Bisnis Cat Crazy Rich Surabayan | Hermanto Tanoko

Summary

This inspiring story follows Hermanto Tanoko, the founder of Avian Paint, as he rises from humble beginnings in Malang, Indonesia, to build one of the largest paint companies in the country. Growing up in a family that prioritized hard work, integrity, and investment, Hermanto learned valuable lessons from his parents early on. His entrepreneurial journey, which includes transforming a small family business and overcoming significant challenges, showcases his resilience, leadership, and innovative spirit. Hermanto's philosophy of nurturing a business like a bonsai tree emphasizes sustainable growth, teamwork, and long-term success.

Takeaways

• 😀 Hermanto Tanoko's early life was marked by a humble upbringing in Malang, where his family worked hard to make ends meet.
• 😀 His father's strong work ethic and values, including living within their means, played a major role in shaping Hermanto's mindset on business.
• 😀 A significant lesson from Hermanto's childhood was his father's habit of saving gold, which later became a source of capital for business ventures.
• 😀 Hermanto learned the importance of integrity and reputation early on when his father's business partner lent them money without demanding interest or a set repayment time.
• 😀 Despite having no prior experience, Hermanto's father successfully transitioned into the paint business by learning everything he could about it.
• 😀 From a young age, Hermanto was involved in his family’s business, learning about product knowledge, pricing, and customer service.
• 😀 Hermanto learned valuable lessons about investment and money management, including how to make smart buying decisions for products like flour and oil at a young age.
• 😀 At 14, Hermanto took the initiative to manage an apothecary, where he observed other successful pharmacies to improve operations and customer service.
• 😀 Hermanto's strategy to boost the apothecary’s success included offering competitive pricing and free delivery services, which helped attract more customers.
• 😀 Hermanto’s involvement in the family paint business, Avian, led to its success as one of the largest paint companies in Indonesia, thanks to his strategic leadership and vision.
• 😀 During the 1998 crisis, Hermanto used his leadership skills to help a struggling business in his portfolio by rallying his team to work together to overcome challenges and boost morale.

Q & A

What was the early life of Hermanto Tanoko like?

Hermanto Tanoko was born into a modest family in Malang, Indonesia. His parents worked hard to meet the family’s needs. They faced financial struggles, and Hermanto’s early years were spent in a small house that was once a chicken coop.

How did Hermanto’s parents influence his work ethic?

Hermanto's parents instilled in him a strong work ethic. His father’s lessons on integrity, saving, and living within one’s means were crucial. His mother also showed resilience in her business ventures, which served as an inspiration for Hermanto.

What lesson did Hermanto learn from the incident with the chicken?

The incident with the chicken taught Hermanto the importance of living within one's means. Despite having the opportunity to enjoy a meal with chicken, his father chose not to buy it, emphasizing the value of financial discipline.

How did Hermanto’s father manage their family’s finances?

Hermanto’s father saved money by buying small amounts of gold and storing it in a tin can. This slow accumulation was intended as capital for future business ventures. He also taught Hermanto about investments from a young age.

What was Hermanto's first business experience?

At the age of 8, Hermanto started learning about business by helping at his family's paint store. He acquired product knowledge and learned how to handle customer service, contributing to the growth of the family business.

What did Hermanto learn from running the apotek (pharmacy)?

Hermanto learned valuable business skills when he managed the apotek, such as inventory management, customer service, and pricing strategies. He also understood how to identify problems, analyze them, and come up with solutions to improve the business.

How did Hermanto turn around the apotek’s performance?

Hermanto improved the apotek by offering competitive prices and providing free delivery services for medicines. He also bought medicines in bulk to get discounts, which allowed him to offer lower prices to customers and increase sales.

What was Hermanto’s role in his family’s paint business, Avian?

At 19, Hermanto was asked by his father to help manage Avian, the family’s paint business. He played a crucial role in transforming the business into one of the largest paint companies in Indonesia.

How did Hermanto handle the economic crisis in 1998?

During the 1998 crisis, Hermanto maintained the company’s financial stability by ensuring they had no debt in foreign currencies. He also took decisive action to save a struggling subsidiary by working with the leadership team to find solutions, which ultimately led to the company’s recovery.

What is Hermanto’s business philosophy?

Hermanto’s business philosophy is that building a business is like caring for a bonsai tree. It requires patience, constant nurturing, and attention to detail to grow a healthy, sustainable business that benefits others in the long term.