Having a Chat and Conversation is the key to get things going for the ITM Clusters. Opportunities and Ideas for Collaboration, Best Practices adoption are best done when the various SMEs in the Cluster meet and learn from one another.

The SME Challenge aims to work with the Trade Associations in the 6 ITMs Clusters to Organize Business Learning cum Networking sessions for their members to spark the Ideas and Knowledge Sharing - as well as to create opportunities to network for PACT : Partnership + Alliance + Collaboration + Trade Ventures

The SME Challenge aims to work with the Trade Associations in the 6 ITMs Clusters to conduct training sessions for their members to strenghten the 4 ITM Pillars TIPS : Trade + Innovation + Productivity + Skills & Jobs

We have a program with DHL and Alibaba on how to Trade Across Borders. It covers the fundamentals of what to do when doing trading. Many SMEs make avoidable mistakes.

It also covers how to Sell to China and includes case studies on how to do so. There are modules on how to sell using Online Platforms and using Ecommerce.

For those who just cannot sell overseas, we also have a "Improve Your Trade" Sales Modules to help your sales team be more effective and productive.

We do process innovation training as well as business model design workshop. This session helps the SMEs learn how to think out of the box and be Innovative in their approach to business.

We also expose them to new Tech and Deep Tech so that they are aware of what is happening globally and the reality of the competitions they are facing. This will encourage them to embrace change and innovate to survive and thrive.

We have a suite of programs to help boost the Productivity levels from Boss to Staff, from Sales to Other Functional Departments. This is conducted using a Cognitive Approach to address the root issues hindering change and to energize the participants to want to improve themselves for the sake of their loved ones.

We have a wide range of curated and customized training to up skills the people that SMEs hire to help them to grow.

Most importantly, we believe in Micro Learning on a Progressive basis. We understand most working adults struggle to balance work and family life. We work out a systems and roadmaps for them to customize a program to suit their own learning styles and to be accountable for the learning outcome.

Basically how to tap on the global market to boost your sales. Easier said than done. Our experience with SMEs reveal that they are unsure of how to tap on the global opportunities to expand their business. They can be rather passive in grabbing opportunities. Coming together as a Consortium is one way to win the battle as a pack. The barrier is Trust and a system to divide the spoils from the war. Once settled, we can focus on the battle externally and not internally.

Innovation is both a Science and an Art. For most SMEs, they have to learn how to do it as a Science first. Give them something concrete to work on and to achieve small success. This will help to build their confidence. At a later stage, they can make Innovation an "Art" by being fluid and agile in how to use innovation to respond to external threats and new technologies.

This is the Real Pillar of Growth. The sad reality is Productivity is the Elephant in the Room that nobody wants to talk about because they either don't wish to confront the brutal truth or they are just plain comfortable with status quo and do not wish to change for the better.

From our observations, there are many fundamental fault lines in Productivity at work. You can liken it to a Ship with Holes. Water is seeping in while you are trying to sail to the next destination. Depending on how big is the Hole, you might just sink before you reach your destination. Trying to wish the holes away will not work. Taking effort to plug the holes, and to repair the ship will help greatly.

This is not the elixir of life. UpSkilling someone does not mean they will end up finding a job. From feedback we heard, the personality and attitude a person has are the main determinants to whether he or she finds a good job / or stay loyal in one. When one is not hungry, no jobs will be good enough. Skills training to build the right mindset, resilience, tenacity and how to put food on the table is pretty important. Skills training to get someone to become an entrepreneur and to face the reality of the market without grants support etc is the key to revitalize the economy. No more excuses. The market will give you the feedback on what to improve.