SOBA judges, past winners share winning tips

TO encourage those deciding to enter the Star Outstanding Business Awards (SOBA) 2024 that they can excel in their submissions, organiser Star Media Group (SMG) has prepared a special event that assists them to perfect their entries and increase their chances at winning the awards.

Called SOBA Accelerate, this event was held on Oct 29 at Menara Star, Petaling Jaya.

Participants had the chance to take in sound knowledge and advice from the judges in the first session.

The first session’s topic, “Uncover Key Elements Judges Value from SOBA Participants” was moderated by Teh Kim Teh, Salina & Co senior partner Datuk Teh Tai Yong and featured SOBA judges Malaysia External Trade Development Corp (Matrade) strategic planning division senior director Raja Badrulnizam Raja Kamalzaman, Reanda LLKG International managing partner Datuk Koong Lin Loong and Censuria Capital Sdn Bhd principal Datuk Jennifer Ong.

Raja Badrulnizam started by addressing the importance of presentation: “Level of presentation is very important, not just in terms of knowing your product, but also knowing what to say to us, to catch our attention.” He also added that presenters should also highlight only the key points in their presentations and also to note their time management.Koong said for in-person presentations participants should highlight their vision in the first few minutes when they start.

“The (company’s) vision is very difficult to write but if you are a passionate entrepreneur, I think you are able to speak up.”

He also mentioned to show how the company has grown via financial records.

Ong advised participants to create a clear structure flow that makes their journey and their achievement easy for the judges to understand.

“Applicants often focus on content, they forget the importance of engaging with judges, like your eye contact, confidence via body language. These can make significant differences in building a strong connection with judges,” she added.

In the second session, themed “Winners’ Circle – Navigating the Competition and Stand Out as a SOBA Winner”, past winners Complete Human Network Sdn Bhd founder and chief executive officer Teh Chai Peng, Peoplelogy Development Sdn Bhd founder Allen Lee and DC Healthcare Holdings Bhd managing director Dr Chong Tze Sheng share their strategies and methods that distinguished them from the competition and is moderated by Arlene Tan of Ng, Arlene Tan & Leong.Lee mentioned that while a business is aimed at making profits it should not overlook its purpose.

“There’s only one way to make your purpose come true is you must keep on innovating. (We) believe in three innovations; innovating services to understand customers; cost effectiveness in the innovation; and to consistently innovate the products based on customer requests.”

Chai Peng referred to author and trainer on business leadership Simon Sinek when she asked, “Why do you do what you do?

“You must have a purpose and you must have passion,” she said. The last point she mentioned was business performance.

Chong pointed out that business founders should be the ones presenting the pitch as their ideas and passion will reflect the company’s true nature.

“I believe in our owner’s passion that you can do it and represent yourself differently.”

He also added that it is also important to improve how the team works.

The event also hosted presentations by SOBA sponsor RHB Bank Bhd and PKT Logistics Group Sdn Bhd.

The event concluded with a networking session over coffee break, where participants managed to mingle with the speakers and moderators for additional tips.

SOBA 2024 is organised by SMG with Credit Guarantee Corp Bhd, PKT Logistics Group Sdn Bhd and RHB Bank as main sponsors, with Matrade being the official trade promotion partner.

It is audited by BDO while radio stations 988 and Suria are official media partners.For more information, call SMG Events (017-231 1789) or go to www.soba.com.my.