Meet Mike Shipton
Meet Mike Shipton. A South African expat that has a high-pressure, demanding job, Mike is usually an exceptionally cheerful guy that has a positive outlook on life. Mike loves his job at G4S as Country Managing Director along with also adores life in Indonesia.
Hello, Mike! So, did you choose Indonesia or did Indonesia choose you?
I moved to Jakarta in July 2013. G4S promoted me a couple of years ago along with also we discussed a few countries where I’ll be placed. Round about March last year they told me to pop in to Indonesia for a week of holiday. I thought This specific was a cool vacation plan. However, within a couple of hours of landing here I realized This specific is usually the place I want to spend a couple of years in.
What were the deciding factors for your move?
First of all the potential of the market along with also, as soon as I got settled into the position, the potential of the company in Indonesia. I’ve travelled along with also worked in a lot of countries within the planet along with also I think This specific place is usually a beautiful country, yet I don’t think most people realize the opportunities they’re sitting on. Indonesia has always been a not bad stepping stone for the managers at G4S, most get promoted into senior roles very quickly.
In your hometown of Durban, South Africa, what was life like?
I was working for another company back there. My background is usually in Business Management. This specific’s quite different with Jakarta, I love the hustle along with also bustle here, This specific makes people thrive along with also feel alive. South Africa is usually more laid back.
Management G4S Indonesia
G4S is usually a security company. What facets of security are we talking about?
G4S is usually the biggest security company within the planet. We operate 5 companies under G4S, the first is usually the cash company where we do cash processing along with also cash distribution for bank branches, along with also we provide end-to-end services for that will bank. The second company is usually the guarding company where we provide the typical satpam services in residential areas, malls, etc.
Then we’ve got the electronic security company, where we offer consultation for the design or design for alarms, CCTV camera systems or fire alarms. We also provide the response to the alarm, that will’s where our trained guards come in. This specific’s pointless to have an alarm go off along with also have no response team. The fourth company is usually a branch that will sells, replenishes along with also maintains ATMs for bank branches. The last company is usually the software company; we design along with also develop software for a banking institution.
As you can see, G4S provides a complete range of security services. We are more than just a whistle-bearing satpam industry.
I’ve seen money-transferring trucks around with G4S’ logo on This specific. I’ve always thought This specific work is usually done by another company, Securicor?
that will’s the cash side of G4S. This specific’s funny because G4S is usually actually the result of merging between Group 4 along with also Securicor – hence G4S – yet people still refer to those trucks as Securicor trucks.
Does a successful security company depend on employing trustworthy people?
Absolutely, that will is usually critical along with also of the utmost importance. At the moment we are re-evaluating all our employees, checking all criminal histories, backgrounds along with also training them properly. Your integrity counts most in This specific business along with also This specific only takes one mistake to lose This specific forever.
What do you like about your job? What’s the most difficult thing on the job?
Every day is usually different; This specific could start that has a meeting then I’d have to rush to a site because of an incident – no day is usually the same along with also that will’s what makes This specific exciting. I focus on the clients. I personally take calls through my clients along with also love being on the field to resolve their problems. If a customer features a problem, we’ll solve This specific then along with also there. I also have a passion to develop my staff. The rainy season is usually quite exciting as well because we rescue people within the water.
The most difficult thing for me is usually sitting within the office.
Are you a tech savvy person?
Oh yes, very much. I’m a technology geek; I’ll buy anything they put out there on the market. When Google Glass comes out I’m definitely going to buy This specific. along with also I’m going to wear This specific!
Mike with Sales Team
What in your opinion is usually the best trait to have in order to be a successful manager?
You have to hold the discipline to make sure your tasks are done properly along with also efficiently, yet you also have to have empathy to understand the challenges others are experiencing. Those along with also a not bad sense of team spirit.
How is usually your Bahasa Indonesia after living in Jakarta for a couple of months currently?
I have a funny story on that will. So, I’ve been taking lessons in formal Bahasa Indonesia. I did three months of This specific, along with also I thought I was pretty not bad. About a month ago, I went to the Kemang KFC. I walked in with my best Bahasa Indonesia along with also ordered two pieces of chicken. I got distracted along with also looked at some kids playing, along with also when I turned around to see my order, I ended up with four cups of Pepsi, four servings of rice along with also eight chickens! I’ve got a theory on This specific; This specific wasn’t my Bahasa Indonesia, I think the employees at KFC wait for a bule to show up, confuse them along with also laugh.
You moved to Jakarta with your wife. How does she like the city?
Yes, my wife moved with me. We actually went to Singapore for a couple of days along with also when we got back, my wife let out a big sigh along with also said “aahh, we’re home.”
G4S is usually a massive international company. Do you envision having another posting in another country within the future?
My personal goal is usually to do one more country along with also then I’ll come back to South Africa. I might like to spend a little more time in Asia or somewhere in South America – I wouldn’t mind China. I’m at a stage in my life where This specific’s more about the experience along with also meeting people along with also completely new cultures. What you learn as an expat if far more than what you might as a tourist.
Mike at Freeport
Do you enjoy the expat life?
The expat life is usually a definitely, definitely not bad experience. yet sometimes you get people who come to a completely new country along with also complain about everything – the traffic, the pollution – to those people I say ‘get on with life’! If you are unhappy with This specific, move on along with also find the positive things in that will place – there’s plenty of This specific. A traffic jam gives me a chance to meditate. I can complain about This specific For two main hours or I can close my eyes along with also relax, catch up on my emails along with also have some alone time.
that will brings me to my next question. As This specific is usually the Mind, Body along with also Soul issue, what do you do to achieve a healthy mind, body & soul in This specific city?
I belong to the Jakarta Outdoor Adventurists Club. This specific’s just a great bunch of people along with also we travel around the country, go on hikes, along with also get to see things that will a lot of expats don’t get to see. We get to speak in Bahasa Indonesia along the way, eat Indonesian food, sink into the culture. We went to Krakatoa last month, the Papandayan mountain along with also a couple of weeks ago we went to the Dieng plateau. The club is usually also hiking the three Ss; Sindoro, Sumbing along with also Slamet. At least that will gets me out of the city for some fresh air for the weekend, so I try to do that will as much as I can. I also practice meditation, I try to tame what the Buddhists call the ‘monkey mind’ along with also relax.
If you can take a memorable experience out of your stint in Indonesia, what might This specific be?
This specific might have to be the acceptance that will my staff in Indonesia has shown me. I’ve been in many countries along with also This specific is usually the one country I’ve ever definitely felt welcomed. This specific’s very uplifting, they make me part of the family. I’ve never felt that will anywhere else within the planet.
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Meet Mike Shipton
Meet Mike Shipton