Digital technology continues to evolve and change the business landscape for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). In this era, effective marketing and communication play a crucial role in winning competition and achieving success in an increasingly competitive global market.
Two important elements that serve as pillars in addressing these challenges are advanced digital marketing and persuasive public speaking skills. Both are considered to have a vital role in improving the quality and impact of MSMEs’ businesses in the world of trade.
Opening the Digital Marketing and Public Speaking Training to Support Competitive Global MSME Products, the Director of Community Service, Dr. Rustamaji, MD, stated that a country is considered advanced when most of its population are entrepreneurs.
The economic movement of a country depends on its entrepreneurs because they add value to products.
“This meeting is intended for us to step together in preparing a better Indonesia because the number of entrepreneurs in Indonesia is still relatively small to this day,” he said on Wednesday (September 27).
Regardless of the parameters of development used, a country’s activities can be seen by other countries through economic growth achievements. China’s economic growth achievements are certainly an example.
Therefore, according to Dr. Rustamadji, mastering foreign languages is one key. Without mastery, there will be difficulties in communicating.
“English is necessary, but it would be even better to master other languages such as Chinese, Arabic, etc. Because, besides creating products, entrepreneurs are expected to create tools, and if they already have them, they can market their tools, and that’s where entrepreneurs will exist,” he said.
The director added that public speaking skills are also critical in the increasingly connected and competitive world of trade. In the context of trade, the ability to speak confidently and persuasively in public has the potential to open up broader business opportunities.
MSMEs are expected to be able to convey the unique value of their products or services persuasively and have an advantage in building relationships with business partners, potential investors, or consumers.
“Strong public speaking can engage the audience, inspire, build trust, and create a positive image, which will enhance the reputation of MSMEs,” he explained.
Dr. Rustamadji believes digital marketing has transformed the business landscape in unprecedented ways. With broader and faster access to information via the internet, consumers can compare products, search for reviews, and make purchasing decisions quickly.
Therefore, he hopes that MSMEs can utilize online platforms to market their products or services. According to him, this is the key to gaining the attention and interest of consumers.
“Digital marketing allows MSMEs to reach a larger market at a lower cost and enables higher levels of personalization in approaching consumers,” he added.
The training, part of the UMKM Series #4, is organized by the UGM Directorate of Community Service to address these opportunities. Through digital marketing and public speaking training, MSMEs are expected to respond flexibly and adaptively to market changes.
MSMEs can integrate themselves into a fast-moving business ecosystem by harnessing the unlimited potential of digital marketing and persuasive public speaking skills.
The training featured three speakers, Dimas Noviar Ambara, Mahendra Kusuma Putra from Sujud.co, and Dr. Anggi Rahajeng, a lecturer at the UGM Vocational College.
Dimas Noviar Ambara discussed selling and branding MSME products, Mahendra Kusuma Putra talked about digital marketing, and Anggi Rahajeng addressed public speaking issues for trade.
Author: Agung Nugroho