In order to revive the economy of the community in Pengotan Village, Bangli Regency, Bali Province, especially due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it is necessary to carry out an innovation program to solve these economic problems. The business most affected by the pandemic in Pengotan Village is the cut flower business, where one of the MSMEs engaged in this field is the Keboenku MSMEs. They experienced a very significant decline in turnover, which was caused by the wasting of 350 to 500 cut flower stems per day due to the absence of a buyer so that the cut flowers passed their selling period and had to be discarded.   The innovation carried out is innovation in the form of providing training to improve the creative economy of rural communities by optimizing the existing resources in Pengotan Village, namely dried flower innovation. Activities carried out include training activities to identify the types of cut flowers that can be dried, learning how to dry flowers and how to create new dry flower product creations such as flower bouquets, brooches, coasters, key chains, and other products. The training program was attended by Keboenku MSMEs employees and the Pengotan Village women’s group who were members of the PKK group.  The training was conducted offline, through 2 (two) methods, namely lecture and discussion methods, namely introducing the importance of dried flower innovation in the use of cut flowers and conveying the types of dry flower innovations that can be produced. The second is the practical method, namely by inviting participants to practice directly using machines in the flower drying process and produce new products with higher selling values. It is hoped that the training participants can continue the flower drying process and be more creative in producing products with the flower drying process. With such conditions, it will certainly have a positive impact on improving the economy of the Pengotan Village community in a sustainable manner.

The UMKM Network Webinar Series was held online on Thursday, March 31^st, 2022 with the theme “MSMEs Financial Aware: Successfully Managing Finances for MSMEs”. The event was opened by Dr. Muji Gunarto, S.Si., M.Sc., as Dean of FEB Bina Darma University Palembang and Chairman of FMI South Sumatra. The first speaker was Mr. Johanes Pungky D.H., S.T.P, M.M., Micro Financial Advisor, he underlined that it is important for MSMEs to be disciplined in separating business money and household money and keeping financial records even though the simplest one. The next speaker is Dra. Rita Suryawati, M.Si, Secretary of the Department of Cooperatives and Micro Enterprises of Mojokerto Regency, explained the direction of policy in the MSMEs sector in terms of HR, access to financing, marketing, business licensing, and MSMEs empowerment programs.

The last speaker was Mr. Muchamad Bashori, Micro Banking Cluster Manager of Bank Mandiri, who explained that the government supports MSMEs in terms of funding through Bank Mandiri and in terms of assisting business innovation through the Rumah Kreatif BUMN. He also explained the types of MSMEs financing along with the simplified application requirements.

This webinar was organized by HR 24/7 and the Indonesian Management Forum (FMI) with Mr. Erwien Rahadiyanto, S.Si., M.PSDM. as moderator accompanied by MSMEs facilitator Ms. Nisfatul Izzah, S.E., M.A. from Widya Mataram University Yogyakarta and Ms. Nurhasanah, Chairwoman of the ‘Aisyiyah Entrepreneurs Association Blitar City.

Insurance is a financial instrument for self-protection and risk transfer. However, this insurance philosophy can be adapted as MSMEs business strategy to welcome the end of the Covid-19 pandemic. The goal, of course, is simple for MSMEs, that is, don’t let another tragedy happen even if a crisis comes. In other words, if the crisis hits again, MSMEs will not immediately go out of business.

To adapt this philosophy, MSMEs need to apply strategic tactics to be resistant to any threats. First, MSMEs must transfer risk. This risk transfer can be done by owning a business in a different field, having multi-functional production equipment, having various distribution and sales channels. This tactic will help MSMEs not to rely on a single resource alone.

Second, MSMEs need to allocate emergency funds. This emergency fund is a fund that is prepared to be able to carry out 2-3 times monthly operational activities even without obtaining income. Even though it is heavy, emergency funds can give MSMEs time to think and make plans to deal with a crisis that occurs without immediately going bankrupt.

This insurance philosophy also allows MSMEs to understand the availability of free cash funds so they can invest without worrying about business operational conditions. The application of this philosophy also helps MSMEs entrepreneurs to act more wisely, rationally, and not reactively to situations that occur. Crisis may occur, but do not let it become a tragedy.