Telekom Malaysia Berhad : SME BIZFEST™ 2017 KICKS OFF IN KUALA LUMPUR

NEWS RELEASE

Kuala Lumpur

15 March 2017

SME BIZFEST™ 2017 KICKS OFF IN KUALA LUMPUR

Empowering SMEs to dominate the market via Digital way of doing business

Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) today kicks off the first leg of its annual SME event - SME BizFest™ 2017 at Sime Darby Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur. The first stop of the 5-venue-roadshows is carrying the theme 'Innovate to Dominate: Go Digital'. Targeting Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Malaysia from start-up level to mass business level, the event also offers aspiring entrepreneurs an opportunity to learn business tips from Malaysia's renowned business icons.

Speaking at the event, Imri Mokhtar, Executive Vice President, Consumer and SME, TM said, 'Living in a digital society today, we see how the Internet of Things (IoT) is changing the business landscape around the world. Embracing ICT innovation while doing business the digital way, is key to stay relevant and competitive in the market. Consumer spending habits have evolved tremendously. Not only they compare products and services via the Internet before making a purchase, they are also looking for easier ways to pay, track and receive their purchases. Some even willing to spend more to enjoy excellent after sales services from retailers.'

Now in its sixth edition, SME BizFest™ 2017 is specifically designed to address SMEs focus areas: to improve Sales and Marketing activities, to increase Business Productivity; and to enhance Customer Experience. Showcasing the latest ICT solutions and other business tools from more than 20 partners and exhibitors, the delegates' journey around SME BizFest™ 2017 will revolve around ways and ideas to help them in the aforementioned areas.

'We have gathered an all-encompassing solutions, means and methods to Engage Prospects, Empower Staff and Excite Customers. These are the three key components in the most innovative converged mode for staying ahead of the game. The use of converged digital technology is a key factor that can move SMEs up the value chain with greater innovation, efficiency, productivity and profitability. SME BizFest™ 2017 provides the exact ICT innovations, opportunities and inspirational talks that will help SMEs understand and embrace the new digital wave. As Malaysia's Convergence Champion, TM will continue to offer relevant convergence propositions to Malaysians via the 5 pillars of Smarter Living, Smarter Businesses, Smarter Cities, Smarter Communities and a Smarter Nation. This will cater to individual lifestyles and businesses alike, in line with our vision 'To Make Life and Business Easier, for a Better Malaysia',' added Imri.

SME BizFest™ 2017 will help SMEs through two (2) major components; the Conference featuring renowned business icons and coaches sharing their business tips and advice with the delegates; and the Experiential Hub, in which SMEs are offered a number of digital solutions and products to empower their business to next level. The Conference session for SME BizFest™ 2017 is divided into two (2) major clusters, namely Entrepreneurial Spirit; and Technology & Digital. The lineup of speakers for the first leg in Sime Darby Convention Centre is:

​Cluster	​Speaker​​
​Entrepreneur Spirit​ ​	​Carl Samsudin, Founder, Bella Ammara Topic: The RM1,000 Business Model
	​Jiun Ee Teoh, COO & Co-Founder, Carsome.My Topic: Logistics In the Digital Era
​​​Tech​​nology & Digital	​Loh Ben Jern, Technologist & Gadgeteer Topic: Human Behavior + Digital Social Space = New Marketing Era
	Jon Day, Head Of Marketing, Google Malaysia Topic: How You Can Grow Your Business With Digital Marketing
	Sarah Shah Nor, CEO, Modvier Topic: How To Dominate In The Online Retail Business

Besides the Conference and Experiential Hub, Partners and Supporters of SME BizFest™ 2017 also share latest information on their respective field of expertise. Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM), Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA), Facebook Malaysia, Google and Human Resource Development Fund (HRDF) are among the partners who enlighten the SMEs with tips and business advisory service during pocket talk slots throughout the event.

SME BizFest™ 2017 is endorsed by SME Corporation of Malaysia and Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), with Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad as the Platinum Partner and JomPay (MyClear) as the Silver Partner. SME Association of Malaysia, MARA and SSM are also on board to support this event as the official Supporters, while Media partners for SME BizFest™ 2017 are HyppTV, Malaysia SME, and The News Straits Times Press (NSTP).

In conjunction with SME BizFest™ 2017, TM is offering a special SME BizFest™ Campaign Promotion, which offers all SMEs a specially-designed package for SMEs comprising high speed broadband connectivity and ICT value-added solutions with savings of more than RM2,000 when they register throughout the event period. SME BizFest™ 2017 visitors can also receive exclusive freebies when they subscribe to any of TM's products and services during the event.

SME BizFest™ 2017 will continue the roadshow at four (4) other locations:

​​Venue	​​Date​
​Borneo Convention Centre, Kuching, Sarawak	​30 March
​Grand Riverview Hotel, Kota Bharu, Kelantan	​4 April
​Persada Johor International Convention Centre, Johor Bahru, Johor	​11 April
​The Magellan Sutera Resort, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah	​11 May

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Entrance to SME BizFest™ 2017 is FREE and interested participants can register via online at www.tm.com.my/smebizfest where early birds stand a chance to win premium goodie bags worth RM200, and also other interesting prizes. Whilst exhibitors can receive special promo rates for early bookings or if they intend to participate at more than one of the event venues.