Behind the glory of AkzoNobel Decorative Paints Indonesia (PT ICI Paints Indonesia) in the paint market for these recent years is Jun de Dios. He desires to achieve more and keeps on expanding to ‘color’ the country.
PAINT for Jun de Dios is more than a mere coating to beautify buildings. “When people want to be inspired, they turn to colors,” said the commander in chief of AkzoNobel Decorative Paints Indonesia to Warta Ekonomi team in an interview at Titan Center, South Tangerang, March 27, 2018.
Jun has a great deal of experience not only in the paint industry. Prior to this, he has vast experience in sales and marketing in the FMCG and nutrition industries. His career soared. “In my mid-thirties, I was designated as general manager,” he recalled.
Responsiveness
For 20 years, he had worked around Southeast Asia. In 2013, Jun was appointed by AkzoNobel to strengthen the brand’s position as the top-of-mind brand in Indonesia.
Jun is impressed by Indonesians’ openness, hospitality, and perseverance. “They’re patient and strong-willed. Despite many challenges, they keep on striving.” Indonesia also surprises him in another way. “Back then I thought doing business here was slow. But I was wrong.”
Indonesia holds enormous opportunities as a result of its size. Combined with the tendency of Indonesians to repaint their homes every 2-4 years, the future business growth of the company is bright.
The manufacturer of Dulux paints continues to succeed. They cooperate with experts; such as interior designers, architects and other stakeholders, to keep them updated on industry trends and ensure to be ahead of their customers’ needs. Aware that people are increasingly adept at technology, AkzoNobel adopts digital technology and social media in the strategy of winning the hearts of Indonesian customers.
Domination
Jun brings Dulux to the peak. Accolades such as Top Brand Award prove its products are preferred by the consumers, thanks to the strong brand campaigns, high quality and eco-certified products. He continues to expand in another two categories this year, which are waterproof and metal care.
Safety is one of his key priorities and prominent achievement, too. In fact, AkzoNobel recorded zero accident rate in the last 7 years.
Environmental preservation is also another priority. With green certifications, AkzoNobel is one of the top companies on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes. With its commitment to Health, Safety, Environment and Security; and sustainable development, the Amsterdam-based company obtained ISO 9001, ISO 140001 and Singapore Green Label. It is also one of the founding members of Green Building Council Indonesia and Green Product Council Indonesia.
All are courtesy to his visionary, participative and situational leadership. He involves all elements to develop strategies and leads flexibly based on situations and individuals.
For Dulux to stay the best in the future, Jun continuously comes up with new strategies. “We see consumers as the center of our endeavors,” he ended.
A Poet Inside
“I had this idea of becoming CEO in 1988 after having read Stephen Covey’s ‘7 Habits of Highly Effective People’.”
JUN mentioned the inspirational book, claiming it has greatly affected his character and leadership at work. His ambition of working at a large multinational company and being able to travel overseas as CEO has now come true. All is thanks to the inspirational book.
In addition to his incessant business workload, Jun has had a hobby that only very few people know. “Just recently I have begun writing poems again after a long hiatus.” He admitted that he often spends his spare time by writing poems whenever he has to wait for flights as he is now a businessman who is required to travel a lot for work.
Apart from the poem writing, he found his obsession with words in books. “I love reading books, both paper and digital ones,” said the alumnus of Ateneo de Manila University, one of the most prestigious business universities in his country of origin. The leader who also likes playing golf is not picky when choosing the books. He reads a great variety, from fiction to business and everything in between. (*/)
