Women's Role in the Millenial Era

Writer: Ani W.

Photographer: Ani W.

April 21 is the day when Indonesian people celebrate Kartini Day. Many activities can be carried out as a form of respect for the services of R.A Kartini. One of the activities that can be done to celebrate Kartini Day is to share knowledge about business through a webinar organized by the ISTTS Industrial Engineering Student Association. This webinar has the theme "Women Play a Role in the Millennial Era" and was presented by one of the alumni of ISTTS Industrial Engineering, Mrs. Nike Lidiyastuti Aritovani, S.T. or who is familiarly called as Kak Nike. He is one of the successful fish-based food entrepreneurs in Ambon city.

Kak Nike told how he started his journey before finally deciding to become an entrepreneur. Starting from his career as Head of Finance and Administration at PT. Tirta Kencanatatawarna for about 7 years until finally he decided to resign and follow his husband to move to Ambon. Kak Nike revealed that one of the positions that was quite difficult to choose at that time was when a woman had to choose between focusing on taking care of the household and children or continuing her career. Women in the millennial era need to be demanded to be more highly educated, and have a much better education than before. In addition, he also said that women in the current millennial era are required to be more confident and have ambitions because of the many demands. This can not be separated from the industrial revolution that develops continuously and is very significant which ultimately makes us have to adapt to these changes.

Kak Nike then explained that the rapid development of existing technology, the increasing competition in the global market and coupled with the pandemic, created conditions where VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity) occurred. This VUCA explains where business conditions are volatile because activities are starting to be limited due to the pandemic (Volatility), then business becomes unclear, becomes more complicated than before (Uncertainty and Complexity), and becomes ambiguous because of new policies that make the industry more competitive. unclear and make prices uncompetitive. From here we need to understand the existing situation and conditions. In addition, we need to change our mindset and estimate what solutions can be done in the future. This is what made Kak Nike decide to try entrepreneurship. "Again, women must be faced with a side that makes us have to choose whether to focus on family or focus on a career," he said.

He explained the reasons for choosing entrepreneurship in order to be able to run a business while still taking care of the household. Before starting his business, Kak Nike first saw what opportunities were around him to see future business potential. Because in the Maluku area there are many marine products such as fish, in the end, skipjack tuna was chosen as the main raw material to make shredded beef, beef jerky and fish sauce. The product was chosen because there are many local residents who only process fish by smoking. From this small business, he finally succeeded in developing his business and was named CV. Nacha which was founded in 2012. Until now, the marketing area for skipjack tuna products has covered Ambon, Makassar, Surabaya, Manado, Nabire and Bogor. Kak Nike also said that the products produced from this business have several advantages, some of which are products made from 100% skipjack tuna, without preservatives and have been certified halal, HACCP and SNI. In addition, CV. Nacha has also received many awards such as Regional VI Gempita First Place – Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Ambon City Food Safety One Star Charter – Maluku Province BPOM and winner of The Most Favorite Achiever Danamon Entrepreneur. So far, Nike's skipjack tuna products have around 56 stores that are collaborating in selling their industry. In 2018 turnover had decreased drastically due to a policy regarding cargo luggage which greatly affected the sale of souvenirs for skipjack fish products. This made him finally have to rack his brain to open up new business opportunities by producing skewered meatballs with the Mantul brand. This skewered meatball production was chosen because it saw a market opportunity that was quite in demand. Therefore he applied 3 principles during product trial. These principles are speed, opportunity, and consistency. To date, the skewered meatball product has 41 booths in various cities in Maluku.

The event then continued with a question and answer session regarding product design and ended with taking a group photo and filling in attendance and questionnaires given by the committee.