The Most Influential Business Leader to Watch In 2024
MARKETING COORDINATOR (APAC)
Suchita P.
PR & MARKETING COORDINATOR
James H.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT EXECUTIVE
Ellen P.
CREATIVE CONTENT EDITOR
Shalmali W.
CREATIVE DESIGN HEAD
Sankalp K.
Divya B. GRAPHIC DESIGNER
SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER
Narendra S.
DIGITAL CIRCULATION MANAGER
Amanda V.
Aswenavigatethrough2024,thespotlightisonthemostinfluentialbusinessleadersshapingthe futureofindustries.Inthisdynamicbusinesslandscape,wheretechnologyandinnovationdrive transformation,oneleaderstandsoutasabeaconofprogressandinfluence.Thisissue, “The Most Influential Business Leader To Watch In 2024,” highlightsthosewhoarenotjustkeepingpace withchangebutareactivelysteeringit.
ForourIssueof “The Most Influential Business Leader to Watch in 2024,” NicholeDaher, wepresent FounderandCEOofSOSFranchising,leadingher waytorevolutionizeAutismTreatmentforgood.
Discover Namibia: A Journey Through Culture, Geography, and Adventure
38
Samsung: Inspiring Journey From Grocery to Technology
The Best Meditation Apps: Your Guide to Find Inner Peace
46
Work Smarter See Clearer: Solutions to Alleviate Digital Eye Strain
Revamping The Travel Tech Space With AI And ML Innovations
VP of Data Science, Machine Learning Engineering, Tech Infrastructure And Information Security
The travel tech industry is one of the most exciting and dynamic spaces to be in, full of rapid innovation and erce competition. In such an environment, strong and effective leadership is essential to steer companies towards success. While the dynamics of the industry demand leaders to be effective and efcient, they must be procient with the latest tech advancements and be innovative to thrive amid the high competition.
When we speak of modern leaders in the travel tech industry, Dr. Irvan Bastian Arief (VP of Data Science, Machine Learning Engineering, Tech Infrastructure, and Information Security at tiket.com) stands out with his unique leadership philosophy that prioritizes continuous learning, innovation, and a supportive environment where his team can thrive. He leverages his technical expertise with strong communication skills to translate complex concepts into actionable strategies, making him a transformational leader in the travel technology industry.
Outsidetheprofessionalsetting,DrIrvanisalsoactiveinthe community Togetherwithhisgroupoffriends,theycreated “ActofTranslation”,anonstagedramasharingthestruggle ofinternationalstudentsinfrontofliveaudiencesformore than1hour.ActofTranslationranforsixtimesindifferent venuessuchasRMITUniversityandMelbourneImmigration Museumandwonthestate-levelCommunityInnovation Award2018-VictorianMulticulturalAwardsforExcellence, presentedinpersonbyMelbourneLordMayorSallyCapp.
In2019,Dr.IrvanbecamealeaderatTokopedia,oneof Indonesia'stechunicorns(companyvaluedatoverUS$1 billion).HeimplementedAIandMLtoenhancebusiness performance,achievingsignificantmilestonessuchas helpingtoincreasethecompany'sgrossmerchandisevalue (GMV),equivalentto1.5%ofthecountry'sGDP.Healso establishedanAIcenterincollaborationwiththeUniversity ofIndonesia,fosteringAIandMLinitiativeswithinthe community,academicianandtheindustry.TheCOVID-19 pandemicin2020highlightedtheneedforstrongleadership inthetravelindustry.Dr.Irvanjoinedtiket.com,whereheled variousinitiativestoadapttothechanginglandscape.His effortsearnedhimseveralaccolades,includingtheAustralian AlumnioftheYear(TheInnovationandEntrepreneurship Award)in2020andtheOutstandingTaiwanAlumniofthe Yearawardin2022. “Alumni Awards are the most distinguished honours given to Australian alumni who have made exemplary contributions in their profession and community through outstanding leadership, integrity and hard work”, saidAustralia’sAmbassadortoIndonesia,Gary Quinlan,duringtheawardceremonyin2020.
Dr.Irvan'sleadershipphilosophy iscenteredaroundnurturingand developinghisteam. "For me, leadership is about nurturing and bringing out the best in every team member," hesays.This involvescreatingasafeand supportiveenvironmentwhere teammembersfeelencouragedto explore,experiment,andeven fail.Dr.Irvanbelievesthat failureisacriticalpartofthe learningprocess. "We should celebrate failure. When a project doesn't go well, it's an opportunity to learn and grow. Sometimes, you learn more from mistakes than from successes." Helikesthebalanceofsuccess andfailureanalogoustoblack andwhitekeysonapiano,able tocreateharmoniousmusic. "Success and failure together create harmony. Both are necessary for personal and professional growth," Dr.Irvan explains.Thisphilosophy ensuresthatthecompanyculture attiket.comisonewhere innovationisencouragedand supported.
DrIrvan'sperspectiveontechnologyand lifelonglearningisrootedinhisprofessional journeyandexperiences.Ashereflectson therapidpaceoftechnologicaladvancement, heemphasizestheimportanceofstaying humbleandconstantlylearning. "The technology is evolving very fast," heoften says,acknowledgingthechallengesin keepingupwitheverydevelopment.ForDr. Irvan,continuouslearningisthekeyto thrivinginthisfast-pacedenvironment.He believesthatnoonecanunderstand everything;thus,maintainingalifelong learner'smindsetiscrucial.Thisisprovenas DrIrvanisapolyglot,abletoconverseand writeinfourdifferentlanguagesfluently, includingMandarinChinese,English, Javanese,andIndonesian.
Dr.Irvanrecallsadvice from a mentor, which deeply resonated with him: "Always have the heart of a student to learn and the heart of a teacher to share." Thisphilosophy,he believes,isfundamentaltofosteringa growthmindset.Itencouragescuriosityand awillingnesstoexplorenewideasand concepts.Thisapproachhasbeen instrumentalindrivinginnovationand adaptabilityforthecompany.Mistakesand failures,Dr.Irvanasserts,shouldnotbe fearedbutcelebrated. "Even failure needs to be celebrated," heinsists.Accordingtohim, makingmistakesisanormalpartofthe learningprocess.Dr.Irvanoftenshareshis successstoriesbutisequallyopenabouthis failures.Hebelievesthattheseexperiences, bothpositiveandnegative,haveshapedwho heistodayandstrengthenedhisresolve.
tiket.com'sculturereflectsDr.Irvan'sbelief incontinuousimprovement.Heencourages histeamtokeeplearningandevolving, whichisessentialforpersonaland professionalgrowth. "If you continue learning and improving, you can become the best version of yourself," hesays.Dr.Irvan
Intheearlydaysofhiscareer,Dr.Irvan facedmanyuncertainties.However,his dedicationtolearningandopen-minded approachhelpedhimnavigatedifficult times.Herecallshow,inoneinstance,a majorprojectfailedtodeliverthe expectedresults.Insteadofseeingitas asetback,Dr.Irvanvieweditasa learningopportunity Thisexperience taughthimvaluablelessonsabout projectmanagementandriskmitigation. Hiscommitmenttolifelonglearning deeplyinfluencesDr.Irvan'sleadership style.Hefostersanenvironmentwhere teammembersareencouragedtoshare knowledgeandlearnfromeachother. Thiscollaborativeapproachnotonly enhancestheskillsofindividualsbut alsostrengthensthecompanyasa whole.OneofDr.Irvan'sfavorite quotesheoftenshareswithhisteamis: Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts, substantiatinghisbeliefthat perseveranceandawillingnesstokeep learningarecriticaltolong-term success.
A place where the vast desert meets the Atlantic Ocean, where ancient rock formations tell stories of millennia, and where wildlife roams freely across stunning landscapes. Hallo Welkom in Namibia—known for its stunning scenery and vibrant cultural heritage. From the impressive dunes of Sossusvlei to the rugged terrain of the Fish River Canyon, Namibia offers a variety of natural beauty and adventure opportunities. Whether you enjoy adventure, culture, or nature, Namibia offers something for every type of traveler. Prepare to explore this charming land where every moment presents a chance for discovery.
This place has a diverse geography that includes arid deserts and lush river valleys. The Namib Desert, one of the oldest deserts in the world, stretches along the country's western coast. The dunes, particularly at Sossusvlei, are some of the highest globally and are popular among photographers and adventurers.
In the north, Etosha National Park has expansive salt pans that ll with water during the rainy season, attracting a variety of wildlife. The Caprivi Strip, located in the northeast, has lush wetlands and abundant biodiversity. The Skeleton Coast is known for its shipwrecks and bleached whale bones, creating a hauntingly beautiful landscape. The Fish River Canyon in the south is the second-largest canyon in the world, offering stunning views and challenging hiking trails.
ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK: EtoshaisknownasoneofAfrica'stop wildlifereserves,housingadiverse rangeofanimalssuchaselephants, lions,rhinos,andgiraffes.Thepark's saltpansandwaterholesoffergreat opportunitiesforgameviewing.
FISH RIVER CANYON: Fish RiverCanyon,thesecond-largest canyonintheworld,provides stunningviewsandofferschallenging hikingtrails.Itisrecommendedto explorethecanyonduringthecooler monthsfromMaytoSeptember
It offers a variety of activities for adventure seekers and nature lovers. Here are some top things to do:
SAFARI IN ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK: EnjoyagamedrivetoobserveNamibia'samazingwildlifefroma closedistance.Guidedtoursareanoption,oryoucanexploretheparkinyourvehicle.
SANDBOARDING IN THE NAMIB DESERT: Experiencetheexcitementofsandboardingdownthetowering dunesatSwakopmundorSossusvlei.Thisactivityissuitableforbothbeginnersandexperiencedboarders.
HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE: Taketotheskiesforabird's-eyeviewofNamibia'sstunninglandscapes.Hotair balloonridesovertheNamibDesertofferauniqueperspectiveofthedunesandthevast,aridexpanse.
HIKING THE FISH RIVER CANYON: Forthemoreadventurous,hikingtheFishRiverCanyonisarewarding challenge.Themulti-daytrailtakesyouthroughdramaticlandscapesandalongthecanyonfloor.
It is one of the least densely populated countries in the world, with a population density of just over 3 people per square kilometer.
The Namib Desert is considered the oldest desert in the world, with some parts dating back over 55 million years.
A M I B I A
Namibia was the rst country in the world to incorporate environmental protection into its constitution, highlighting its commitment to conservation.
The Skeleton Coast gets its name from the numerous shipwrecks and whale bones that litter its shores, creating a haunting and surreal landscape.
It is home to the world’s largest population of free-roaming cheetahs, offering visitors a unique opportunity to see these animals in their natural habitat.
Did you know that Samsung’s business empire stretched across the world for its technology and its construction sector has built the tallest building in the world, the famous “Burj Khalifa”. Samsung is a South Korean company, mainly recognized as an electronics producer, actually started as a grocery trading store. Through this case study, we will learn about the company’s history, growth and challenges throughout the years.
AMSUNG’S AMSUNG’S
Inspiring Journey From GROCERY TO
The Early Days Of SAMSUNG
Samsung used to trade noodles and other goods produced in and around the city and export them to China and its Provinces. The company expanded its business into textiles after the Korean War and opened the largest woolen mill in Korea. It decided to focus on industrialization to redevelop the country after the war. The company beneted from 3 new protectionist laws by the Korean government. These laws shield the company from competition and provide easy nance. In the latter part of 1950, it purchased three of Korea's largest commercial banks, an insurance company and a rm. In the 1960's it acquired an Oil renery, a nylon company, and a departmental store.
In the 1970s, the company grew its interest in textile manufacturing, including processes that covered all the production from raw materials to end products. During the same period, branches of Samsung, like Samsung Heavy Industries, Samsung Shipbuilding, and Samsung Precision Company, were entrenched. It also invested heavily in the chemical and petrochemical industries.
SLee Byung-Chull belonged to a huge landowning family in the Uiryeong Region. He moved to Daegu and founded Samsung Sangoe. When the organization succeeded, he moved his head ofce to Seoul. Initially, Lee founded a trucking and real estate business in Daegu on 1st March 1938. By 1945, The company was so well established that it could transport goods to Korea and other countries. With the conquest of Seoul by North Korea, he was forced to leave Seoul and relocate his business to Busan. The next year turned out to be benecial for him as the US army demanded massive equipment. Overall, the one and half years seemed quite benecial for his Trading Company. Lee founded an association named “The Federation of Korean Industries” for cultural purposes. He also established “The Samsung Cultural Foundation” and promoted programs that enriched Korean culture.
One of the company’s core strategies has been vertical integration, where the company manufactures a signicant portion of its components. This includes semiconductors, displays (LCDs and OLEDs), and batteries. By controlling these critical components internally, it ensures quality control, increases self-dependency, and maintains competitive pricing.
The company has set up manufacturing facilities and established strong distribution networks worldwide. It has adopted an aggressive international expansion strategy. This global footprint not only helped market penetration but also diversied risk across various regions and economies.
The company invested in marketing and brand-building efforts to establish itself as a global leader in technology and innovation. It is now synonymous with quality, reliability, and cutting-edge technology, which drives consumer trust and brand loyalty across diverse product categories.
The company's inuence on global markets is profound and multifaceted:
Technological Advancement:
The company's continuous pursuit of innovation has set industry benchmarks in consumer electronics, semiconductors, and display technologies. Its advancements in mobile phone technology, such as foldable screens and 5G connectivity, have pushed the boundaries of what is possible in consumer electronics.
Economic Contribution:
The company's continuous pursuit of innovation has set industry benchmarks in consumer electronics, semiconductors, and display technologies. Its advancements in mobile phone technology, such as foldable screens and 5G connectivity, have pushed the boundaries of what is possible in consumer electronics.
Supply Chain Dominance:
C O N C L U S I O N
It's position as a leading supplier of semiconductors (especially memory chips) gives it considerable inuence over global supply chains in technology. Fluctuations in the company's production output can have ripple effects across industries dependent on these critical components.
Samsung's evolution from a local trading company to a global powerhouse exemplies strategic foresight and innovation. The company's commitment to vertical integration, global expansion, and continuous innovation has enabled it to overcome numerous challenges and maintain its leadership position in diverse sectors. Its strong brand equity, robust R&D capabilities, and diversied business portfolio position keep the company well to continue shaping the future of technology and maintaining its pivotal role in global markets.
