THE Star Outstanding Business Award (SOBA) 10th Anniversary Celebration brought together the SOBA alumni to commemorate the award’s milestone.
Held at New World Petaling Jaya Hotel, the momentous occasion saw the presence of more than 250 guests from various companies and organisations.
Marking a decade of championing business excellence among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) since its inception, the night also recognised the success of past SOBA recipients, with some guests taking the golden opportunity to reconnect with old friends while others made new ones.
“SOBA has been a very good initiative by The Star over the past 10 years.
“It is not just about giving awards and recognising performing small businesses, but also in the process, we have brought along a lot of knowledge and information, as well as the sharing of experiences by successful entrepreneurs.
“Through the process, SMEs evaluate and improve themselves to bring their achievements to a higher stage. This is the more important aspect of SOBA.
“Going forward, SOBA and also The Star will look at having more programmes to engage not only SOBA participants, but also young entrepreneurs in the country, ” said Star Media Group (SMG) chairman Datuk Fu Ah Kiow.
A total of nine categories were presented to recognise the achievements of past SOBA alumni over the years, including SME Advocate, Pioneer (Platinum), Zenith Achiever and Powerhouse.
The recognition for SME Advocate was given to past SOBA winners who have contributed to the SME community by sharing their knowledge and business knowhow during SOBA events to help them build capacity; the Pioneer (Platinum) category for SOBA winners that participated in the inaugural awards back in 2010 and won the Platinum award; the Zenith Achiever category, which recognises SOBA winners that have transitioned from an SME to a listed company on Bursa Malaysia in the past decade, and the Powerhouse category for past award winners that have won more than three SOBA Platinum or Grand Winner awards in the same period.
Most Awards Won and Growth Excellence recipient Acestar Sdn Bhd group chief executive officer Natalie Sit commended SOBA for being a significant platform to encourage the growth of SMEs.
“SOBA is a prestigious award that cannot be bought.
“Thanks to SOBA, we were motivated to do better and given the opportunity to grow further through exposure in The Star, which garnered us visibility in the industry and also the trust that our customers have in us, ” she said.
Prior to the celebration, guests enjoyed two sessions of Cognac Appreciation hosted by Pernod Ricard, where they were able to experience the aromas, crus and blends characterising the complexities of a cognac, guided by Martell brand ambassador Jean-Baptiste Gourvil.
They were then treated to a delectable Malaysian-themed cuisine, as well as drinks by beer sponsor Carlsberg and cognac sponsor Pernod Ricard.
Among the highlights of the night was a session on “Building a Sustainable Business” by Sunway Group founder and chairman Tan Sri Dr Jeffrey Cheah, the event’s guest of honour.
“I’m here as an experienced entrepreneur and businessperson and I can see a lot of enthusiasm from the participants.
“I think this should go on every year to inspire young people to perform better for the country. We will continue to motivate and incentivise if possible for young people to think and become more innovative and creative, ” said Cheah.
During the dinner, guests were also treated to a fashion showcase.
Themed Taste of Malaysiana, the curated fashion show by the Malaysian Bumiputra Designers Association featured local designers Bon Zainal, Rasta Rashid, RamondZack and Tawaf Timepieces.
Also present at the event were SMG chief executive officer Andreas Vogiatzakis, PKT Logistics Group Sdn Bhd group chairman Datuk Jalilah Baba, RHB Bank Bhd group business and transaction banking head Jeffrey Ng, Digi chief business officer Eugene Teh, Credit Guarantee Corporation Malaysia Bhd
president and chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Zamree Mohd Ishak and Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) export acceleration deputy chief executive officer Mustafa Abdul Aziz.
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Star Outstanding Business Award (SOBA) 10th Anniversary Celebration
(From left) Digi chief business officer Eugene Teh, SMG chief business officer Lydia Wang, Credit Guarantee Corporation Malaysia Bhd president and chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Zamree Mohd Ishak, SMG chief executive officer Andreas Vogiatzakis, Sunway Group founder and chairman Tan Sri Dr Jeffrey Cheah, SMG chairman Datuk Fu Ah Kiow, RHB Bank Bhd group business and transaction banking head Jeffrey Ng, Sunway Group brand marketing and communications senior general manager Jane Poh, Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) export acceleration deputy chief executive officer Mustafa Abdul Aziz and SMG executive editor Brian Martin at the Star Outstanding Business Awards 10th Anniversary Celebration at New World Petaling Jaya Hotel. — Photos: AZHAR MAHFOF, FAIHAN GHANI, IZZRAFIQ ALIAS, KEVIN TAN and YAP CHEE HONG/The Star
(From left) Malaysia Retail Chain Association (MRCA) council members Raymond Woo and Seak Thean Pow, RHB Bank Bhd SME banking chapter lead partnership Chew Wee Chern, Malaysian Bumiputra Designers Association president Bon Zainal Harun, MRCA deputy treasurer-general Datuk Winnie Lim, president Datuk Seri Garry Chua, vice-presidents Shirley Tay and Valerie Choo, as well as general manager Simon Wong.
Digi business marketing and operations (business division) department head Steven Soon (third from left) and corporate account manager (central) head Thew Soon Kheng (fourth from left) and team.
(From left) Vanilla Mille Crepe Sdn Bhd co-founder and chief executive officer Nelson Liew, PKT Logistics Group Sdn Bhd chief operating officer P’ng Tean Hau, group chairman Datuk Wira Jalilah Baba, corporate culture head Sharon Lian May Lin, corporate communications head Behonce Beh and SMG client brand marketing assistant general manager KC Tan at the SOBA 10th Anniversary Celebration.
Sunway Group founder and chairman Tan Sri Dr Jeffrey Cheah (centre) autographing a book at Credit Guarantee Corporation Malaysia Bhd’s booth, accompanied by SMG chief executive officer Andreas Vogiatzakis (left) and chairman Datuk Fu Ah Kiow (second from left).
(From left) Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) corporate communications officer Jeannie Tan, strategic communications assistant manager Mohd Saifulhafiz Jaafar, senior manager Zuhaila Sedek, SMG client brand marketing assistant general manager KC Tan, senior executive Nur Afzan Abdul Aziz and ideation assistant manager Michelle Siew.
Carlsberg Malaysia corporate communications and corporate social responsibility director Pearl Lai (left) with brand ambassadors at the Carlsberg booth set up at the event.
Participants of the cognac appreciation session hosted by Pernod Ricard were given an insider’s view by Martell brand ambassador Jean-Baptiste Gourvil to gain a finer appreciation and understanding of cognac.
A model showing off a gorgeous Batek by Rasta Rashid creation on the catwalk of the curated fashion show by MBDA.
(From left) Malaysian Bumiputra Designers Association member RamondZack@Chef Zainal Abd Rahman, president Bon Zainal, SMG chief executive officer Andreas Vogiatzakis, MBDA vice-president Rasta Rashid and member Tawaf Timepieces founders Kama Johari Muhammad and Adila Kamal Redzuan.
SOBA alumni raising a toast to celebrate the award’s milestone.
(From left) Forefront International executive creative director Jack Tan, junior art director William Soh, chief operating officer Jeff Chang, associate creative director Nico Pua, brand communications specialist Soo Nen Lin and marketing communication executive Yvonne Lee.
Sunway Group founder and chairman Tan Sri Dr Jeffrey Cheah delivering a heartfelt speech to inspire the SOBA alumni.
The SMG team celebrates a job well done after the curtain falls on the SOBA 10th Anniversary Celebration.
