Singapore
Singapore
Staying afloat in the very competitive business environment is a challenge that Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are constantly faced with. Fortunately, new technologies are rapidly being developed to empower businesses.
Today’s challenges may be great and varied, but with innovation and enhanced productivity, SMEs can have a greater chance to succeed. A testament to this was the recent Canon Business Technology Show 2013.
Held on 7 March 2013 at the Marina Mandarin Singapore, the event proved to be a meeting of the minds as business professionals converged to learn how people, technology and the right solutions propel businesses to the future. It was the perfect occasion to unveil Canon’s new generation imageRUNNER ADVANCE Multifunction Devices (MFDs). A range of new models that goes beyond basic printing, scanning or copying, it features technology that delivers enhanced productivity, security and mobility.
The air of excitement was undeniable as Canon Singapore’s President and CEO Mr. Kensaku Konishi welcomed guests to the whole day event. His speech kicked off a series of inspiring talks and lively discussions on productivity and inspiring change in the business environment.
Championing Productivity was the topic of the Keynote Address delivered by Mr. Low Hock Meng, Executive Director of the Singapore Productivity Association. His talk featured various case studies that clearly illustrate how reengineering the way businesses are managed brought greater productivity and progress.
What makes an entrepreneur successful?
The first panel discussion proved to be very inspiring. The animated and lively Think Big Forum, moderated by Mr. Von Chan, Director and General Manager of Canon Singapore’s Business Imaging Division, featured some of the country’s most prominent entrepreneurs and leaders.
The panel provided various insights on how committed and out of the box thinking partly determines the future of a venture. Learning to use technology also helps in carrying out future strategies.
Dr. Low Lee Yong said that in the age of TGIF (Twitter, Google, Internet and Facebook), an entrepreneur must constantly be updated to be able to cope. Much like a smart phone, one needs to be equipped with all the apps to maximise and optimise strengths. Ms. Jessie Phua, a staunch advocate of Singapore sports, talked about setting goals, having tenacity and learning to work as a team, values that apply to both sports and business. Successful retailers Elim Chew and Jimmy Fong touched on branding, value added services and social entrepreneurship as drivers of success. In a domestic market that is relatively small, learning to innovate is a must.
The audience gathered at the Event Hall couldn’t agree more. Embracing change and always being ahead of the curve has opened doors for many, and the featured Think Big speakers that morning are clearly good examples of such thinking.
Technology may be considered today’s game changer, but people are still the lifeblood and the main drivers of a company’s success.
The second panel discussion, moderated by Mr. Victor Tay, Chief Operating Officer of the Singapore Business Federation, tackled the importance of Human Capital. Featuring respected speakers from different business industries, the forum focused on how precious Human Capital is in keeping businesses running well.
During the discussion, all panel speakers were united in saying that people are still every company’s greatest asset. By keeping them empowered, they become more productive. Mr. Lim Kok Him shares that at Canon, people are encouraged to “do more, work less”. By working within business hours and having quality time at home, they can be more prepared to face new challenges
The panel speakers also gave their views on how to keep good people in the company. Greenpac’s Ms. Chong believes in management with a personal touch. She stressed that happy people work better together and are more willing to help finish tasks outside of their job scope. At Atlas Sound Vision, the concept of working as a team is taken seriously and the whole team is included in the decision-making.
The audience at the Event Hall were given a chance to field in their questions and the panel gamely answered, drawing from experiences at their respective companies.
How can a business maximise its workforce to achieve success?
The answers can be summed up in 3 key points: improve the business process, upskill the staff, and use technology. At the end of the forum, everyone agreed that it is only in correcting old habits and constant improvement can a company get the most out of its people.
Apart from the Forums, the event also showcased the latest business solutions from Canon and its partners. Product displays as well as Breakout Sessions featured the latest Canon technologies that SMEs can use to enhance productivity.
Participants learned about new ways to work beyond the confines of a conventional office set up through Microsoft’s Office 365 for Business. Print management, mobility and workflow were important issues addressed by uniFLOW and software developed by Nuance. Security of electronic information and supervision of digital assets were also given special focus in the breakout sessions.
Speakers from long-time Canon partners Microsoft, NT-Ware, Nuance Communications, Open Text Asia, and Bizmann Systems facilitated the different Breakout Sessions to enlighten the inquisitive crowd.
The Canon Business Technology Show 2013 has shown that moving forward to the future is a goal that can successfully be realised. With technology ably assisting visionaries who want to make things happen, enterprise will always be on the rise. It is our bridge to tomorrow and it is HERE today.
We look forward to the future and the next Canon Business Technology Show!
