The Star hosts PUMM empowerment event to gather like-minded entrepreneurs
PETALING JAYA: Local entrepreneurs got together for an evening of networking and to talk up business opportunities and the way forward.
Members of the Malaysia Entrepreneurs’ Development Association (PUMM) participated in the “Business Empowerment Talk and Networking” event organised by the Star Outstanding Business Awards (SOBA) team at Menara Star here.
Also present at the Friday gathering were SOBA sponsors.
The occasion provided an avenue for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to mingle among their peers and look into possibilities of business development and expansion, as they savoured the refreshments served and took part in a photo session.
Making connections: At the front row (from left) are Beh, PUMM vice presidents Michael Teoh Su Lim and Datuk Teh Tai Yong, Ng and PUMM central committee vice president Arlene Tan. — LOW LAY PHON/The Star
Guests were suitably decked out according to the “Oriental” theme to mark the Mid-Autumn Festival.
The evening kicked off with opening remarks by PUMM central committee deputy president Nelson Beh, who, after greeting many of its members in attendance, said it is important for businesses to network and get to know more people.
“We have a lot of professionals and industrial leaders who can brainstorm together and help each other become big corporations and public-listed companies.
“Networking is the most important and significant for entrepreneurial development.
“It helps grow some of the best ideas that can be shared and get inspired from,” he said.
Star Media Group (SMG) chief content officer Esther Ng, in her welcoming remarks, said SOBA and PUMM are similar in that both are committed in supporting the growth of home-grown businesses, particularly SMEs.
“There is much that SOBA and PUMM can learn from and leverage each another,” she said.
Proguard Technologies founder and chief operating officer Datuk Lee Ngai Mun shared his journey of winning six SOBA awards in 2017 and the recognition that came with that, from securing business opportunities to attracting good talent.
“Pick up the challenge. Be the lion,” he encouraged while urging participants to choose the SOBA category they are strong at.
SOBA 2022 sponsor Digi business dealers head Choong Li Shyan said: “Events like this create a lot of opportunities for business owners to share ideas.”
SMEs, she added, can make industry friends and partners, catch up on the latest market trends and innovations, which they can then share with their own team later.
Digi business dealers sales head Danny Leow exhorted SMEs to embrace digitalisation.
“Customers who have signed up for the digital journey with us are now enhancing and improving their digital platforms in Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and more.”
RHB Bank SME business development head Keith Choo Weng Hock said these events allow SMEs to showcase what they are currently doing and what they can offer to the industry.
“They may also want to re-evaluate how they are managing their companies, their business direction and what they plan to do as they approach the end of the year,” he said.
On the industries’ latest attention on environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues, Choo noted that most companies are learning about and adopting the concept in their business practices.
“SMEs may want to start adopting ESG in transforming their companies to make them more attractive to their supply chain and even investors,” he added.
TalentCorp head for tourism, fast-moving consumer goods, food and beverages and retail Safrina Lasa said the event allows her team to assist SMEs grow and transform themselves.
SOBA 2022 is organised by SMG with Credit Guarantee Corporation Malaysia Bhd, Digi, PKT Logistics Group and RHB Bank as main sponsors, TalentCorp Malaysia as co-sponsor and Matrade as official trade promotion partner.
Supported by Bursa Malaysia, it is audited by BDO with 988 and Suria as official media partners.
For more information on SOBA 2022, call SMG Events at 017-231 1789 or visit www.soba.com.my.
Watch the full event here: https://www.thestartv.com/v/631353e7a9837
