Upskilling: A Key Strategy to Futureproof SMEs in a Digital and Sustainable Economy
Upskilling is the key for SMEs to thrive in a digital and sustainable economy—and UOB FinLab is here to make it happen.
Digitalisation Innovation Programme: Womenpreneur 2024 Recap
The Digitalisation Innovation Programme: Womenpreneur is a forward-looking initiative designed to empower women entrepreneurs in navigating the digital landscape. The two-week programme gave participants the opportunity to hear from industry experts and participate in hands-on workshops to develop critical skills including strategic planning, financial management, and digital adaptation. This initiative was created to digitally transform women-led businesses, cultivating a community of empowered women driving digital innovation and achieving business success.
Day 1 - Programme Opening
We kicked off the first session with an opening address by Shaun Tan, Programme Director from UOB FinLab. He shared about the strong support systems and initiatives from UOB tailored specifically for women entrepreneurs, including mentorship opportunities.
Opening Remarks
Shaun Tan, Programme Director, UOB FinLab shares about UOB FinLab’s mission, vision and initiatives
Accelerating Business Growth for Womenpreneurs, Together
This was followed by a lively panel discussion moderated by Candice Chua of UOB titled “Accelerating Business Growth for Womenpreneurs, Together!” The panel featured diverse insights from Angeline Low of SAP, Eileen Toh of Genius Plus Academy, and Vanessa Ong of Gernise Global Pte Ltd. The speakers shared insights on navigating the intricate business landscape and discussed the myriad of challenges it presents.
The participants learned about the panellists’ journey in becoming the business leaders they are today. Eileen Toh shared her story about taking a leap of faith by renting out a space for her tuition centre despite not having any students at the time. However, she demonstrated resilience in her multifaceted role as the founder of Genius Plus Academy all while balancing the demands of motherhood.
From left to right: Vanessa Ong, Owner and Founder, Gernise Global Pte Ltd, Eileen Toh, Founder and Principal Tutor, Genius Plus Academy, Angeline Low, Vice President Finance, Global Head of Cash Collections, SAP and Candice Chua, Branch Manager, UOB
Financial Literacy for individuals and corporates
Persis Hoo of MoneyFitt, emphasised the crucial role of women initiating their personal investment journeys. She delivered invaluable insights and practical strategies for women to confidently embark on their investment endeavours. Persis discussed how in Singapore, women often earn less and invest less, with a significant portion of their income going into savings rather than the stock market. A contributing factor being the need to balance work and caregiving. The womenpreneurs gained practical advice on the importance of separating personal and business finances while considering the diverse risks involved. Participants also learned how MoneyFitt can help address their personal finance needs.
Shaun Tan of UOB FinLab introduced UOB TMRW, an all-in-one banking app tailored to the users’ needs. He highlighted its AI-driven insights, personalised rewards, and simplified investing functions. Shaun emphasised how UOB TMRW can boost financial literacy among women entrepreneurs, through offering a seamless platform for managing finances and supporting their business endeavours with confidence.
Persis Hoo, Moneyfitt, shares about how to cultivate good financial habits.
Shaun Tan, Programme Director, UOB FinLab shares with the audience on how their personal finances can benefit from using UOB TMRW
Benedict Tay from UOB Business Banking shared the latest SME sentiments from the 2024 UOB Business Outlook Study, on business priorities in the next 3 years and the current state of digital adoption. This gave participants an exclusive insight into how UOB can help businesses in achieving growth targets and navigating the evolving landscape of digital transformation. Participants had a chance to explore how UOB Business Banking caters to entrepreneurs. They were introduced to offerings such as simple current accounts, lines of credit, office insurance, FX services, and crucial working capital financing as businesses grow.
Following the conclusion of the session, participants had the opportunity to network. Foster bonds and look forward to the beginning of an exciting line-up of workshops and speakers.
Benedict Tay, Senior Vice President, Head of CED Partnerships Business Banking, UOB shares about how the bank can support and help SMEs and entrepreneurs
Day 2 - Business Model Canvas Workshop
Business Model Canvas Workshop, led by Felix Tan, Mentor-In-Residence was tailored to the needs of womenpreneurs at different business stages. Participants delved into various facets of their businesses, including customer segmentation, value proposition, and revenue streams. They utilised the Business Model Canvas chart to document the status and desired future state of each of these segments. This workshop offered a highly interactive experience, fostering engagement and bonding among the womenpreneurs through a hands-on approach to learning. Participants expressed their great appreciation for Felix and left positive feedback stating how engaging his workshop was. They even initiated a group photo together at the end of the session.
Felix Tan, Mentor-In-Residence at UOB FinLab shares with the participants about how different business facets fit together.
Participants utilising the Business Model Canvas sheet to document the status and desired future state of each business segment
Felix Tan, Mentor-In-Residence at UOB FinLab taking a group photo with the participants.
Participants utilising the Business Model Canvas sheet to document the status and desired future state of each business segment.
Day 3 - Amplifying Digital Marketing Channels
Participants were exposed to interesting digital marketing strategies through the use of Artificial Intelligence. Tom Goh, Digital Transformation Specialist from BCG and Renee Tan, the founder and managing director of Hashtaqs and H.E.R Entrepreneurs conducted exciting sessions that touched on the capabilities of generative artificial intelligence.
Digital Growth and Innovation
Tom Goh of BCG shares about how companies use Gen-AI for marketing.
Tom Goh, Digital Transformation Specialist from BCG, led the third session – ‘Turn Your Growth Ambition into Reality Through Innovation and Digital Transformation’. Participants had the opportunity to explore various generative artificial intelligence (Gen-AI) prompts customised to fit their business needs and to reach their target audiences. He guided participants through a step-by-step process to customise their Gen-AI settings. The participants were also presented with case studies showcasing how companies utilise Gen-AI to craft essential marketing assets.
The Future of Marketing is Here: How AI-Powered Omni-Channel Strategies Drive Growth
Renee Tan, Founder and Managing Director, Hashtaqs and H.E.R. Entrepreneurs shares about the capabilities of AI for omni-channel marketing.
Renee Tan, Founder and Managing Director, Hashtaqs and H.E.R. Entrepreneurs interacts with a participant
During this session, Renee Tan highlighted the disparities and similarities between the human brain and artificial intelligence, covering areas such as learning from experience, knowledge retention, and error handling.
Participants drew invaluable insights into how AI seamlessly integrates into omnichannel marketing strategies, which can help boost productivity, automation, data-driven decision-making, personalised customer experiences, and cost reduction for companies.
Day 4 - Digital Ecommerce and Innovation
On the 4th session, Triston Goh, business development and partnership lead of Amazon Global Selling and Neo Tze Siang of Synagie Management Consultancy were invited as speakers to share about the dynamic world of digital Ecommerce and innovation. The participants learned more about how they can take their businesses to the next level with the use of different Ecommerce solutions.
Triston Goh, business development and partnership lead of Amazon Global Selling and Neo Tze Siang of Synagie Management Consultancy
Triston Goh, Business Development and Partnerships Manager, Amazon Global Selling discusses the participants’ pain points with adopting Cross Border eCommerce
Session four of the programme offered participants insights into the exploration of the digital landscape, focusing on the tools and services available to empower business owners in the e-commerce environment. Triston Goh, business development and partnership lead of Amazon Global Selling equipped participants with the knowledge of resources available for innovation and business growth. The participants learned more about Cross Border eCommerce and the diverse range of products that can be listed on the Amazon marketplace. They also learnt how platforms like Amazon with a global presence can help them meet their goals for customer reach how brand owners and entrepreneurs can initiate and grow their global brand with Amazon.com.
Neo Tze Siang, Chief Business Officer, Synagie shares insights on the outlook of ecommerce in Southeast Asia.
Neo Tze Siang of Synagie Management Consultancy delved into Southeast Asia’s growing e-commerce scene, highlighting their diversity and development trends. He went through the profile of an ASEAN consumer in 2030, highlighting trends such as a rise in affluence and a double-digit growth in the ASEAN labour force. The participants were also introduced to Synagie Digital Commerce Management (DCM), a solution which equips businesses with digital commerce fundamental skills and growth accelerators to help businesses succeed in the region.
Day 5 - Mentors Meet-and-Greet Session
The programme concluded through a mentors meet and greet session where womenpreneurs had the opportunity to connect with our 12 mentors. During the session, participants heard from the mentors on their expertise and experiences and spent time getting to know the mentors before they were matched post-programme.
Paul Kan, Country Head, Business Banking Singapore, UOB, interacts with participants.
Renee Tan, Founder and Managing Director, Hashtaqs/H.E.R. Entrepreneurs interacts with participants
Suji Jeong, APJ Business Development Manager, SAP interacts with participants
Arthur Leong, Head of Strategy and Digital Engagement, UOB interacts with participants
By providing access to mentorship and resources tailored specifically for womenpreneurs, we continue our unwavering commitment to support women, to champion diversity and inclusivity in the entrepreneurial landscape, empowering women to thrive and fostering their entrepreneurial endeavours.
Our UOB FinLab colleagues with the UOB leaders who were Mentors for the programme, and the participants.
The programme is a testament of our commitment to continuously support women in building a community of business leaders and entrepreneurs. We are honoured to support and foster diversity and inclusivity within the entrepreneurial landscape, allowing women to flourish and achieve their entrepreneurial ambitions.
Digitalisation Innovation Programme: Womenpreneur 2024 Recap
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