RESULTS will never betray efforts that seem relevant to Novi’s journey to establishing her own business. Since 2016 he has faced a number of difficulties in realizing his dream of having an independent business activity.
In 2016, Novi started a business as a fried food seller. His business journey was relatively short because there was no significant development in terms of income. Even though at that time she was also pregnant with a child.
He then switched, trying to follow the trend at that time, namely selling frozen food at retail. However, his efforts also did not bear sweet fruit. Novi failed again, because his income was unable to cover the expenses of the business he was running.
Novi even opened a typing service. This time his efforts could be said to have paid off. Its services are widely used by the local community. In fact, he also expanded at that time to become a travel agent.
However, once again he was faced with challenges that forced Novi to end his business. “We have tried various businesses, failed, since 2016, we kept having ups and downs, until finally my brother asked me to try another business, namely becoming a BRILink agent,” said Novi when met at his shop, Thursday (21/3).
In 2018 Novi decided to run a grocery store. His brother also recommended that the grocery store become a BRILink agent. Novi admitted that he saw the promising potential of the BRILink Agent. Because, at that time in Ragajaya Village, Bojonggede, Bogor, there were no ATM machines.
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The existence of banks can be said to be quite far away. Even though there are relatively many people living in that area. Novi realized that this mistake had become a promising opportunity as a BRILink agent. You could say, he is one of the pioneers of BRILink Agents in the area.
“At the end of 2018, I started to become a BRILink agent. In 2018 there were no ATMs. It was still old-fashioned here. But every day I always saw lots of people passing by, this was strategic at the time, I thought,” he said.
The journey to becoming a BRILink agent was not easy. Technological inadequacy and lack of understanding regarding financial access service facilities in the surrounding community are new challenges for Novi.
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He admitted that he never tires of continuing to educate the local community about BRILink agents and the services that can be provided. Explanation that BRILink Agent is an extension of PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk. He continues to do this to gain people’s trust.
Novi’s persistence in starting her own business was not in vain. Slowly but surely, people began to come to carry out financial transactions at the BRILink Agent Novi Store that he owned.
“From 50 transactions a month the first time, it rose to 100, 400, 500, now it’s quite big, there are 5,000 transactions. So it’s quite good,” he explained.
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“Most of the money here is withdrawals, cash withdrawals. Because they get paid directly here. For them it is more comfortable to contact a BRILink agent rather than going to an ATM,” continued Novi.
People going back and forth to Toko Novi also have an impact on the grocery store that Novi manages. At least, some customers who make transactions also shop at the grocery store. “BRILiink is an angler for my stall, because people come to see my merchandise and have a snack. So this is added value,” he explained.
The improvement in economic standards, added Novi, has clearly been felt by him since becoming a BRILink agent. But he is not complacent. Because other challenges have approached. Technological developments and the large number of ATM machines in the area can be said to be his main competitors.
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“Convenience and trust are our advantages as BRILink agents. Nowadays there are ATM machines everywhere, there is an ATM in front of my shop, but (people) still prefer to come here,” said Novi.
“We have a lot of competitors now, but that’s okay, because we have already managed the provision. We maintain customer comfort and trust. Because of that comfort, people ultimately choose to make transactions here,” he added.
Part of the Strategy
BRILink Agent is an innovation carried out by BRI to reach the entire community, especially those who have difficulty accessing banking facilities. This innovation was launched by the company at the end of 2014.
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Not just being an extension of providing bank facility services, BRILink agents also play an active role in encouraging increased financial inclusion and literacy in the country.
At least, the number of BRILink agents currently reaches 740 thousand, spread throughout Indonesia. Its role is increasingly crucial because throughout 2023 the value of transactions occurring at BRILink agents will reach IDR 1,400 trillion. This achievement was also appreciated by President Joko Widodo.
BRI President Director Sunarso said that his party would maintain and encourage the activities of BRILink Agents in Indonesia. The existence of the BRILink Agent is also part of the company’s strategy in realizing Hybrid Bank.
“You must feel that people are now making digital transactions, but actually transactions via digital payments in the form of a combination of digital and manual, which we call Hybrid Bank, are still popular with BRILink agents,” he added.
“The BRILink agent is an example of BRI’s transformation strategy to always implement its strategy in line with the concern of national economic development that is not only growing but also equitable,” concluded Sunarso. (Mir/Z-7)
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