KLC International Institute’s (KLCII) recently brought together 30 successful SME business leaders for a networking and dialogue session focused on practical strategies for scaling up.

Held at the KLCII Campus in Ang Mo Kio on 23 August 2024, the event opened with a welcome address by KLCII CEO and Principal Dr. Chua Ying Hwee.

KLCII CEO and Principal, Dr Chua Ying Hwee giving the welcome address

KLCII CEO and Principal, Dr Chua Ying Hwee giving the welcome address

This was followed by a keynote speech from Ms. Evon Lew, Senior Consultant & Management Mentor at KLC Reimagineers—the consultancy arm of KLCII. Her address, themed “Practical Strategies for SMEs to Be Scale-Up Ready,” highlighted key but often overlooked factors every SME needs to consider in scaling up their business. KLC Reimagineers has helped many SMEs leverage on the Productivity Solutions Grant—Job Redesign (PSG-JR) scheme to identify and successfully address gaps in their preparedness for scaling up. KLC Reimagineers go the extra mile and walk with the SMEs’ staff to ensure the staff are ready to take on the redesigned job roles and sustainably implement redesigned processes.

Ms. Evon Lew delivers her keynote on 'Practical Strategies for SMEs to Be Scale-Up Ready' at the KLCII-hosted SME Dialogue.

Ms. Evon Lew delivers her keynote on ‘Practical Strategies for SMEs to Be Scale-Up Ready’ at the KLCII-hosted SME Dialogue.

The event continued with the “Close Up Conversation with SME Leaders” dialogue session, where two business leaders—Ms. Jane Lim, Co-founder of 2B Printing Solutions Pte Ltd, and Ms. Ng Winlin, General Manager of SSH Sauces—shared their successful scaling-up stories. They discussed how their companies achieved growth by upskilling teams, optimizing capacity, improving processes, leveraging new technologies, and tapping on WSG’s Productivity Solutions Grant for Job Redesign (PSG-JR) with KLC Reimagineers’ help.

Dialogue with SME Leaders

Dialogue with SME Leaders, (from left) Ms Vernie Leow, Senior Manager (Consultancy & Business Development) KLCII, Ms Ng Winlin, General Manager of SSH Sauces and Ms Jane Lim, Co-founder of 2B Printing Solutions Pte Ltd

Their insights prompted a lively exchange among participants, who delved into the practicalities of scaling up and the role of job redesign in enhancing employee capabilities and driving business growth.

They not only enthused partipants with their sharing, they also delighted participants by setting up booths offering a sample of their companies’ products. Participants had the opportunity to get a taste of SSH Sauces’ signature chilli crab sauce with freshly fried mantou.

SSH Sauces’ booth at the KLCII-hosted SME Dialogue

SSH Sauces’ booth at the KLCII-hosted SME Dialogue

2B Printing’s booth at the KLCII-hosted SME Dialogue

2B Printing’s booth at the KLCII-hosted SME Dialogue

The forum was supported by Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF), the programme manager for the PSG-JR scheme, of which KLCII is a pre-approved consultant.

With the overwhelming positive response, KLCII looks forward to hosting more high-impact SME forums to continue supporting and strengthening our dynamic business community. One of the participants, Mr. Sam Wu, The Water Sommelier, shared, “It’s interesting to see how SMEs can tap into grants to grow. This networking session reaffirmed that, as a content creator, I’m on the right path and these grants can help take my business to greater heights.”

If you are interested to find out more about how KLC Reimagineers can help your business scale up, please email us at [email protected].