If you are a social media-savvy person, Khairul Aming probably needs no introduction. In May, the news of him taking his 60 employees to a luxurious company retreat in Langkawi with 5-star accommodation, sunset cruises, etc. went viral. It was shocking news because his company is only 2 years old and only sells one product, which is sambal. Let’s do a case study on where and what they did in Langkawi.
Khairul Amin Kamarulzaman, also fondly known as Khairul Aming is an Instafamous food influencer who has been sharing his mouth-watering recipes since 2016. His easy-to-follow recipe with quirky humour and neat video editing quickly made him a darling on social media. His “30 Hari 30 Resepi Sepanjang Ramadan’ is an annual project where he produces one recipe per day throughout the month of Ramadan, and it’s one of the most anticipated contents by his followers and fans.
Founded in 2021, his sambal company sells only one variation of sambal, which is the Sambal Nyet Berapi and it’s fast selling. His fastest record was having 13k bottles of sambal sold out in under 2 minutes! And it continues to sell rapidly, earning him the Best New Seller and Best Customer Service awards from Shopee. What’s even more surprising is that his company is barely 3 years old, and he has already generated RM21.5 million by selling 1.5 million jars of Sambal Nyet Berapi in 2022 through online sales only!
.jpg "Case Study Khairul Aming's Luxurious Company Retreat in Langkawi- R177_blog-03(1).jpg")
Of course, all these did not go without failures. A few years before Sambal Nyet Berapi, Khairul Aming launched Sambal King, which, unfortunately, did not go well. As for Sambal Nyet, he mentioned in a tweet early this year that he came into a lot of problems with Sambal Nyet Berapi, including buying the wrong machine, wrong packaging, wrong design flow and many more. This is likely why he showed his appreciation to his 60 employees by rewarding them with a luxurious company retreat in Langkawi.
Khairul Aming’s 5-day company retreat involved a 5-star hotel stay, cave exploration, snorkelling, sunset cruise and extra pocket money for shopping! Let’s take a look at where this newly crowned People’s Choice Tiktok Creator of The Year took his employees in Langkawi.
It was clear that Khairul Aming was willing to splurge on his staff when he booked Park Royal Resort Langkawi as an accommodation for their corporate retreat in Langkawi. This 5-star tropical paradise opened early this year, offering guests a perfect blend of modern comfort and natural beauty. Situated along the pristine Pantai Tengah beach, Park Royal Resort Langkawi provides stunning views of the Andaman Sea and is surrounded by lush greenery.
The resort boasts a range of accommodation options, from well-appointed rooms to spacious suites, a total of 300 of them. All are designed with contemporary aesthetics and equipped with modern amenities to ensure a comfortable stay for guests. The rooms are tastefully decorated and feature private balconies or terraces, providing a relaxing space to enjoy the breathtaking views.
In terms of activities, Park Royal Resort Langkawi provides a host of options for guests to explore the island's natural beauty. From water sports like kayaking and snorkelling to island hopping tours and jungle treks, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Or if your team enjoys beach sports like Khairul Aming’s staff, you can even play beach volleyball.
For relaxation and leisure, the resort offers a range of facilities, including the stunning Skypool overlooking the sea, SUASANA Spa where guests can enjoy rejuvenating treatments, and Life Fitness where those who want to stay active during the retreat can workout.
This attraction features a variety of aquatic and marine life from both local and international waters. Staff can explore a diverse range of marine habitats, including Tropical Rainforests, Tunnel Tank, Sub-Antarctic Section, and many more. The captivating exhibits and immersive experiences provide an ideal setting for fostering team connections and encouraging innovative thinking among colleagues.
The aquarium is home to a wide array of marine creatures, such as colourful fish, stingrays, sharks, and even penguins. The underwater tunnel is a highlight of the experience, allowing guests to walk through a transparent tunnel surrounded by water, offering an up-close view of marine life swimming all around them. There are also feeding sessions that you can catch with your team. It is no wonder that Khairul Aming picked this captivating place as a place for his staff to hang out.
The Langkawi Sunset Cruise was a surprise that Khairul Aming planned for his staff. He booked 2 private yachts for his 60 staff with one yacht for male staff and another for the female staff. Set against the stunning backdrop of Langkawi's coastline, this experience offers a perfect blend of relaxation with team bonding, and Khairul Aming knows just that!
Onboard, the team will be treated to a delicious BBQ dinner, including tropical fruits and beverages, enhancing the overall experience. Besides food, the sunset cruise provides 2 types of jacuzzi and jet ski rides. Then, if you like it, you can jump into the sea and swim around with your team too, just like how Khairul Aming’s staff enjoyed it!
The highlight of the Langkawi Sunset Cruise is, of course, the sunset itself. As the sun begins its descent towards the horizon, the sky is painted in a vibrant palette of colours ranging from golden yellows to deep oranges and fiery reds. The calm sea serves as a mirror, reflecting the stunning hues and creating a magical ambience that is truly unforgettable.
Explore one of the world's most diverse and delicate ecosystems that is rich in biodiversity and natural beauty, the Kilim Geoforest Park. During their corporate retreat, Khairul Aming took his staff on the Kilim Mangrove Tour and explored the serene beauty of Langkawi's mangrove forest.
The guided boat tour through the intricate waterways offers stories about the various flora and fauna that call the mangroves home. Throughout the tour, you'll encounter fascinating sights, from ancient limestone formations to the bat cave nestled within the mangroves.
Keep an eye out for native wildlife, such as eagles, kingfishers, and monkeys, which are often spotted along the water's edge. One of the tour's highlights is the opportunity to witness majestic eagles swooping down to feed on the meat thrown at them.
This is another attraction in Langkawi that you cannot miss experiencing with your team, and Khairul Aming knows this well. While it wasn’t the first time that they hopped on a cable car, it was definitely their first time riding a cable car in Langkawi as a team. This attraction consists of a cable car ride (known as SkyCab) that takes visitors up to the top of Gunung Mat Cincang while offering stunning panoramic views of the surrounding rainforests, mountains, and the Andaman Sea.
Then, you can experience walking on the Langkawi Skybridge. The sky bridge is a curved pedestrian bridge that spans across a gap between two mountain peaks. It offers visitors a unique vantage point to admire the natural beauty of Langkawi from a suspended position. The bridge is designed to blend seamlessly with the environment, providing unobstructed views.
In addition to that, there are also other attractions such as 3D Art Gallery, SkyDome with 360 degrees of 3D image projection and many more. It's not only a fantastic opportunity for sightseeing and photography, but also a chance to connect with the team within the stunning tropical landscape of this Malaysian paradise.
At Cili Kampung, you and your team will be treated to an authentic journey through the vibrant tapestry of Malaysian flavours, just like Khairul Aming’s Team Nyet. The restaurant takes pride in using locally sourced ingredients and time-honoured recipes to create dishes that capture the essence of traditional Malay culinary heritage.
From aromatic Sambal Merah and Asam Pedas dishes to mouthwatering Masak Lemak, each dish is a testament to the restaurant's commitment to preserving and celebrating traditional flavours. In addition to its delectable menu, Cili Kampung offers a selection of local beverages that complement the flavours of the cuisine. From refreshing fresh juices to local favourites like Sirap Bandung and Nescafe, you can definitely feel at kampung.
Khairul Aming's decision to organise a luxurious company retreat in Langkawi was definitely a great testament to his treatment towards his staff. He even gave his staff extra pocket money for shopping at the tax-free shop! The retreat achieved its goals of fostering team bonding, rewarding employees, and providing a rejuvenating experience. The careful planning, choice of activities, and luxurious accommodations contributed to the overall success of the retreat and its positive impact on the company's image and employees. It comes as no surprise that he noted his staff were all happy.
