There is someone who has grown into a General Manager (GM) in just a short period of time, walking a truly remarkable journey. That is none other than Ketut Ardana (Arie), who is currently leading operations in Bali, Indonesia. Within only three years since joining Daewoong, he has risen to become GM, overseeing multiple branches and new projects. His story is a clear reflection of Daewoong’s culture of growth driven by performance and capabilities.
At Daewoong, age, tenure, nationality, and gender are not the deciding factors. Instead, evaluation is based on autonomy and growth, which in turn brings opportunities and rewards. Employees who prove their performance and capabilities are given not only the highest level of rewards in the industry, but also the chance to lead key projects and demonstrate leadership. Ketut Ardana’s growth story is a strong example of how Daewoong’s culture and values come to life in reality.
I joined Daewoong three years ago as a Business Development Analyst. Later, I took on the role of Facility Manager, and now I am serving as General Manager, overseeing two branches in Bali — BWork Canggu and BWork Uluwatu.
As a General Manager, I am responsible for managing the daily operations of the Canggu branch while also leading the opening preparations for our new Uluwatu branch. My key responsibilities include setting revenue and profitability goals, managing budgets, ensuring consistency and satisfaction in customer experience, and leading diverse teams across operations, facilities, and community management. I also help each team establish their own goals and make independent decisions, while collaborating closely with consultants and executives to develop strategies. In short, I oversee everything from financial performance and operational efficiency to customer satisfaction and team growth.
Daewoong has a truly fair evaluation culture. Opportunities are given based solely on performance and growth, regardless of age, years of service, gender, or nationality. Thanks to this environment, I was able to quickly take on various roles and grow through multiple challenges.
One of the most memorable moments was when I needed to quickly recover the performance of the BWork Canggu branch after the off-season. Our team not only designed targeted promotions and collaborated with communities, but also focused on the member experience—improving service flow, creating more engaging community activities, and listening closely to feedback. Within a few months, we saw both satisfaction and membership grow significantly. Beyond the numbers, what made the experience special was that the team united as one and successfully overcame a difficult challenge together.
In the early days of managing the Canggu branch, I had to handle the operations while also taking charge of construction permits and legal procedures for the new Uluwatu project.
The workload was heavy—sometimes overwhelming—because even a small delay in permits could disrupt the entire project. To manage this, I relied on my team by encouraging them to make their own decisions, while I focused on resolving legal and regulatory issues. My mentors gave me guidance on prioritization, and external consultants helped me navigate the complexities of permits. Thanks to this support and collaboration, Canggu operations stayed stable, and Uluwatu’s preparations moved forward on schedule.
Moreover, thanks to Daewoong’s unique “Win-Win-Win” collaboration culture, I could work closely with different departments to resolve issues together. The consistent feedback and encouragement from leaders to take on challenges became stepping stones for my rapid promotion to General Manager.
Among Daewoong’s various systems, the ones that have most strengthened my growth are Smart Work and the Career Development Program (CDP).
Smart Work allows us to choose how and where we work, as long as we meet our goals. This flexibility made it possible for me to coordinate multiple projects from Bali while staying connected with my team through regular check-ins and digital tools.
Through CDP, I experienced step-by-step growth — from Analyst to Facility Manager, and then to General Manager. Mentor feedback allowed me to supplement my weak areas and expand my capabilities, which became a valuable asset for my career.
This flexible working environment enabled continuous challenges and learning, while also supporting a better work-life balance. These experiences continue to empower my long-term growth and motivation.
Looking ahead, I hope to keep learning as a leader and take on greater responsibility across more branches. I also want to share what I’ve learned with younger colleagues, so we can continue building a culture where we all grow together.
My journey shows that at Daewoong, anyone who is committed and open to growth can achieve their goals—regardless of age, background, or nationality.