On Saturday (August 5th), a group of lecturers from the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) at Widyatama University (UTama) carried out a Community Service (PkM) program through management training for a number of traders in Sukamaju Village, Cibeunying Kidul District, Bandung City.
The activity was carried out by the FEB (faculty of economics and business) UTama team consisting of six lecturers who are competent in their fields with the aim of boosting the enthusiasm and increasing the innovation of local traders. The six lecturers were Indra Taruna Anggapradja, Vina Silviani Marinda, Shendy Amelia, Anton Budi Santoso, Didi Tarmidi, and Radea Respati.
In addition, two students, Ari Aryandi and Muhammad Ibrahim, also participated in the management training activity. The theme of the activity was Efforts to Increase Motivation for Vendors in Sukamaju Village, Cibeunying Kidul District, Bandung City.
The speaker at the event, lecturer Vina Marinda, explained the importance of increasing motivation to innovate for business actors, especially traders in the sub-district.
According to the speaker, innovation is the main key in facing challenges that continue to develop in the era of globalization and technological advances. Amid rapid changes, traders have an important role in the local economy.
The Importance of Innovation in Business
In another part of her explanation, the speaker also touched on the definition of innovation, which she described as a process of creating and implementing new ideas that can bring positive changes to products, services, or business processes.
For merchants, innovation can help them adapt to market changes, increase competitiveness, and overcome economic challenges. In the middle of increasingly fierce competition, the ability to innovate can be a determining factor in the success of a business, said Vina Marinda.
The Context of Sukamaju Village
Sukamaju Village is an integral part of the city of Bandung with unique characteristics. Traders in this area face various challenges such as market demand fluctuations, changing consumer trends, and limited access to resources. Therefore, an activity aimed at increasing the spirit of innovation is an urgent need.
The PkM FEB UTama lecturer cluster team, through its speakers, explained in detail the steps to increase motivation for innovation as follows:
1. Education and Training: Conducting training and workshops on the importance of innovation in business and how to develop creative ideas. This can help traders understand that innovation is not difficult, but requires willingness and skills that can be developed.
2. Inspirational Sharing: Inviting successful traders from outside the region to share inspirational stories about how innovation has changed their businesses. These real experiences can motivate traders in Sukamaju Village to think more progressively.
3. Collaboration and Networking: Helping traders form networks and collaborations with fellow traders, as well as educational institutions and local innovation institutions. Collaboration can broaden their perspectives and generate new ideas.
4. Innovation Certification and Awards: Create a special award or certification program for merchants who apply innovation in their businesses. This recognition can spur the spirit of innovation.
5. Mentoring: Provide mentors or innovation consultants who can guide merchants in developing innovative ideas and assist in the implementation process.
Overcoming Obstacles and Challenges
The speaker also said that efforts to increase motivation for innovation may face several obstacles, such as a lack of understanding about innovation, fear of failure, and limited resources. Therefore, it is important to provide ongoing guidance, support, and education.
Increasing motivation for innovation among traders in Sukamaju Village, Bandung, is a vital step in facing change and improving competitiveness.
Through education, training, and networking, the spirit of innovation can be enhanced, bringing benefits to traders, the local community, and the regional economy as a whole.
(Source: Sabakota.id: https://www.sabakota.id/ekonomi/689803362/6-dosen-feb-universitas-widyatama-berikan-pelatihan-manajemen-kepada-pedagang-di-kota-bandung?page=1)
