Tell us more about yourself.
My name is Andarini Sertianti. I am currently working at Michael Page, a recruitment firm, one of the market leaders in Indonesia as well.
I specialise in public policy, corporate affairs, government affairs, and also sustainability. Interestingly, a significant portion of the Indonesian recruitment market, approximately 80% of my client portfolio in 2022, consists of tech sector companies. Hence, I have dealt with a lot of tech companies, especially early stage startups. Prior to joining Michael Page, I was working at the House of Representative as an advisory focusing on education and also human capital, so human capital has pretty much been my biggest passion overall.
What made you want to become a mentor at Plug and Play?
I think this opportunity to share about the talent landscape in Indonesia is very interesting. I believe that talent and human capital are the key factors that can either make or break a business. The quality of human capital determines the overall quality of the business itself. At Michael Page, we conduct annual assessments on talent and salary trends to ensure we don't overlook any potential talent gaps. Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to further discuss talent acquisition and recruitment, particularly in Indonesia. Through sharing my insights and simultaneously learning more about the industry, I can shed light on the strong potential of Indonesian talents, especially in the tech sector. It's worth noting that the tech sector in Indonesia demonstrates promising growth with two batches joining each year and a wide range of businesses that tap into it.
What are some of your highlights as a mentor for our Global Innovation Alliance program in Jakarta?
I thoroughly enjoy the Global Innovation Alliance (GIA) program, which serves as an alliance in itself, aimed at assisting startups in their growth within Indonesia. The most valuable aspect of this program, in my opinion, is the network it provides. Plug and Play, along with their team, has done an exceptional job in connecting all of us. The network offers a wealth of knowledge, particularly due to the diverse backgrounds of participants from various industries such as recruitment, human capital, investment, IoT, and more. Additionally, the mentors involved in the ecosystem contribute to the learning experience. It's fascinating to learn from different perspectives and witness the technological advancements as we collectively grow. As someone from the recruitment industry, which is typically conservative, participating in the mentoring sessions of Plug and Play's GIA Program has been an incredible opportunity to broaden my horizons and witness the technology's evolution.
What are the biggest challenges and most important lessons you learned in your career?
The beginning was challenging as the startups had very diverse backgrounds. It was necessary to map their specific needs and tailor the workshop content accordingly. In this regard, the team at Plug and Play has been incredibly helpful in guiding the mentors and maintaining active communication. They have provided valuable feedback on how mentors should adjust the materials to align with the startups' requirements, particularly in terms of leveraging their business in Indonesia as part of their Market Access journey.
What’s one piece of advice you would give to aspiring entrepreneurs?
Investing in your talents is crucial for the success of your business. Talented individuals can significantly impact your company's outcomes, either positively or negatively. Therefore, it is essential to prioritize the well-being of your employees and ensure they are treated well. By fostering a positive and supportive work environment, you can attract and retain top talent, ultimately contributing to the growth and prosperity of your business.
Mentor: Andarini Sertianti
Andarini Sertianti is one of our Global Innovation Alliance Jakarta mentors. She is an Associate Consultant, Public Policy & Government Relations at Michael Page.
Find out more about our GIA Jakarta Program here.
Interested in being one of our mentors? Join our platform here!
