Women Dominate SMEs, Key to Success Lies in Financial Planning

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Women are a crucial pillar in building economic independence. This is evidenced by the number of women reaching 64.5 per cent of the total SME actors in Indonesia. This clearly positions women as one of the main drivers of the Indonesian economy amid the number of SMEs reaching 99 per cent of the total business units in Indonesia. The event was attended by around 360 SME actors, dominated by more than 80 per cent female participation, both in person and online. The participants not only gained insights into business development strategies but also the importance of preparedness in facing various risks, from expansion strategies and cash flow management to efforts to maintain business stability amid continuously changing market dynamics. One participant, Ariyanti, an SME actor in the culinary sector, shared her experience in starting a business from scratch. This experience reflects that building a business requires not only the courage to start but also readiness to face risks and uncertainties. This experience reflects the role of women in building businesses is also accompanied by real challenges, thus requiring readiness not only in starting but also in maintaining business sustainability. Prudential Indonesia’s Chief Product Officer, Astono Hermawan, stated that business success is not only determined by operations such as production, distribution, and marketing, but also by the strength of the financial foundation as the key to business sustainability. Furthermore, Astono said that the first three to five years phase is the most crucial period for business actors. At this time, many businesses face heavy challenges that can lead to failure due to weak planning, especially in the financial aspect. This perspective was further reinforced by the Founder of Maicih snacks, Reza Nurhilman, who was present as a speaker.