Issue 44, March 2022 - Aventis Learning Group | Hebei Jinbiao

Seizing Opportunities to Charge Ahead 

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of economies worldwide, supporting a large percentage of all businesses. In Singapore, the over-200,000 SMEs contribute to nearly half of the country’s gross domestic product and employ some 70 percent of the workforce. Given Singapore’s ongoing structural reforms and recently, the disruption caused by COVID-19, SMEs, which tend to have lean resources, have been disproportionately impacted. While some have shut their doors, others have taken stock of their value propositions to consider where they want to go with them.

This bulletin showcases two such SMEs, which, through innovation, resilience and adaptability, are seizing emerging opportunities to fuel their sustainability. Corporate trainer Aventis Learning Group (Aventis) is strengthening its resources and refining its strategies to cater to the increasing demand for online learning, while outdoor noise control barriers specialist Hebei Jinbiao Construction Materials (HBJB) has developed a new line of noise mitigation products for indoor use. 

To optimise the success of their new ventures, the two companies approached the UOB-SMU Asian Enterprise Institute for its hallmark SME Consulting Programme (SCP). For Aventis, the project centred around brand audit and business strategies; for HBJB, it focused on market research and strategies. Each project was undertaken by a team of student-consultants under the supervision of a Project Advisor who is an industry veteran, and a Project Manager from the Institute. At the end of the project, each SME received a comprehensive report featuring all the research and analyses and, more importantly, a set of tailored recommendations – with action plans and timeframes – on how to progress towards its business objectives.

In such challenging and complex times when businesses must carefully weigh the pros and cons of each innovation, the Institute can lighten the burden by determining the feasibility of the ventures. Using scientific methodologies, the consulting teams will collect and examine the data, and design practicable proposals aimed at helping the SMEs to succeed.

Come explore your next big idea with us. We can work together to achieve your business aspirations.