NEWS

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.

Participating in strengthening MSMEs, the Management Department of Parahyangan Catholic University (Unpar) routinely carries out the Unpar Sustaining Competitive and Responsible Enterprises (SCORE) Program led by Ms. Triyana Iskandarsyah, Dra., M.M. SCORE is a program initiated by the International Labor Organization (ILO). Unpar got to know the SCORE Program in 2016 through the Business and Export Development Organization (BEDO) with Mr. Jeff Kristianto as Program Manager and Mr. Januar Rustandie as Project Manager of SCORE Indonesia.

I participated as a trainer and coach in the Unpar SCORE Program. One of the micro-enterprises being assisted  is ‘Erica Ngecoz’. ‘Erica’ is taken from the name of business owner Rika Novianty and ‘Ngecoz’ is a Sundanese term meaning ‘to sew’. From her passion for sewing, Ibu Rika has opened a handicraft business, making ‘busy books’, ‘storytelling corners’, and customized products with special themes, such as food replication, medical props, etc. In the assisting process, a new product called ‘storytelling gloves’ appeared.

The handmade ‘busy book’ product is in the form of a book from flannel sheets, each sheet is decorated for motor education for children, such as: tying shoelaces. The 1mx2m cloth ‘storytelling corner’ is decorated as needed. Also ‘storytelling gloves’ with different characters on each finger. All of them are educational literacy teaching props for PAUD teachers. While doing business, Ibu Rika also helps educate the early childhood.

This UMKM Network webinar was held online on Thursday, February 24, 2022 with the theme “Biotechnology: Future Prospects of MSMEs”. The first speaker was Mr. Khairul Ikhsan Effendi, owner of “Amplang Agro “ who shared how he increased the value of the local snack product “Amplang” in terms of packaging and digital marketing. Then Mr. Amak Muhamad Yaqoub, CEO of PT. Spiralife Biotechnology Indonesia explained about the benefits of microalgae, investment potential, and the challenges of the microalgae business in Indonesia, which is still importing from developed countries, even though geographically Indonesia is a suitable area for microalgae cultivation.

The next speaker is Mr. Perry Angglishartono from Jamu Iboe who tells about the journey and transformation of Jamu Iboe so that it can last for 112 years which inspires that success is not instant. The last speaker represented the Director of Processed Food Standardization of BPOM RI, namely Mrs. Yusra Egayanti, S.Si, Apt., M.P. and Mrs. Yeni Oktaviany, S.T.P., M.P. who explained that BPOM has a mandate to ensure food safety, including food from the application of biotechnology to ensure that food circulated and consumed by the public is safe, quality, and nutritious. This guarantee is carried out through the establishment of regulations and supervision.

This webinar was organized by HR 24/7 with Mr. Erwien Rahadiyanto, S.Si., M.PSDM. as a moderator accompanied by MSMEs Fasilitator Dr. Dorothy Rouly Haratua Pandjaitan, S.E., M.Sc. from the University of Lampung and Dr (c). Pwee Leng, S.E., S.H., M. Kom. from Petra University Surabaya.

In order to introduce local products made by the people of Segara Jaya village, Bekasi, it is necessary to conduct training and assistance regarding effective and efficient sales promotion strategies through social media. The purpose of this training and assisting is to motivate and educate the Segara Jaya village community in managing their business using social media marketing. This assisting process is carried out by means of counseling and demonstration methods which are attended by several participants who are micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). 

Participants were given an understanding and introduction to social media marketing in the form of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and e-commerce such as Shopee, Tokopedia, and Bukalapak, which made it easier for them to promote their local products with several marketing strategies. The target of this training and assisting is for participants to be able to market and sell their local products online using interactive social media. In addition, with the assistance of interactive social media, it is hoped that business actors can create bigger and developed business opportunities for local products. This condition will certainly have a positive impact on increasing their business income in the future.

When we hear the word scenario, our minds are drawn to the world of cinematography. Scenarios are imagined as script lines that contain scenes from a drama, play, or film. However, the screenplay does not only belong to the film industry. Scenarios can also be applied in micro, small, and giant scale businesses.

A business scenario is a simple attempt to identify the potential risks a business may experience. These scenarios help businesses prepare for potential future problems. If the business is able to develop a good scenario, then the business is building a guarantee to be prepared for any situation in the future.

The advantages of having a business scenario for a business, especially MSMEs, are very diverse. One of the advantages is that MSMEs are not reactive to sudden changes in the market. For example, it is not easy for MSMEs to raise prices when the cost of raw materials increases, or it is not easy to fire employees if operational costs swell.

To obtain a good business scenario, MSMEs need to show real risks. Any suspected problems that may arise, must be discussed and a plan prepared to deal with them. A good scenario is one that takes into account the entrepreneur’s risk profile, company capabilities, and market trends. Scenarios will also help entrepreneurs understand the situation more objectively, so that their business decisions will become more rational.

Talking is free. Means that there will be no consequences for our account balance to decrease automatically, when we “misspoke”. It is wrong to cause another person to be angry, offended, or disappointed. Instead of motivating, we trigger fights.

Because speaking is a right, we often find people speaking freely without considering the consequences. Especially in the current era of communication technology, where the speed of spreading messages is getting higher. Unfortunately, (or maybe fortunately?) that freedom still needs to be applied responsibly. When any negative impact arises, it is the result of what we say. Therefore, instead of every speaking causing a negative impact, it is better to practice speaking properly, right?

Every time we want to open the mouth, start practicing to think about the intentions to become a role model. Think about the impact before speaking. Even if it turns out to be wrong, apologize humbly.

Hunting for delicious  food without afraid of cholesterol, find it at Taman Jaya Ujung Kulon restaurant.

The sensation of pecak bandeng without thorns and pindang head fish without coconut milk is hard to forget. The typical pecak bandeng sauce is prepared following the local cultural heritage. Pindang fresh fish heads with selected spices adding the enjoyment of your lunch. Another menu that is also sensational is sweet and sour prawns, grilled shrimp and prawns in Padang sauce. This kind of fresh vaname shrimp taken from a shrimp pond on the coast of Ujung Kulon, its really chewy with right selection of seasonings. For those  who like sea fish, there are also fish cakes that are baked or fried in crumbs, grilled squid smeared with special spices according to customer tastes.

This restaurant, which was founded in 2012, also serves other Banten specialties such as karedok, savory corn bakwan, tamarind vegetables and other menus.

The location is on the west Cilegon toll road access, Cilegon Banten city 087808188179.