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Staying ahead in digital age

[ 21-09-2019 ]

Digi business marketing and operations head Steven Soon (second from left) delivering his speech as (from left) Johor South SME Association advisor Teh Kee Sin, RHB Bank Bhd commercial banking head Azlina Safian and PKT Logistics Group Sdn Bhd chief operating officer P’ng Tean Hau look on during the panel discussion.

SMALL and medium enterprises (SMEs) have to think big to expand their business. And the way forward is to go digital.

“Technology is a necessity and no longer an option for SMEs if they want to compete in the business world,” said Digi business marketing and operations head Steven Soon.

He said their contributions to Malaysia’s economy were important, as more than 80% of businesses in the country involved the sector.

Soon was one of three panellists at the SOBA LAB held in Trove Hotel, the official venue host for the workshop in Johor Baru.

The other two were PKT Logistics Group Sdn Bhd chief operating officer P’ng Tean Hau and RHB Bank Bhd commercial banking head Azlina Safian.

Johor South SME Association advisor Teh Kee Sin moderated the session which was themed “Engine of Growth”.

For P’ng, SMEs should not fear technology but instead fully utilise social media platforms as tools to market their products or services.

“Think out of the box and you need to have confidence when trying something new beyond your comfort zone,” he said.

It was up to SMEs to choose, P’ng pointed out, whether they want to continue doing business the old way or start embracing technology for future gains and benefits.

Meanwhile, Azlina advised SMEs to sign contracts when agreeing to supply products or services to other parties and if they want to apply for loans to expand their businesses.

“There have been cases where the other parties did not honour the contracts, but nothing could be done as they (SMEs) did not have contracts signed,” she said.

Other speakers at the Johor SOBA LAB were Credit Guarantee Corporation Malaysia Bhd bumiputera development and products senior vice-president Mohamed Azman Mohamed Taufik, Salutary Avenue Group director Azman Abu Naim, Oxwhite founder CK Chang, Muzart International Sdn Bhd director Daphne Teh and DF Automation & Robotics Sdn Bhd director Dr Yeong Che Fai.

The next SOBA LAB session will take place on Aug 8, from 9am to 4.30pm, at Lexis Suites in Penang.

Those interested can register via bit.ly/SOBALABPG19

This year’s SOBA is now open for submission, for all locally incorporated enterprises that are not part of a multinational or listed group with foreign equity not exceeding 50%.

Those interested in participating can download the submission pack at soba.com.my and the deadline for entries is Oct 7.

SOBA 2019 is organised by Star Media Group with Digi, PKT Logistics Group Sdn Bhd and RHB Bank Bhd as main sponsors, Credit Guarantee Corporation Malaysia

Bhd as co-sponsor and Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation as official trade promotion partner.

It is endorsed by the International Trade and Industry Ministry, supported by Bursa Malaysia and audited by BDO, with dimsum as official media partner.

For further details, call The Star Events Business Units at 03-7967 1388 ext 1857 (Pei Wen) or 1529 (Kimy), or visit soba.com.my