The ability to adopt digitalization in the marketing sector is a must for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Therefore, the Universitas Indonesia (UI) through the Faculty of Administrative Sciences (FIA) provides digital marketing training, financial education, and taxation to MSMEs.
The training activity involved two lecturers from FIA, Prima Nurita Rusmaningsih, S.A.P., M.A. (Lecturer in Business Administration) and Wulandari Kartika Sari, S.Sos., M.A/ (Lecturer in Fiscal Administration) and was held last Saturday (16/12), at Bogor Regency, precisely at the Baitul Qurro Orphan Palace. This place is managed by a foundation that focuses on developing education and welfare for orphans and poor people, as well as widows and the elderly in Parung Panjang District. The implementation of the activity received funding support from the UI Directorate of Research and Community Service (DRPM).
According to the Head of the Service Team, Prima Nurita, this training is important because MSME actors are required not only to have social media, but also to be able to understand the concept of digital marketing, its functions and uses. This capability can support the marketing of products and services being sold, so that social media is not only used to upload product photos. “Digital media is just a tool, but the important thing that MSME players must also have is innovation that is not only about technology, but also ideas. Ideas are original and difficult for competitors to imitate. That’s what MSME players must have,” said Prima.
On that occasion, the Service Team also provided education regarding financial recording. Business owners must have knowledge of financial recording, including MSMEs. One member of the Service Team, Wulandari, said that a business does not need to wait to become big first to make financial records. In fact, if MSMEs want to move up a class, the crucial thing that must be done is to have financial records if they are not yet able to maintain bookkeeping.
“By knowing the financial position of the business, entrepreneurs can determine business development, both by implementing innovation and marketing strategies for business expansion, as well as making efficiency in the use of resources. Apart from that, by having adequate reports, businesses will be considered more credible to obtain easy capital support from investors and creditors,” said Wulandari.
Apart from knowledge of financial recording, the Service Team shared understanding about income tax for MSMEs and introduced the M-Pajak digital taxation application provided by the Directorate General of Taxes. The digitalization of tax services includes NPWP registration, financial recording, creating e-billing for payments, and various other tax information features. This application is expected to make it easier for MSMEs to carry out tax administration.
One of the MSME actors who is also the founder of the Baitul Qurro Dhuafa Orphan Palace, Susi Damayanti, said, “So far, MSME actors have only self-taught themselves regarding digital marketing. Even if someone has a Google Business, it was created by someone and they are not able to operate it. Likewise with finances and taxes. Therefore, the education provided by UI to business actors in Parung Panjang District is very useful for us to improve and develop our business.”