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Tues, 11-Aug-2009: Small and medium Enterprises (SMEs) must heed the winds of change and adjust their sails accordingly if they are survive and compete effectively in the global markets today.
They must undergo a transformational change of their mindset and value system and strive to be more creative and innovative, and adopt branding initiatives in their approach to producing goods and services for the international market.
Speaking at the official launch of the SME Recognition Awards 2009 yesterday, Senator Heng Seai Kie, Deputy Minister of Information, Communications and Culture said countries around the world today are buffeted by the economic maelstrom arising from the near collapse of the US banking system last September.
Malaysia is not spared from this worldwide phenomenon, as demand for products and services have shrunked drastically , leading to many companies suffering huge losses and causing negative growth in our economy in the last few quarters.
Economic winds of change necessitate a rethinking of policies and strategies. That’s why, the Government has in recent months, announced a series of measures intended to bring about a new economic model to take Malaysia out of the current global economic gloom and into a new growth phrase.
The measures introduced, among them the liberation of our financial sector and, the lifting of foreign investment in 27 service sectors , should enhance our competitiveness in the global market and bring about greater foreign investment into the country.
Senator Heng added that the theme for this year’s SME Recognition Award 09 “Innovating and Branding Towards a New Paradigm” is most appropriate and timely as it reflects the urgent need for SMEs to change their traditional ways of doing business and adopt new technologies such as ICT and product branding to differentiate their products from their low-cost competitors.
The SME Recognition Awards 2009 is now in its eighth consecutive year of recognizing and celebrating the outstanding achievements of SMEs in Malaysia, said Chua Tiam Wee, National President of SMI Association of Malaysia.
In his speech, Chua said the Awards has not only provided publicity but also boost the image, credibility and intellectual property value of the 800-odd Award winners in the past seven years.
Chua said 2009 is a difficult year for SMEs. A number of its members as well as other SMEs have voiced out their hardship following the global recession.
“ Our Association has taken cognizance of such complaints and is working out various strategies to assist our SMEs regain their footing.
Chua said SME Recognition Award s this year will incorporate many new value-added features and innovations that will enhance the quality and relevancy of the Awards.
One of the changes is in the different Award categories. For instance, in the SME Services Excellence Award Category, the Award will now clearly identify the sector where the Award winner comes from. If the winner comes from say, the travel industry, the Winner’s industry sector will be highlighted in all the
Award collaterals, including the trophy and certificate.
Thus the inscriptions for the winners Awards will read as follows :
Name of Company - XYZ Company
Winner : SME Recognition Award 09
Category : Service Excellence Award ( In-bound Travel)
The inclusion of the industry sector which your company is in, will serve to highlight the recognition that your company is an outstanding performer in that particular industry sector, thereby enhancing and reinforcing your leadership position there.
This Award “upgrade” is applicable to the following Award Categories – Innovation Excellence, Export Excellence, ICT Adoption, Women Entrepreneur, Phoenix, Product Excellence, Service Excellence, Brand Excellence and Rising Star.
As there are so many sectors within any particular industry, SMEs in any sector of industry is eligible to be nominated for the Awards.
The organizers have also increased and enhanced the benefits accruing to winners of the SME Recognition Award 09 by ensuring greater media publicity on the domestic and international level, the latter through the setting up of a dedicated SME Achievers website in the world wide web. The website is currently under construction.
Winners will also get to join the SME Achievers Club, which is an exclusive club for the 800-over SME Recognition Award Winners. They will also be given opportunities to participate in a coffee table book showcasing the best of Malaysian SMEs and be featured in a special TV programme entitled “The Best of SME Achievers”, which the organizers are currently negotiating with the respective third parties.
Nominations for the SME Recognition Award 2009 are now open to all SMEs. The closing date for nomination is 15 September 2009 and winners of the SME Awards will be announced in a special ceremony in mid-November. The Award Presentation and Grand Dinner for the SME Awards is scheduled for 16 December 2009.
