PETALING JAYA: Networking was the highlight of the recent Star Outstanding Business Awards (SOBA) event that was held at Menara Star on July 28 to a packed auditorium.
This business event that focuses on leadership content made its debut last year in SOBA 2025.
This peer-learning platform kicked off with a panel session on “Building High-Performance Teams, Future Leaders and Enduring Brands”, which was moderated by Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) chief executive officer Datuk Seri Rosman Mohamed.
Speakers include PKT Logistics Group Sdn Bhd chief operating officer Dr Jason Cheah, Global Institute For Tomorrow (GIFT) strategy and partnerships director Marques Jeevan Menon and BrioHR chief executive officer Benjamin Croc.
Stressing the importance of succession planning, Cheah said, “Companies don’t depend on superheroes. We have to have a system that enables ordinary people to produce extraordinary results.”
Marques’ point was that there is a huge advantage if the awareness about change involves more people in the organisation. “Not just the C-suites, not just the people at the top, but this has to be all of the organisation or the entire system and structure.”
Croc advised that “it’s always possible to build more trust, to deepen the relationships you have with, of course, your employees, but here we are talking also about your clients, your partners, your vendors, all the stakeholders, in fact, operating with you as you go ahead with your business.”
At the conclusion, panellists stressed that the importance of sustainable businesses does not rest on exceptional individuals rather on repeatable systems.
They also mentioned that trust is the foundation of high performance and leaders must embrace continuous change and learning.
In his summary, Rosman said, “AI is not going to replace your job. But if you do not want to learn AI, you will be replaced,” as well as to remind the audience what well-known investor and philanthropist Warren Buffett told him: “Be humble and learn as much as you can”.
Following that were three thematic business pitches, the first was titled “From Cash Flow to Capital: Funding Sustainable Growth”, where the speakers shared how Malaysian businesses can strengthen cash flow, access funding and build financial resilience to support their expansion, navigate uncertainty and sustain long-term growth.
This was presented by SOBA alumni members PhytoGaia Sdn Bhd vice president Bryan See, MM Century Sdn Bhd strategy and partnerships director Jayasilen Sivapragasam, Collaborative Excellence Sdn Bhd managing partner Chong Li Ken and RHB Bank SME business development head Kelvin Chin.
In the following pitch, SOBA alumni PEOPLElogy Bhd chief executive officer (CEO) Cally Yau, My AOne Learning Sdn Bhd founder Dr Darren Gouk, Lunix Health Sdn Bhd (Vealthme Group) CEO Liu Kit Ying and U Mobile Sdn Bhd SME head Caroline Chin, spoke on “AI and Digitalisation That Delivers Real Business Results”.
They shared their experiences on how AI and digital tools were able to help them streamline their operations, boost their productivity and unlock new growth opportunities in today’s competitive and technology driven environment.
The final thematic pitch was centred on “Driving Efficiency, Consistency and Scalable Operations”, which explored how Malaysian businesses are able to optimise processes, strengthen operational discipline and build scalable systems to improve efficiency, maintain quality and
support sustainable growth as their businesses expand.
This theme was opened by SOBA sponsor Cheah, with SOBA alumni Airestec Innovations Sdn Bhd managing director William Rodney Yeo and SOBA alumni Camps and Apparels Corp Sdn Bhd CEO Colin Lye.
Overall, the event was well received, with Croc saying, “Fantastic experience with an engaged crowd and great panel. Pragmatic, actionable wisdom from an eclectic range of industries”.
While See said, “My biggest takeaway was seeing how
continuous value addition and strong innovation truly make businesses stand out and thrive in sustainable growth.”
Gouk said, “SOBA Connect PJ was a well-organised and meaningful platform that brought together business leaders from different industries to exchange practical insights, experiences and ideas.”
Present during the networking session were sponsor booths by PKT Logistics Group and RHB Bank. SOBA 2026 is organised by SMG with Credit Guarantee Corporation Bhd, PKT Logistics Group Sdn Bhd, RHB Bank and U Mobile Sdn Bhd 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 the SOBA Hotline (017-231 1789) or go to www.soba.com.my
