Menuk Sudaryanti – Chief Finance Officer, Fortune Group

MD Menuk Sudaryanti, was recently appointed as the Finance Director of Fortune Group at the AGM in mid-May. Amid her various activities at work, Menuk always takes the time to do her hobbies including dancing. At the end of this May, Menuk and the dance community she is joining will perform the dance Bedayan in Sarasehan Budaya Gathering Purwakanthi. For Menuk, dancing is not just a hobby but also a very useful activity to maintain health and train body flexibility. The following is the interview excerpts with Menuk …

What impression do you get after joining Fortune?

I feel a strong kinship in the working atmosphere here. In addition, unlike the field of industry I worked in before, working here requires long work hours since the company is engaged in services.

As the Chief Financial Officer, what goals you are targeting for Fortune throughout 2017?

I hope Fortune can achieve the targets set in the business plan. Our financial performance in 2016 is in a minus position, but in 2017 we definitely don’t want to be in the same position. Our target is to have a revenue raise by 22%, profit (bottom line) before tax at 7.8 billion, after tax of 5.5 billion. That means it grows by 200% from the previous year.

What efforts will be made to achieve those targets?

This is surely a target we must strive to achieve together. From the operational side, we will boost revenue through NBD. Well, from the financial side, I will surely manage the company’s cash flow so that it will not be over budget. I will always monitor the numbers and periodically report them to Mr. Aris.

Regarding these targets, is there any message you want to deliver to Fortuners?

According to this year’s tagline, the Strike Back spirit must really be cultivated in every Fortuner. Because a 200% increase would be impossible without the cooperation of Fortuners. Let’s boost NBD by improving preparation for pitching to prospective clients, let’s get new clients.

In the midst of your busy work routines, what hobbies do you like to do in your spare time?

To spend my spare time, I love dancing, traveling, and running. My dancing hobby began when I lived in Australia in 2010. At that time I joined the Indonesian community there and began to feel the need to learn our culture including Indonesian dances. Then we began to learn dancing and we also performed Indonesian traditional dances at a gathering event of several countries. Since then, I began to fall in love with dancing.

The reason to keep dancing until now?

When I returned to Indonesia, I hung out with my friends and had a chat with them. Finally, we decided to join Purwakanthi, a community of Javanese dance lovers in Jakarta. We practice dancing every week. For me, dancing is a great way to spend the weekend, considering I have only one child who is still studying abroad. My husband usually goes golfing on weekends. Moreover, the members of my dance community are mostly my age. It turns out to be a fun gathering moment with friends. For me, dancing is not only a hobby but it is also like a sport that can make my body healthier and more flexible. At the end of May, my friends and I will perform Bedayan dance at Sarasehan Budaya Gathering Purwakanthi.

About your hobby of running, why do you prefer running to any other kind of sport?

I also started running when I lived in Australia. The environment there is indeed really supportive for running. For me, running is the cheapest and fun sport that can be done with friends.

Unforgettable running moment?

It was when I joined Borobudur Marathon in November 2016. I traveled with my running community to Yogyakarta and stayed in the same hotel. We traveled in 1 bus. I personally took the 10km route. It started at Borobudur and was opened by Mr. Ganjar. We ran around the neighboring villages and through the fields. What made it more interesting was that every 1-2 km we were served with the local dances. At that time, I brought along my son who was in his college holiday. He was very happy. For him, it is cool and exciting.

What about your traveling hobby?

My husband, my son, and I happen to love traveling. I have taken my son to America’s west coast and east coast. We also have already been to Japan, to Europe, and we have watched jazz. Recently, we traveled to Labuan Bajo, Komodo, Kelimutu. He loves it so much that he asked, after all the places we have visited, why we visited this place just recently. Previously, we just explored Java and Bali. It seems that we will explore more destinations in Indonesia. I have never taken my son to Toba, nor have I ever been to Padang or Toraja.

Best Place in Indonesia in your opinion?

So far I like Padar in Labuan Bajo.

Dream destination you haven’t visited?

Oh, I have a lot on my bucket list, haha. I want to go to Machu Picchu in Peru. The other day we had a chance to go hiking in Padar, but in Machu Picchu, I heard it takes 2 hours of hiking. My target is to go there next year with my family.

How do you and your husband set the quality time with your son who lives a long distance away for studying abroad?

Last year when I was posted back to Jakarta, my son just started studying in Australia. Now it’s his second year there to take the bachelor degree majoring in Finance. Maybe he was inspired by me and my husband. In the past, I met my husband on our campus at FE UI (University of Indonesia Faculty of Economics). I took Accounting and my husband studied management. To cope with the longing, we always have a long phone conversation every weekend. We also attempt to meet every three months. Either my husband and I go there or he returns to Indonesia.

What message/advice do you always tell your son?

Study seriously so you can finish studying soon because it’s expensive, haha. Indeed, he must learn seriously because the competition is now tighter. So he should always get good scores and return to Indonesia to work and serve in Indonesia.

Personal expectation you want to accomplish this year?

I am grateful I am still able to work. My personal expectation is that I can work well and reach the target. Then I still have time to do my hobbies and to see my son every 3 months.