In order to support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 8 concerning decent work and economic growth, the Community Service team at Universitas Negeri Malang provided socialization and training on financial literacy and the potential and challenges of BUMDES in Desa Balesari, Kecamatan Ngajum, Kabupaten Malang. The event, which was held on Sunday, 13 August 2023, was attended by village officials and PKK Balesari village women. This Community Service begins with delivering material on financial management and investment management to families and ends with material on the potential and challenges of Badan Usaha Milik Desa (BUMDES).

In the material presented by Muhammad, SE., MSA., Ak., CA., CSRS. BUMDES is a business organization within the scope of the village that has enormous potential; this potential will bring prosperity to village communities if it can be managed properly. One of the important points of delivering this material is that BUMDES is not established to compete with or kill MSME businesses that already exist in the village, but BUMDES should move into other sectors such as exploration of natural resources owned by the village, the agricultural sector, the financial sector or distribution and transportation.

Malang – 31 Juli 2023, Tim Penelitian yang beranggotakan Ferby Mutia Edwy, S.E., M.Ak (Dosen D4 Akuntansi), Mohammad Iqbal Firdaus, S.A., M.Ak, Ivan Febia Ananda Putra, Zhafira Aulia Ramadhani dan Sendy Leonardi  melakukan penelitian dan edukasi terkait pengelolaan keuangan UMKM. UMKM berperan penting dalam penyerapan tenaga kerja dan mendorong pertumbuhan ekonomi. Oleh karena itu, penelitian ini penting dilakukan serta untuk mendukung SDGs 8  yaitu pekerjaan layak dan pertumbuhan ekonomi.

Penelitian ini dilakukan dengan mengumpulkan data dari UMKM Kota Malang. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan sejumlah temuan penting:

1. Kesadaran Pentingnya Pengelolaan Keuangan: Banyak UMKM menyadari pentingnya pengelolaan keuangan, tetapi sebagian besar dari mereka belum memiliki pengetahuan yang cukup tentang bagaimana mengelola keuangan bisnis mereka secara efektif.
2. Pentingnya Edukasi Pengelolaan Keuangan: Edukasi diperlukan untuk meningkatkan pengetahuan pelaku UMKM tentang pengelolaan keuangan yang baik.
3. Kendala Utama: Salah satu kendala utama yang dihadapi UMKM adalah akses terhadap pendidikan keuangan yang berkualitas. Oleh karena itu, perlu upaya lebih lanjut untuk menyediakan pelatihan dan sumber daya yang mudah diakses.

Tim penelitian berupaya melakukan edukasi kepada UMKM. Ketika  melakukan pengambilan data penelitian, tim juga memberikan edukasi kepada pelaku UMKM untuk mengelola keuangan usahanya dengan baik, mencatat transaksi serta melakukan pemisahan keuangan usaha dan keuangan pribadi.

Kendala dalam pengelolaan keuangan UMKM adalah masalah yang serius, tetapi dengan dukungan dari pemerintah, lembaga pendidikan, dan para pelaku usaha, Indonesia dapat memajukan UMKM-nya ke tingkat yang lebih baik dan lebih sukses.

Malang – 10 Juni 2023, The Community Service Team for the Faculty of Applied Science and Technology and the Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Malang, consisting of Ferby Mutia Edwy, S.E., M.Ak, Mohammad Iqbal Firdaus, S.A., M.Ak, Ivan Febia Ananda Putra, Zhafira Aulia Ramadhani and Sendy Leonardi, carried out community service activities that aim to increase business competitiveness in the MSMEs of Preman Super Community (Independent Women as a Source of Change). In this community service activity, the team used a digital marketing approach to help MSMEs achieve success and support achieving the number 8 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) program, namely decent work and economic growth.

Technological development is a challenge and opportunity for MSMEs to increase competitiveness and maintain business continuity. Technology can be used to improve the competitiveness of MSMEs; one way is digital marketing. Selection of suitable marketing methods and strategies can be used to reach the target market, thereby increasing sales volume and profit.

Preman Super Community, located on Jalan Panji Suroso Malang, is a group of women who own MSMEs from various fields, such as food manufacturers, handicrafts, etc. Even though they have quality products, they often need help marketing them widely and effectively. In order to help the MSMEs of the Preman Super Community, the FEB UM service team designed a digital marketing socialization and assistance program. This program aims to introduce the concept of digital marketing to community members, help them build an online presence, and leverage Google Business to market their products effectively.

Mrs. Peni Budi Astuti carried out the first material presentation with a discussion on digital marketing. Mrs. Peni is an administrator for the Preman Super Community. He is also active as a Consultant Assistant for the Business Clinic for the Office of Cooperatives, Industry, and Trade in Malang City and the owner of CV Diopeni

The second material presentation was delivered by Mrs. Anisah Ismawati, S.Pd, with a discussion on optimizing Google Maps to improve business, followed by mentoring and questions and answers from the participants. Participants are guided to create a Google Maps account and claim their business on Google Maps. MSME actors also receive facilities for managing the transfer of business location points on Google Maps and assistance with problems encountered in using Google Maps.

The results of this service activity were very positive. Members of the Preman Super Community have successfully increased their online presence by opening a Google Maps account, claiming their business, and updating their business information. MSME players also learn to use Google Maps to promote their products, improve search results on Google, and build stronger relationships with their customers.

Ferby Mutia Edwy S.E., M.Ak, head of the community service team, said, “Utilization of digital marketing is the key to increasing the competitiveness of MSMEs in the current digital era. Through this outreach and mentoring program, we hope to help the MSMEs of the Preman Super Community develop their marketing skills so that it can support the increase in the competitiveness of MSMEs.