Entrepreneurship as one viable answer for Indonesia

My old op-ed piece in The Jakarta Post titled “Yes, Indonesia needs to play a global role, but how, and when?” (March 31, 2010) continues up to the present time to raise questions and challenges from a number of colleagues. There is a single line of follow-up argument: Are there any concrete actions that I, you, and we can do?

It is indeed a pertinent argument. But a merely scholarly discourse without generating any practical action would perhaps be an intellectual waste. A view that stands proudly in an ivory tower is useless until it can mobilize others to move toward its expected stance.

For those who have not read the piece, in essence I argued that no-one would object if Indonesia could play a more significant role globally. The question was: How and when? I thus offered a hypothesis that Indonesia should prioritize its economic development and social welfare prior to embarking ambitiously upon playing a more international role.

The questions and challenges toward this hypothesis included that my proposed way out was too vague. It merely addressed the policy makers, who might have not paid any attention to the arguments being presented.

Departing from those interesting reactions, I would argue that there are always concrete things that people on the street, or “I-You-and-We”, can do. One of them is through entrepreneurship.

Entrepreneurship is well regarded as a concrete character and action that helps to shape economic growth, development and welfare as its ultimate goal. Entrepreneurship does not only entail money issues; it is about creating products and/or services. It is about creating jobs. It is about helping others. It is about helping the country reach a higher stage of development.

A number of Indonesian entrepreneurs have made contributions not only in economic terms but also in social dimensions. Elang Gumilang, a young entrepreneur who started his entrepreneurial business through selling donuts door-to-door, is currently a property developer who focuses on low-income families. Thousands of families are now sheltered appropriately through the help of Elang and his team.

Popular entrepreneur Sandiaga Uno is another remarkable person to mention. From being a so-called “accidental businessman”, Sandi has emerged as a reputable entrepreneur with his businesses presently employing tens of thousands of people. Still young and humble in his public performances, he has been ranked as one of the wealthiest businessmen in Indonesia.

The list of successful entrepreneurs are there. But arguably Indonesia still needs increasing numbers of entrepreneurs as, currently, their population ratio in the country is only around 0.18 percent, far below the ideal minimum of two percent. This figure is far outnumbered by the ratio of politicians; the country has many of them but often they end up becoming corrupt.

So, back to the primary question. If it is agreed that entrepreneurship is one viable answer for Indonesia, what then are the next steps? Even though I am not yet a notable entrepreneur, based on my readings as well as experience there are few steps worth following.

First, come up with an idea or ideas. Ideas can depart from what “pain” people feel and how we can offer solutions to that pain. In other words, start from what people need. Alternately, we can also generate ideas based on passion and imagination. IPods and iPads were once not needed. But later on, as people started to enjoy using them, they became household items that many people feel obliged to own.

Second, find a friend or friends. A business venture can undoubtedly be run as a solo enterprise. But the more brains, the merrier. Some successful businessmen even claim they “never run a business alone”. This claim supports the argument that we are actually not smart enough to undertake alone everything that a business needs. Ideas, capital, business plans, marketing, accounting, taxation — even human management — are only some of the necessary aspects that need expertise as well as passion.

Three, develop a plan and implement it. A good business idea requires a good business plan. There are a number of templates or lessons from which we can learn in developing a plan. But most importantly, action does matter. Without the action to implement, a sound business plan will only remain a plan. While if there is no plan but action, the business will still move, albeit in “unchartered waters”, and it will face the risk of sinking.

Last, keep on keeping on. Running a business sometimes puts us into uncertain situations. Ups and downs are “normal” life curves that all entrepreneurs face. Hearing the stories behind successful entrepreneurs, they can be summed up as follows: There is no other way to succeed than in being persistent.

The writer is a scholar, entrepreneur and executive director of Projecting Indonesia.