From Sharing Session to Strategy Partner: How I Became a Product Consultant for Bank Indonesia
How a casual forum talk turned into a full-fledged product collaboration with one of Indonesia’s most prestigious institutions—and what I learned along the way.
How a casual forum talk turned into a full-fledged product collaboration with one of Indonesia’s most prestigious institutions—and what I learned along the way.
It Started With a Message
A few years ago, I received a WhatsApp message from a close colleague—he’s a talented UI/UX designer I’d worked with before. He asked if I’d be open to joining a sharing session at Bank Indonesia’s internal forum in Bandung.
At the time, I was living and working full-time in Jakarta. My schedule was tight. But something told me this was worth the effort. I took a couple of days of annual leave, booked a train ticket, and went for it.
What I Thought It Would Be
To be honest, I thought it would just be a talk. A one-time session where my partner and I would share our experiences as a product manager and designer duo. Nothing more.
We prepared some slides, brought our best stories, and focused on how user-centered thinking can drive public sector innovation. Our topic? How Bank Indonesia’s digital presence could better serve real users—not just look good.
What Actually Happened
What we didn’t expect was the reaction.
The team at Bank Indonesia loved it. They weren’t just listening; they were engaged, curious, and full of ideas. After the session, their PIC contacted me personally and said, “We think your proposal could really help us evolve. Can you help us redesign our website?”
It was no longer a talk. It was a real project.
From Talk to Transformation
We were invited back into their internal discussions, now as collaborators—not just guests.
We kicked off the project with UX research, competitor analysis, and internal interviews. We mapped user journeys, designed a new information architecture, and proposed a modern, service-oriented web experience—one that didn’t just mirror the physical office, but truly empowered users online.
A few weeks after wrapping up the website design phase, we got a second call: “We want you to revamp our mobile app too.”
Lessons from a Lucky Break
Looking back, this experience taught me that big opportunities often start small. A “yes” to a short talk turned into months of hands-on product consulting with a national institution.
More importantly, it reminded me of why I love this job:
Building solutions that help real people
Collaborating across disciplines and institutions
Turning ideas into tangible change
Final Thoughts
If you're ever invited to share what you know—especially in unexpected spaces—say yes. You never know who’s listening, and what that one moment might lead to.
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