What truly matters does not change, even as times change.

In the world of business, providing value to customers and pursuing customer satisfaction are fundamental elements that form the core of any company, and they can be considered timeless principles.

On the other hand, without adapting flexibly to external factors, such as technological advancements and market changes, and continuing to evolve, achieving sustainable growth will be difficult.

So how should businesses expand while retaining balance between things that change and things that remain the same?

For this edition of Shimizu Premium Interview, representatives from two seemingly unrelated industries – construction and commerce – sat down together for an engaging discussion.

Despite their differences, Shimizu and Blibli share a common vision: to deeply understand customer needs and deliver value that exceeds expectations. Both also leverage ecosystems to benefit society and its growth as a whole.

What is true value?

Founded in 2011 as an e-commerce company under the Djarum Ecosystem, Blibli initially focused solely on online shopping.

It has since expanded its operations to both online and offline channels, embodying Blibli’s philosophy of being closer to customers.

Lisa Widodo, Chief of Operations and Cofounder of Blibli, explains: “Blibli is true to our core, it's always about service and trust. Our customers are always the number one priority, so we always listen to their needs. Delivering satisfaction is very, very important for us."

Her words reflect the pride of the Djarum Ecosystem, which has long understood the needs of Indonesian consumers as well as Blibli's sincere commitment to meeting customer needs.

On the other hand, what does true value mean in the construction industry?

For Shimizu Corporation, it is not simply about constructing buildings according to blue prints and delivering them on time: It is about deeply understanding what its clients truly need, presenting concrete solutions to their challenges, and delivering value that exceeds expectations.

Shimizu calls this mindset “Beyond Construction”.

“To deliver value that exceeds client expectations, Shimizu is actively seeking collaboration      and partnerships with various companies across many different industries. So, we built the Smart Innovation Ecosystem NOVARE in Tokyo, and it began operations in April last year," says Kohei Akiyama, Chief Representative of Shimizu Corporation’s Jakarta office.

Ecosystems

The NOVARE facility transmits 220 years of Shimizu’s history and nurtures the enterprising spirit that lies at the heart of the company’s DNA for the next generation.

Visitors can explore the history of Shimizu’s major works, from the creations of its founder Kisuke Shimizu to present-day buildings, as well as learn about the cutting-edge technologies it applies in contemporary construction projects.

“Most importantly, there is a collaboration space where Shimizu and various partners can work together and exchange ideas to promote open innovation. So, I would like to invite Ms. Lisa and the Blibli team to NOVARE, ” Akiyama says.

For Blibli, participating in ecosystems is not only essential but also critical for its business expansion and customer service improvement.

Since its founding, Blibli has focused on strengthening its ecosystem. In the past three years alone, it has formed strategic partnerships with online travel agency T     iket.com, premium supermarket chain Ranch Market and the furniture and home decor start-up Dekoruma, among others, to enhance both online and offline customer experience.

Sustainable society

For both companies, contributing to building a sustainable society is as important as delivering satisfaction to customers. This noble mission to benefit many people and society drives them to improve the quality of their work and provide good products and services. By earning a fair profit and giving it back to society, a company and society will both grow together.

Blibli hosts the annual Langkah Membumi Festival as part of its sustainability efforts, collaborating with business partners, consumers and the Indonesian government to build a sustainable society.

"We look forward to welcoming many stakeholders again this year. And this year, I hope that Shimizu Corporation will join us too," Widodo says with a smile, reciprocating Akiyama’s invitation to visit NOVARE.

As a company in the construction industry, which has a significant environmental impact, Shimizu Corporation also embraces the responsibility of reducing its environmental footprint and contributing to a sustainable society. It fulfills this duty by continuing to adopt a variety of advanced technologies to protect the planet and create a tomorrow that future generations can be proud of.

Way Forward

Each company has its own outlook and plans for the future.

“Our future plan is very straightforward. We continue to work on every project with the ‘Master Builder Spirit’ [Japanese craftsmanship] and sincerity. That is our DNA, so we will carry it forward into the future,” explains Akiyama.

“Also, we will continue to seek the essential needs of our clients and society, striving to deliver value ahead of time. Our ultimate goal is creating a sustainable future together with our clients and society. Our wish is to become an essential company for the people and the country of Indonesia, like Blibli.”

As for Blibli, Lisa explains: “Blibli is built on six pillars: waste management, resource use, emissions, community relations, data privacy and consumer trust. These pillars reflect our strong desire and commitment to grow alongside Indonesian society, because our focus is to provide solutions and commit to sustainability."

This final edition of the Shimizu Premium Interview series shines a light on a future where businesses can thrive through ecosystems, customer-centric practices and a deep commitment to sustainability.

 

As Blibli and Shimizu continue to navigate their industries, their journeys stand as a testament to the power of visionary leadership and the potentials of cross-sector collaboration in building a brighter, more sustainable tomorrow for Indonesia.

 

For more information on Shimizu Corporation, visit www.shimz.co.jp.