Executive Education Alumus Alim Markus, President Director of PT Maspion and Maspion Group, Indonesia, shares with us his secret for success in expanding the Maspion Group into one of the most influential businesses in Indonesia.

One of the fondest memories Mr Alim Markus had of his short two-week stint at NUS was at the welcome party. A professor had asked him casually what made him happy.

"Getting things done quickly and efficiently is something that will make me happy," he replied immediately.

"Well then, you make a good leader," replied the professor.

Mr Alim, President Director of PT Maspion and Maspion Group in Indonesia, believes that on top of efficiency, a leader should also learn continuously and increase his experience so as to keep pace with his own business and the world. It was for that purpose that he decided to come take up the Executive Education Program offered by the NUS Business School.

At the age of 15, Mr Alim decided to embark on the entrepreneurial route. "I told myself that since I chose this route, I would become the best and nothing lesser than that."

Indeed, ever since he joined the group in 1971, Maspion Group has grown from a humble kitchenware home industry to one of the most influential businesses in Indonesia. The group currently owns 62 factories employing 23,000 people. It has more than 9,000 different products catered for industries such as finance, construction, education, real estate properties and commodities. The Group registered a turnover of more than US$230 million (manufacturing business) in 2006.

The secret of his success, he reveals, is having a structured and systemized organization model with appropriate boundaries. This, he feels, is extremely important and a necessity before expanding any business. He adds, "For the business strategy to be successfully implemented, everyone, including the leader, has to follow closely to it."

To complement the strategy, Mr Alim believes in establishing strong ties with partners. This includes suppliers, re-sellers, the management team and every staff member. This is because each individual plays an important role in contributing towards growing the business.

Likening running a business to the love between couples, Mr Alim stresses the importance of proper management and utilization of resources. "When the couple cherishes one another, love will grow between them. Likewise when we take full responsibility of every single resources we have, we will be able to make sure these resources can be fully utilized."

Explaining his business philosophy through the company's logo, this visionary man tells us, "There are three young leaves in our logo which represents unlimited growth. The first leaf represents growing talent within our business. The second leaf represents growing relationships and businesses with our partners. And the third leaf represents the better future that our business is creating for our community and our country."

Indeed, with Mr Alim at the helm, the Maspion Group will no doubt be bound for unlimited growth.

Assoc Prof Brian Hwarng interviewed Mr Alim in Surabaya on 29 February 2008.

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