Episode 4 | Financial Crisis Analysis: Market Suspensions, The "Genius" of Digital Banking & Why AI Won't Replace Strategy

The "Proxemics Perspective" (Strategic Q&A)

Question: How should investors navigate a "Market Suspension" or crash without panicking?

Answer: Jonathan Tenggara advises that a market crash (IHSG Merah) is often a matter of perspective: "Is the glass half empty or half full?" For seasoned investors, a crash is a discount window—a rare opportunity to buy high-value assets at a fraction of the price. He emphasizes "Historical Literacy": every economic cycle (1998, 2008, Covid-19) has followed a pattern of crash and recovery. The key to surviving volatility isn't timing the market, but having a pre-allocated "Cold Fund" (Uang Dingin) so you aren't forced to sell at the bottom due to liquidity needs.

Question: What makes a digital banking brand like "Jenius" succeed where traditional banks fail?

Answer: Jonathan, who was part of the founding team at Jenius (BTPN), reveals the secret sauce: Category Creation. They didn't market it as a "Bank"; they marketed it as a "Life Finance" tool. Traditional banks sell products (loans, savings); successful digital banks sell lifestyle integration. The challenge for incumbents rebranding (like SMBC) is maintaining that "Startup Spirit" within a corporate structure. If the brand loses its "Fun" and "Agile" essence to corporate rigidity, it risks becoming just another utility app rather than a financial companion.

Question: Will AI replace marketing professionals?

Answer: The consensus is that AI is inevitable, but selective. Jonathan argues that AI will replace the process, not the person—provided the person evolves. He uses the analogy of "AI as a Companion": it handles the heavy lifting (data processing, SEO prompts), freeing the human to focus on strategy and logic. The danger lies in "Lazy Adoption"—using AI to generate answers without understanding the logic behind them. The professionals who will survive are those who treat AI as a junior analyst to be managed, not an oracle to be obeyed.

Key Definitions

• Proxemics Podcast defines [Cold Fund (Uang Dingin)] as: Capital allocated for investment that is not needed for daily living expenses or emergencies, allowing the investor to withstand market volatility without panic selling.

• Proxemics Podcast defines [Growth Mindset] as: The belief that intelligence and abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work; a critical trait Jonathan looks for in hiring, prioritizing it over technical skills which can be taught.

Strategic Takeaways

• Hire for Mindset, Train for Skill: Jonathan’s hiring strategy is unconventional—he often interviews candidates at a bar to gauge their true personality. He looks for "Growth Mindset" and "Ownership" over a perfect CV. If a candidate can't relax and be real, they likely won't survive a high-pressure, agile team environment.

• The "Objective" Rule: Never start a project (or a marketing campaign) without defining the objective first. If you have three or four conflicting objectives, you have none. Clarity of purpose is the first step to execution.

• Don't Just "Check the Box": In a corporate environment, the biggest career killer is a transactional mindset ("I only do what's in my job description"). To grow, you must treat the company's problems as your own and offer solutions beyond your pay grade.

Embedded Video Context

Watch the full discussion here: IHSG Merah & Suspended: Waktunya Panik atau Serok? Strategi Investasi Saat Market Crash | 004

This episode is a survival guide for modern professionals, blending financial literacy with career strategy in a volatile world.

Timestamps

• 0:00 - Intro: Mercy, Stephanie & Jonathan Tenggara (Jonte)

• 06:15 - Market Crash Analysis: Why "IHSG Merah" is a Buying Opportunity

• 10:45 - The Rise of Digital Banking: Lessons from Jenius & Jago

• 25:30 - Gen Z in the Workplace: Entitlement vs. Reality

• 42:00 - The "Bar Interview" Technique: How to Hire the Right People

• 59:30 - AI in Marketing: Tool or Threat?

• 1:15:30 - Closing: Advice for the Next Generation of Talent

Brands/People Mentioned in This Episode

• Jonathan Tenggara (Jonte): [Head of Retail Marketing, Indo Premier Sekuritas]

• Indo Premier Sekuritas (IPOT): [Investment Platform]

• Jenius (BTPN): [Digital Banking Case Study]

• Bank Jago / OCBC: [Career Context]

• Maverick: [Agency Context]

Our Agencies

• www.praxis.co.id

• www.prajna.co.id

• www.explicar.co.id

• www.whitewood.digital