The PLUS experience: It’s all about finding your poison!
SAP Social Sabbatical is unique program offered to its top talent, which intends to support social enterprises and non-profit organisations in addressing their operational challenges by leveraging the skills and expertise of the participants. In the process, it offers a unique opportunity to the employees to experience a multicultural, hands-on, and challenging work environment in a foreign location which further hones their leadership skills.
When I got selected for this program and was included in the cohort heading for Jakarta, Indonesia, I considered it a once-in-a lifetime opportunity. Embarking on a social sabbatical program is a transformative experience, offering an opportunity to immerse oneself in a foreign culture while making a meaningful impact. 4 weeks of pre-work helped to know my team members better and set us up for the challenge ahead and contribute effectively.
Our partner organization, Pyxera Global, did a great job of easing us into the new environment and helping us bond together. I was the last one to check-in, arriving late Saturday evening. Sunday was reserved for a detailed orientation session. There were lots of ice-breaking and team bonding activities planned, which really helped us to know each other. We also had a very lively colleague from our Singapore office join us for the first few days and act as a mentor to the group. The evening was reserved for an authentic traditional dinner at a historic Indonesian location. We were given a mini tour of the place enabling us to step into the rich tapestry of Indonesian culture and traditions.
The project kick-off was planned at one of the client organizations. We were divided into groups of 3 and got introduced to our respective clients, that we will be working with, over the next 4 weeks. Each organisation gave an overview of their mission, operational details, and the challenges they are currently facing. Katie, Marta and I got assigned to Platform Usaha Social (PLUS), a platform and pathway for increasing the potential of Indonesian society in creating economic independence through entrepreneurship.
While that gave us a general idea of the scope of work, specific details still remained fluid. The mantra is to embrace this ambiguity and view it as an opportunity for creativity, innovation, and problem-solving. The first project milestone is to refine and agree on the SOW…. more on the project details later !!
The rest of the week was more about adjusting to the new location, new colleagues, new culture and most importantly new cuisines! Indonesian traditional cuisine is a tantalizing fusion of flavors, influenced by diverse cultures and regional ingredients. From the aromatic spices of rendang to the fiery heat of sambal, Indonesian dishes like nasi goreng and satay offer a delightful balance of sweet, savory, and spicy tastes leaving us craving for more.
Even though, Indonesia is one of the largest producers of tea, my Indian style pan-brewed cuppa is one of the daily poisons that keeps me going. I was happy when I managed it inside one of the most spacious and well-appointed apartments in the heart of Jakarta, with excellent amenities, while being conveniently located near business districts, shopping centers, and cultural attractions.
Thankyou Pyxera Global and ever gracious Katharina aka Katta, for all the wonderful arrangements to make our stay and the whole experience as memorable as it can be.
