During the event, the students were warmly received by TACO Group's VP Human Resource, Irwan Dewanto, and VP Business Development & Commercial Marketing, Satria Utama.

Satria Utama, VP Business Development & Commercial Marketing of TACO Group, shed light on various marketing strategies in Indonesia. He stressed the significance of comprehending demand generation and establishing firm roots in a complex market.

"In a landscape where each store specializes, building brand awareness becomes paramount. Our primary focus is on carpenters, primarily through HPL. Investing in marketing and branding with measurable ROI is crucial," he affirmed.

He also delved into topics of innovation strategies and operational management, highlighting the essence of grasping core competencies and innovation. Recognizing the 'sweet spot' within a product, such as discovering that a versatile yellow adhesive isn’t solely for construction materials but is also extensively used in vehicle services or footwear, allows a company to tap into previously uncertain markets.

The discourse extended to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) versus Creating Shared Value (CSV). Both emphasized the importance of corporate social responsibility and creating shared value within the community. Efforts to aid SMEs not only benefit society but also positively impact businesses. TACO's initiative to conduct workshops for its partners, aiding them in continual business development, exemplifies this commitment.

"The contribution of TACO's partners (SMEs) to TACO Group amounts to around 90 percent. As their businesses expand, TACO Group reaps the benefits. Hence, our regular workshops, for instance, cover topics like crafting simple financial reports. Over 7,000 participants have joined these workshops for TACO's partners," elucidated the representative.

In the realm of human resources, Irwan underscored the necessity for companies to invest in employees' skill sets. “Finding individuals adept at product development, particularly in research and development in Indonesia, presents challenges. Thus, our recently launched management trainee program aims to nurture employees' skills right from the start. We received about 5,000-10,000 applicants for this program,” shared Irwan Dewanto, VP Human Resource at TACO Group.

Apart from the program launch, he emphasized the significance of fostering a conducive work environment, integrating empathy into employees' experiences by attentively considering their needs.

The dialogue also covered TACO's strategic sustainability management, including the decision to not rush into stock market listings and to remain focused on long-term sales forecasting. They elaborated on three main pillars: activities, innovation, and market development. Combining innovation, social responsibility, and business sustainability is crucial to industry leadership. A culture of growth and innovation fosters exploration of new opportunities, consistently adding value for customers and stakeholders.

The session concluded with an office tour at TACO Group headquarters, acquainting participants with the company's values. Artistic elements pervade the office through installations and paintings, instilling not only comfort but also a commitment to appreciating art in every product, aligning with their company ethos.

Reporter: Bashravie Thamrin (Management, 2024)

Editor: M. Naufal Hafizh

Translator: Firzana Aisya (Bioengineering, 2021)