Introduction

Uncertainty has increased the risk for business survival, particularly in the case of small & medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as they have limited resources and options to address.

However, despite challenges, there are companies who continue to grow and perform well. The success of these companies focusses on factors relating to products & services; operational efficiency; employee performances; customers; new capabilities building.

With the emphasis on the above, coupled with deploying certain Know how, tools such as scenario planning, and Risk management culture and learning mindset, these companies not only survive well but are able to face many challenges as they remain relevant.

The framework, therefore, encompasses multi-disciplinary knowledge, skill-set & know how, while each subject on the surface appears to be by itself, but in substance, all are linked and interlinked to each other in order for the outcome to be effective and successful.

Business enterprise exists to make a profit by providing goods and services, therefore strategic business model, coupled with operational efficiency are the first big-picture issues to address. Internally, there must be a means to ensure people performance through KPIs, constantly monitoring trends that will impact the industry one is servicing and preparing to adapt. Externally, one must be close to customers to get feedback to meet or even exceed their expectation. Capability building through the IPO (Initial public offer) process and subsequent M&A (merger & acquisition) are good initiatives to take on.

This one day workshop will equip participants with a clear understanding of how to run their sustainable businesses, encouraging them to implement the various measures to see results.

Seow Sin Leng has 40 years of working experience in small & medium size manufacturing firms locally & regionally. His roles involve mainly in finance, human resources, due diligence for M&A, management. The industries cover shipbuilding & repairing, paper products, printed circuits boards assembly (PCBA), equipment build,  monitor, liquid crystal displays (LCD) and printed circuit board (PCB). As CFO and senior management, he involved IPO ( Initial public offer) of a company for listing in the Singapore Stock Exchange.

Included in the 40 years was a 5-year overseas experience in China (Shenzhen, Suzhou, Changshu), HK, Taiwan, and Thailand as regional finance manager.   Towards the later part of his career, Sin Leng worked as a part-time management consultant to a 3-party joint venture manufacturing company in Shanghai. His role involved reviewing monthly financials to highlight & suggest areas for improvement; working with the local management team to improve performance through enhancing existing capabilities and building new capabilities.   As head of the human resource department in a company he worked before, he conducted in-house training for employees, these cover topics such as performance management, finance for non-financial personnel, enterprise risk management, scenario planning, etc.  Sin Leng holds a Bachelor of Accountancy degree from then the University of Singapore, pursued and completed Executive MBA program from NUS, and attended ‘Future China Advanced Leadership Programme’ jointly organized by NTU business school and Business China. In addition, He also holds a Professional Diploma in Training & Development."