Mid-tier Companies Urged To Invest In People For Global Competitiveness -- MCMTC

By Muhammad Fawwaz Thaqif Nor Afandi

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 19 (Bernama) -- Mid-tier companies (MTCs) are urged to invest in human capital apart from focusing solely on machines or technology to strengthen their global competitiveness, said the Malaysian Consortium of Mid-Tier Companies (MCMTC) honorary president Callum Chen.

Chen said many companies are willing to invest millions of ringgit in equipment and systems but neglect talent development, which is crucial for sustainable growth.

“Many companies are willing to invest in the hardware, the machine, the software, the material, but they do not invest in people. And this is one of the biggest issues with many MTCs.

“If we have that mindset, we will never move up the value chain because at the end of the day, even with all the hardware and the software, it is always the people who will make it happen," he told Bernama in an exclusive interview following the soft launch of the National Export Awards (NEA) event recently.

He said MTCs will face challenges if the management does not believe in training or investing in people, thereby impeding the progress of the companies.

Chen, who is also LH Plus Sdn Bhd chairman and chief executive officer, said MTCs should look beyond the top talent pool and focus on nurturing the wider 90 per cent of graduates who have the potential but lack exposure.

“Multinational companies have already taken up the top ten per cent of new graduates. The rest (graduates) still have the potential, and this is where MTCs can make a difference by training and developing them,” he said.

Chen said many MTCs have endured economic crises and learned to adapt quickly, particularly those involved in exports.

However, he said, they must now align their operations with environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices to remain competitive.

“When we export, we are competing globally. Quality, service, delivery and competitiveness are basic expectations, and ESG is now the next important step.

“You have to be proactive, not reactive, and cannot wait for customers to demand ESG compliance,” he said.

Regarding the NEA, Chen said such recognitions provide an important benchmark for local exporters, especially the MTCs, to assess their global presence.

“You will never know how good or how bad you are unless you measure. The NEA allows you to see where you stand against competitors in other countries,” he said.

Meanwhile, commenting on the award event, the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) chief executive officer Datuk Sri Mohd Mustafa Abdul Aziz said the NEA recognises the excellence of Malaysian enterprises across various categories.

"The NEA is our definitive statement on the merit of Malaysian enterprises, honouring excellence from emerging SMEs to established large corporates.

“These winners are redefining global trade through innovation and a strong commitment to sustainability,” he said.

He said MATRADE will continue to act as the primary catalyst, providing customised roadmaps, digitalisation expertise and global networking platforms to ensure every Malaysian exporter, especially MTCs, succeeds as a true global champion.

The NEA, scheduled for Dec 5, will feature seven best exporter award categories, including Best Exporter - Large Companies, Best Exporter - Multinational Companies, and Best Exporter - Mid-Tier Companies.

-- BERNAMA