CEO Insights Magazine

Financial services-based companies are crucial because they facilitate economic growth by providing essential functions such as investment management, risk mitigation, and funding for businesses. They help individuals manage their finances, support business expansion, and ensure market liquidity. A financial service leader drives organizational success by setting strategic vision, fostering innovation, managing risk, and enhancing client relationships while ensuring ethical practices and regulatory compliance. FDI Partners is a public appraiser organized as a civil partnership, specializing in business and asset valuation. With years of experience in business and property valuation, FDI Partners utilizes the latest databases and is managed collectively by all partners. Ichsan Suud, a Partner of FDI, is a visionary leader with well-defined future goals and a strategic approach to achieving them. He prioritizes creating a collaborative and respectful work environment, valuing mutual support and growth over competitive rivalry. Ichsan's leadership fosters team development and cohesion, promoting a positive and productive atmosphere.

In a candid interview, Ichsan Suud shared with us his professional journey, his IPB experience, and his innovative strategic plans.

Please briefly share the key milestones in your professional journey that have been crucial to your growth & success.

I began my professional journey as a business and management consulting company consultant. My main focus was business feasibility studies, and I developed a keen interest in business valuation. I had great opportunities to interact with top management across various industries and gained valuable knowledge and experience with every project. In the years 2017 to 2018, a significant turning point occurred in my career when my previous company faced financial instability, leading to the loss of various projects. At that crucial time, I decided to utilize my savings and secure loans for the completion of our projects. This decision elevated me to a partner, but despite this role, I often felt like an employee due to limited decision-making authority. Recalling this period of my career now, I see it as a blessing in disguise; this experience inspired me to establish my own company. Along with my partners, We founded FDI Partners, which engages in asset and business valuation firms. Despite FDI Partners just completing two years, we have recorded rapid growth and have satisfied customers. This progress is fueled by our successful projects and the strong support from our clients, both domestically in Indonesia and internationally. 

From IPB University I graduated with a major in Agronomy which deals with agriculture, plantation, and core cultivation. My current responsibility at FDI Partners is to focus on financial advisory an area not related to my academic major, but my educational experience instilled me with valuable skills and insights. IPB University’s structured learning process guided me, shaped my mindset, and taught me to approach situations logically and systematically. It also played a pivotal role in enhancing my interpersonal skills. The diverse student body, which included individuals from various regions of Indonesia as well as international students, exposed me to different backgrounds and personalities. This crucial exposure helped me to communicate effectively and work collaboratively. 

What are the best practices you pass on to your team from your experience?

One of the most important lessons I strive to pass on to my team is the significance of character development. At FDI Partners we prioritize family values, instilling a strong sense of belonging within the company and encouraging the team members to support each other. I constantly support my team members and give importance to building their skills and self-improvement rather than focusing on salary figures. I believe with good motivation they can improve their client interaction skills, cultivate character development, and increase their initiative both individually and as a team. These practices can enhance their value accomplishing individual career growth and benefiting the company as a whole.

How do you develop long-term business goals for your company, & based on your experience what key factors guide this process?

I develop long-term goals focusing mainly on three aspects. Firstly I focus on assessing business, and market opportunities, and analyzing the market conditions. I use Porter’s Five Forces analysis to identify the market dynamics and understand the current demand and supply. Secondly, I study the team’s capabilities and evaluate their potentiality, their strength, and weaknesses. I believe identifying these aspects we can ensure continuous improvement and smooth functioning of business operations. The final aspect is stakeholders, I believe identifying the stakeholders can help us strategize the business plans, and align them with their interests and expectations. These principles are derived from my years of experience and have helped me to develop more effective long-term goals.

What is the next destination you have envisioned for your journey?

I aim to expand the existing business line in future, which currently encompasses areas such as training, business consulting, and construction. My goal is to expand these ventures and diversify into new business areas. I plan on indulging with my existing colleagues and teammates in seeking new ideas and opportunities. I intend to expand my social network with existing clients, professionals from various fields, and several members from hobby based communities. I believe that valuable insights can come from anyone, regardless of their status or background, and that all ideas and opportunities should be explored. I wish to explore new avenues and hope to attain sustained growth and success for my business.

Ichsan Suud, Managing Partner, FDI Partners 

Ichsan Suud is one of the top 10 alumni leaders from IPB University, Indonesia, and is a dedicated and forward-thinking leader. While committed to expanding his business port folio, he strongly believes in character development, and actively supports his team in achieving their goals.