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Royal Legacy of Art & Tradition

Burhan Abe
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Royal Legacy of Art & Tradition

Sebuah Mercy menjemput pasangan Darius Sinathrya – Donna Agnesia di bandara internasional Ngurah Rai, Denpasar. Inilah untuk pertama kalinya pasangan sejoli selebriti itu akan menghabiskan bulan madunya (yang kedua) di Bali.

Tempat yang dituju tidak tanggung-tanggung, sebuah resor mewah yang sangat lekat dengan nuansa Bali di kawasan Ubud, sekitar 40 kilometer dari Denpasar, The Royal Pita Maha. Ubud, dalam cerita rakyat setempat, adalah destinasi pilihan pendeta Maharsi Markandhya dari Jawa.

Sementara orang-orang asing generasi pertama yang “menemukan” Ubud sering menyebut bahwa desa ini sebagai surga dunia, dan The Royal Pita Maha adalah bagian penting dari keindahan desa ini, “is a captivating resort of refined Balinese villas that embrace the landscape of a serene river valley.”

Meski dibangun tanpa blue print, sang pemilik resor ini yang tak lain adalah keluarga kerajaan Ubud, merasa tidak perlu merusak alam sekitar. Bahkan bangunan di lahan seluar 12 hektare itu sangat menyatu dengan alam sekitar yang asri.

Vila-vila dibangun menghadap ke lembah yang di bawahnya mengalir Sungai Ayung, lengkap dengan air terjun alaminya. Berada di vila, dengan perpaduan eksotis kebun yang hijau, bukit dan lembah, membuat suasana rileks. “Wow, keindahan alamnya tidak ada duanya!” seru Donna tertahan.

Terdiri dari 52 villa, 41 buah Pool Villa, 10 buah Healing Villa dan 1 buah Royal House. Dirancang untuk kenyamanan Anda, king size bed serta private swimming pool dengan pemandangan alam yang hijau, menjadikan The Royal Pita Maha penuh dengan ketenangan dan kedamaian.

Didesain dengan Balinese style yang memadukan nuansa modern dan alami. Pastinya akan membuat Anda dan pasangan Anda dimanjakan dengan suasana seperti back to nature di sekelilingnya.

Tidak hanya alam memesona, The Royal Pita Maha terletak di daerah Ubud yang terkenal dengan kebudayaan khas dan tarian tradisional seperti tarian Legong, Kecak dan banyak lagi tarian lainnya. Tempat ini seringkali menarik perhatian para turis dari mancanegara dan menjadi salah satu tempat yang wajib dikunjungi bila berlibur ke Bali.

Kalau Anda ingin bermalas-malasan tinggal di resor juga bukan pilihan yang salah. Atau, jika Anda ingin menikmati beragam aktivitas untuk Anda seperti pertunjukkan kelas tari, musik, lukisan, kelas memasak serta kelas memahat buah dan kayu, The Royal Pita Maha pun bisa menyediakannya. Selain itu, Anda juga dapat menikmati perjalanan dengan bersepeda atau arung jeram, untuk yang menyenangi tantangan.

Di tempat yang tenang seperti ini yoga adalah kegiatan yang tepat. Di sini tersedia Royal Wellness and Healing Yoga Programs yang dipandu instruktur yoga berpengalaman, Anda dapat menemukan ketenangan pribadi antara tubuh, pikiran dan jiwa.

Sementara jika Anda menyukai spa, cobalah ke Kirana Spa. Di The Royal Pita Maha – yang sering disebut juga A Tjampuhan Relaxation Resort, tersedia international luxury spa dengan produk dari Shiseido Co. dan private spa program, serasa Anda berdua dimanjakan layaknya seorang raja dan ratu.

Makanan Sehat vs Makanan Enak

Burhan Abe
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Makanan Sehat vs Makanan Enak

Di tengah isu global warming, climate change, dan sejenisnya, sebuah proyek apartemen yang mempunyai konsep “go green” diluncurkan Januari lalu tahun ini. Tidak hanya itu, tempat peluncurannya pun di sebuah kafe yang menyediakan “healthy food” di bilangan Jakarta Selatan. Aha, strategi yang sangat brilian!

Hanya saja, ketika menikmati hidangan yang tersedia, sorry to say, kok tidak ada yang maknyus. Tampilannya memang menarik, tapi di lidah terasa hambar. Dibilang tidak enak sebenarnya juga tidak, tapi rasanya kurang nendang, gitu loh. “Makanan sehat tidak tidak selalu enak. Sebaliknya, makanan enak tidak beranding lurus dengan kesehatan,” ujar gastronom William Wongso.

Begitulah, rasa kadang-kadang harus dikalahkan kalau ingin hidup lebih sehat. Kesadaran seperti ini agaknya mulai menjadi tren dunia. Di Indonesia yang memang sedikit paradoks. Ketika orang-orang Amerika menghindari burger yang dianggap junk food, kita justru sedang tergila-gila dengan makanan yang satu itu. Bahkan, perusahaan besar di Indonesia yang mefokuskan diri kepada produk-produk life style, baru saja mendapatkan franchise untuk membuka gerai burgernya di sini.

Kasadaran akan hidup sehat memang belum merata di Indonesia. Atau, kalau tahu infonya, tidak semua orang berniat hidup sehat dengan berbagai alasan – misalnya dari segi biaya, hidup sehat ternyata tidak murah. Diet Coke, misalnya, harganya lebih mahal ketimbang kola biasa. Tapi asal tahu di AS volume penjualan Diet Coke sudah mengalahkan yang reguler. Sayur organik, selain tidak gampang mendapatkannya (dan tampilannya tidak kelihatan “segar”, seringkali berulat), harganya pun bisa dua kali lipat.

Apa boleh buat, hidup sehat – dengan mengonsumsi makananan sehat yang tidak digaransi lezat, memang masih eksklusif. Kita juga mafhum kalau restoran yang hadir dengan konsep menu sehat, baik dari pemilihan bahan maupun cara memasaknya, bisa dihitung dengan jari.

Tapi apa pun motivasinya, kita harus acungi jempol kepada para pengusaha yang menjadi pionir, mau terjun di bisnis “makanan diet” ini. Di tengah membanjirnya restoran-restoran yang hanya “menguja rasa”, masih ada yang peduli dengan kesehatan. Di tengah serbuan produk-produk makanan ber-MSG, mengandung kadar gula tinggi, mempunyai zat pengawet, masih ada produk yang sehat dan aman dikonsumsi.

Pola hidup dan pola makan kita sudah sudah terlampau biasa mengonsumsi produk-produk yang berbahaya bagi kesehatan. Healthy restaurant ibarat oase di tengah padang belantara makanan sampah, dan healthy food products ibarat “penawar rindu” orang-orang yang mendambakan kesehatan.

Memang, menurut seorang pakar nutrisi sehat, kalau ingin hidup sehat, tidak cukup dengan pemilikan rumah makan tertentu atau pun pemilihan produk-produk yang memenuhi standar kesehatan, tapi juga harus mengetahui olah masak yang sehat pula. “Mengukus, merebus, memanggang, dan membakar adalah metode yang lazim digunakan dalam menu diet atau menu sehat,” ujarnya.

Hidup sehat adalah pilihan, termasuk konsekwensinya meninggalkan makanan enak – paling tidak yang selama ini dianggap enak. Siapkah Anda mengganti nasi dengan beras merah, misalnya? Atau mengganti gula dengan madu, minimal dengan gula rendah kalori.

Garam pun harus jenis garam diet (nutrisalin), santan diganti susu rendah lemak, minyak sebaiknya canola oil atau bahkan minyak zaitun mengandung antioksidan tinggi. Roti tidak boleh mengandung bahan tambahan seperti aditif, preservatif, apalagi zat kimia, yang biasa terkandung di roti-roti modern saat ini. Dan siap-siaplah meninggalkan ayam goreng yang gurih dan lezat itu, karena yang disarankan dalam hidup sehat adalah ayam bakar atau ayam rebus, itu pun tanpa kulit dan garamnya tidak boleh berlebihan. Huh! (Burhan Abe)

Investment Worth ConsiderInveing

Burhan Abe
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Investment Worth ConsiderInveing

Do you have a lot of money? Then buy an apartment. Really. Many predict that after housing complexes, the apartment sub-sector has very high prospects.”Interest rates are going down. If I don’t take the chance now, when then? Obviously, there is a big opportunity for big gains now,” said a professional who had just purchased a two bedroom apartment in Permata Hijau, Jakarta.

It is true that there are predictions of a huge number of apartments entering the market this year. Several developers are offering unique and attractive products in order to compete in this increasingly competitive market. Their services include making available facilities that are linked to other property products, therefore leading to the emergence of what is referred to as mixed-use properties, to putting up environmentally friendly apartment towers.

According to property consultant PT Property Advisory Indonesia (Provis), condominium projects that were completed in the fourth quarter of 2007 are Capital Residence and Pacific Place in the SCBD, The 18th Rasuna in Kuningan and Tower C of Mediterania Marina in Ancaol. The total supply of strata title condominiums in Jakarta in the last quarter of 2007 stood at 58,553 units.

In addition, five other condominium projects have been launched, namely Condo House and The Premiere as part of the construction of Thamrin Residences in the Thamrin area, Lavender Tower of Royal Mediteranea Garden in Tanjung Duren, Tower B of Permata Hijau Residences in Permata Hijau and Kebagusan City in Kebagusan. These five projects will see an additional 28,614 condominiums on the market in coming years.

Jakarta has witnessed an extraordinary increase in the number of apartments. According to some property analysts, now is the right time to buy an apartment. Logically, when interest rates abroad drop, many people withdraw funds deposited offshore. When interest rates at home go down, investors eye apartments as an attractive investment option.

Whether an apartment is bought as a home or as an investment it is still worth living in given that the roads are become increasingly congested and commuting into the city from the suburbs usually takes a long time. “There is a trend among people living in landed houses in the suburbs to migrate downtown and live in apartments. They want to be close to their places of work or business,” said Albert Luhur, marketing manager of The Summit in Kelapa Gading.

Research conducted by Provis shows that apartments in the CBD areas in Jakarta are generally in the price range of Rp 12.9 million/m2, while upper- to middle-class apartments located outside a CBD area are about Rp 12 million/m2 in price.

Interestingly, although the market price of a house is more or less the same as that of an apartment, for long-term investment, rent on an apartment is higher than that on a house. The highest rate of return on a house is 3.5 percent while that on an apartment may be more than 10 percent, which is still less that the interest rate on a time deposit.

Indeed, there is no general formula for investment in apartments. One individual may differ from another in this respect. Therefore consideration must be made case by case. There are several tips, however, that can be used as reference when investing in an apartment.

First, just like choosing other forms of property, you must consider the location. Many people look for a location close to a business center. Likewise, an apartment should enjoy easy access to other facilities. Many expatriates stay in apartments. If you plan to rent out your apartment, study which areas are popular among expatriates. Expatriates from the U.S., Europe, Australia and Japan are usually willing to spend more on rent than those from Korea, Singapore and Hong Kong.

Developers Enjoy Upbeat Market

Burhan Abe
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Developers Enjoy Upbeat Market

Optimistic is an appropriate term to describe Indonesia’s property market in 2008, with economic indicators showing positive signs and an absence of political and social turmoil. GDP in 2007 reached 6.3 percent, which is another excellent sign for the market.

This was the country’s best growth since the 1997 financial crisis. However, inflation was 6.56 percent, slightly lower than in 2006, which was 6.6 percent. Interest rates also keep going down along with the interest reduction for Bank Indonesia promissory notes to 8 percent, from 13.37 in December. This is expected to prompt more people to invest in property rather that bank instruments.

The relatively secure political and social condition has boosted the investment world in the country. In December 2007, approved foreign direct investment reached US$37.595 million, a sharp increase of 141 percent from the previous year. Meanwhile, domestic investment also saw an increase of 12.2 percent amounting to Rp 182.561 billion.

How about the property world? Generally speaking, demand is still high, especially for office and retail space. Last year’s demand for office space was indeed the highest since the financial crisis. It seems that this sector will keep enjoying brisk business due to the country’s strong economic foundations.

The healthy economic conditions will also boost the construction of office buildings, retail space, condominiums and apartments as can be seen from the numerous construction sites in Jakarta. However, the mushrooming of apartment buildings were unfortunately not matched by demand in 2007. The following is an analysis.

Presales increased slightly in the fourth quarter of 2007. However, they dropped during the Lebaran holidays in October and at Christmas and New Year. Buyers were presumably away over these holidays. Low-cost condominiums enjoyed better sales as buyers and investors were attracted by the prices due to government subsidies (Rusunami).

In 2008, the demand for low-cost condos will remain high. There was an increase of 1.91 percent in presales, totaling 68.4 percent, in the fourth quarter of 2007 compared to the previous quarter. Cumulatively the year 2007 recorded a high sales figure of 94.4 percent, leaving only 3,260 apartments unsold.

The occupancy rate of apartments in 2007 was not high at 65.5 percent. However, low-cost apartments enjoyed a higher occupancy rate. This indicates that the buyers bought their properties to live in. From the supply side in the fourth quarter of 2007, the following apartments were completed: Capital Residence and Pacific Place in the Sudirman Central Business District, The 18th Rasuna in Kuningan and Mediterania Marina Tower C in Ancol. Total strata title apartments in the same period was 58,553.

In the same period five condo projects were launched: Condo House and The Premiere as part of Thamrin Residences, Permata Hijau Residences (Tower B), Royal Mediterania Garden Lavender Tower in Tanjung Duren and Kebagusan City in Kebagusan. The five projects will add 28,614 apartments to available supply.

In the past few years prices in prime residential locations have increased more than in the Central Business District, where the price increase was only 0.63 percent, that is Rp 12.9 million per square meter, while prime residential area prices went up 4.8 percent to Rp 12 million per square meter.

Truffle

Burhan Abe
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Truffle

Para pecinta makanan Italia pasti tidak asing dengan Rosso. Restoran (dan lounge) mewah itu terletak di Hotel Shangri-La Jakarta. Rosso, dalam bahasa Italia, berarti merah, “the colour of passion, heat, and everything exciting in life, and Rosso prides itself with presenting authentic northern Italian cuisine with a fiery Italian vibe.”

Tapi bukan hanya keotentikan kuliner Italia versi “utara” yang pastanya lebih banyak menggunakan butter, cream, polenta, mascarpone dan parmigiano cheese itu. Yang menarik perhatian saya adalah menu dengan menggunakan truffle.

Truffle adalah bahan sejenis jamur yang tumbuh 5 cm-40 cm di bawah tanah dan hanya ada di tempat-tempat tertentu. Truffle putih (Tuber magnatum) yang baunya lebih tajam dibandingkan dengan truffle hitam (Tuber melanosporum), adalah makanan yang sejak beratus tahun telah dikenal sebagai makanan lezat di Italia dan kemudian keterkenalannya menyebar ke berbagai tempat di dunia.

Selain tidak bisa dibudidayakan, truffle tumbuh liar dan bersimbiosis saling menguntungkan dengan pohon oak, juga masa panennya pendek. Truffle dipanen antara pertengahan Oktober sampai pertengahan Desember.

Di luar waktu itu tidak ada truffle putih. Asal tahu saja, karena langka harga truffle putih disebut sebagai emasnya masakan bisa mencapai 3.500 dollar AS atau sekitar Rp 31,5 juta per kilogram. Rosso hanya dapat menyediakan menu truffle (putih) pada November dan Desember saja.

Untuk indra pengecap, truffle terasa agak menggigit. Aromanya yang amat tajam terus menemani setiap suapan. Dan inilah yang luar biasa, meskipun belum terbukti secara ilmiah, ada yang memercayai truffle memiliki khasiat afrodisiak alias membangkitkan gairah seks. “Efeknya mungkin seperti viagra,” tukas Chef Rosso, Alessandro Santi, sambil tertawa. Wow!

Bagaimana mungkin makanan disamakan dengan viagra? Tapi yang jelas, cerita tentang makanan-makanan tertentu yang bisa membangkitkan gairah asmara bukan omong kosong belaka. Kepercayaan bahwa afrodiasiak ampuh membangkitkan libido juga bukan isapan jempol. Konon, otak kita merupakan organ seks terbesar yang kita milki. Makanan, wewangian, dan minuman merupakan ‘benda’ menyenangkan yang dikenali otak.

Ada beberapa, yaitu bumbu, seperti cabe, kare, dan makanan yang berbau merangsang memicu keluarnya keringat diyakini sebagai afrodisiak yang ampuh. Lalu ada tiram. Makanan laut yang satu ini sudah lama dipercaya mampu membantu aktivitas seksual untuk berbagai golongan usia. Masih banyak deretan makanan yang diyakini sebagai afrodisiak; kaviar, wasabi (horseradish), jahe, bawang putih, ketumbar, pare, kucai, seledri, ginseng, ginko biloba, vanila, cokelat, pisang, madu, dan lain-lain.

Boleh percaya, boleh tidak, tapi jawaban yang lebih masuk akal saya peroleh dari Sezai Zorlu, Head Chef Anatolia Restaurant Group. Makanan Turki, katanya, banyak memiliki syarat sebagai makanan sehat, bahkan lebih dari itu makanan afrodisiak.

Negeri dari selat Bosphorus itu menawarkan petualangan kuliner dengan cita rasa khas: dari menu sehat ala vegetarian sampai yang berbahan daging pilihan dengan kandungan protein tinggi. Selain kaya sayur-sayuran segar, masakan Turki juga boros dengan minyak zaitun yang menyehatkan dan konon mengandung antioksidan tinggi.

Location Means Everything

Burhan Abe
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Location Means Everything

Memilih kantor ternyata bukan perkara mudah. Di gedung mana perusahaan berkantor, termasuk lokasi yang dipilih, misalnya, sekaligus menegaskan positioning perusahaan tersebut – tidak hanya jenis usahanya, tapi di kelas mana ia berada. Seorang pengusaha post production mengungkapkan, klien yang datang ke perusahaannya ketika ia berkantor di Tebet dan sekarang di kawasan Kebun Jeruk Jakara, sangat berbeda. “Karena sekarang saya berkantor di kawasan yang lebih elite, meski dengan peralatan yang sama saya bisa menawarkan harga yang lebih tinggi,” katanya.

Memang, beberapa perusahaan post production yang tergolong kelas atas, umumnya mempunyai workshop di kawasan Kebun Jeruk. Lokasi tersebut sekaligus menjadi benchmark perusahaan-perusahaan baru yang bergerak di bidang yang sama. Mereka tidak mau mengambil risiko dengan berkantor di seputar Cawang, misalnya, yang pasarnya belum terbentuk.

Inilah yang disebut pengelompokan. Perusahaan-perusahaan dengan bidang jasa yang sama cenderung berkumpul di suatu lokasi tertentu, karena pasarnya memang sudah terbentuk. Penjual elektronik, misalnya, lebih suka memilih tempat usahanya di bilangan Glodok, Kota, karena sudah dikenal sebagai sentra penjualan elektronik terbesar di Jakarta atau bahkan di Indonesia.

Pengusaha furniture lebih sreg membuka show room-nya di sepanjang Jl Panglima Polim – Jl RS Fatmawati mebel lebih Pedagang kain, untuk menyebut contoh yang lain, lebih suka berdagang di Pasar Baru atau Pasar Tanah Abang. Sementara penjual bunga hias memilih Barito, Kebayoran Baru.

Daftar contoh pengelompokan di atas, penjual jasa yang serupa “berkantor” di kawasan yang sama, masih bisa panjang. Ini bisa terjadi secara alami atau pun memang diciptaan oleh, sebutlah pemerintah atau pengembang besar, misalnya. Kawasan Kemang adalah contoh kawasan yang berkembang secara alami sebagai sebagai kawasan kafe dan usaha-usaha yang berkaitan dengan kebutuhan kaum ekspatriat – seperti galeri.

Sementara kawasan Kemayoran, misalnya, ada developer yang ingin menyulapnya sebagai sentra otomotif, termasuk perbengkelan. Kita juga tidak heran kalau pengembang Jababeka berambisi menjadikan sebuah kawasan di Cikarang sebagai industrial estate berskala global, sementara pengembang Lippo Cikarang lebih spesifik berusaha mengumpulkan perusahaan-perusahaan IT di kawasan yang disebut sebagai “Delta Silikon” – mengingatkan kita pada kawasan serupa di AS.

Di kota-kota besar beberapa negara pengelompokan usaha-usaha tertentu dalam satu kawasan bahkan mempunyai sejarah yang lebih panjang. Di New York, misalnya, institusi-institusi yang bergerak dalam bidang finansial khususnya saham berkumpul di Wall Street. Kawasan industri perfileman terbesar di dunia, di mana lagi kalau tidak di Hollywood. Bagaimana dengan Jakarta?

Kecenderungan seperti itu memang ada, tapi menurut Irma Kurnia, Marketing Manager GandaRia 8, perusahaan pengelola gedung perkantoran baru yang berlokasi di Gandaria Jakarta, tidak seekstrem yang terjadi di kota-kota besar dunia lainnya. Apalagi, perkembangan perkantoran modern di Jakarta belum mempunyai sejarah yang panjang seperti di negara maju.

Memang, secara ”tradisional”, sudah berada di sentra-sentra untuk komiditi tertentu – sebutlah sentra elektronik Harco, sentra grosir Mangga Dua, sentra ponsel Roxy, meski bukan monopoli lagi. Tapi jenis-jenis usaha yang tergolong “modern”, sebutlah perbankan, konsultan manajemen, law firm, publishing company, PR, dan lain-lain, pengelompokannya tidak terlalu tajam.

Tapi yang jelas, pasar perkantoran di Jakarta menunjukkan peningkatan aktivitas yang signifikan. Tak sebatas hanya di central business district (CBD), pasar perkantoran di luar CBD juga menunjukkan gairah tersendiri. Pembangunan gedung perkantoran baru di Jakarta dipicu tingginya permintaan dari tenant akan ruang kantor berkualitas baik, mengingat stabilnya perekonomian sehingga banyak perusahaan lokal meminta penambahan luas ruang kantor.

Having (Low-Cost) Office at Prestigious Location

Burhan Abe
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Having (Low-Cost) Office at Prestigious Location

It is understandable if Mee Kim, president of CEO Suite, which provides instant office services, has a broad smile on her face. Early in December, CEO Suite, the company under her leadership, opened its 10th branch at One Pacific Place in the Sudirman Central Business District (SCBD). This new building is a business and commercial center united with serviced apartments, a hotel and hi-end shopping center.

According to Mee King, many multinational companies make use of the instant office services her company provides. It is common for them to choose professionally managed ready-to-occupy offices, which is why she was prompted to open a new branch in Jakarta, after providing the same services on the 39th floor of the GKBI building and on 17th floor of the Indonesian Stock Exchange (BEI) building, with an occupancy rate of 85 to 95 percent.

Aside from these three office locations in Jakarta, which have been in operation since 1977, CEO Suite also has office locations in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Bangkok, Beijing, Shanghai Puxy and Shanghai Pudong.

The improving economy, marked by the entry of foreign direct investment, Mee Kim said, has made Indonesia increasingly more attractive in the eyes of foreign investors, which is why there is a bigger demand for serviced offices. “We focus on serving the premium market requiring hi-end services, ranging from office space, human resources, sophisticated technology and any other services that tenants may need,” she said.

Serviced offices are the type of offices that business players in major cities in the world, Jakarta included, need. Take Yogswara, for example. This accountant requires an office in Jakarta’s Golden Triangle. Although he has a spacious house in an upmarket area in the eastern part of Jakarta, which he could use as an office, he feels the need to have a more strategic business address.

That’s why he needs the services of a company that rents office space in the Central Business District (CBD). And it is not just any office space that he needs, but office space that comes with modern office facilities such as a fax machine, a telephone, an Internet connection and, most importantly, secretarial services.

According to Yogas, the facilities provided in this office space are more than sufficient for his business. “I feel as though I have hired my own dedicated secretary,” he said.

For an accountant like Yogas, an instant office is a wise choice. To rent office space is common, but not the type of office that he is renting. Although his office is not as vast as an office on the fringes of town would be, it is more than adequate for his needs. Plus having all the facilities available helped keep his initial financial layout low. This type of small office is indeed made available by the office building management for those desiring a virtual office, which may be used just as a mailing office or just for an identity.

There is indeed nothing new about having a (low-cost) office in a prestigious building. Providers of office space services, for example, operate like a business center. It is not just the space but the space plus office facilities, such as chairs, desks, telephone lines, a fax machine, filing cabinets, electricity and air-conditioning. A meeting room is also available, as are secretarial services to deal with appointment schedules, sending facsimiles and photocopying files.

These business center rooms can be rented monthly at competitive rates. A person wanting to rent a room is merely required to submit copies of their resident identity card and business license (SIUPP) and then pay the rent. A room measuring 16 to 20 square meters rents for Rp 3 million to Rp 4 million a month.

For Mobile Workers, Office Location not Important

Burhan Abe
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For Mobile Workers, Office Location not Important

Doing office work does not necessarily translate to working in an office, which in the conservative sense is a building or a room where business activities are conducted. Professionals of this day and age can do their assignments anywhere, such as at a cafe or a mall. For mobile workers, meeting a client, negotiating or even getting in touch with clients all over the world can be done from a coffee shop.

For Irfan Setiaputra, an employee of Cisco, an IT company, working does not necessarily mean being stationed at a particular location. Relying on the Internet, he can establish communication with fellow employees, customers, suppliers and business partners.

He can use the Instant Message facility to communication with many people on an online basis and get a quick response. Email is his main tool of communication in his work. Even when his computer is not within reach, he can send and receive emails through his cell phone or PDA.

In addition, at Cisco Systems there is a Unified Communications facility. In cooperation with Hewlett-Packard (HP), all professionals at Cisco can make use of this technology. They can make a phone call through the softphone in their computer and video pictures can appear on the IP Phone, a handset that can be used as an IP phone through Wi-Fi and at the same time as GSM, to receive voice mail, etc.

In advanced countries, UC is a popular technology that was introduced in Indonesia four years ago. UC is a technology that make use of the superior elements of an IP-based phone system as well the convergence of data and audio networks. This system can present not only voice communications but also unified messaging, a feature allowing mobile connectivity. This means integrating communications from the various media that people use.

Separately, Cisco Systems Indonesia has announced an increase in the wireless capacity in its ISR (Integrated Services Router) with 3G connectivity addition. This solution is part of the architecture of the Internet Protocol of Next Generation Network (IP-NGN), which makes it possible for service providers to offer 3G connectivity to their corporate customers.

This technology enables companies with a lot of branch offices to hold teleconferences. Branch offices generally require access to the business applications available at the head office through a Wide Area Network (WAN). However, the main constraint for the application of this technology in Indonesia is that the equitable scope of 3rd-generation wireless technology is yet to be achieved.

In fact, today’s work demands do not entail where we work but, rather, what activities we carry out. This is true not only of Cisco. Working does not depend on office space as with the progress of technology we can do it just about anywhere. Although his office is located in Kebon Sirih, Jakarta, Bayu Guntaryo, for example, can work from anywhere there is a Wi-Fi hotspot, such as a cafe.

Bayu is a layout designer offering his services through the Internet under a bidding system. His clients come from anywhere in the world. What exists here is a relationship between a service user and a service provider. That’s why he has a number of devices that support his work.

The devices that a professional working under the virtual office concept needs include:

1) Notebook. Besides being mobile and dynamic, today’s professional must be able to response instantly to satisfy customers. To this end, a notebook must have complete facilities for communications and networks. While in the past it was enough for a notebook to have an internal modem & IrDa (Infra Red), today, a notebook usually has LAN-Card (ethernet), Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Even a Flybook has a built-in GSM (via GPRS) module.

Resolusi

Burhan Abe
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Resolusi

Kalender lama telah kita tanggalkan, dan kita menggantung kalender yang baru. Tanpa kita sadar, tahun tahu-tahu berganti. Selalu begitu setiap tahunnya. Masih ingat apa yang terjadi menjelang Tahun Baru 2007 kemarin? Mungkin ada yang merayakannya di hotel-hotel atau tempat-tempat keramaian? Atau mungkin menyepi dengan mendaki gunung dengan klub pecinta alam?

Anyway, apa pun yang kita lakukan waktu itu, boleh jadi kita menaruh harapan dan berdoa. Beberapa bangsa di berbagai negara ada yang mempunyai tradisi make a wish menjelang saat-saat istimewa seperti Tahun Baru. Mengajukan permohonan dan berharap apa yang diinginkan bisa tercapai. Orang-orang menyebutnya sebagai resolusi, membuat daftar pertanyaan apa yang akan kita lakukan, kemudian menjawab dengan membuat komitmen standar atau sekadar basa-basi.

Begitulah, setiap awal tahun kita sering membuat komitmen personal, tapi kemudian tidak bisa bertanggung jawab atasnya. Sudah berjanji akan bekerja lebih keras, tapi penyakit malas lebih kuat menyerangnya. Berencana liburan ke Bali besama keluarga, eh waktu dan keuangan ternyata tidak mencukupi. Seperti lirik lagu dangdut, ”Kau yang berjanji, kau yang mengingkari.”

”Kalau kita tidak bisa menepati, untuk apa kita membuat resolusi?” ujar seorang teman.

Memang ada benarnya pendapat tersebut. Apalagi, dalam kondisi yang serba ruwet dan unpredictable seperti sekarang ini tidak mudah melihat ”masa depan”. Jangankan orang awam, ahli ekonomi saja tidak muda memprediksi pertumbuhan ekonomi dan iklim usaha tahun ini. Atau yang sederhana, kita sudah berencana naik transportasi TransJakarta saja melihat kemacetan Ibu Kota yang semakin menjadi-jadi, tapi nyatanya busway bukan hanya belum siap, tapi tidak senyaman yang kita bayangkan.

Tapi seorang teman yang lain mengingatkan, menyalahkan kondisi di luar diri adalah sikap yang kurang bijaksana. Begitu orang berjanji akan melakukan ini itu sesuai dengan resolusi pribadinya, maka aura positif tidak hanya mengalir ke dirinya, tapi bisa menyebar ke lingkungan sekitarnya. Ditambah dengan sikap ”Apa pun yang terjadi, saya akan….” bisa dipastikan keberhasilan akan berpihak kepadanya. ”Positif thinking!” tandas pelawak Tukul Arwana.

Resolusi itu memang banyak macamnya, ada resolusi politik, resolusi hukum, resolusi budaya, resolusi kesenian dan lain-lain, asal jangan resolusi optik atau resolusi gambar saja. Tapi yang dimaksud di sini adalah resolusi pribadi.

Tekad JF Kennedy untuk menjadikan Amerika Serikat sebagai negara pertama yang berhasil mendarat di bulan adalah resolusi personal. Namun, kendati resolusi personal, melalui aura positifnya, keinginan JFK tersebut menjadi resolusi institusi, resolusi pemerintah AS, yang berhasil mereka wujudkan.

Tentu, tidak semua keinginan bisa terpenuhi dengan mulus. Keberhasilan adalah sekumpulan dari berbagai pencapaian. ”Kristalisasi keringat,” uja Tukul lagi, host paling ngetop tahun 2007. Saat membuat resolusi, tentu juga harus memperhitungkan kendala atau hambatan yang bakal kita temui. Ada poin-poin yang menjadi penghambat. Tapi setidaknya kita sudah memikirkan solusi untuk mengatasinya.

Jadi, sudahkan Anda membuat resolusi? Apa pun, kita berharap bahwa tahun 2008 yang telah kita mulai ini akan berlangsung lebih baik dibandingkan dengan tahun 2007. Selamat Tahun Baru! (Burhan Abe)

Mix Medical, Leisure in Malaysia

Burhan Abe
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Mix Medical, Leisure in Malaysia

Blessed with idyllic islands, golden beaches, verdant rain forests and friendly people, Malaysia is a fascinating holiday destination. However, Malaysian tourism does not stop there as it promotes its attractions, ranging from eco-tourism, themed tourism and health-related tourism.  

Yes, health-related tourism is packaged under the theme of “health and leisure” and includes wide-ranging activities from how to enjoy treatments and therapies at a spa to medical services. In the past few years, Malaysia has indeed grown as a health care hub. With sophisticated health facilities and qualified personnel, Malaysia has positioned itself as a place where tourists from all over the world can get medical treatment while sightseeing in the country.  

In general, Malaysia has three destination areas, namely Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah and Sarawak in Borneo. The capital, Kuala Lumpur, is one of Asia’s most dynamic cities. With a population of some 25 million, consisting of Malays, Chinese, Indians and others, Malaysia is a melting pot of various cultures.  

International hospitals are found in various cities and districts in Malaysia: Kuala Lumpur, Slangor, Johor, Kedah, Malacca, Negeri Sembilan, Penang, Perak, Sabah and Sarawak. According to the Association of Private Hospitals of Malaysia (APHM), there are no fewer than 40 hospitals.  

As there is a wide choice of hospitals, tourists not only can choose a hospital that suits their needs but can also enjoy a tour during their recovery period. Or may opt for a checkup or minor surgery while vacationing in this country.  

With health care costs in Malaysia being one of the most inexpensive in the region, patients can undergo treatment, recuperate and enjoy a holiday in Malaysia for much less than it would cost them for treatment alone in another country. For example, standard bypass surgery in Malaysia costs between US$6,500 and $9,000, including a two to three-day stay in the intensive care unit, up to seven days on a ward and consultation, cardiologist and anesthetic fees. “Why pay double the price at home for surgery when you can have this level of service in a beautiful country?” said Leanne, 43, from Australia, who had a facelift.  

Malaysia offers a wide choice of state-of-the-art private medical centers boasting an impressive array of sophisticated diagnostic, therapeutic and in-patient facilities. These establishments are well-equipped and staffed to ensure the highest level of professionalism, safety and care. Patients can be assured of quality services in promoting health, preventing disease and full treatment and rehabilitation for all patients and their families through the use of advanced medical technology.  

Indeed, lower costs does not mean low quality or services. Hospitals in Malaysia serve their patients with qualified staff, in terms of both medical and administrative personnel. Their specialized doctors are graduates of noted medical schools in the UK, Australia and the U.S. The medical personnel are not only highly educated but are also experienced in medical practices. Most importantly, the medical staff strive to provide a caring and friendly environment, which is vital to a patient’s recovery and well-being.  

Meanwhile, hospitals in Malaysia have acknowledgment and official licenses from the health ministry. Internationally, they are generally accredited by bona fide institutions, such as MS ISO 9002 certification and Malaysia Standard Quality of health (MSQH), the standard level of which is the same as that of the Australian Healthcare Standard. This accreditation guarantees that hospitals in Malaysia have professional medical services and reliability.  

Malaysia has become a top choice for medical treatment and vacations, especially because it offers highly varied services, ranging from medical checkups to treatment of acute illnesses.  

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