Kiroyan Partners
Noke Kiroyan, Executive Chairman and Chief Consultant
Can you tell us about Kiroyan Partners?
PT Komunikasi Kinerja that trades under the name Kiroyan Partners is a research-based public affairs and strategic communications consulting firm that helps organizations to build strong reputations and solve issues between businesses and their stakeholders by applying ethical and responsible communication practices. We assist our clients in acquiring and maintaining their social license to operate, for which we need to understand the political, social and cultural contexts of the service we offer.
In our line of business it is essential to be part of a global network and since 2019 we have entered into a partnership agreement with Kreab Worldwide, a globally operating company in the same line of business headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. Within the Kreab network we are known as Kreab Indonesia. This partnership enables us to provide our services across borders and assist clients of Kreab in other countries that have business interests in Indonesia.
Kiroyan Partners signed on to the United Nations Global Compact in 2008, its second year of operations, to underline our commitment to ethical business by upholding the principles concerning Human Rights, Labour, the Environment and Anti-Corruption as laid out in the compact.
What is your role in the company?
I founded the company in November 2006, so it is about to complete 15 years of existence, in which I initially functioned as CEO & Chief Consultant. It has been envisioned from the outset that I will hand over the reins to the best professional in the company after its tenth year of operation as it requires a young professional to take the company to new heights. The company is now managed by Verlyana (Veve) Hitipeuw as CEO or President Director assisted by another Director, Deasy Rasjid. Within the current constellation I am Executive Chairman and for the time being still retain my function as Chief Consultant.
The other role I have assumed is that of mentor and coach of the Kiroyan Partners team of young professionals. I am drawing on my decades long experience as CEO of a number of international mining companies operating in Indonesia, and prior to that, running subsidiaries of a major Indonesian company in the oleochemical business in Germany, Australia and the United States. My early business experience as an executive with Siemens, where I commenced my career as a Management Trainee in Germany in 1974 and ultimately headed the Indonesian subsidiary as CEO before resigning to take charge of Salim Deutschland GmbH in Düsseldorf in 1991, stands me in good stead as well in guiding the team in the international business scene.
What is the current focus of Kiroyan Partners?
Much of our work in the last few years concern stakeholder management, such as manifested in reputation building, issues monitoring, executive coaching in public affairs functions and assessment of company outreach programmes. Sustainability issues, including reporting on how companies deal with them is also getting much attention nowadays. About 75% of our client base comprise international companies and development agencies, 20% state-owned enterprises and 5% domestic corporations.
Why are you an IABC member?
I joined IABC in 1997, immediately upon returning to Indonesia from my last overseas assignment in the United States. As I was heading a company that was the successor organization to major Australian mining company CRA it was the right thing to do for me, because one of the main purposes of the IABC at the time was, and still is, is to promote the bilateral business relationship between the two countries.
As well, in the late nineties the main issue in the bilateral relationship that was frequently brought up in various meetings and conferences was the need to improve people-to-people relationships between Indonesians and Australians. I wanted to contribute to this effort and am gratified to observe that currently this is no longer an issue. That said, as an Indonesian with strong personal ties to Australia I still wish to contribute to the mutual understanding between the two nations that are not only very close neighbours but also the preeminent economic powerhouses in the region.
From a business perspective, Australian business in general is familiar with the kind of service that Kiroyan Partners offers and Australian companies make up an important segment of our clientele. Being familiar with the Australian business scene I am very much aware of the fact that those Australian companies currently operating in Indonesia represent a fraction of the huge potential that exists between the two countries. IA-CEPA should provide a major push in the right direction and IABC is well placed to play a major role in this mutual endeavour.
How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected your business?
The year the pandemic burst into the scene, 2020, was a shocker as everybody was caught unawares and many reactions were extreme to the extent that projects were being cancelled or discontinued. However, 2021 has seen a return to almost normalcy and Kiroyan Partners has rebounded this year as our clients have learned to adjust to these extraordinary circumstances. Much of our work does not require physical presence, and our team has adjusted to working remotely. Nonetheless, we are looking forward to the day that regular in-person contacts are possible. In the meantime we will continue to observe strict health protocols.
Thank you Pak Noke.
Kiroyan Partners
Menara Karya, 10th Floor Suite H
Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said Blok X-5 Kav. 1-2
Jakarta 12950 – INDONESIA
Telephone: (62-21) 5794 4694
Fax: (62-21) 5794 4696
E-mail: info@kiroyan-partners.com