Support for small businesses
RUNNING a business is no easy feat. Studies show that a majority do not make it to the third year-mark.
Seeing the need for such support in the business community, AmBank launched its BizCLUB intiative, a platform offering knowledge, networking opportunities and media coverage to businesses looking to scale to the next level.
“We do not want to just push our products. We want to play an important role in helping businesses succeed and providing financing is just one factor. Most businesses need a lot of other things, such as manpower, learning how to manage production, how to reduce cost, put products on the shelf and collect money from sales,” says Christopher Yap, managing director of Business Banking.
The AmBank BizCLUB was launched on September 19 and kicked off with a nationwide tour consisting of five AmBank BizConferences in Penang, Johor, Sabah and Sarawak. The
BizConferences wrapped up with a finale in Kuala Lumpur on November 1, featuring successful CEOs, entrepreneurs and thought leaders.
AmBank extended its initiative further with the AmBank BizRACE, where over RM2mil worth of leadership development activities are waiting to be won by the top 15 businesses. These include entrepreneurship development programmes at a prestigious global university worth RM1.2mil, subscriptions to Harvard ManageMentor worth over RM500,000, two seats at the European School of Management & Technology worth over RM100,000, media packages worth up to RM595,000, a culture and leadership development programme worth up to RM350,000, a field trip to China to learn from an internationally renowned organisation and coaching opportunities with experienced entrepreneurs.
In the AmBank BizRACE, 100 applicants will be selected based on their plans for scalability and growth, and invited to attend a series of pitching sessions with an esteemed panel of judges.
During these pitching sessions, participants will be able to meet and obtain valuable advice from industry leaders such as managing director of Google Malaysia, Vietnam, Philippines and New Emerging Markets, Sajith Sivanandan, Credit Guarantee Corporation (CGC) CEO Datuk Mohd Zamree Mohd Ishak, IOI Group CEO Datuk Lee Yeow Chor, Digi CEO Albern Murty and FashionValet co-founders Vivy Yusof and Fadzarudin Shah.
The AmBank BizRACE is co-sponsored by AmMetLife Insurance Berhad, CGC, DiGi, Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF) and K-PINTAR. Interested business owners may register to participate in the AmBank BizRACE at ambankbizclub.com from now until November 15, 2017.