The classic problem that is often faced by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Indonesia is the problem of marketing their products and the limitations of the technology they control.
Taking into account the various problems faced by SMEs, the Semarang State Polytechnic (Polines) as a vocational higher education institution is called upon to answer various problems faced by SMEs in Indonesia.
What Polines has recently done through the Community Service Program (PPM) includes providing assistance to 2 (two) blacksmith SMEs in Putatsari Village, Grobogan District, namely, Sujud Iron Pande UKM and Ali Mursalim Iron Pande UKM. PKM Polines Team Leader, Dra. Siti Nur Barokah, MM explained that the initial survey obtained data regarding the problems faced by blacksmith SMEs. Among them have not done good financial bookkeeping, marketing is not optimal and resources that still need to be developed. In terms of production, the production equipment, especially the climbing section, which is still fully human, has not paid attention to lay out production equipment and arrangement of raw materials, as well as occupational safety and health, Dari aspect marketing, production is still limited in traditional markets around. "From aspect financial governance, have not carried out simple recording/bookkeeping, especially in calculating the cost of production and determining the selling price of products based on estimates only," he said.
The main problem faced by partners is due to the limited capacity of existing human resources. On average, the human resources who manage the Pande Besi UKM only have elementary/junior high school graduates, the business that is run is hereditary and only based on experience in the field. Therefore, it is necessary to have training and assistance from universities to provide solutions so that the problems faced by partners can be completely resolved and can improve the welfare of managers and their employees.
The methods used in providing solutions to SME partners are: Assistance when laying out production equipment and structuring raw materials. Simple corporate financial bookkeeping training. techniques for determining production costs and determining product selling prices, Developing marketing networks. Mentoring and Training: manufacture and operation of wrought iron machines.
Polines Community Service activities carried out at the Pande Besi Sujud UKM Partner and the Ali Mursalim Pande Besi UKM went smoothly as planned.
The activities that have been carried out are as follows: Financial management training took place at the Pande Besi Sujud UKM and was attended by both partners, both managers and employees. The training materials included simple bookkeeping, calculation of production costs and preparation of financial reports which were presented by Gifti Utami, SE, MM (Polines Lecturer).
In addition, it is also in the form of marketing management training activities with training materials covering sales techniques and building marketing networks delivered by Dra. Siti Nur Barokah, MM (Polynes Lecturer).
They also handed over production equipment assistance to each partner, in the form of: 1 iron forging machine, grinder, company nameplate, masks and gloves. All of the assistance provided is aimed at increasing employee productivity and health. Assistance on the use of production equipment (forging iron machines) was delivered by Sunarto, ST, M.Eng (Lecturer of Polines).
The results obtained from this community service activity are that SMEs have increased knowledge and skills in the field of Financial Management in the form of UKM Partners being able to calculate the Cost of Production and Selling Prices of Products. Marketing Management Sector in the form of SME Partners can create marketing networks for market development around Central Java.
What is impressive is that the results of the application of appropriate technology carried out by partners have made production effective and efficient as indicated by an increase in the number of production (sickles, knives, bendoes) of around 33% (previously 30 units per day, to 40 units per day). In addition, it reduces the level of production damage by about 1%.
PKM Polines Team Leader, Dra. Siti Nur Barokah, MM hopes that this PKM will not only benefit partners but also provide benefits for the Semarang State Polytechnic (Polines). The existence of a team of lecturers from the Polines Business Administration Department who carries out community service activities, so Polines can participate in increasing community knowledge and skills.