Community and MSME observer Fransiscus Go stated that innovation is the key to sustaining and growing small businesses.

According to him, many MSME owners complain about a lack of customers, when the root of the problem often lies in a lack of creativity and product updates.

“If your business isn’t growing, it might not be because of low demand, but because of a lack of innovation,” said Frans Go in a written statement on Wednesday (05/09/2025) in Jakarta.

Frans Go explained that stagnant businesses usually rely on old strategies without trying new approaches.

He elaborated that innovation doesn’t always mean creating a completely new product. Small changes like more attractive packaging, additional services, or digital marketing can make a significant difference.

“Customers are always drawn to something fresh,” he added.

According to data from the Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs, about 60% of small businesses close within their first five years due to an inability to adapt to market changes. He emphasized that innovation is the solution to avoiding that fate.

Many MSME owners are stuck in their comfort zones, reluctant to try new things for fear of failure. However, Go believes failure is part of the learning process. “What matters is taking action, evaluating, and improving,” he said.

Beyond product innovation, Go advises small businesses to leverage technology. Social media marketing, for example, can reach a wider audience at a lower cost compared to conventional methods.

Frans Go hopes more MSME owners will dare to innovate to achieve business sustainability. “Don’t wait until you go bankrupt before making changes. Start now!” he concluded.