New Year, New Journey

Dear friends and colleagues,

Happy new year and I hope that you have a great start of 2017! 

2016 was a great year for me as I spent most part of the year in Indonesia and be close to my family. I also started my career by working at Palladium Consulting, in which I could not ask a better firm to start off my career. It also feels good to be reconnected to my mentor, best friends and colleagues in Indonesia. 

During 2016 I also had the chance to travel nationally (Bali, Palembang, Lampung) and internationally (Thailand and Vietnam). Those travels, especially nationally, made me realize how much I need to explore in Indonesia and I am looking forward to more traveling in 2017. 

Back in September 2016, out of the blue, a close friend of mine suddenly shared an opportunity to work for one of my dream companies. At that time, I was wondering if I shall pursue the opportunity or not as I was still less than one year in Palladium. I decided to apply and keep it to myself during the process. 

Written test passed. 
First interview passed.  
Second interview passed. 
Third interview passed. 

Then I found myself in the final round of interview with a Partner on my birthday. As I walked out the interview room, I told him that day was my birthday and it will be a great birthday gift if I could join the firm. A week later, the recruiter gave me a call to let me know that they decide to make me an offer. My heart filled with joy and excitement and deep inside I know that this is an offer that I could not refuse. 

This week is my last week in Palladium as I am preparing myself to start in the new company on February 1. I am very thankful for the opportunity to work in Palladium as I was exposed and be able to learn so much from three major industries: International Development, Strategy Consulting, and Impact Investment. 

With an honour, I would like to let you know that I will be joining McKinsey and Company in their Global Financial Institutions Center. The opportunity to work for the best consulting firm in the world combined with focus in the industry that I am very passionate about is the reason why this is an offer that I could not refuse. I truly hope that I will be able to both contribute to the company as well as learn as much as possible from them. I am very excited and nervous as I realize a whole new opportunities and challenges in 2017.

The year 2017 is off to an amazing start and I know it is going to get better and better.

Sincere regards,

Christian Timothy Wijaya

On Passion

As I entered transjakarta on my way home from work, I heard a familiar voice: "Be careful if you're leaving the transjak, double check your belonging, and make sure you're not losing any of it!" At the next station, I heard the same phrases. And then again, it makes me wonder who. . .

When I looked around, it was the transjak's conductor who announce it. And I recalled correctly that day was not the first time I saw the conductor and heard his voice. It is the same conductor who always remind everyone to be careful, make sure that everyone is safe, and not losing their belongings.

Then I thought, "Man, this guy really takes his job seriously."

As a conductor, he does not have to do it. So many other conductors do not even bother to remind everyone to be careful, moreover repeating that same phrases over and over again on every station. And he does not stop there, when he was asked questions by commuter, he answered it with smile. His job is not the fanciest job, he does not get any credits by taking the extra mile. Yet, he really does it with passion because he wants to.

Not a fancy job, no credit, maybe not many people even care about what he is doing. Then it stroke me: "If I were in his position would I do the extra mile? In everything that I do, have I done it with that much passion?"

Luke 16:10a - “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much"

Bluebird - Classic Story of an Outdated Business

 
Earlier today a total of 500 bluebird taxi (largest taxi in Indonesia) did a strike in Jakarta, their complain: taxi drivers' income decreased by whole lot because of tough competition from Uber and Grab Taxi. There is no surprise that their income is decreased but they demand to ban Uber and Grab from streets in Indonesia.Not just for living things, the concept survival of the fittest applies as well to business.

We have witnessed plenty of similar stories before, one of the most recent story is Nokia and Blackberry. Their failure to adapt and innovate to follow the business trend causing them to lose their market share, income, and most likely to fail.

Here is the problem with Bluebird taxi: Even though they are not the only taxi provider in Indonesia, they monopolized the market for a long time due to lack of competition. There are two issues I would like to point out here:

1. Competition is good for consumer. I am a believer of free market, I believe that government at this point should not intervene by banning online taxis from operating. These online taxis are healthy for the taxi market as consumer now have more competing business to serve the market. With the competition so far, we can see the trend that if regular taxi does not innovate or have changing strategy, it will be hard for them to survive. Only the one preferred by customers going to survive, just like iPhone and Samsung over Nokia and Blackberry.
2. Innovation is required for regular taxi especially Bluebird to survive. There are several ways for them to adapt, and one of the way is redefining their pricing scheme. Price war might not be inevitable to survive in the market. 

My only suggestion for government is not to intervene so that regular taxi and online taxi is going to adapt to better serve customers. For regular taxi especially Bluebird, there are two options: to adapt or to suffer.



photo credit:
http://mobilinanews.com/post/blue-bird-vs-uber-taxi-mana-yang-menguntungkan/ 

Faith in Uncertainty

Hello readers,

Again, for lack of personal motivation I have been missing so much. Here I have a tid-bit about my most recent experience in looking for job. I hope this could be a motivation for you.

So here how it goes.

When most people you know keep saying: "You're a US graduate with a good grades, job offer should come easy for you!" Those words made me came back to Indonesia with a high expectation that I was going to interview with many companies.

I just graduated on December 12th - and made my way back to Indonesia on December 20th. I got settled in Jakarta early on January, having self-confidence that there will be many interview opportunities for me. Within a month, I had one interview with a company and nothing else.
As someone who was used to a busy life, I could not fathom the urge to do something - yet there was no offer yet.

Getting into February, I had one big interview - yet the company expected to hire an experienced instead of a fresh-graduate. So within two months of my graduation, I had two interviews. I could say that as time goes on, I started to grow impatient. And the worst part is: I started to doubt myself.

As I became frustrated to the condition and myself I met with my mentor and he said, "Timmy, your life has been a great journey so far, you always blessed with the opportunity of a lifetime. So, never doubt yourself and be patience."

That moment of self-reflect and mentorship boost my confidence back. As time goes on, I became more patient and sure that the right opportunity will come along.

I could not ask for a better turnaround.

After those moments, one day I received an interview offer from a big-growing company. I did my best during my interview but made sure that I manage my expectation level. After four rounds of intensive interviews. . .

I received another call that I am offered a full-time position at the company. And I will be start working as soon as next week. I could not imagine that I will be offered such a prestigious position. And I could not ask for a better start of my career.

Lesson: Be patience and have faith in uncertainty. And never ever doubt yourself.

The Last

3.5 years ago, I was just a scared kid, in a new country, new culture, different language, and almost completely alone.

Yet today, today is the last day of my undergrad classes. The last day of me working at UWC. It hit me hard last week when I bought my cap and gown that my time at Texas Tech University has come to an end.
People ask me how do I feel. It is a completely mixed feelings. Sometimes I can be a very touchy person, knowing that this place has molded me into the person I am today. And at the same time, I never know if I will ever see this place or the people I met here again.

Last week I had my last business leadership meeting, presenting about our great experience in Brazil and Chile with my favorite group.
Yesterday I had my last finance classes, which I have great friends in there. I also said goodbye to some people who touched and impacted my college career in an amazing way.

And today I have my last working day at the University Writing Center.

I am proud to say the scared kid, who could not order food 3.5 years ago, has grown into a young man. I am proud to say that I did my best to have blast experiences and longlasting memories. From UWC, Honors College, Business Ambassadors, RBLP, and Mortar Board.

Here, I would like to thank everyone who has touch my life, who has cross path with me. Thank you all.

And as much as I hate it,

Lubbock, I am going to miss this place and the people. Forever I will cherish my time here, and forever I will be thankful.

Let's Catch Up!

Hello everyone,

I am back after couple months of missing. Sooooo, hopefully I will have a chance to write some more in this blog. As a kickstart, please read my greetings to all of you as I started my final semester at Texas Tech University!

 ---

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

I hope this letter finds you well and you are in a great condition. It might have been a while since our last contact; however, I would like to share some updates at the start of my last semester in college.

I still cannot believe that I almost finish my undergraduate study at Texas Tech University as I will be graduating in December 2015. I did not realize that I can graduate a semester early until my advising session last semester. It still feels unreal that I will be hitting the job market in four months.

I really enjoyed my third year in college as I have increasing involvement in campus. During my third year, I learned a lot about leadership as a part of Rawls Business Leadership Program, I am honored to be tapped into top 50 seniors at Texas Tech University as a part of Mortar Board, and I am enriched with many business events as a part of Rawls Business Ambassadors.

Over the summer, I am blessed with a study abroad experience to Brazil and Chile from the Business school (I promise I will fill you up later), as I observed and learned about business practices and cultures in South America. I also had a four-week internship at Credit Suisse Jakarta at their Equity Research department. On top of it, I had to spend some time with my beloved family and friends at home.

  I am nervous as I will soon enter a new chapter in my life, yet I am sure that as long as I keep working hard, I will be alright.

I am honored to cross my paths with you, I am sure I would not be in the same journey if we had not crossed our paths.

Wish me luck on my last semester! I hope you had a great summer and please keep in touch.

Sincere regards,

Christian Timothy Wijaya

New Year Greeting from Lubbock

Dear friends and colleagues, 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I hope everything is going well for you and wish you and an amazing year ahead.

It has been a while since our last contact and I would like to share some updates from me.

I had a successful year in 2014. I was accepted as a part of Rawls Business Leadership Program. On top of the scholarship it provides, the program will also support a cultural business trip to Brazil and Chile for two weeks in May. I am very excited for my trip and I would surely keep you updated.

At the end of my fifth semester, I also found out that I would be able to graduate a semester early. After considering all options and choices, I decided to submit intent to graduate, which means that I will graduate December 2015 with an honors degree in Finance. After graduation, I want to go back to Indonesia to start my career. I am starting to look for an internship for the summer and probably find a “big guy” job after my graduation. Ha!

Great news at the end of 2014 is that my mom is healthy. She had a tumor in her womb that keep growing for the past eight years and she bravely decided to get a surgery to take off her womb. I hope the surgery will keep her healthy for a very long time.

Outside of the academics, I am still involved with the Rawls Business Ambassadors, working at the University Writing Center, and with the Rawls Business Leadership Program. The new exciting part is we have a new chapter of PERMIAS (Indonesian Student Association) at Texas Tech right now. We did couple community services, trips, and have fun together. It feels good to have a big group of Indonesian to hangout and have fun.

I am very fortunate to cross my path with you and I hope we will always be in touch!

Sincerely,

Christian Timothy Wijaya