INDUSTRY.co.id - Yogyakarta - President Director of PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk. Hery Gunardi shared tips on starting a business from the perspective of a senior banker at the Jogja Financial Festival at the Jogja Expo Center, Yogyakarta Special Region, Saturday (5/23/2026).
The event was attended by 1,000 participants from UMKM entrepreneurs, students, students and the general public.
Hery explained that there are five tips that can be followed by the community to start a business. First, for prospective entrepreneurs to start from an industry with a low entry barrier, it is not difficult. This means that prospective entrepreneurs can try typesof businesses where the competition is not tight and hard. "So if you really want to enter the business, enter the industry where the entry barrier is not difficult," said Hery, who was accompanied by Chairman & Founder of CT Corp. Chairul Tanjung in the Education Class session.
Second, he continued, is an understanding of market behavior. Prospective entrepreneurs or entrepreneurs must understand the intended business landscape, both buyers/clients and competitors. "Who is the player? Who is the competitor? Who holds the largest market share? Why did he grow up? Why did he get ahead? Now we learn from those who have progressed," said Hery.
Third, prospective entrepreneurs must have good business and financial management, even if they are just starting out. From his experience leading BRI, many UMKM failed due to weak financial records.
"Most still have not separated personal shopping records from business expenses, it's the same record. So I don't know which is the profit, which is the loss. Because the money is used fordays. The truth is, personal and business financial records must be separated, so it appears that this business is profitable or not," said Hery.
Fourth, he reminded that the crucial moment of a new business or business in the first 6 months is not in profit. The important thing in the early days of pioneering was cash flow. Hery reminded that the production of goods must be smooth, so that payments are not late.
"So for example, you actually have the potential to have good cash flow, but you still owe it to the customer, finally the cash is too late. Well, it's usually out of breath because the cash is not enough," explained Hery. Therefore, management governance must be good and disciplined.
Finally, he advised pioneers to develop their business by understanding technology. He also cited the use of social media to sell products.
"Including using technology so that variable costs can go down, can compete. And technology, for example, is used to use the internet, then you can sell on TikTok, Instagram, and also do digital and online innovations like that," he said.
In line with Hery Gunardi, Chairul Tanjung (CT) also emphasizes the understanding of technology for entrepreneurs and those who will start a business. According to CT, successful entrepreneurs were born because they managed to make unique products with a large market. The no less important aspect is that the product matches its generation. "Well it will live on. And don't forget to take advantage of technology for thesesisters now," said CT.
CT said that selling goods now does not require a physical store. Because, the majority of consumers from millennial generation, generation Z to generation alpha, are very dependent on e-commerce.
"The name TikTok has a very remarkable effect in the name of promoting goods, the name is selling, it has beaten Instagram, let alone Facebook. So, you have to understand technology," said CT.
