Enterprise Explores

Social media is getting more cluttered. Customer acquisition cost is getting higher. Direct to consumer companies need new techniques to find customers. And in a world where Instagram Reels and TikTok are taking over the digital space, how important is making video content? Is written content outdated? We speak to Brandon Lee, Co-founder of Digital Marketing Agency Pandan Social to talk more about this. Photo Credits: Shuttershock | New AfricaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Given the volatile and choppy nature of sales, how businesses manage their salespeople and sales process can be very important to keep them going. Whether that’s due to an economic slowdown where sales slow down across the board or a personal rough patch for one or 2 salespeople.Today on BizBytes we explored how to build an effective sales strategy and keep sales going during tough times with Serge Romano, Director and Head Sales Coach with Leverage Sales Coaching Australia.Serge will be in KL from March 15-17, speaking at EO Taipan’s 2023 event - ‘Challenge the Storm’. Learn more at: https://eotaipan.com/masterclass-2023/Photo Credits: Shuttershock | fizkesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As we all know, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we work and interact with each other. What changes have occurred in the workplace due to the pandemic? And how are these changes fast-tracking emerging work models? Is there really a power shift in the employee/employer relationship - and where are we now?We discuss how the pandemic has accelerated the adoption of flexible and remote work models alongside Kulturpop’s Matt Armitage.Photo Credits: Shuttershock | Ground PictureSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

RM 2 billion will be provided by Bank Negara to fund sustainable technology start-ups and help SMEs implement low-carbon practices. And there are plans to extend the period of tax allowance and green income tax exemption until 2025. But how comprehensive and encouraging are these allocations for SMEs to start going green, or even going beyond and start practising ESG? We speak to Margie Ong, CEO of Thoughts In Gear, a sustainability consulting firm in Malaysia to get her thoughts on this. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Funding is the lifeblood of any SME or startup, but what is the “correct” amount to raise to build and grow a successful business? Today on BizBytes, we explore this with early stage investor Bikesh Lakhmichand, CEO of Leet Capital.We also get into:-How a founder or entrepreneur can assess the value of their business when engaging and negotiating with inventors-How much funding is an idea worth-Managing the potential lack of discipline and lack of 'lean-ness' when startups follow the ‘raise as much as you can’ mentality.Photo Credits: Shuttershock | Amnaj KhetsamtipSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After Budget 2023 was announced last week, the travel and tourism industry was not entirely happy about it because the ministry is the third smallest in this year’s allocation. Some say it’s too low to help and even the minister himself will be requesting additional funding. To help us understand more about the current tourism landscape and whether the funding really missed the mark, we speak to Hannah Pearson, founder of Pear Anderson. Photo Credits: Shuttershock | TwinsterphotoSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last Friday, Prime Minister and Finance Minister tabled a revised national budget. With a total increase of RM15.8 million, how much can MSMEs benefit from this budget compared to the proposed budget last October? What should MSMEs pay close attention to? We speak to Fung Mei Lin, Entrepreneurial & Private Business Leader, PwC Malaysia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim tables his government’s budget in Parliament, BizBytes focuses on using Budget 2023 to boost youth employment through SMEs and the digital economy with Dr. Siti Nurul Munawwarah Roslan, Lecturer at Taylor’s University’s School of Accounting and Finance. BizBytes also got into:-Helping SMEs digitalise-Looking into alternative data for credit risk assessments-Helping SMEs offset the cost of going greenBrought to you by Mah Sing. Reinvent Spaces. Enhance LifePhoto Credits: Shuttershock | David GyungSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While Malaysia’s startup ecosystem has shown a lot of promise and potential, it still lags behind in the region, particularly when compared to Singapore or Indonesia. On the eve of the tabling of Budget 2023 2.0, we explore what the government can do to better support and stimulate Malaysia’s startup ecosystem to close the gap with regional peers. Helping us with this is Aaron Sarma, General Partner of startup accelerator and VC - ScaleUp Malaysia.Among other things, we get into:-Key government initiatives that have had a significant positive impact on the startup landscape -How to address gaps in startup funding and talent needs-The importance of creating greater market access-Whether we need a “Buy Malaysian First” policy-Why we need to get better at telling great stories about Malaysian startups globally-The need to simplify the fragmented government support system focused on startups and SMEs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The instability, insecurity and relentless upheaval of the past several years has left workers anxious. And now, as layoffs proliferate, and pay fails to keep pace with rising inflation, they’re still worrying – in some cases, more than ever.Research from Cigna International Health 2023 survey indicates Gen Z is emerging as the most stressed demographic in the workplace, and struggling to cope. In short, the youngest workers are having the most trouble wrestling with demands of professional life. What’s going on?Photo Credits: Shuttershock | ViDI StudioSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.