Building Career Expertise

Two engineers can both spend 5 years in the oil & gas industry… and end up with completely different careers. Not because one is smarter. In fact, both could be equally capable, and still diverge completely. But because they entered different “systems” from day one. This image looks like the map of oil and gas industry’s value chain in Indonesia 👇 But if you read it carefully, it’s actually a career map. Because every part of this value chain has its own “DNA”: 1. How decisions are made 2. How work gets done 3. How people are shaped over time And this is what no one tells you at university: 𝗬𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘆. 𝗬𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸. A simple way to read it: • IOC → builds system thinking, global standards, the ability to navigate complex institutions, and drive national impact • OFS, Drilling and Geoscience Services → build specialized technical mastery & operational instinct • EPC → builds execution discipline & project integration • Logistics → builds distribution pipeline for all of the products • Suppliers → builds robust support for procurement needs of the whole value chain None is “better”. But one thing most people underestimate: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿. I only fully understood this after moving across: OFS → IOC → NOC → Global NOC operating at a different scale. Each transition wasn’t just a job change. It was a process of unlearning and rebuilding how I think and operate. And that process isn’t free. It takes time. If I could go back to 2014, I wouldn’t ask: “Which company should I join?” I would ask: 𝗪𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝗱𝗼 𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆? I wrote a full breakdown of each path, what they actually train you for, and what most people only realize 5–10 years too late: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dtkWn2Sc If you’re entering the industry today: Where would you choose to start, and why? #Rishare #FuelingYourCareer #EnergizingYourCareer #GlobalEnergyTalent

I never understood the importance of financial literacy Until I started preparing for my CA exams. Managing my money was always so overwhelming for me specially when I had just started to take up more responsibilities. But if I had to start again, these are areas I would never ignore: → A budget is a plan for your money. Whether you prefer the 50/30/20 rule or the envelope method, find a system that helps you prioritize essential expenses, avoid unnecessary spending and save for your future.  → Your credit score can impact everything from loan approvals to interest rates. To improve your credit, keep your credit utilization under 30%, pay bills on time and check your credit report regularly for errors.  → Saving is not the same for everyone. Define your goals whether it’s an emergency fund or a big purchase and create a plan. Consistency is more important even if that means you’re starting small.  → Debt isn’t bad but how you manage it matters. Before borrowing know your debt-to-income ratio, avoid overextending yourself financially and create a repayment plan to minimize interest and stay on track.  → If you want to build wealth, learn the basics of investing in stocks, bonds and mutual funds. Understand the risks and diversify your portfolio to balance short-term goals with long-term growth.  Financial literacy becomes a must to deal with emergencies, handle stress and achieve your goals confidently. So, how financially literate do you feel? #financialliteracy #moneymanagement

"I don't get 40 years as a creator or an influencer; maybe you get 10 if you build a sustainable business and get lucky. So, I am doing my very best to set aside as much money as possible so that I can take care of my future." In my conversation with Vivian Tu, also known as YourRichBFF, we covered practical aspects of financial literacy, including savings, debt management, investments, and the FU number that allows you to achieve financial freedom. So, here are the key takeaways: 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝: Understand the costs of your goals. Even smart people can miscalculate without proper planning. 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 & 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐬: Vivian saves more than 20% of her income, focusing on the future. Aim to boost income while keeping expenses steady. 𝐒.𝐓.𝐑.𝐈.𝐏 𝐌𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐝𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲: It’s a five-part plan designed to help you manage your budget with a focus on securing your future financial well-being. ▪️Savings: Have an emergency fund. Single folks need 3-6 months of living expenses; households need 6-12 months. ▪️Total Debt: Rank debts by interest rate. Pay off the highest interest debt first while making minimum payments on others. ▪️Retirement Funds: Use 401(k)s and IRAs for tax benefits. Invest to keep up with inflation. Aim to get the full employer match. ▪️Investments: Saving isn’t enough. Invest in high-yield accounts to keep up with costs. ▪️Plan: Develop a comprehensive financial plan and adjust it as your life circumstances change. Calculate your financial freedom number (FU number) by determining your annual expenses and dividing by 0.04. For instance, if you need $1 million annually, your FU number would be $25 million. 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞: Leverage debt if the economics work in your favor. For high mortgage rates, paying down might be wiser. For rates under 7%, investing might be better. 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐥𝐲 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠: Use spreadsheets to manage finances, track credit card statements, and have regular financial discussions with your partner. Vivien’s approach emphasizes understanding your finances, making informed decisions, and continually adjusting your plans to align with your goals and circumstances. Thanks for such a great conversation! #YourRichBFF #VivianTu #MoneyManagement #FinanceTips #FinancialLiteracy

The most valuable professionals aren't necessarily the deepest specialists - they're the ones who combine multiple skills in ways that create unique value propositions.   Skill stacking involves deliberately developing 2-3 complementary capabilities that rarely exist together in the same person.   This approach creates a competitive advantage that's much harder to replicate than single-skill expertise.   The power comes from positioning yourself at the intersection of different disciplines where you can bridge gaps that others can't:   • Marketing expertise combined with data science creates consumer behavior specialists • Financial analysis paired with technology skills produces fintech innovators • Design thinking merged with strategic planning develops product experience leaders • Sales capabilities enhanced with analytics creates revenue optimization experts   This approach fundamentally changes your competitive landscape.   Instead of competing with thousands of specialists in one area, you're competing with dozens of people who have your specific skill combination.   Companies increasingly value professionals who can translate between different organizational functions and solve complex problems that require interdisciplinary thinking.   The traditional model of deep specialization in one area is becoming less valuable than the ability to connect insights across multiple domains.   For career advancement and pivots, this means focusing on building complementary skills rather than just becoming better at what you already do well.   What skill combinations do you see becoming increasingly valuable in your industry?   Sign up to my newsletter for more corporate insights and truths here: https://lnkd.in/ei_uQjju   #executiverecruiter #eliterecruiter #jobmarket2025 #profoliosai #resume #jobstrategy #skillstacking #careerdevelopment #professionalgrowth #careeradvancement

Another transformative evening as we kicked off PHOENIXUS’ "Building Our Financial Futures" program with an enlightening session led by Chen Xia Ling. With her 20 years of experience as CFO at Allianz, AXA & Aviva, Xia Ling brought unparalleled expertise and personal insights to our community of senior women leaders. Here's a reflection on the key takeaways from our session: 1. Understanding Personal Risk Profiles Xia Ling emphasized the importance of understanding our personal risk profiles. This is not a static assessment—our risk tolerance can evolve as we grow more confident and knowledgeable in our financial journey. By accurately gauging our risk appetite, we can make more informed investment decisions that align with our long-term goals. 2. Developing Financial Goals How much is enough? Xia Ling guided us through the process of setting clear, achievable financial goals. It's about defining what financial success looks like for each of us, whether it’s planning for retirement, funding a passion project, or ensuring financial security for our families. Knowing our targets helps us stay focused and motivated. 3. Essential Resources for Financial Literacy One standout recommendation from Xia Ling was the book "The 100-Year Life" by Lynda Gratton and Andrew Scott. With life expectancies increasing, it's never too late to start planning & investing for a longer, more fulfilling life. This book is a must-read for anyone looking to understand the impact of longevity on financial planning. Some additional recommended readings I’d include would be "The Intelligent Investor" by Benjamin Graham, "Rich Dad Poor Dad" by Robert Kiyosaki, and "Your Money or Your Life" by Vicki Robin. These resources are designed to empower us with the insights and strategies needed to take control of our financial destiny. Moving Forward Our journey has just begun. This series is about acquiring knowledge & fostering a supportive community where we can share experiences and grow together. We are committed to continuous learning and mutual support, ensuring that every senior woman leader in our network has the tools & confidence to thrive financially. I'm excited to announce that our next session will dive deeper into understanding the breadth of various basic and advanced investment asset options available together with Chen Xia Ling & personal sharings by Cecilia HL Tan, CEO of Sasseur REIT as we build our investment portfolios. This will be a crucial step in enhancing our financial literacy and empowerment. Excited to have both women powerhouses who are every bit as passionate as I am to empower the women leaders in our network to get better in managing our money! Feel free to DM me if you’re interested in joining our next session or if you have any questions!Share your thoughts and reflections in the comments below! #FinancialLiteracy #WomenInLeadership #Phoenixus #PersonalFinance #FinancialFreedom #Empowerment

I thought I’d hit the jackpot. Three clients, ₹1 Crore income in my first year as a freelance developer. I was on cloud nine… until a ₹𝟰𝟬 𝗹𝗮𝗸𝗵 tax bill brought me crashing down. 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐖𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐖𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠: 🚩 Mistake #1: I didn’t register a proprietorship or private limited company, missing out on GST benefits, tax rebates, and expense claims for my work. 🚩 Mistake #2: When my income crossed ₹1 crore, an additional tax rate kicked in, and my effective tax shot up to 37.5%. With indirect taxes, it totaled 50%! It was a hard, expensive lesson. But it taught me something every freelancer and entrepreneur should know: 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥. 💡 Looking back, if I’d known better, that ₹40 lakhs could have funded an extra year of building 𝐕𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐨. 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐖𝐞 𝐃𝐨 𝐃𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲? For all my fellow freelancers and entrepreneurs out there, here’s my advice: 1. 𝐇𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭 - Get a tax advisor early on to guide you. 2. 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 - Understand the basics of tax laws and regulations. 3. 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐲 - Avail the tax benefits you’re entitled to. 4. 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐦 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 - This minimizes your tax liability. 5. 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐲 -  Avoid last-minute surprises and manage your taxes smartly. Financial literacy doesn’t just save money—it gives your business the runway to grow. Don’t let ignorance drain your hard-earned income like it did mine. 👉 Comment “LEARN” below if you want to dive deeper into this topic. #freelancer #developer #founder #SmallBusinessTips

💭 Have you ever stopped to think about how financial literacy could transform your legal career? This week on the Legally Speaking Podcast ™️, sponsored by Clio - Cloud-Based Legal Technology, I sat down with Carla Hoppe, Founder & CEO of Wealthbrite. Carla’s mission is simple but powerful: to close the financial literacy gap and empower professionals—especially lawyers—to take control of their finances. 💡💼 🎙️ What’s in this episode? ➡️ Carla’s story: From solicitor to financial literacy advocate, hear how she followed her passion for helping others navigate money with confidence. ➡️ Eye-opening insights: Did you know poor financial literacy costs the UK economy £20 billion annually? ➡️ Actionable advice: Why financial well-being isn’t just about managing your paycheck—it’s about becoming a trusted advisor in your career. ➡️ Wealthbrite’s work: How Carla’s programmes are helping law firms reduce stress, improve productivity, and support their teams. ✨ Two standout moments: “Your ability to understand law firm economics isn’t just a skill—it’s what sets top performers apart.” “Building financial confidence doesn’t happen by chance—it’s something we can all learn, step by step.” 🌟 Why this matters: Carla’s work is helping junior lawyers and legal professionals navigate the complexities of modern finance. Her perspective on the link between financial well-being and workplace performance is refreshing and much-needed. 🎧 If you’ve ever wondered how understanding money can help you become a better lawyer—or even just reduce the day-to-day stress of managing your finances—this episode is for you. Catch the full conversation on the Legally Speaking Podcast wherever you get your podcasts! 💬 I’d love to hear your thoughts: What’s the one piece of financial advice you wish you’d learned earlier in your career? Please share in the comments below 👇 #LegallySpeakingPodcast #FinancialLiteracy #LegalCareers #Leadership #Wealthbrite

High Financial Literacy = Better Leader , How........? Let’s be real—great leadership isn’t just about motivating your team. It’s about understanding the numbers that keep the lights on. When I became Chief Strategy Officer at 28, I learned this the hard way. One day, someone asked me, “What are you contributing to the business?” And honestly, it stung. I realized that no matter how empathetic or visionary you are, if you can’t manage the P&L, optimize costs, or align resources effectively, you’ll hit a wall. Leadership is about more than inspiring others—it’s about delivering results backed by sound financial decisions. That’s when I started using the EMBED framework, a simple way to connect financial literacy to leadership: 🔵 E – Empathy: Numbers don’t exist in isolation—they’re connected to real people. Instead of cutting costs blindly, look for ways to protect team well-being while driving engagement. Engaged teams are 21% more profitable.(Gallup) 🔵 M – Managing Stakeholder Expectations: From your team to your investors, people want clarity. Clear financial communication builds trust and confidence. Transparent leaders increase investor trust by 30% (McKinsey & Company). 🔵 B – Building Future Leaders: Great leaders pass on their knowledge. Teach your team to think about costs, benefits, and the bigger picture—you’re building tomorrow’s leaders. Leadership-focused companies see 2.4x higher returns (Deloitte). 🔵 E – Efficient P&L Management: Your Profit & Loss isn’t just a report; it’s your strategy. Streamline operations, question redundancies, and align spending with priorities. Financially literate leaders make businesses 20% more profitable (HBR Consulting). 🔵 D – Defining Clear Structures: Every role in your team should have a purpose, both strategically and financially. This eliminates overlap and boosts efficiency. Well-structured organizations improve margins by 10% (PwC). In my role, focusing on these principles didn’t just improve the bottom line—it created a culture where everyone knew their impact. What’s one way financial literacy has shaped your leadership journey? I’d love to hear your experiences in the comments. Follow Sanjay Kathuria, CFA for more! #LeadershipTips #FinancialLiteracy #BusinessGrowth #TeamEngagement #StrategicLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment

Financial literacy wasn't taught to me. As a girl from a small town, money conversations happened behind closed doors. "Girls don't need to understand finances," they said. This happens even today. But the fact is, founders who don't understand how money flows, likely to fail. I learnt the hard way. The founder who understands how money flows can build any business, survive any crisis, and grow business faster. Because it’s never about the product alone. It’s about cash flow. It’s about timing inflows and outflows. It’s about discipline with money — not just passion with ideas. Lessons I learnt- - Lesson 1: Cash flow is oxygen, profit is food I learned this the hard way in our early days. We were profitable on paper but couldn’t pay salaries on time. Revenue means nothing if it’s stuck in receivables. - Lesson 2: Your personal credit score affects business funding Banks judge female entrepreneurs differently. They’ll ask about your husband’s income, family plans, even your “commitment.” Build your personal financial credibility like your life depends on it. - Lesson 3: Understand your numbers deeply, don’t just delegate You can’t lead what you can’t measure. Know your unit economics, burn rate, runway, and CAC. Don’t just nod when your CFO talks—ask until you fully understand. - Lesson 4: Emergency fund isn’t optional, it’s survival Maintain 6–12 months of operating expenses. COVID taught us business can stop overnight. This cushion saved us and helped support our team when others were laying off. - Lesson 5: The right investors bring more than money Networks, mentorship, and credibility matter. Cheap money from the wrong partner is expensive. Choose investors who add value beyond capital. The reality? Financial literacy as a female entrepreneur means fighting biases, questioning assumptions, and protecting your business like a lioness protects her cubs. We're not just building businesses - we're building generational wealth and breaking cycles. To every woman reading this: Your money, your rules, your empire. Learn the language of money. Speak it fluently. Use it strategically. Because financial independence isn't just personal freedom - it's the foundation of everything else you want to build. What's one financial lesson you wish you'd learned earlier? #finance #moneymatters #business #growth

📣 I've had dozens, nay hundreds, of conversations with employees. Other than compensation, guess the most common source of frustration across the board? A lack of growth opportunities. So let's give the people what they want. Here are 4 steps to give your people the career development they deserve 👇 📈 1. Invest in leveling your employees to build career pathing. When setting job levels, consider role scope and impact. Here's a common structure: • Individual contributors (IC) • Management (M) • Executives (E) • Within each of those groups can be levels 1 - 10 Each level will have distinct operating criteria. BTW: your job descriptions should also be mapped to these distinct levels for hiring! Share your leveling structure and outline clear conversations about what it takes to get to the next level. 👑 2. Create a leadership development program. Investing in internal talent has massive benefits like higher engagement (yes!!) and lower turnover. AND having an internal talent pipeline to tap for future leadership opportunities is a game changer. 🤝 3. Set up a mentorship program. A great mentor can be powerful and life changing for employees. I know it has been for me! Much like a leadership development program, a mentorship program benefits not only the employee but the whole org. Not to mention, mentors benefit, too. Win-win for all. In a nutshell, here are 5 basic steps to kick off your mentorship pathing: 1. Design a program template 2. Rally your participants 3. Match mentors with mentees 4. Guide relationships 5. Measure the impact 🤬 4. Ensure your managers are giving meaningful feedback. According to a recent study only 50% of managers felt confident in their ability to deliver feedback. One interpretation: make your managers practice giving feedback. Hopefully the more they do it, the more comfortable they'll be. 🏀 We're training the Michael Jordans of feedback! Employees with a growth mindset will embrace the opportunity to get feedback. Set up your managers in delivering quality, UNBIASED feedback. Might be easier said than done... Need more help? Then this newsletter is for you: https://lnkd.in/e8CUvf5d #hr #growth