On September 21 2024, the Marketing Study Club (KSMP) visited one of the leading batik businesses in Yogyakarta, Batik Winotosastro. This event was attended by a number of KSMP members and administrators who wanted to learn more about the business world, especially in creative industries such as batik.
This visit aims to provide students with direct experience regarding business management, marketing strategies, as well as challenges and opportunities in the batik industry. Winotosastro Batik, which was founded in 1940, is one of the handwritten batik producers that continues to exist amidst the times. During this visit, students had the opportunity to learn directly about the batik production process, from design, coloring, to product marketing.
The event began with remarks from the Chief Executive, Winotosastro Batik Party and KSMP Trustees. Then, the group was taken on a tour to see the process of making written and stamped batik, and to understand the philosophy behind traditional batik motifs. The students were also invited to discuss with business owners about how Batik Winotosastro was able to maintain its existence amidst the increasingly competitive batik industry.
In the discussion, Batik Winotosastro explained the importance of innovation in design. Apart from that, they also emphasized the importance of maintaining product quality and originality, especially in the face of cheaper printed batik products.
This visit provided many new insights regarding business management and marketing strategies. They also received inspiration from Batik Winotosastro’s efforts to continue to innovate without abandoning existing traditional values. By learning directly about experienced business practices, students are expected to be able to apply the knowledge gained in the business projects they design in the future.
This visit was an opportunity for KSMP students to broaden their knowledge about the business world, especially in the field of marketing local products that have high cultural value. Through a visit to Batik Winotosastro, students gained inspiration and new insights to understand how businesses that have been running for a long time are able to develop and compete, as well as how innovation and effective marketing can support business sustainability.