The Depok City Government organized a community service activity with the Faculty of Administrative Sciences, Universitas Indonesia (FAS UI), in the form of assistance to Small and Medium Industries (SMIs). Ten Depok Small and Medium Industries (SMIs) are encouraged to enter the export market and become pioneers of the regional economy.
FAS UI provides continuous assistance to SMIs engaged in handicraft, fashion, and culinary, during the period November 2021-November 2022. It is expected that Depok’s SMIs will have competitiveness by utilizing technology. “One of the export markets targeted by SMIs is Germany. During the mentoring, the Pengabdi Team and the SMIs will work together to identify the intended export market,” said the Head of the Financial Institution Research Cluster Prof. Ferdinand Dehoutman Saragih, at the first mentoring activity themed Mapping the Needs of Depok SMI Mentoring, at the end of November.
Prof. Ferdinand emphasized the focus of the mentoring area which is not only limited to aspects of business financial management, but also business planning and capitalization of SMIs to penetrate the export market. Based on the initial study, the areas of assistance need consist of financial reporting and management, product packaging of SMIs, capitalization, human resource management, product marketing, product website management, and support to enter the export market.
“After the brainstorming and discussion, more focus was found on the need for assistance including the calculation of cost of goods produced, product branding and marketing strategies, business financial planning and management, and market segmentation,” said Prof. Ferdinand. He explained several strategies that will be carried out, the first is assistance in groups to develop a business model for each SMIs.
The aspects that need to be compiled are unique selling points, market segmentation and calculation of product cost. Second, individualized mentoring to detect stress points of the business that need further attention. Third, assistance in groups, as well as individually to find solutions and improve the business management capacity of SMIs. Fourth, business pitch facilities and assistance with investors that can encourage SMIs to enter the export market.
