2022 international webinar facing vuca, dissecting VUCA using historical elements

VUCA stands for Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity. In essence, the VUCA world means the world we live in today, where change is very fast, unpredictable, influenced by many factors that are difficult to control, and truth and reality become very subjective. If we want to survive in today's world, we cannot avoid these changes. We will often face situations where we can only adapt and cannot change the situation. As Albert Einstein said, "The measure of intelligence is the ability to change."


Awareness of VUCA theory today encourages many people to adapt more quickly and effectively. If someone resists change, then it is likely that that person will experience various lags that are quite far. Moreover, with the rapid development of information and communication technology as it is now, any changes in one place will be very easily and quickly transmitted to other areas.


STEKOM University as a professional educational institution with a global outlook is also trying to build an academic community that is responsive to the VUCA phenomenon. This reason is one of the reasons that prompted STEKOM University to hold an international webinar involving speakers from within the country and abroad who specifically discuss various fields related to the VUCA phenomenon. The webinar uses the title “Facing the changing business world in the VUCA Era”.

The seminar was held on October 20, 2022 with 2 speakers from Malaysia and one speaker from Indonesia. The second speaker was Asociate Professor Dr Cordelia Mason who is the executive director of the unique foundation, in malaysia. Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) is a leading university in engineering technology that aims to elevate the status of technical education in Malaysia. Education at this University focuses on contemporary knowledge and technology and entrepreneurial skills that will enable students to get better at life and pursue their dream careers.


The university's 12 branch institutes offer a variety of educational programs. Undergraduate and postgraduate diploma programs are available here and are located in strategic places throughout Malaysia. UniKL is managed by Universiti Teknik MARA Sdn. Bhd., which is a subsidiary of Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) or the Trusteeship Council for the People. MARA is a government agency under the Ministry of Rural & Regional Development.


The material presented by Dr. Cordelia is not too much, but quite dense and nutritious. The title used by Dr. Cordelia is "dissecting VUCA using historical elements". The elements in question are character, conflict, plot, and resolution. In his explanation, if all of that is well understood, then any model and rhythm of change will be easily resolved.


The important thing to note is the assumption that the business world is a guide. If we pay attention to the various business changes that occur in our environment, the various business decisions we make will be in harmony with the various changes that occur.

Another important thing that must also be considered is "strategic direction". If the various strategies that we apply in our business have clear directions and goals, then the costs incurred by the company will not be in vain. Even if a strategy fails to achieve its objectives, at least a strategy can avoid the greatest risk.


The next important thing to note is "how to connect the dots?". The ability to find connections between points will help a leader in finding patterns that exist in the business environment. This understanding will later become the basis for making targeted and measurable strategic policies.