New opportunities with data analytics
Forum explains big potential for businesses
More than 140 participants attended the first forum in the SME Thought Leadership 2019 series, titled Discover New Business Opportunities Through Big Data.
The free half-day forum at Menara Star focused on leveraging big data and analytics to enable SMEs to take their business to the next level.
The forum kicked off with a welcome speech by Star Media Group chairman Datuk Fu Ah Kiow, who said that despite challenges, today’s volatile environment also gives rise to new opportunities for businesses.
“For today’s session, we hope to be able to unravel some of the potential that big data can bring to your business and perhaps open pathways for collaborations and new business opportunities.
“A critical success factor for this series is for you to be able to walk away with usable insights, learning and takeaways that can immediately be acted upon in your respective businesses,” he said.
CIMB Group commercial banking chief executive officer Victor Lee Meng Teck noted that CIMB Bank Bhd aims to strongly support SMEs in matters of finance and capability building for growth.
“In the forum, there is a strong focus on how leveraging on big data and analytics could help SMEs run their business effectively and mine data for growth opportunities.
“Apart from gaining first-hand access to new technology, trends, issues, business tips and future developments in various industries, the Thought Leadership Forum also serves as a valuable networking platform for SMEs,” he said.
In addition, the bank’s commitment to supporting SMEs can be seen through its recent announcement to disburse RM15bil to 100,000 SMEs in the next two years.
CIMB group chief marketing officer Mohamed Adam Wee Abdullah, CIMB Bank Bhd SME Banking head Jaya Balan Kathiravalu and commercial banking head Yew Teik Beng were also present at the event to lend their support.
Star Media Group analytics senior general manager Freddy Loo and Fusionex International new technology managing director Isaac Jacob shared their knowledge and insights in separate plenary sessions to interested participants.
The forum then culminated in a panel discussion involving Loo, Jacob, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation CEO Surina Shukri, Malaysia Retail Chain Association deputy secretary-general Datuk Bruce Lim and SoCar Malaysia CEO Leon Sing Foong.
The SME Thought Leadership 2019 series, created as a platform for dialogue and learning within the business fraternity, is aimed at dissecting emerging business issues and identifying opportunities that can be leveraged to grow businesses. It comprises two conferences – including the May 2 forum – as well as tea-time talks.
The SME Thought Leadership 2019 series is organised by Star Media Group and presented by CIMB Bank Bhd.