Why U.S. management tips fail in Indonesia
The other day Kuku and I were discussing the point that a majority of Bules in JKT were oxygen thieves. They simply don’t perform at the level expected. They are brought in as Bules to over perform, and mentor and lead the locals. Instead many spend their time getting pissed and laid whilst they stagnate technically, apply decades old ideas, technology and management practices.
In the meantime I am staggered at the number of bright educated Indonesians (especially Chinese Indonesians) I find studying here in Sydney. They go straight from a undergrade to an MBA, collecting a CPA at the same time. One guy in my building casually mentioned the other day that he starts his internship at PWC next week. He intends to return to JKT late next year……
All of which leads to the question: How long can these Bules stay in Indonesia, and what will happen in the future? Perhaps the gravy train is finally leaving town, and a lot of guys are not on it…….
Yes, managment is hard in Indonesia. that’s why they get the expat perks. Arriving thinking its like management in the West will lead to trouble. Motivation of a workforce is a key part of management.
In the West it is less of a problem. Work ethic, high unemployment, career and lifestyle expectations, have all persuaded Western workforces to put in the required effort. Those that don’t make the effort live on the dole and you don’t come across them in the workplace. There is no dole in Indonesia, so you see workers who in the first world would live on benefits.
This means a different management style is required. Sadly it is lacking in many expats, who are too busy shagging and drinking to care about performance. And when head office questions the poor levels of efficiency – these bules shrug their shoulders and say “Hey, This is Indonesia. The workers are lazy here”
In short - it is a managers job to motivate the workforce. Saying "hey these are un-motivatable" doesn’t work. its simply an admission that he cannot do the job he is paid to do.
In the meantime I am staggered at the number of bright educated Indonesians (especially Chinese Indonesians) I find studying here in Sydney. They go straight from a undergrade to an MBA, collecting a CPA at the same time. One guy in my building casually mentioned the other day that he starts his internship at PWC next week. He intends to return to JKT late next year……
All of which leads to the question: How long can these Bules stay in Indonesia, and what will happen in the future? Perhaps the gravy train is finally leaving town, and a lot of guys are not on it…….
Yes, managment is hard in Indonesia. that’s why they get the expat perks. Arriving thinking its like management in the West will lead to trouble. Motivation of a workforce is a key part of management.
In the West it is less of a problem. Work ethic, high unemployment, career and lifestyle expectations, have all persuaded Western workforces to put in the required effort. Those that don’t make the effort live on the dole and you don’t come across them in the workplace. There is no dole in Indonesia, so you see workers who in the first world would live on benefits.
This means a different management style is required. Sadly it is lacking in many expats, who are too busy shagging and drinking to care about performance. And when head office questions the poor levels of efficiency – these bules shrug their shoulders and say “Hey, This is Indonesia. The workers are lazy here”
In short - it is a managers job to motivate the workforce. Saying "hey these are un-motivatable" doesn’t work. its simply an admission that he cannot do the job he is paid to do.