Klaten, November 1, 2024 – Universitas Sugeng Hartono, in collaboration with the Indonesian Catholic Community Forum (FMKI) of Klaten Regency and the Catholic Business Association (APP) of the Surakarta Vicariate, actively held a community service event titled “Digital Marketing Training for MSMEs.” The event took place at St. Maria Assumpta Church, Klaten, and was specifically designed to assist micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in enhancing their digital marketing skills, meeting halal food standards, and fulfilling legal business requirements.

To ensure the training delivered practical and relevant insights, Universitas Sugeng Hartono deployed expert lecturers as speakers:

The event began in the morning with a session led by Himatunnisa Mahmudah, who highlighted the importance of halal food practices for MSMEs in the food and beverage sector. She outlined the step-by-step process for obtaining halal certification, including document preparation, raw material audits, and compliance with halal production standards. She emphasized that halal certification not only provides assurance to Muslim consumers but also represents an increasingly recognized standard in both domestic and international markets.

Next, Intan Mustika Jati continued the training by delivering a practical guide on digital product marketing through social media. In her session titled “Social Media Marketing – Product Promotion Strategies through Social Platforms,” she explained how to leverage platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok to reach broader audiences. Intan shared tips on creating engaging content, maintaining customer interaction, and using social media features to boost customer engagement. Many participants, most of whom had limited experience in digital marketing, expressed their appreciation for the clear, hands-on explanations.

In the final session, Imam Syafii, M.Kom. delivered a presentation titled “Assistance in Obtaining Business Identification Numbers (NIB) and Halal Certification.” In his presentation, he thoroughly explained the procedures for acquiring a Business Identification Number (NIB), which is a crucial element in establishing business legality in Indonesia. Imam emphasized that the NIB is a primary document that every business owner must possess before applying for halal certification.

Furthermore, he guided participants through both the administrative and technical processes involved in managing these legal documents. Thanks to his clear and systematic explanation, many micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) owners—who were previously unfamiliar with the process—felt more confident and better equipped to handle their business legality requirements.

The training program also featured an interactive Q&A session, allowing participants to consult directly with the speakers about challenges related to halal certification, digital marketing, and NIB (Business Identification Number) registration. One participant, Mrs. Lestari, a home-based cake business owner, expressed her enthusiasm about the session. She shared that the training was highly relevant to the needs of MSME (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise) owners in Klaten.

“I found this session very helpful, especially in learning how to register my business to obtain an NIB and a halal label. It turns out the process is much simpler than I thought,” she said.

The training did not stop at discussions alone.

The lecturer team from Universitas Sugeng Hartono also conducted a hands-on simulation for NIB registration and guided participants through the halal certification document process. This simulation significantly helped MSME owners understand the steps required to fulfill their business legality and halal certification.

This community engagement program is part of Universitas Sugeng Hartono’s mission to promote the growth and capacity building of MSMEs in Indonesia. Through this training, entrepreneurs in Klaten are expected to gain more confidence in developing safe, high-quality, and competitive products. A halal label and strong digital marketing skills will provide wider market access, both locally and globally.

Universitas Sugeng Hartono, together with FMKI Klaten Regency and APP of the Surakarta Vicariate, hopes this initiative will serve as a starting point for sustainable collaboration between universities, communities, and business actors in advancing the local economy. This commitment will continue through various relevant community service programs aligned with technological developments and current regulations.

By integrating academic knowledge with real-world application, Universitas Sugeng Hartono is confident that MSMEs in Klaten will become more resilient and ready to compete in the growing halal and digital markets.