Journey to the SEA - 下南洋之印尼篇

Journey to the SEA: My Adventure in Indonesia. //

小时候看电视剧，经常见到那些关于中国人远走他乡闯荡南洋的故事。那时我一头雾水，南洋到底是哪里？越南？缅甸？还是那些邻国？直到要赴印尼参与汉得印尼公司创建工作，我才终于明白：原来“南洋”就是今天的东南亚，而印尼则是这个区域中的巨头之一。一个位于南半球的国家，东盟十国中最大的经济体，同时也是世界第四人口大国，穆斯林和华人人口更是全球之最。

怀着对未知的好奇和些许忐忑，我踏上了这场“下南洋”的出海征程。

As a child, I often watched TV dramas about Chinese people venturing far from home to make a living in the "South Seas". Back then, I had no idea where the "South Seas" were. Was it Vietnam? Myanmar? Or perhaps our other neighboring countries? It wasn’t until I was about to head to Indonesia to help establish Hand Enterprise Indonesia that I finally learned the truth: the "South Seas" is what we now call Southeast Asia. Indonesia, in particular, is a giant within this region. A country in the Southern Hemisphere, Indonesia is the largest economy in ASEAN, the world’s fourth-most populous nation, and home to the largest Muslim and overseas Chinese populations globally.

With a mix of curiosity and apprehension, I embarked on this adventure to explore the "South Seas" and help our company navigate its expansion into Southeast Asia.

First Impressions: A Wave of Heat. //

2022年6月，我第一次踏上印尼的土地。雅加达机场凌晨的热闹出乎意料，但真正震撼我的，是刚走出机场那瞬间的热浪袭人。气温常年在28至34度之间，这里的热是那种黏人的热，像一层无形的毯子，裹着你逃无可逃。

雅加达是印尼的首都——哦不，准确说是“前首都”。早在几年之前，由于交通拥堵、地下水沉降等问题，政府决定迁都。如今，新的首都努桑塔拉已经在加里曼丹岛开建，但雅加达仍是印尼的经济政治文化中心。

I first set foot in Indonesia in June 2022. Despite the pandemic still lingering, Jakarta’s airport was bustling even in the early hours of the morning. But my real introduction to Indonesia came the moment I stepped outside the airport—a wave of heat hit me like a wall. With year-round temperatures hovering between 28–34°C, the heat in Jakarta isn’t just warm; it’s sticky and pervasive, wrapping around you like an invisible blanket.

Jakarta, Indonesia’s capital—or more accurately, its former capital—is a city in transition. Due to severe overpopulation, traffic congestion, and sinking land caused by excessive groundwater extraction, the government decided to relocate the capital. In November 2024, the new capital, Nusantara, was officially established on the island of East Kalimantan. Despite this shift, Jakarta remains the country’s political, economic, and cultural hub.

Second Impressions: A Snail’s Pace. //

印尼的另一个关键词是“慢”。很多在中国一天能搞定的事情，在这里可能需要一周，甚至更久。印尼由上万座岛屿组成，每个岛屿的发展状况不一，再加上2.8亿人口、数百个民族、多样的语言和宗教信仰……这些差异给物流、人员流动和工作效率带来了不小挑战。

此外，印尼人崇尚悠闲的生活方式，似乎不怕“饿肚子”，可能这得益于其丰富的自然资源吧（家底厚，原来躺平是这样来的）。这种慢节奏也给我们初创公司带来了不少挑战。从招聘员工到租赁办公室，再到办理手续，前前后后耗时半年，才终于跑步上轨。

Indonesia’s other defining trait? It’s slow. Tasks that take a day to accomplish in China might take a week or longer here. The reasons are multifaceted: Indonesia is a sprawling archipelago of over 17,000 islands, each with varying levels of development. Its population of 280 million encompasses hundreds of ethnic groups, languages, and customs, adding layers of complexity to communication and logistics. Furthermore, with over 60% of the population being Muslim, daily prayers (five times a day) often take precedence, and prayer times vary day by day.

This laid-back pace of life is also shaped by Indonesia’s abundant natural resources, particularly in agriculture. With no fear of going hungry, Indonesians seem to embrace a slower, more relaxed lifestyle. For us, this meant that setting up our company—from hiring employees to renting office space and completing paperwork—took nearly six months.

Third Impressions: Workplace Characteristics and Adaptation Strategies in Indonesia. //

在印尼创业，总会遇到一些挑战，但这些经历也成为我们学习和成长的宝贵机会。以下是我们在印尼运营中遇到的一些特点和应对策略：

• 特点一：含蓄的沟通风格

印尼员工普遍倾向于较为含蓄的表达方式。他们会认真执行上级交代的任务，但即使在过程中遇到困难，也可能不会主动汇报，需通过进一步沟通了解进展。这种文化特点在初期确实增加了一些沟通成本。不过，通过耐心的引导、频繁的询问和建立信任，我们逐渐改善了沟通效率。同时，保持友善和包容的态度也有助于减少员工的心理压力，促进团队合作。

• 特点二：病假文化与管理

印尼的病假制度相对宽松，法律规定只要有医院出具的病假单，公司就必须支付工资。这为员工提供了充分保障，但也可能导致病假使用较为频繁。对此，我们采取了积极的激励措施，如满勤奖励和午餐津贴，以鼓励员工保持良好的出勤记录，取得了较好的效果。

• 特点三：合规经营的重要性

在印尼，一些执法部门对外国企业会给予特别关注。这既反映了当地市场的监管特点，也提醒我们必须高度重视合规经营，避免不必要的麻烦。我们通过严格遵守当地法规、保持透明管理流程，有效提升了运营的安全性和稳定性。

每一个挑战背后都蕴含着成长的机遇。通过理解和尊重当地文化，同时灵活调整管理方式，我们不仅增强了团队合作力，也在印尼市场逐步站稳了脚跟。

Starting a business in Indonesia comes with its own set of challenges, but these experiences have also become valuable lessons for growth and adaptation. Here are some key characteristics we’ve encountered and how we’ve addressed them:

• Characteristic 1: Indirect Communication Style

Indonesian employees tend to have a more indirect communication style. They are diligent in following instructions from supervisors, but they may not proactively report problems encountered during the process. It often requires additional follow-ups to stay informed. While this initially increased communication efforts, we improved efficiency by fostering open dialogue, providing regular feedback, and building trust. Maintaining a friendly and supportive tone also helps reduce stress and encourages collaboration.

• Characteristic 2: Sick Leave Culture and Management

Indonesia has a relatively flexible sick leave policy. By law, as long as employees provide a medical certificate, the company cannot deduct their salary. While this ensures employee welfare, it can sometimes lead to frequent use of sick leave. To address this, we introduced incentives such as attendance bonuses and meal allowances, which have proven effective in promoting better attendance.

• Characteristic 3: Importance of Compliance

Foreign businesses in Indonesia often attract extra attention from regulatory authorities. This reflects the local enforcement practices and highlights the importance of operating in full compliance with local laws. By strictly adhering to regulations and maintaining transparent management processes, we have effectively minimized risks and ensured smoother operations.

Every challenge presents an opportunity for growth. By understanding and respecting the local culture, while adopting flexible management strategies, we have not only strengthened teamwork but also established a solid foothold in the Indonesian market.

Jakarta’s Sweet Side. //

当然，印尼并不只有挑战，还有令人着迷的地方。

• 自然与文化的双重盛宴

         旅游照片

印尼有“万岛之国”之称，旅游资源极其丰富。巴厘岛的海滩、布罗莫火山的壮丽、婆罗浮屠的宏伟建筑……每一个地方都让人叹为观止。不管工作多累，这些美景总能让你彻底放松。

• 美食天堂

雅加达是一个国际化的城市，汇聚了全球各地的美食。如果不习惯印尼炒饭、沙爹或者印尼泡面，这里还有各式各样的中餐馆，从麻辣烫到兰州拉面，总有一种能抚慰你的中国胃。

• 宜居的生活环境

尽管雅加达的贫富差距很大，但公司提供的公寓却很舒适。配备游泳池和健身房的小区，对于喜欢运动的我来说，真是太友好了。

Despite the challenges, Indonesia has plenty to offer that makes it worth the effort.

• Natural and Cultural Wonders

Indonesia, known as the "Land of a Thousand Islands," is a treasure trove of natural beauty and cultural heritage. From the serene beaches of Bali and the breathtaking Bromo Volcano to the ancient Borobudur temple and the grand Istiqlal Mosque, the country is a feast for the eyes and soul. No matter how exhausting work gets, these wonders are a surefire way to rejuvenate.

• A Food Lover’s Paradise

Jakarta, as Indonesia’s most developed city, offers a culinary landscape as diverse as its population. While local dishes like nasi goreng, satay, and Indomie may not suit everyone, the city is brimming with international cuisines—Japanese, Korean, Thai, Spanish, and of course, Chinese. From hotpot and barbecue to Lanzhou noodles, you’ll always find a taste of home to satisfy your cravings.

• Comfortable Living

Though Indonesia has significant wealth disparities, the company-provided accommodations in Jakarta are quite pleasant. Apartments in secure complexes come equipped with swimming pools and gyms, making it a dream for fitness enthusiasts like me. Clean, safe, and comfortable, these living arrangements offer a haven amid the city’s bustling chaos.

Looking Ahead. //

在印尼的两年，我从一开始的忐忑，到逐渐适应，再到今天的得心应手。这不仅是一段工作的经历，更是一场人生的历练。我相信，随着印尼充分发挥其人口和资源优势，这片土地将成为世界经济的耀眼舞台，而我们在这里的每一步，都将成为未来甜蜜回忆的一部分。

下南洋，不仅仅是一次创业，更是一次发现世界、发现自己的旅程。

新公司前台照片

• After two years in Indonesia, our company has grown from a small team to over 150 employees across various departments, including AMS support, system testing, ERP implementation, and H0 development. What started as a daunting adventure has become a rewarding journey of growth and discovery.

• I firmly believe that as Indonesia continues to leverage its vast population and natural resources, it will emerge as a major player on the global economic stage. And as we look back, all the “pits” we encountered will transform into sweet memories, reminding us of how far we’ve come.

• This journey to the "South Seas" has been more than just a career move—it’s been a life-changing experience, one that’s broadened my horizons and strengthened my resolve.

【END】

作者丨初   越

审核丨Yan Chen

编辑丨王   锐