Empowering Malaysian SMEs to Success

Cyberview Resort Spa

Program Itinerary

HR for SME Success – Lean, Compliant and Productive

Day 1

Opening & Keynote Address: HR Landscape of Malaysian SMEs
9.00 AM – 9.15 AM
Opening Speech: VIP – Invited Guest
9.15 AM – 10.00 AM
Keynote Address: HR Landscape of Malaysian SMEs – Invited VIP

Explore how Malaysian SMEs are redefining HR. This keynote discusses the evolving role of HR, tackles shared challenges like employee engagement and retention, and presents case studies that illustrate how strategic HR integration can drive business growth.

10.00 AM – 10.15 AM
Break: Morning Coffee Break
10.15 AM – 10.45 AM
Topic 1: Laying The Right Foundation; Employment Contracts and Risk Management
Speaker: Ms. Rajeswari Karupiah – Sr, Partner of RDS Advocates and Solicitors

Non-compliance of statutory obligations can cost SMEs upwards of RM 50,000 in penalties. This session provides an SME-focused legal primer on employee documentation, probation clauses, termination terms, and risk prevention.

10.45 AM – 11.15 AM
Topic 2: Workplace Misconduct & Termination – Managing Business Risk
Speaker: Mr. Dharmen Sivalingam – Managing Partner of DSP and Partners

The session will walk through actual case studies involving misconduct in companies and show how poor documentation, lack of internal procedures, or delayed action exposed businesses to litigation and reputational damage.

11.15 AM – 11.45 AM
Topic 3: Cost vs Value – Should You Outsource HR Functions or Built In-House?
Speaker: Dr. Victor Tan – Strategic Change Consulting Group

A recent SME benchmarking study found that outsourcing payroll and compliance reduced HR overhead by up to 45%. This session will help businesses decide which HR functions are best outsourced versus retained in-house based on their stage of growth and internal bandwidth.

11.45 AM – 12.15 PM
Topic 4: Simple AI Tech for Big Results – Affordable Tools to Streamline HR & Ops
Speaker: Mr. Roshan Thiran – Leaderonomics

Discover how automation and AI streamline HR processes, optimize workforce performance, and drive efficiency. In fact, companies that have integrated AI into their HR functions report a 30% reduction in administrative tasks and a 25% increase in recruitment efficiency. The session features real-world examples and actionable insights tailored for SMEs, highlighting how businesses have achieved up to 40% faster onboarding times and improved employee satisfaction rates by 20%.

12.15 PM – 1.00 PM
Panel Discussion: HR Ops, Compliance and Challenges within SMEs
Moderator: Mr. Simon Benjamin – President of MIHRM

Esteemed panelists will delve into the critical human resources challenges encountered by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). They will explore strategies to ensure regulatory compliance while offering insights on boosting operational effectiveness and efficiency, empowering SMEs to thrive in a competitive landscape.

1.00 PM – 2.00 PM
Networking Lunch
2.00 PM – 2.30 PM
Topic 1: Manpower Optimization: Getting the Most from Every Role
Moderator: Puan Jasmi­za Jamalluddin @ Jasmi­za Solutions Sdn Bhd

Drawing on productivity frameworks such as job enrichment and multi-skilling, this session explores how SMEs can realign roles to match business priorities.

2.30 PM – 3.00 PM
Topic 2: Capacity and Capability Building – a Smart Talent Development Tactics
Speaker: En. Farid Bashir – Chief People Officer of MSSB Bank Berhad

Only 14% of SMEs invest consistently in staff development, yet those who do see up to 2x higher productivity per employee. This session will cover how SMEs can build internal training systems, leverage HRD Corp schemes, and drive team capability without outsourcing.

3.00 PM – 3.30 PM
Topic 3: Non-Monetary Rewards That Work – Driving Motivation Without Costly Perks
Speaker: Mr Koljit Singh – Vice President, Culture Transformations & Projects, FGV Holdings Berhad

Research shows that 69% of Malaysian SME employees are more engaged when offered flexibility, recognition, and growth opportunities. This session presents low-cost strategies such as team challenges, mentoring circles, and skill stretch assignments.

3.30 PM – 4.00 PM
Topic 3: From Boss to Coach: Building Leadership at All Levels in Your SME
Speaker: Mr. Low Huoi Seong – Founder/Chief Coach of Opening Minds

Leadership gaps are one of the top three constraints to SME scalability. This session introduces coaching models that increase staff accountability, reduce turnover, and prepare SMEs for internal succession planning—especially in lean teams where every team lead matters.

4.00 PM – 4.15 PM
Afternoon Break
4.15 PM – 5.30 PM
Panel Discussion: Driving People, Performance and Productivity
Moderator: Mr. Low

This panel discussion explores how small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can effectively drive people, performance, and productivity to achieve sustainable growth. Featuring insights from experienced leaders and experts, the session will highlight practical strategies for attracting and retaining talent, fostering a performance-driven culture, and maximizing limited resources. With a focus on real-world solutions tailored to the unique challenges of SMEs, the discussion aims to equip business owners and managers with actionable ideas to enhance team effectiveness, employee engagement, and operational outcomes.

Day 2

People, Culture & Business Growth
8.45 AM – 9.00 AM
Recap of Day 1 and Overview of Day 2
9.00 AM – 9.45 AM
Case Study 1: Culture as a Growth Engine – iMotorbike Scaled Through People-First Values
Speaker: Mr. Gil Garmo – Co-Founder/CEO of IMotorbike

A deep dive into the strategic milestones behind iMotorbike’s growth, examining how tailored strategies drove success.

9.45 AM – 10.00 AM
Q&A
10.00 AM – 10.15 AM
Morning Break
10.15 AM – 11.00 AM
Case Study 2: The Sterling Performance Management Matrix: Driving Performance Through Rewards
Speaker: En. Wan Muzamir Fitri Che Wan – COO of Sterling Insurance Brokers

Non-compliance of statutory obligations can cost SMEs upwards of RM 50,000 in penalties. This session provides an SME-focused legal primer on employee documentation, probation clauses, termination terms, and risk prevention.

11.00 AM – 11.15 AM
Q&A
11:15 AM - 12:00 PM
Case Study 3: Menz & Gasser’s Italian Roots Took Hold on Malaysian Soil
Speaker: Mr. Riccardo B. – CEO Menz & Gasser Asia (KL) Sdn. Bhd

In this case study, we explore how Menz & Gasser Asia has blended tradition with innovation to establish a strong regional presence. Under strategic leadership, the company has leveraged food technology, R&D, and cultural market insights to tailor Italian excellence to Asian preferences — without compromising authenticity.

12.00 PM - 12.15 PM
Q&A
12:15 PM - 1:00 PM
Case Study 4: Brewing Success: The Antipodean Story on People, Culture, Growth and Grit
Speaker: Mr. Alun Evans – CEO of Antipodean Group of Companies

Analyze pioneering growth strategies in competitive markets and learn how innovative approaches can transform SMEs.

1.00 PM - 1.15 PM
Q&A
1.15 PM - 2.15 PM
Networking Lunch
2.15 PM - 3:00 PM
Case Study 5: The Next Chapter - Transitioning from Family Business to a Corporation
Speaker: Mr. Jeremy Lim wei Chang – CEO of ENVO BPO Services

Explore the challenges and strategies involved in evolving a family-run business into a structured corporate entity. Learn key insights from successful transitions.

3.00 PM - 4:00 PM
Case Study 6: From Founder to Future – Succession Planning for PIK and Sustainable Growth
Speaker: Mr. Anand Nadason – Head of Strategy and Integration PIK Films

Understand how effective succession planning preserves business operations and secures long-term organizational growth.

4.15 PM - 5:00 PM
Case Study 7: Legacy to Listing – Journey from a Family Business to IPO
Speaker: Mr. Well Kam Lian Hooi – Founder/Director of VA Partners

Delve into the journey from private enterprise to a public company, highlighting opportunities and hurdles during the IPO process.

5.15 PM – 6:00 PM
Case Study 8: Beyond Blue Oceans: Charting the Path to White Sand Innovation
Speaker: Mr. David KY Chua – Founder of Vertex Mastery

This case study explores the concept of "White Sand Innovation"—a metaphor for serene, untouched opportunity areas where businesses not only lead markets but reshape them by integrating deep customer empathy, sustainability, and bold creativity. Attendees will gain insights into how forward-thinking companies have successfully charted this path, the mindset shifts required, and the frameworks that can guide others in pioneering their own white sand strategies.

6.00 PM - ONWARDS
Q&A, CLOSING & BBQ SESSION