Women Directors Training, fully funded

Male-dominated corporate boards are the norm in this country and elsewhere.

Malaysia is taking action to correct this imbalance and has set a target of minimum 30% women in senior decision-making positions and corporate boards by year 2016.

A Women Directors Onboarding Training Programme 2014 starts this month.

The programme is in its third year running, to prepare potential and qualified women for directorship roles in Malaysian public-listed companies.

The first year saw 220 women accordingly trained plus 500 more trained in 2013. Are you among the trainees this year?

The programme is fully funded and organised by NAM Institute for the Empowerment of Women (NIEW) - a training, research and knowledge management agency under the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development.

Those who have successfully undergone the training get listed at the Women Corporate Directors' Registry, which assists in the placement of board-ready candidates.

Are You Game?

The programme requires that you are female, a Malaysian citizen, age 45 and above, degree holder or professional qualification like LLB, ACCA, etc, and hold senior management post in PLC, GLC, NGO or are entrepreneurs holding post of CEO, CIO, COO, CFO and the likes.

NAWEM receives invitation to attend the training and its participants last year included our Penang chairperson Wendy. "It is beneficial and a great experience even if you don't intend to become an independent director," she said.

One gets to understand the culture of the male-dominated boards, experience board simulation through case studies, join panel discussion with experienced directors, and go through third-party assessment of board readiness, she added.

TRAINING STRUCTURE / MODULE

For more info on the women directors on-boarding programme, visit http://www.wcdregistry.com/. 

Wendy with fellow trainees

Spread Some Love & Cheers; Donate

Happy Chap Goh Mei and Blessed Valentine's Day to all women entrepreneurs and their loved ones!

We share below a 'love letter' giving details of the masquerade ball invitation published earlier this month...it is going to be NOT just a party but, more importantly, a fund-raising event to benefit women entrepreneurs.

The letter is from MAWEM president

On behalf of the National Association of Women Entrepreneurs of Malaysia (NAWEM), and in my capacity as President of the Association, we are happy to inform you that on the occasion of our 20^th Anniversary, we will be organising a dinner as follows:

          Date      :        15^th March 2014 (Saturday)

          Time     :        8.00 p.m.

        Venue   :        Manhattan Ballroom, L 14, 

                        Berjaya Times Square Hotel, KL

For the past two decades, NAWEM has undertaken various programmes to realise the Government’s goals of integrating Women into the Nation’s Economic mainstream, particularly in the area of Business and Entrepreneurship. Such activities includes: 

i.  Conducting training courses

ii. Workshops

iii. Seminars and conferences

iv. Mounting skills training programmes in collaboration with the Private Sectors

v. Participating in CSR initiatives in conjunction with the Business Community

For the last two decades, NAWEM has received valuable support from the Government and from the Private Sector. NAWEM has received the TAX EXEMPTION STATUS under Section 44 (6B) of the Income Tax Act 1967 (effective from 1st January 2011). This TAX EXEMPTION applies to BOTH contributions made to NAWEM, as well as incomes generated by NAWEM.

In this context, we are therefore writing this letter to seek for your kind consideration to 

a) Sponsor a Table / Tables

b) Place an Advertisement in the Souvenir Programme

Although we have set the Table prices, NAWEM welcomes additional contributions that would further support our fund raising effort.

NAWEM hopes to be able to raise sufficient funds to enable us to carry out all the planned programmes and activities, particularly to expand the existing Training facilities, and establish a full-fledged Training Centre for Women Entrepreneurs.

On behalf of my Executive Committee Members, we hope that your goodself and your company will be able to support NAWEM in realizing its Objectives of nurturing and developing Women Entrepreneurs, particularly within the SME Sector.

For your convenience, we are attaching a Reply Slip for your action.

Thank you so much for your support and contribution, and we look forward to welcoming you and your guests on March 15, 2014.

Thank you.

Regards

Sarojini Ruth

Organising Chairperson/President

NAWEM

p.s. Please email us at nawempg@gmail.com for the gala tickets and 'reply slip' mentioned in the letter.

Masquarade party for women entrepreneurs

It's NAWEM big anniversary and the celebration this time is open to friends and guests as well.

Do join us!
NAWEM Penang holds ticket stock. Get yours now and let's have a ball this March!!

Below, we share some highlights from the NAWEM Penang + Customs Penang-organised GST Seminar last month. It was a full-house event that attracted over 300 attendees (we had to turn away quite a number of people too).

 

Several NAWEM officials from Kuala Lumpur also came to support the seminar held at Wisma Kastam in Seberang Jaya.

The response was awesome and the Q & A session at the end saw a lot of participation. There were requests for more such seminars to be held, particularly industry-specified GST seminars. The participants appreciated much that the speakers were all Custom officers - getting the facts straight from the horse's mouth.

We applauded most the hard work of our energetic organising chairperson Ai Li. The seminar also helped sell copies of NAWEM eco-diaries, the proceed of which goes to support Tabung Amal NAWEM.

For the big event of second quarter 2014, NAWEM Penang plans on a SME Bank Clinic to help those looking for business loan and want a hands-on guidance on how to go about getting one. Do check back here for more details coming up. Email nawempg@gmail.com if you are keen to participate.

Goods & Services Tax; Malaysia

The Malaysian GST (Goods and Services Tax) is scheduled for implementation by 2015 with inflation, as estimated by some analysts, accelerating to 4% from the current 2.1% annual average.

Are you curious about how the 6% GST would impact your businesses and you?

NAWEM Penang will start its New Year 2014 with the above one-day seminar, and do mark your calendar and register yourself by Dec 27.

The event is organised with full support of the local Royal Malaysian Customs Department, which provides venue, speakers and food - thus, registration is necessary.

Some 300 people are expected and a bit more is okay as the hall can accommodate up to 400. However, the participants should be comfortable to ensure better learning, right? So grab your seat today - first come first serve!

To date, some 150 have registered. We look forward to see you all in Seberang Jaya for some great networking too.

Come prepared with questions you want answered by the authorities like:

• Why GST?
• What are the salient features of GST in Malaysia?
• How to file a GST Return?
• What are the transitional issues?
• How to prepare your business for GST? (prices, cash flow, business process, computer system, etc)

This GST talk is held in line with NAWEM's objectives to:

• Act as liaison between the Government of Malaysia, State, and local agencies and organisations as well as external agencies and bodies
• Conduct seminars, workshops, training programmes and conferences
• Provide counselling and constituency services
• Promote, propagate and enhance women's capabilities and potentials. 

NAWEM Pg members with Penang Customs senior officers. Seated centre is the director Dato' Zulkifli Yahaya

Again, to register, click on the poster above or go here http://ow.ly/rlRzZ. Direct any inquiries to the organising chairperson Ai Li Yeap: hp 017 582 3699, ailiyeap@gmail.com / nawempg@gmail.com or Fax: 04-538 8471

* * *

You are also welcome to join NAWEM Penang's Christmas Lunch on Dec 28. Simply bring along a gift (worth RM50 minimum) for exchange and to spread the holiday cheers!
Ongoing details shall be posted at its Facebook fan page.    

Women CEO Korean Trade Mission

Ten Korean companies will be in Kuala Lumpur this month, looking to promote their products to Malaysia and the Southeast Asian region, to explore business opportunities and to share technology.

It will be an exclusive event, meeting their top officials on 1 on 1 basis, and confirmation has been made a month earlier for the limited seats available. NAWEM members received their online invitation and registered through its secretariat.

The Korean participants include cosmetic manufacturers like Ecoment, which makes the Vieco brand natural cosmetic, and Eunsung that produces makeup tools and accessories and is known for its Silstar brand silk pore cleansing brush. 

Korean cosmetic products

J World Tech that makes the popular Lovpe brand hair curling tong will also be there to promote its other home appliances like food blender, etc. So are Aphome, famous for its handmade jewellery and accessories, and pomegranate + wild berry health juice manufacturer Health Love.  

Other participating Korean companies are Seshin (die-cast aluminum cookware), Rollpack (home vacuum sealer Foodkeeper), Clear Lighting Tech (LED lights), Heemang (multi mobile charger), and Care (adult diaper and pad as well as sheet for pet).

They all are part of the Gyeonggi Small and Medium Business Centre. Gyeonggi is the biggest state in South Korea with the largest concentration of brilliant product manufacturers and high technology companies like Samsung, LG, Hyundai and KIA.

The one-day trade event will take place on Thursday, Nov 21, at the JW Marriott Hotel, KL. Interpreter service is provided for non-Korean participants, so no worries...

The organiser, Gyeonggi Business Centre Kuala Lumpur (www.gtrade.or.kr/kuala), is the Southeast Asian business hub representing the Gyeonggi government to assist Korean SMEs to penetrate the SEA markets through the promotion of regular trade missions with local buyers and specific trade meetings.    

The Koreans are looking for potential local business partners to assist them in distributing/manufacturing their products either through exclusive marketing, joint venture or investment into Malaysia set-ups. 
 

We wish all the participants a fruitful meeting and happy networking!

Hands-on Business Loan Clinic

It takes efforts to get others to open their wallet and give you money, especially money to expand your business. There are procedure to follow and documentation to get ready; and SME Bank Clinic is one place where you can learn first-hand how to secure such funding.

NAWEM has organised several SME Bank Clinics in Kuala Lumpur and NAWEM Penang wants to extend similar service here, to benefit members and other women entrepreneurs up north. 




 Entrepreneurs and business owners must prepare the following to attend the SME Bank Clinic:

1) A full set of MOA, forms 24,49,9,442) Directors' IC-copy and profile(s)
3) Company profile
4) 3 years audited account (most important)
5) Cash flow projection
6) Project plan
7) Other supporting documents (cost-benefit analysis) as per consultation, according to industry and loan objectives (machine, new outlet, etc.)
8) Application form

SME Bank will conduct the clinic for minimum of 5 participants. Register yourself with the organising chairperson Jac Lynn (016-4109048 or jacquelinelaherballe@yahoo.com). Help her to quickly get the number, then she can set up the date for the clinic in the 4th Quarter.

Better still, come meet Jac Lynn in person this Saturday, Sept 28 during NAWEM Penang sharing session, where she will speak on "Make-up for Business." Expect some tips on how to create a more professional appearance & great first impression to help you garner more business!

Some more sharing by two Penang members who attended the recent NAWEM lecture on "Crowdfunding - what is it and is in it for you?"

Date     :	28 Sept 2013 (Saturday)
Time    :	10.00 a.m – 12.00 p.m. (Committee Meeting) 12.00 noon – 1.00 p.m (Sharing Session) 1.00 p.m. – 2.00 p.m. ( Lunch Networking)

  
The venue is at NAWEM Penang's shared premise at One Precinct, 1A-2-01, Lengkok Mayang Pasir, Bayan Baru, 11900 Penang (near Bayan Baru market and Sunshine Square).

Successful Women & Wine this June

Five from NAWEM Penang were among the 1,100 delegates from 72 countries, who attended the Global Women's Summit held in Kuala Lumpur earlier this month. By comparison, the 2012 summit in Athens, Greece gathered 800 participants.

Delegates to Global Women's Summit 2013 in Kuala Lumpur

NAWEM Penang committee meeting this month (June 29) will be a time for them to re-live exciting moments connecting first hand with numerous successful women from all over the world.

After the committee meeting, vice-chairperson Catherine will do a 10-minute sharing on the summit with all members and guests. This is great opportunity for women entrepreneurs, who didn't attend, to find out and decide if they would want to commit to next year's Global Women's Summit in Paris.

The Kuala Lumpur summit, among others, featured as a speaker Malaysian Amanda Nasim who, as a 19-year old student, won the master franchise for Tutty Fruity Europe and opened her first outlet in London over a year ago. Read her story here

NAWEM Penang representatives with Amanda Nasim (centre)

Other successful women, who shared their wisdom with the participants, included IBM Thailand MD Parnsiree Amatayakul, Bank Consortium of Hong Kong CEO Lau Ka Shi and France BETC founder Mercedes Erra.

Join us this Saturday to hear what are the take-away wisdom gained by the summit participants from NAWEM Penang. More over, we have a new meeting venue on the mainland for a change, and for a good reason. We shall meet in Bukit Mertajam at Fine Wine Resources (near Tesco) and learn from the resident wine expert Loo Lip Moon.

Date:  29 June 2013 (Saturday)
Time: 10am - 12.30pm Committee Meeting
          1.15pm - 3.30pm Sharing Session (open to guests)

Speakers: Catherine Heah & wine expert Loo Lip Mun

Venues: 
Committee Meeting
Straight Talk Business Services
30-F, 2nd Floor, Taman Jaya,
Jalan Kulim, Bukit Mertajam

Lunch/Sharing Session
Fine Wine Resources
27, Lorong Seri Impian 2
Taman Seri Impian
Bukit Mertajam, Pulau Pinang


P.S. There probably be more sharing from the June 18th Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) Penang Lunch Networking Session. Three NAWEM Penang members had attended it.

The networking lunch was for representatives from prominent agencies and key players in the local industry. This is where they shared ideas on future direction, issues and challenges of the industry and got updated on the latest development in the industry.

Besides strengthening networking across industries, MIDA uses such occasion to identify the assistance needed especially in coordinating all facilities including grants and funds.


BTW, NAWEM Penang has confirmed our industry visit to MIDA Penang on July 3rd at 10am. Its director Ms Azhana Mohamed Saleh will be hosting.

Both members and guests are welcome to join this industry visit. Simply register yourself first with the organising chairperson Wendy. Email her at wendy@penexpo.com.my to state your name, company and the questions you want to post to MIDA.

Info on MIDA is available at www.mida.gov.my and its Penang address is below:

Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA)
Unit 4.03, 4th Floor
Menara Boustead Penang
39, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah
10050 Penang