The ten-part BIBD SME360 Series continued today with a virtual forum which saw a discussion of the current shape and state of the events, and creative and professional consultancy industry.
The two-day event began on 1 June with a session titled ‘The New Work Order (Part 1): Evolution of Brunei’s Professional Consultancy Industry’.
The first session of Day 1 featured a panel of speakers that included Fadhiullah Haji Hassan, Senior Business Counselor of Brunei LiveWire; Aimi Ramlee, Co-founder and Director of Innovation and Growth, Tyne Solutions; Puvan Balasubramaniam, Co-founder of SynergenOG; and Ambrose Nathan, Managing Director of BizAdvize.
The sessions’ panelists underscored the responsibility of business owners to recognise the abilities and skills of their employees and train them should they lack the necessary skills for career advancements and upgrades.
Digitalisation and innovation play a big role in the growth and survival of businesses hence the younger generation must have the relevant skills required in the current digital age.
The following session titled ‘The New Work Order (Part 2): Leading in the era of Ideas, Creativity and Rapid Changes’ was participated by Zulfariq Hj Zainuddin, Partner, Deloitte and Touche; Devin Edwards, Founder of Firelight Marketing; Sophian Mat Suny, Co-founder of DRS Training Company; and Elizabeth Kumar, Transformation Manager at BLNG.
Speakers at the session highlighted that the new norm is still a term with no clear definition therefore leaders need to be inspirational and creative and attentive with their problem-solving approaches.
They added leaders should also be receptive and supportive of new ideas to enhance efficiency and productivity. The first topic on Day 2 titled ‘Reboot of Brunei’s Event Industry: Wedding & MICE (Meeting, Incentives, Conference & Exhibition)’ featured speakers such as Edgar Leong, Founder of Atmosphere Event Management; Nurul Atikah Mumali, General Manager of RYS Entertainment; and Amy Cheong, Co-founder of Relentless Academy.
Speakers at the session said underscored the importance of cooperation and teamwork to ensure events and programme are executed successfully and in an orderly fashion.
The second session of Day 2 titled ‘Brunei’s Creative Industry: Challenges and Opportunities’ was participated by Siti Kamaluddin, Founder of Origin Productions; Joshua Lew, Director of Strategy and Operations at Hoco Agency; and Liyana Hanif, founder of Just Bruneians.
During the session, the speakers underscored the importance of gaining great recognition because of hard work as well as using social media to build up a reputation and engage an audience.
The final session carried the topic ‘The Emerging Coaching, Learning & Executive Development Industry in Brunei’ which was participated by Lisa Ibrahim, founder of Coaching with Lisa Ibby; Major (Rtd) Rusli Bujang, President of Brunei Councelling Association and Founder of Empowerior Sdn Bhd; and Goh Chai Li, Founder and Chief Learning Officer of Mavensdotlive.
Speakers in this session highlighted that in providing counselling and coaching to clients, coaches need to provide clarity and support in their advice and guidance.
They also need to be more active and find opportunities to showcase their capabilities on social media. All topics discussed were in line with BIBD’s effort to help SMEs recover sustainably following the outbreak of COVID-19 in the country.
It is also part of BIBD’s commitment to educate and bring awareness to areas where businesses can learn how to carry out more environmentally conscious business practices – all within the three pillars of the BIBD Sustainability Framework, in this particular, Responsible Entrepreneurship.
Having recently entered the endemic phase with physical stores reopening their doors to consumers and visitors, it is hoped that the SME360 SERIES acts a platform for businesses and organisations to garner ideas that will help them rebound and recover from the impact of COVID-19.
The next forum will be held at the Brunei Mid-Year Conference and Exhibition (MYCE) at the International Convention Centre (ICC) on 17 June 2022.
Members of the public are welcome to join the next forum which will cover the energy industry in conjunction with the ‘Energy Week’ at MYCE 2022. The final episode of the SME360 will also be held at ICC during the Economy Week at MYCE 2022 on 1 July.
The SME360 SERIES, which runs from January to May 2022, features two industry highlights every month. The series of virtual forums aims to gather thought leaders and industry experts from 10 main business sectors across Brunei in engagement sessions with business owners and stakeholders to discuss the challenges, best practices, perspectives and opportunities to come back stronger.
The programme is organised by BIBD with DARe (Darussalam Enterprise) as strategic partner, co-curated by Firelight Sdn Bhd and Curious Mind.
It is jointly supported by 10 of Brunei’s major trade association partners and key market players namely the Malay, Chinese, Indian and National Chamber of Commerce, LiveWIRE, BIMP-EAGA, Young Entrepreneurs Association of Brunei (YEAB), Royal Brunei Catering (RBC), McDonalds Brunei, Serikandi Group, GoMamam, Ghanim International Corporation (bruneihalalfoods), Jab Gym, Hua Ho and Soon Lee.
BIBD Group’s strategic vision is aligned with His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s Vision 2035 and recently, through its sustainability framework, the bank aspires to complement the government’s efforts to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) by creating a holistic plan that contributes towards lasting economic growth, community empowerment, healthier lifestyles and more environmentally conscious production and consumption.
The bank hopes that the SME360 SERIES will benefit businesses and provide guidance and support towards the growth of a more vibrant, dynamic and sustainable entrepreneurial environment in Brunei – consistent with the bank’s role as the Partner in Progress.
This article was first published on 04 June 2022 in our Weekly Epaper issue 196 |
THE BRUNEIAN | BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
