This PR Life is a new series by PRovoke Media where we profile people in and around communications as an industry and find out more about what they do and what makes them tick. Today, we are chatting with Syafi Hakim who does marketing communications at Intudo.

Intudo is an investment firm with operations in Indonesia and Silicon Valley dedicated to bringing the world to Indonesia and Indonesia to the world. Hakim leads the  PR, partnerships and community efforts in Indonesia. 

He was previously with FAB Indonesia handling its corporate communications. 


PRovoke Media: In a nutshell, how would you describe your role in comms to someone who has no idea what it entails?


Syafi Hakim: In a nutshell, my job is to strengthen the firm's brand identity and positioning in the ecosystem. This involves wearing multiple hats: I spearhead partnerships for both our firm and our portfolio companies, manage our communication channels and public relations, organize events, and not to mention, a whole lot of networking.

PM: Is there anything about your role that your colleagues don’t get?

SH: Being the only marketer in a team of investments, it’s all about communication. While we do make it a habit of updating the group on what each of us is doing, we may not always get all that comes with it - which I think is fine. In the end, it really boils down to how our outputs complement each other for the best interest of the firm and our stakeholders.

PM: What is the highlight of your job that always puts a smile on your face?


SH: Between running around doing different projects and meeting new people, ultimately the highlight is always getting together in the office with my colleagues for lunch. It’s always nice to let loose and catch up amidst our packed schedules for the day.

PO: Which country do you work in and what is it like working there?

SH: I’m based in Jakarta, Indonesia. As long as the weather’s great and traffic is minimal - it’s perfect. The best thing about working in Jakarta is that a lot of the major establishments and founders are based here. It’s a melting pot of different backgrounds, careers, sights and delicacy. Being born and raised here helps as well - it’s always great to see familiar faces even for work.

PM: What’s the first thing you do when you step into the office to kickstart your day


SH: Every time I get into the office, the first thing I do is set up my workspace for the day. One of the great things about our office is that we don’t have designated seats, which allows for flexibility and a change of scenery. I’ll choose a spot that feels right for the day’s tasks, whether it’s a quiet corner for focused work or a more collaborative area if I’m planning to interact with colleagues.

PM: What are three must-have items in your work bag that you can't live without?


SH: Honestly, it’s hard to limit it to just three items. My work bag typically contains nine essentials: laptop, chargers, wallet, cardholder(s), glasses, spectacle wipes, perfume, AirPods, and a good read. However, if I absolutely had to narrow it down to three must-haves, I’d go with my laptop (and charger), wallet, and AirPods. These are the bare essentials that keep me connected, functional, and focused throughout the workday.

PM: What’s your go-to office lunch that never fails to brighten your day?


SH: We have a culture of eating well and, more importantly, eating together. Trying new things every day for lunch is part of what I look forward to when going to the office.

PM: What is it about comms that draws you in and keeps you passionate?

SH: Between meeting new people, gathering new experiences and being able to be creative, I simply love the energy that comes with this line of work. Especially at times when it does get a bit challenging, more than anything, it’s having that drive to fix and eventually learn from it is always invaluable.


PM: If you weren’t in comms, what would you be doing?

SH: I’ve always been drawn to the idea of starting my own business in the lifestyle space, particularly in areas like F&B, music, fashion, homeware, or travel. It’s still a goal I hope to achieve someday.

PM:  What’s the first thing you do to unwind when you clock off for the day?


SH: Unwinding after work isn’t always the same routine for me, but one simple pleasure I often enjoy is grabbing my favorite matchapresso from the coffee shop across the street. It’s a small ritual, but it’s definitely one of my go-to ways to transition from work mode to relaxation - a good reset after a busy day.