Curtin Malaysia accounting and marketing student clubs jointly host webinar on ‘Surviving the Pandemic’

Miri – 9 October 2020 – The Accounting Club Curtin Malaysia (ACCM) and Institute of Marketing Malaysia Student Chapter (IMMSC) of Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) jointly hosted a webinar titled ‘Surviving the Pandemic’ recently to help students and staff of the campus, as well as members of the public, learn about the challenges and opportunities posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The two clubs, which are under the patronage of Curtin Malaysia’s Faculty of Business, also collaborated with the Institute of Marketing Malaysia (IMM) on the online event, involving IMM President Dato’ Sharifah Mohd. Ismail and IMM member, entrepreneur and master business developer Gerald Fernandez as the speakers.

Dato’ Sharifah and Fernandez brought professional insights as to how the pandemic has affected the marketing and accounting industries. They stressed the need for businesses to adapt and innovate to sustain and enhance their business in times of crises such as the global pandemic.

‘Adopt, Adapt, Move On’ was the key catchphrase advocated throughout the session. Dato’ Sharifah said that with the pandemic putting pressure on many businesses, particularly small businesses, it has been apparent that many are experiencing lower incomes, becoming demotivated, and have had to cut budgets to survive. COVID-19 has resulted in a worldwide need to reevaluate business strategies and people’s daily lifestyles.

Both Dato’ Sharifah and Fernandez emphasised the need to explore the digital and contactless business world. As more businesses shift to online platforms for the health and safety of their customers and employees, online services have become an important aspect and new norm in the business world.

According to them, businesses need to adapt to the changes, adopt new ways of conducting business and focus on implementing new technologies. Most importantly, businesses need to revisit their financial plans to ensure they are able to survive the pandemic. They said that as the federal and state governments have allocated resources and incentives to help businesses stay afloat, they should take advantage of these to ensure their survival.

Both speakers went on to offer many other insightful and innovative strategies and solutions for businesses to ride out the storm and come out even stronger.

Dato’ Sharifah has been leading the IMM as its president for the past 19 years. The IMM is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation committed to providing training and education programmes to further enhance the marketing skills of its members and other professionals in the industry.

Dato’ Sharifah possesses extensive and valuable knowledge regarding the marketing industry. She serves on the Board of Trustees for the Federation of Malaysian Consumer Associations (FOMCA), is an advisor to ERA Consumer Malaysia, and member of the Institute of Public Relations Malaysia (IPRM), Asia Pacific Marketing Federation, and World Marketing Association (WMA).

She is also a Certified Professional Marketer awarded by the Asia Pacific Marketing Federation, a Fellow of IMM, and Accredited Public Relations Practitioner awarded by IPRM. She was bestowed the Brand Leadership Award at the World Brand Congress 2009, making her the first woman professional to receive the international award, and in 2016, became the first Malaysian to receive the CMO Asia 50 Asian Women Leaders Excellence Award.

Fernandez is the co-founder of 3Quantum Consultancy and Talent Acquisition Professions (TAPRO) with over 20 years’ experience in the education industry in various capacities and has rich experience, knowledge, network and know-how across the region. He is known as a business strategist and master business developer with excellent skills in idea generation, developing new markets and relationship building.

He is a Certified Trainer and Coach and currently sits on the industry advisory boards of the Faculty of Business at Curtin Malaysia and other institutions.

Dato Sharifah Mohd Ismail, President of IMM.

Gerald Fernandez, entrepreneur, business strategist and master business developer.

Screenshot of some of the webinar participants.