FISIP UMM Discusses Sociopreneurship Business Opportunities

Author : Humas | Monday, February 21, 2022 07:14 WIB

Hutri Agustino one of the presenters of the sociopreneurship webinar (Photo : Istimewah)

The Covid-19 pandemic displays an interesting positive fact: community innovation in creating new jobs. It was also discussed in the Sociopreneur Series webinar held by the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) University Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM). Presenting two reliable speakers related to sociopreneurship, this webinar held in February discussed the opportunities for entrepreneurship in the social field thoroughly.

Starting the webinar, Hutri Agustino, M.Sc. as the initiator of Pondok Sinau Lentera Nusantara, said that the number of entrepreneurs in Indonesia rose from 13% in February 2020 to 25% in October 2020. In his presentation, he said that the increase in the number of international entrepreneurial interests would undoubtedly be an opportunity in itself. On the other hand, various social problems have emerged due to the pandemic and cannot be left alone.

“So, sociopreneurship can be a new way that generates financial benefits and social benefits. At the same time, it can be part of the solution to problems in society,” he added.

Hutri, as he is familiarly called, said that there are nine types of social business models that are very possible today. There are entrepreneur support models, market intermediary models, employment models, fee-for-service models, and several other social business models. "In several regions in Indonesia, there is already a business called Kopi Tuli. That is a business unit that involves deaf friends. It is a form of socioentrepreneur who is not only looking for a profit through a coffee selling business but also provides jobs for deaf friends," Hutri explained.

Sensitivity to social problems or complaints in the community also needs to be trained from an early age. According to the initiator of “Kampung Warna Warni Jodipan” Jamroji, M.Comms. said that a business field could be built based on complaints such as what is done by application makers. One of them is the Gojek company. The number of complaints from the public who have difficulty finding essential motorcycle taxis has given birth to an application that makes it more accessible.

"If we are smart and critical, these complaints can be a source of ideas to build an independent business unit. It can even be a solution for social problems through sociopreneurship," said Jamroji.

According to him, it is necessary to develop this critical attitude early. So that students feel sensitive to events that occur around them, including sensitivity to complaints. Meanwhile, sociopreneur is an effort to convert social problems into business opportunities. According to Jamroji, sociopreneur allows us to build a business that starts from people's complaints or the community.

"The main goal is, of course, to help the community. At the same time, income is a bonus that we get. Two important assets must be owned in building this sociopreneur, namely social sensitivity and the ability to social criticism," he concluded. (cdr/haq/wil)

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