Ride-hailing firms Gojek and Grab help MSMEs businesses go and grow online in new normal

Last updated on May 18th, 2021 at 05:19 am

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, many Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) have been affected by their businesses.

One of them, culinary entrepreneurs, which when the policy to keep the distance each other or social distancing, causing dine-in customers to decrease dramatically. Until they then can open the operation to selling, but with changing the selling operation by only serving take-out order or delivery.

Ride-hailing firm Gojek, with its food delivery-service platform GoFood, also promoted its initiatives to assist small food and beverage businesses.

The company will help MSMEs to survive the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic by increasing their exposure, slashing operational costs, and providing operational support through discount campaigns and the kitchen service.

Gojek Group Chief Food Officer, Catherine Hindra Sutjahyo in a virtual discussion on Monday (9/29) as in her press release on Tuesday (6/30) said the solutions from Gojek and GoFood support all the needs of culinary and non-culinary MSME businesses, from upstream to downstream, from business management automation to delivery.

There are some programs that Gojek wants to support their MSME partners

First, a digital platform to make it easier for consumers to discover and access MSME products through GoFood and GoShop.

Second, the collective kitchen facility (cloud kitchen) is dedicated specifically to MSME partners to reduce rental and operational costs and support infrastructure needs.

Third, raw material shopping marketplace services at affordable prices, specifically for MSME partners through GoFresh.

Fourth, complete non-cash payment options are easy, and from upstream to downstream, with GoPay and Midtrans Payment Link.

Fifth, logistics services and fast delivery with the GoSend Web Portal and by Gojek driver-partners.

Sixth, more efficient business management with integrated tools such as GoBiz (a merchant-specific application to manage business independently), Spots (multifunction devices for cashier applications), Selly (sales manager keyboard & dashboard solution), and Moka (cloud-based cashier application).

Seventh, entrepreneurship and networking skills training through the GoFood Partner Community (Kompag) and Gojek Entrepreneurship online business training.

Meanwhile, another ride-hailing company, Grab launched the #TerusUsaha program to accelerate the process of MSMEs adaptation amid a pandemic and developing in the digital business.

Grab Indonesia’s Managing Director Neneng Goenadi assessed that MSMEs still need development even though many have migrated to digital. Based on the Grab survey, 76% of partners who migrate to digital services still need online visibility. One of the support needed is digital marketing.

The #TerusUsaha program is also part of Grab’s efforts to increase MSME transactions entering its ecosystem. There are various initiatives or programs that will be implemented by Grab over the next six months.

First, Grab provides assistance in providing free special ads on the main page of the application.

Second, provide space to advertise on social media and digital channels Grab, as well as social media influencers who work with Grab.

Third, bear the costs and resources needed to make these marketing materials. Customers will be directed to the transaction page directly when clicking on the ad.

Fourth, make a special microsite intended for MSMEs, namely www.grabforgood.id. They can look for tips related to business development, inspiration from successful small businesses, and how to join the Grab digital ecosystem.

Fifth, provides the MSMEs acceleration program. The program is open to all MSMEs in various sectors.

“The selected participants will take part in the training, the discussion will focus on legality, marketing, financial literacy, and product competitiveness,” Neneng said.

Sixth, relying on a special application for MSMEs that have been launched a while ago, namely GrabMerchant. Through this application, MSME partners will receive marketing management, orders, and supply of raw materials.