The ‘Googley’ Factor: Google Indonesia
Google Indonesia’s Head of Corporate Communications Jason Tedjasukmana spent his career as a journalist For 2 decades during the reformation, one of Indonesia’s most historic as well as tragic periods. Yet his curiosity as well as fascination with technology led him to make a different career move. I caught up with him to discuss the journey so far.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself as well as where you’re coming from?
I grew up within the US nevertheless have currently been living outside the country longer than within the idea, including stints in Spain, France as well as here. I have lived in LA as well as brand new York nevertheless most of my early years were outside of the ‘Motor City’ aka Detroit.
How did you end up here in Indonesia?
My dad can be Indonesian. His mother was coming from Minang as well as I was always interested in getting to know her better (my grandfather, Iskandar Tedjasukmana, a former minister of labour under Soekarno, died in 1981). Perhaps in which was a motivating factor. I never learned much about my Indonesian family growing up, so I took the idea upon myself to find out first-hand. I have been drawn to Indonesian culture ever since I was a kid as well as remember staring at a batik map of Indonesia on my wall, wondering what the idea would likely be like to live here. Curiosity has always been a potent force in my life, in so many aspects.
You currently work as Head of Corporate Communications at Google Indonesia – what exactly led you to This specific position?
I covered Indonesia as a journalist for 20 years, during some of the most violent as well as disruptive moments within the country’s history. I managed to interview every president except Suharto, as well as by currently, I’ve probably been to 27 of the 34 provinces. coming from Krismon as well as Lengser to Sambas as well as Ambon, coming from GAM as well as Fretilin to the Marriott as well as Ritz Carlton bombings as well as the Aceh tsunami.
I feel as if my own identity was partly forged by the tumultuous history of This specific country.
As a reporter, the idea doesn’t get much better than in which: to have seen the birth of reformasi as well as the growth of democracy, with its many fits as well as starts. As someone who has been fascinated by the tech world, I suppose my curiosity led me to find out more about another industry in which thrives on disruption. I wasn’t going to be hired as a software engineer, so corporate communications seemed like a pretty logical next step.
How do you like working for Google Indonesia?
One thing in which I loved about journalism was the constant learning in which goes on as well as the fascinating people you meet coming from all walks of life. The same holds true about Google. The company believes in which education can be a lifelong process as well as I genuinely feel like learning on the job can be an incredible perk. The people I work with teach you a lot, as well as there can be a great deal of respect for what you do, regardless of what area you work in. The culture of innovation as well as calibre of people keep me motivated as well as the idea can be a real privilege to work somewhere where your values as well as judgments are respected. I’m fortunate to be part of a team in which can be committed to helping the country reach its digital potential as well as I’m glad to be witnessing history Once more, as Indonesia rises to become the Silicon Valley of Asia.
On August 25, I attended Google as well as Temasek’s event in which your firm predicted in which Indonesia will dominate SEA’s digital economy by 2025. What do you make of This specific?
The report, which can be found on our Think With Google site, contains some fascinating insights into the future of the country’s economy. We can see how quickly the digital economy can be growing in e-commerce, ride-sharing as well as online travel. currently we have some in-depth research to back up what we can all see happening around us – in which Indonesia can be rapidly becoming the largest digital economy in Southeast Asia. This specific will have profound implications for the country as well as we wanted to share our findings on the scope as well as rate at which these critical sectors are growing. Given in which there are more than 50 million smaller businesses in Indonesia, as well as more than 43 percent smartphone penetration, understanding as well as adapting to a mobile-first world can be essential. We would likely like to help these businesses make the transition as well as find more success in a rapidly changing world.
How does Google Indonesia maintain its position locally?
Google can be focused on producing great products as well as platforms for everyone. We have seven products with more than one billion users, as well as are currently working to make them as local as possible, while coming up with brand new ones to serve countries like Indonesia. In just the past year we have released quite a few products in which we desire will make the idea easier for Indonesians to run their businesses as well as turn creative ideas into lucrative professions. We have made the idea so Google Maps can work offline or be stored on an SD card, made videos viewable offline on YouTube as well as made the idea easy to use Voice Search in Indonesian.
Google Indonesia has one of the most interesting offices to visit. What does This specific say about the company?
Google’s offices are designed to allow collaboration as well as to foster better communication among teams. You would likely be surprised to hear how many great ideas were conjured up while waiting in line for lunch. There can be no hierarchy within the office’s open-plan design, as well as This specific can be meant to encourage the sharing of ideas. Open debate can be welcome, as well as what I like can be in which you don’t have to wear a suit to be taken seriously. I desire I never have to wear a tie again in my life.
Can you describe the working environment?
I love working with people who are the best in their field as a means of getting better myself. I also like the egalitarian as well as merit-based philosophy of the company. the idea doesn’t matter who you know or what family you come coming from. Everyone can be hired because they are qualified as well as have a certain ‘Googley’ quality such as being willing to listen to others as well as not being afraid to fail. You can disagree with someone more senior, or even find yourself persuaded by someone much younger. I prefer being around people with open minds as well as Google can be filled with them. I also enjoy a diverse workplace. The office here can be 50 percent women as well as in which’s important to creating an environment as well as products in which truly reflect the reality we live in.
What are some interesting facts about you?
I’ve been a music head all my life as well as I’m always seeking brand new bands to check out. I’m a big fan of the local indie scene as well as can often be found on weekends looking for CDs in Blok M Square or trying a brand new restaurant in South Jakarta. I try to take in as much art as possible too as well as am thrilled to see how many art fairs as well as exhibitions there are currently in Jakarta.
Thank you, Jason!
Comments
The ‘Googley’ Factor: Google Indonesia
The ‘Googley’ Factor: Google Indonesia