Finding Balance in Corporate Culture: Between Competition and Collaboration
Amidst the ever-changing dynamics of business, the debate over the ideal corporate culture—between a spirit of competition or a spirit of collaboration—is becoming increasingly prominent. Each approach has its own loyal advocates. On the one hand, competition is believed to spur innovation and peak performance. On the other hand, collaboration is considered the foundation of […]
Organizational Culture Clashes in Mergers and Acquisitions
In news reports about mergers or acquisitions, the spotlight is almost always on fantastic figures, market strategies, and potential synergies. Analysts are busy discussing valuations, cost savings, and expansion of reach. However, behind the fanfare of various figures and projections, there is a key factor that is often overlooked: organizational culture. More specifically, cultural friction—clashes […]
Five Essential Funds vs. Paylater: Financial Management Strategies that Impact Engagement and Wellbeing
In this fast-paced era, the convenience of paylater facilities has inevitably changed the financial behaviour of many people, including employees. On the one hand, there is the temptation to fulfil immediate desires. On the other hand, long-term financial planning is often neglected. When a consumptive lifestyle meets an unorganized financial management strategy, the impact can […]
Toxic Positivity in the Workplace: When Excessive Work Motivation Backfires
In the modern workplace, being positive seems to have become an obligation. Leaders are required to always be optimistic, employees are encouraged to see the silver lining in every problem and maintain high work motivation. Meanwhile, companies are competing to portray themselves as fun and happy workplaces. While it is important to build resilience and […]
Growing Amidst Crisis: Business Strategies for Continued Growth
In a world full of volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA), simply being “resilient” is often no longer enough. Resilient organizations are indeed able to survive crises and bounce back to their original state. However, amid rapid change and intense competition, resilience alone is not enough as a long-term business strategy. What if an organization […]
Microculture: The Secret Behind the Adaptive Culture of Modern Organizations
On the surface, large organizations often appear to be a solid unit—with a brand, vision, and core values shared by thousands of employees. However, behind this uniform impression lies a dynamic reality about organizational culture: organizations are rarely monolithic. Instead, microcultures or subcultures thrive within them—small, distinct norms, customs, and beliefs that shape the mindsets, […]
Understanding the Phenomena of Job Hugging & Job Hopping in the World of Work in 2025
The post-Covid world of work is characterized by the emergence of two seemingly opposite career styles: those who remain loyal and those who like to explore. However, entering 2025, a new phenomenon has emerged that blurs the line between loyalty and compulsion: job hugging. Job Hopping: A Career Strategy with High Mobility Let’s first understand […]
Inspiring Stories of Local Entrepreneurs: From a Whim to a Legend – The Success Strategy of Bika Ambon Zulaikha
When Hajjah Mariani, a retired pharmaceutical company employee, tried making bika ambon cakes in 2003, she never imagined that this “whim” would change her family’s life. From selling only eight boxes a day, Bika Ambon Zulaikha has now become an iconic souvenir of Medan and one of the largest bika ambon shops in North Sumatra. […]
Golden Shackles: Employee Retention Strategy or Career Shackles?
In the modern workplace, companies often retain their best talent by any means necessary. From lucrative salaries, annual bonuses, stock options, to exclusive benefits that are too good to pass up. Behind this employee retention strategy lies an interesting and controversial phenomenon: “golden handcuffs.” Golden handcuffs is a term that describes a situation where an […]