko, which means be prepared to suffer for a happy future.<\/p>\n
Or, \"it's okay to be a subordinate for one or two days, but
\nlater you must become a boss\". The message is that the Chinese
\nhave to be independent and not take orders all their lives.<\/p>\n
The message is passed at every occasion in a poetic way and it
\nbecomes a principle in their lives. They are not supposed to
\ncomplain while doing their jobs and never denying the profession
\nof their choice.<\/p>\n
The self-supporting principle and hard work make the Chinese
\nsuccessful in various paths of life. Unfortunately, their success
\nis often viewed negatively by other ethnic groups, who stereotype
\nthe Chinese as being deceitful and justifying all means and
\ncolluding with government officials.<\/p>\n
According to Shin Po, 55, a shinse (Chinese medicine man) in
\nPontianak, the Chinese believe everyone has a different talent to
\nothers and it should be developed.<\/p>\n
\"Everybody has a mind, so they must be given an opportunity to
\nlearn and develop it. To this end, the child has to be entrusted
\na growing degree of responsibility, such as doing household
\nchores, and later overseeing the business their parents started,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
A child should not be tightly controlled when they are
\ncarrying out the jobs entrusted to them.<\/p>\n
The child is entrusted to be creative and encouraged to have
\ninitiative. Remember the message from the ancestors: Everybody
\nhas their own mind and they are free to use and develop it
\naccording to their personal capacity.<\/p>\n
Se jiu se ke tal jiu tai ke, so goes the ancestral message,
\nmeaning: Do things according to your capacity, never force
\nyourself to imitate or be jealous of the success of others that
\nyou can't achieve.<\/p>\n
Do your job the best you can. Don't succumb to situations or
\nbecome desperate. Work creatively and use common sense. This
\ncorresponds to the principle that goes Nyi jiu sang fat ke,
\nmeaning \"keep your mind alive and ticking\". Always have
\ninitiative, don't be passive, never wait for orders. Have the
\ninitiative to find work.<\/p>\n
Nyin oi hok, hok oi con sin. Man must learn seriously and work
\nwell for the best results. To use common sense, learn from
\nexperience. A good job will win you trust and love. Work
\nhonestly, and don't inflict losses on others. Keep worshiping
\nGod.<\/p>\n
Co nyin oi cit sim, oi nyin siong sin, oi sin sim, put ho sit
\njim nyim nyin hiat hon, meaning: A man should be honest and
\nreliable, believe in God, and don't eat or drink the blood or
\nsweat of others.<\/p>\n
Self-confidence is one of the Chinese success secrets.
\nJealousy is taboo. Whenever you fail, ask yourself if you have
\ndone your best. Never rely on others' help and don't
\nunderestimate others.<\/p>\n
Kok nyin ci siau muncian set: You'd better ridicule your messy
\nyard than envy others' success.<\/p>\n
According to Phang Jhu Kiat, a respected Chinese figure in the
\nSiantan-Pontianak area, Chinese people are faithful religious
\nbelievers. They believe that God sufficiently gives opportunities
\nand all that people need. But the people must not take it for
\ngranted; they have to work to get it.<\/p>\n
He said one must work seriously to get trust and God's
\nblessing. A portion of the money obtained from working should be
\nsaved, and don't be greedy.<\/p>\n
The philosophy says that being rich is not everything in life.
\nWhat counts is that one has to work to survive.<\/p>",
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