In the midst of the many Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises that have fallen due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the sustainability of MSMEs still provides hope. Now, new types of MSMEs are emerging which are getting good momentum in the midst of the pandemic.
Unfortunately, the emergence of these MSMEs was not supported by an adequate business plan so that their lives were very vulnerable. Many MSME managers do not have adequate management skills, do not understand the legality of a business, do not have a marketing network, to the point of a bad financial system. As a result, the MSMEs that grew during the pandemic season also fell.
This condition was captured by a lecturer at the Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Malikussaleh to provide training for MSME activists to start and manage a business professionally.
"We invited 30 MSME entrepreneurs. Unexpectedly, it turned out that most of them were housewives who previously had no experience in managing MSMEs, "said the Head of Training Executive, Dr. Biby Sapna, Monday (14/12/2020).
According to the lecturer at the Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Malikussaleh, the problems faced by MSMEs in Lhokseumawe City are the same as in other areas in Indonesia, ranging from business legality, limited business networks, weak innovation, to a traditional financial system. “There are still many housewives who mix business and personal expenses. This is an example of its weakness," added Sapna.
In the training that was held on the outskirts of Lhokseumawe City, some time ago, Sapna and Dr Nazaina explained easily the strategy of building a simple business plan. Not only offering theories, but the two Unimal FEB lecturers also explained simple financial applications that can be used by MSMEs as well as digital marketing strategies that can be used.
According to Sapna, the participants, who are mostly housewives, have started businesses in various fields, especially culinary, although some have already had a confectionery business. "With this training, we hope that they will have a better ability in running MSMEs," said Sapna.
Both agree that Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are a form of business activity that has a very important and strategic role in the development of Aceh's economy. Currently, Lhokseumawe City has 2,354 MSMEs which should be able to increase growth and increase the regional economy.
However, the current condition shows the growth of MSMEs is slowing down. Entrepreneurs have not been able to prepare a good business plan. This resulted in high production costs and difficulty competing. "In general, MSME entrepreneurs run their business based on experience alone," said Sapna.
