Wagely Blog

Beyond Paycheck: How Aplikasi Super's Total Holistic Rewards Program Helps Retain Talent

Written by Kevin Hausburg | Apr 17, 2023 2:00:00 AM
Recent events like the pandemic have made workers rethink their relationship with work. Robert Walters' 2023 outlook reveals that job seekers no longer see employment as just a source of income but seek a holistic work experience that aligns with their identity and allows for meaningful contributions. In line with this perspective, Randy Sutio, Senior Talent Strategy & Transformation Manager at Aplikasi Super said it's all about offering more than just a paycheck.

People expect to be compensated fairly for their work, but it's not only about the money. That’s why we also pay attention to the tangible and intangible aspects of an employee's life. Tangible aspects include benefits and recognition, while intangible aspects focus on creating an environment where employees feel appreciated and valued. These aspects comprise the holistic total rewards program that we offer at Aplikasi Super.

 

- Randy Sutio, Senior Talent Strategy & Transformation Manager

at Aplikasi Super

Founded in 2019, Aplikasi Super is an Indonesia-based social commerce platform that enables retail agents to sell wholesale groceries. By creating a network of agents who gather demand in various regions and developing a hyperlocal supply chain, it aims to make the prices of goods more affordable for people living in remote areas. Last year, the company announced that it had secured Series C funding worth $70 million, and it currently employs approximately 600 people.

Aplikasi Super goes beyond traditional benefits to empower its employees. One of the ways they do this is through the Learning Wallet program, which offers a certain amount of budget to employees to upskill themselves and learn something new. This unique program enables employees to take charge of their professional development by pursuing courses, certifications, or other learning opportunities that interest them. 


Our HR vision is to empower our employees and make sure they're prepared for whatever challenges may come their way. We understand that the challenges of 2022 and 2023 will be different. That's why we offer the unique Learning Wallet program to maintain their motivation and equip them with the necessary skills to tackle future challenges.

- Randy Sutio, Senior Talent Strategy & Transformation Manager

at Aplikasi Super

Another game-changing benefit offered is earned wage access (EWA) powered by wagely. Employees are given an innovative app to track their daily earnings and withdraw a portion whenever needed, even before payday. This provides a financial safety net and the flexibility they need to manage unexpected expenses without having to borrow from other sources. 

Employees are typically paid on a set date with a traditional payroll system. However, unexpected expenses can arise at any time, and we can't control when someone needs money. This is where wagely comes in. While we may not be able to disrupt our payroll cycle, working with wagely allows us to offer our employees financial relief without the need for loans. 

 

- Randy Sutio, Senior Talent Strategy & Transformation Manager

at Aplikasi Super

Aside from its retention efforts, Aplikasi Super has also launched an employer branding campaign called #JadiSuper to enhance attraction since last year. The campaign targets the young generation who prioritize finding purpose in their careers over just making money. Randy said the #JadiSuper campaign highlights the impact that employees can make through their work, even in small tasks, especially for their customers in the eastern part of Indonesia.

The #JadiSuper campaign has been well-received among young professionals as it resonates with those who value finding purpose in their career as much as earning a living. This campaign recognizes that for some individuals, career satisfaction is not just about making money, but also about achieving self-actualization.

 

- Randy Sutio, Senior Talent Strategy & Transformation Manager

at Aplikasi Super

According to Randy, conscious hiring is a key part of Aplikasi Super's recruitment. This approach involves hiring based on specific needs that can be justified, rather than just hiring for the sake of filling a position. “When evaluating job candidates, we consider not only their skills, but also cultural fit. By prioritizing conscious hiring, we ensure that we attract and retain employees who share our values and are committed to our mission,” he said. 

One employee who has thrived in Aplikasi Super's culture is Vicky Amirullah who joined the company last year.

Super values me and offers a cool and comfortable work environment with flexible hours. I appreciate the company's care for people in remote areas and its positive impact on customers in eastern Indonesia. It feels good to be part of something bigger than myself.

 

- Vicky Amirullah, employee of Aplikasi Super

One of the key benefits that Vicky has found particularly helpful is the wagely benefit, which he has used when unexpected expenses pop up. “I've used it several times before and it has been a lifesaver. When my fridge broke down in the middle of the month, and payday was still far away, I withdrew my earned wages via wagely. The process was simple and took less than 3 minutes.”

Aplikasi Super's approach to creating a good work environment aligns with the changing perspective of workers who seek a holistic work experience. Understanding where the company is today is the first step in ensuring that HR programs remain relevant. Randy concluded, "Once we have a clear understanding of our current situation, we can focus on our employees and understand their needs. This way, we can create programs that are tailored to their actual needs, not just because something is trendy at the moment.”