Ebook KKbera 2018

e-Book Bera - Best Writing 2018

Nilai, kepercayaan, semangat dan budaya yang positif dalam melahirkan modal
insan yang unggul ada tercatat di dalam Wawasan 2020. Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad
adalah tokoh yang telah memperkenalkan Wawasan 2020 ini. Sembilan cabaran
yang disenaraikan dalam Wawasan 2020, semuanya untuk melahirkan modal insan
yang unggul. Cabaran yang pertama iaitu membentuk sebuah negara dan bangsa
yang bersatu padu. Bangsa itu mestilah sejahtera, terintegrasi wilayah-wilayah dan
kelompok-kelompok etniknya, menikmati kehidupan bersama secara adil dan
saksama dan membentuk sebuah “Bangsa Malaysia” yang taat setia.

Rakyat Malaysia mesti mempunyai semangat kenegaraan yang kuat bagi
membentuk negara yang maju. Melahirkan sebuah masyarakat Malaysia yang
bebas, teguh dan telah terbentuk jiwanya, yakin akan dirinya, bangga dengan
keadaannya, cukup tangkas untuk menghadapi segala jenis rintangan, mempunyai
sifat-sifat mengejar kecemerlangan, tidak terkongkong jiwanya dan dihormati oleh
semua bangsa lain. Ini merupakan cabaran kedua Wawasan 2020. Jika seseorang
individu mempunyai sifat mengejar kecemerlangan maka modal insan ini dapat
mempertingkatkan kecemerlangan sesebuah institusi pula.

Cabaran ketiga pula adalah cabaran membentuk dan memperkembangkan sebuah
masyarakat Malaysia demokratik yang matang, mengamalkan satu bentuk
demokratik Malaysia yang unggul berasaskan muafakat dan musyawarah dan dapat
dicontohi oleh negara-negara membangun yang lain. Budaya muafakat dan
musyawarah dapat menghasilkan modal insan yang berkeyakinan untuk menjadikan
institusi kukuh dan cemerlang. Cabaran yang keempat pula adalah untuk membentuk
sebuah masyarakat yang kukuh ciri-ciri moral dan etikanya dengan para warganya
mempunyai nilai keagamaan dan kerohanian serta ditunjangi oleh budi pekerti yang
luhur. Nilai-nilai seperti inilah yang diperlukan untuk menghasilkan modal insan yang
unggul. Cabaran yang terus menerus yang dihadapi ialah membentuk sebuah
masyarakat yang matang dan bersifat toleran dengan setiap warga bangsa Malaysia
tanpa mengira keturunan mahupun kepercayaannya, bebas mengamal dan
melaksanakan adat resam, kebudayaan dan kepercayaan agamanya tanpa berasa
tersisih. Kepercayaan atau pegangan agama amat penting dalam mendidik

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seseorang individu agar menjadi insan yang berguna untuk bangsa dan agamanya.
Cabaran yang seterusnya ialah untuk membentuk sebuah masyarakat yang bersifat
sains serta progresif, berdaya cipta dan berpandangan jauh ke hadapan yakni
sebuah masyarakat yang bukan sahaja dapat memanfaatkan teknologi terkini tetapi
turut menjadi penyumbang dalam pembentukan peradaban sains dan teknologi pada
masa hadapan.

Semangat yang tinggi diperlukan bagi menghasilkan masyarakat kreatif dan inovatif
dalam bidang sains dan teknologi. Cabaran yang sangat berkait rapat adalah
cabaran yang ketujuh iaitu membentuk sebuah masyarakat berbudi dan berbudaya
penyayang, sebuah sistem sosial yang lebih mementingkan masyarakat daripada diri
sendiri dan kebajikan rakyat yang berasaskan pada sistem kekeluargaan yang kukuh
dan mantap.

Kita dapat lihat di sini bahawa budaya sesuatu masyarakat juga memainkan peranan
yang penting dalam melahirkan modal insan yang unggul. Cabaran kelapan adalah
menjamin terbentuknya sebuah masyarakat yang adil ekonominya. Masyarakat akan
menjamin pengagihan kekayaan negara secara adil dan saksama dengan kemajuan
ekonominya dinikmati bersama oleh semua rakyat. Masyarakat sedemikian tidak
akan terbentuk selagi terdapat penentuan fungsi ekonomi bedasarkan kaum. Jika
semangat cintakan negara kuat dalam diri, maka cabaran ini akan tercapai dan dapat
menghasilkan modal insan seperti yang dikehendaki. Cabaran yang terakhir adalah
membentuk sebuah masyarakat yang makmur dengan ekonomi yang mampu
menghadapi persaingan, bersifat dinamis, tangkas dan memiliki daya ketahanan.
Semangat bersaing dengan positif mampu melahirkan modal insan yang dapat
meningkatkan kecemerlangan sesebuah institusi.

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RUJUKAN

1. Bahagian Perancangan dan Penyelidikan Dasar Pendidikan Kementerian
Pelajaran Malaysia. ( 2006 ). Kertas Kerja Seminar Penyelidikan Pendidikan
Kebangsaan Ke XIII . Kuala Lumpur : Percetakan Watan Sdn. Bhd.

2. Mohamad Faizal bin Mansor. ( 2008 ). Nota Bestari PTK 1 dan PTK 2
(Kompetensi Umum) Rujukan Lengkap dan Mudah Untuk Penilaian Tahap
Kecekapan. Selangor : International Law Book Services.

3. Pekeliling Kemajuan Pentadbiran Awam dan Profil Perkhidmatan Awam
Malaysia, (2008), MDC Publishers Sdn Bhd.

4. Sidang Pengarang ILBS. ( 2008 ). Penilaian Tahap Kecekapan (PTK) Aspek
Kompetensi Profesional Rujukan peperiksaan Untuk Guru-Guru Graduan
Diploma dan Ijazah. Selangor : International Law Book Services.

5. Sidang Pengarang ILBS. ( 2008 ). Penilaian Tahap Kecekapan (PTK) Aspek
Kompetensi Teras Panduan dan Rujukan Untuk Peperiksaan Am Kerajaan.
Selangor : International Law Book Services.

6. Sidang Pengarang ILBS. ( 2009 ). Contoh Soalan-soalan Ramalan dan
Jawapan Untuk Rujukan Peperiksaan Penilaian Tahap Kecekapan (PTK).
Selangor : International Law Book Services.

7. Sidang Pengarang ILBS. ( 2009 ). Malaysia Kita Panduan dan Rujukan Untuk
Peperiksaan Am Kerajaan. Selangor : International Law Book Services.

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PENGARUH PROMOSI SECARA ATAS TALIAN

Siti Rahayu Binti Sheikh Abdullah
Unit Pembangunan Pelajar
[email protected]

ABSTRAK
Perkembangan dan peningkatan penggunaan internet telah banyak mempengaruhi
cara hidup masyarakat kini. Setiap tahun, penggunaan dan kelajuan internet di
Malaysia semakin meningkat dan pemintaan juga semakin bertambah termasuklah
penggunaan di luar bandar. Dengan menggunakan internet, interaksi masyarakat kini
lebih banyak dilakukan secara atas talian sama ada melalui komputer, tab atau
telefon pintar. Ini berketepatan dengan matlamat utama kami dalam
memperkenalkan perihal program, proses pembelajaran dan pengajaran (PdP) serta
aktiviti-aktiviti yang berlangsung dalam dan luar kolej. Sejajar dengan laporan yang di
keluarkan oleh Pihak Suruhanjaya Komunikasi dan Multimedia Malaysia (SKMM),
dalam dunia tanpa sempadan, internet memainkan peranan penting dalam
menghubungkan antara komuniti. Pelbagai usaha yang dilakukan oleh pihak SKMM
dalam mengembangkan penggunaan jalur lebar supaya selaras dengan permintaan
penggunaan internet yang semakin meningkat. Menurut SKMM, peningkatan ketara
penembusan telefon selular, komunikasi jalur lebar dan pengguna internet adalah
kerana wujudnya kandungan dan aplikasi internet yang menepati citarasa pengguna.
Ini menunjukkan penggunaan internet bukan hanya mempengaruhi cara manusia
bekerja tetapi juga mempengaruhi bagaimana masyarakat kini berkomunikasi antara
satu sama lain.

KATA KUNCI: komunikasi, internet, pelajar

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1.0 PENGENALAN

Promosi secara atas talian memainkan peranan penting dalam perkembangan
dunia masa kini. Ini dapat dilihat dengan peningkatan penggunaan internet,
perkembangan telefon pintar dan cara komunikasi. Merujuk kepada laporan tahunan
yang di keluarkan oleh Pihak Suruhanjaya Komunikasi dan Multimedia Malaysia
(SKMM), dalam dunia tanpa sempadan, internet memainkan peranan penting dalam
menghubungkan antara komuniti. Pemilihan tajuk ini dibuat bagi mengenalpasti
sejauh mana kaedah promosi yang akan dilakukan oleh Kolej Komuniti secara atas
talian dapat membantu dalam memperkenalkan program-program dan aktiviti yang
dijalankan di kolej masing-masing sejajar perkembangan jalur lebar di Malaysia.
Percambahan penggunaan laman sosial media di kalangan masyarakat kini juga
dapat mempengaruhi kaedah promosi yang akan di lakukan sesuai dengan arus
semasa. Peningkatan bilangan pengguna internet dalam menghabiskan masa
mereka dalam seharian boleh menyebabkan lebih banyak pertukaran maklumat
boleh berlaku. Dalam kajian oleh SKMM, kebanyakan pengguna internet lebih mudah
berkongsi maklumat diri secara atas talian seperti berkongsi gambar, nama sebenar,
tarikh lahir, nombor telefon dan lokasi rumah. Menyedari hebatnya peningkatan
penggunaan internet, pihak Kolej Komuniti Bera menggunakan peluang ini sebagai
salah satu platform untuk mempromosikan bidang akuakultur di kolej komuniti
sebagai pilihan untuk pelajar lepasan Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) melanjutkan
pelajaran. Ini berketepatan dengan matlamat utama unit pengambilan Kolej Komuniti
Bera dalam memperkenalkan perihal program, proses pembelajaran dan pengajaran
(PdP) serta aktiviti-aktiviti yang berlangsung dalam dan luar kolej.

2.0 INTERNET DI MALAYSIA

Melihat kepada perkembangan terhadap peningkatan penggunaan jalur lebar
di Malaysia, bermula abad ke-20 pemilihan internet sebagai sumber untuk mencari
maklumat dilihat semakin penting. Kadar pertumbuhan penggunaan jalur lebar
internet di Malaysia meningkat sebanyak 356.8 peratus dari tahun 2000 sehingga
tahun 2010. Pertumbuhan yang sangat tinggi ini menjadikan ilmu teknologi maklumat
dan komunikasi (ICT) adalah amat penting dalam kehidupan masa kini. Oleh itu,
pelbagai pendekatan telah dilakukan oleh pihak SKMM bagi memastikan semua

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golongan terutama luar bandar mendapat kemudahan jalur lebar ini. Antara
pendekatan yang dilakukan adalah seperti pembinaan dan pertambahan menara
komunikasi, Pusat Internet 1Malaysia (PI1M), WiFi Komuniti (WK), Perluasan Liputan
Selular dan Jalur Lebar Mudah Alih serta Pakej Peranti Pintar Dengan Internet.

Hasil dari pendekatan PI1M menunjukkan 61% ahlinya adalah di kalangan
pelajar dan peringkat umur ahlinya yang tertinggi adalah 18-35 tahun sebanyak 44%
berbanding 35% yang berumur 18 tahun ke bawah. Ini menunjukkan pelajar-pelajar
lepasan SPM adalah antara pengguna paling tinggi internet di Malaysia terutamanya
di kawasan luar bandar. Manakala pakej peranti pintar dengan internet menawarkan
subsidi peranti pintar yang dimuatkan dengan aplikasi terpilih yang disertakan
bersama pakej internet.

Perkembangan dan peningkatan penggunaan internet telah banyak
mempengaruhi cara hidup masyarakat kini. Bukan hanya ia mempengaruhi cara
manusia bekerja tetapi juga mempengaruhi bagaimana masyarakat kini
berkomunikasi antara satu sama lain. Dengan menggunakan internet, interaksi
masyarakat kini lebih banyak dilakukan secara atas talian sama ada melalui
komputer, tab atau telefon pintar. Tetapi, seiring dengan peningkatan penggunaan
jalur lebar yang pesat, peningkatan mengakses internet melalui peranti mudah alih
lebih tinggi pada tahun 2017. Penggunaan telefon pintar lebih menjadi pilihan
pengguna untuk melayari internet sebanyak 89.4% pada tahun 2017. Manakala
penggunaan komputer dan laptop menurun kepada 36.3% (2015: 46%) , tablet 18%
(2015: 24.8%) dan telefon bimbit 9.4% (2015: 15.8%).

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Rajah 1: Peratus penggunaan peranti untuk melayari internet di kalangan pengguna
tahun 2017

3.0 LAMAN SOSIAL
Sedekad yang lalu menunjukkan percambahan yang meluas terhadap

penggunaan laman sosial media sama ada kegunaan personal atau tujuan bisnes.
Setiap individu tidak melepaskan peluang dengan mengambil kesempatan dari
laman web yang mesra pengguna untuk bersosial dan berkomunikasi, menyuarakan
pandangan dan pendapat. Dalam kajian terhadap 21.9 juta pengguna laman sosial
media tahun 2017, 97.3% daripada pengguna mendakwa mereka mempunyai laman
facebook, instagram (56.1%), youtube (45.3%) dan twitter (26.6%).

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Rajah 2: Peratus penggunaan laman sosial media di Malaysia tahun 2017
4.0 TELEFON PINTAR

Penggunaan talian mudah alih telefon pintar telah menjadi peranti utama
dalam proses interaksi di antara masyarakat masa kini. Menurut tinjauan yang di
lakukan SKMM peratusan penggunaan telefon pintar terus meningkat dari 68.7%
pada tahun 2016 kepada 75.9% pada tahun 2017. Antara faktor yang mendorong
kepada pemilihan penggunaan telefon pintar adalah mudah didapati, harga yang
murah, pakej data yang berpatutan serta peningkatan kepercayaan pada aplikasi
berasaskan telefon pintar.

Rajah 3: Peratus penggunaan telefon pintar di Malaysia tahun 2016 dan 2017 (Sumber SKMM)

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Jadual 1: Peratus penggunaan telefon mudah alih berdasarkan jenis telefon

Telefon Pintar 2014 2015 2016 2017
Telefon Bimbit 53.4 52.3 68.7 75.9
46.4 47.6 53 31

5.0 KESELAMATAN DAN PRIVASI ATAS TALIAN

Peningkatan bilangan pengguna internet dalam menghabiskan masa boleh
menyebabkan lebih banyak pertukaran maklumat boleh berlaku. Kebanyakan
pengguna internet lebih mudah berkongsi maklumat diri secara atas talian seperti
berkongsi gambar (68.9%), tarikh lahir (58.5%), nama sebenar (55%), alamat email
(50.7%), tempat belajar/bekerja (41.3%), nombor telefon (40.5%) dan lokasi rumah
(26.7%).

Rajah 4: Peratus penyebaran maklumat diri di kalangan pengguna internet
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5.0 KESIMPULAN

Penggunaan internet masa kini menunjukkan peningkatan yang berterusan
dari masa ke semasa. Peratusan terhadap penggunaan laman sosial seperi
facebook, instagram dan youtube menjadi tarikan utama di laman sosial di mana ia
mendapat kedudukan tertinggi sebagai medium perantara untuk berkongsi maklumat
dan berinteraksi.

Seiring dengan peredaran masa, kami ingin menjadikan medium ini sebagai
salah satu cara dan kaedah untuk mendekati masyarakat di samping aktiviti-aktiviti
luar lain. Melalui video ini juga kami dapat memperkenalkan Kolej Komuniti Bera
serta program Sijil Akuakultur yang dipelajari di sini. Walaupun kebanyakan
pengguna internet terus berkongsi maklumat peribadi mereka secara dalam talian,
mereka mengakui bahawa privasi dalam talian juga adalah penting.

RUJUKAN
Abdul Rahman Abdul Aziz (Cetakan Pertama 2014). Isu-Isu Ketahanan Nasional

Malaysia: Perkembangan Internet dan Media Sosial di Malaysia.
Suruhanjaya Komunikasi dan Multimedia Malaysia. (2017). Internet Users

Survey 2017, Statistical Brief Number Twenty-One.
Suruhanjaya Komunikasi dan Multimedia Malaysia. (2016). Internet Users

Survey 2016, Statistical Brief Number Twenty.
Suruhanjaya Komunikasi dan Multimedia Malaysia. (2015). Usaha Kami ke

Arah Sebuah Negara Yang Terhubung, Laporan Tahunan 2015.
Suruhanjaya Komunikasi dan Multimedia Malaysia. (2016).

Mengoptimumkan Sumber, Laporan Tahunan 2016.

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CASE STUDY: INFLOW GLOBAL MARKETING (M) SDN. BHD.
Determination In Producing A Competitive Halal Product

Keadsrar Phongswat a/p Eteng
Nurulhuda Khairuddin

1.0 COMPANY BACKGROUND
Haji Abdullah Sani Bin Sha’ari, Managing Director of Inflow Global Marketing (M)
Sdn. Bhd.,(registered No. 969844-A) has been in several types of businesses as
manufacturer, trader, exporter and exporter Halal food product based in the city of
Ipoh, Perak for more than 15 years. He is a qualified businessman with B.B.A (Hons)
University of Liverpool, UK and MBA from University Utara Malaysia has gained
plenty of knowledge through working as a subordinate in other companies such as
Seagate and Sime Darby. In Sime Darby, he was attached with the Sales &
Marketing Department for 4 years and later he worked with Seagate Ipoh, a semi-
conductor factory for a year where he learned on the process and production
concept. He always loves to be an entrepreneur so he quit from both established
company after saving some money to start his own business that he always dreamed
of. Looking at his company performance, he is uncertain about how Inflow should
react towards changes in economic and government policies. Then he was offered to
be a diplomat officer in other country but reluctant to accept the job. Inflow has
projected that Mee Geti and Mee Cepat as two products that may soar accomplished
in the market especially among Muslim.

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2.0 INFLOW SDN BHD. ACHIEVEMENT PATH
Inflow Global Marketing (M) Sdn. Bhd., was founded on 7th August 1998 and located
at MARA Industrial Park of Tambun, Perak. Being operated at the location for more
than 16 years, Tambun now is being an established and well known area in Ipoh.
Whereby located nearby “The Lost World of Tambun” team park is an advantage to
Inflow Sdn. Bhd.

Being a trading from the early stage of business, Inflow involved in selling
several types of products to cater demand from customer in Ipoh. Inflow is an
enterprise business that has grown steadily and typically involves several types of
business. The first year of business with capital of RM10,000 the product is selling
and distributing cooking gas. But this business not successful due to partnership
problem.

Then in second year, Inflow involved in trading of food products and cooking
spices in bulk as a wholesaler mainly targeted to businessman on catering,
restaurant operator and others. During this period of time, it is very difficult to apply
for business loan especially from MARA but Inflow operated it business with his
owned money. They managed to buy a van and a premise rented with MARA at
Industrial Park Tambun. During this two years of business, Abdullah faced a very
hard and challenging time to sustain the business.

Business starts growing after the second year as Inflow manage to get support
from TEKUN with RM5000 loan. Looking at the following years during the emerging
of hypermarket such as Giant and Tesco, sales for Inflow dropped by 40%. As to
ensure business still in the market, Mr. Abdullah has to take reduce manpower and
close one of his warehouse.

In the ninth year of business (2006) after all the constrained and challenges in
the market, Inflow able to pick up his sales volume by expanding his market to new
market in Lumut, Slim River and Pengkalan Hulu. During this blooming period, Inflow
has spent more on buying lorries and van to cater on distribution existing products
and new frozen food of karipap, samosa and popia.

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Later the management of Inflow realized handling frozen food involved high
cost that make Inflow focused to dried products such as dried noodles. Dried yellow
noodles (Mee Cepat) is a new form of noodles in Muslim market which Inflow using
branding as a marketing tool together with labeling and packaging.

As Inflow lead the technology of producing Halal dried noodles with brand
name of Mee Geti and Mee Cepat, Inflow has gained acceptance from existing Perak
customers and expanding the new market to other states

3.0 HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT

Inflow Global Trading and Marketing (M) Sdn Bhd has six departments which
consists of IT Department, Human Resources Department, Production Department,
Purchase and Warehouse Department, Sales & Marketing Department and Finance
& Administrative Department. The number of employee are 22 person among SPM,
Diploma and Degree holder and the director of the company is the master degree
holder. Hiring process in Inflow is carried out through interview by the Director of
Inflow preferences among the average education achievement whenever the
management need to fulfill empty position or create new post. The male workers are
most suitable for warehouse department and lorry driver and female workers will
handle the production, administrative department and others department.

In managing human resources, Inflow planning the orientation to the new
employee through ‘buddy system’ that can build a personal connection between the
organization and the new hire. The goal is to promote a feeling of comfort and
acceptance, and establish rapport quickly. Furthermore, the system allows the
employees to feel part of the work group, gain more confidence, and become
productive more quickly. The organization applied the ‘buddy system’ due to the time
constraint and tied schedule of the director. Furthermore, the company was unable to
handle orientation programme due to not many staff in the company to handle and
not suitable to conduct one. Therefore buddy system provides ongoing support to the
employees beyond the formal orientation period where the new employees learn from
their peers which they will have the valuable experience.

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In term of training and development, Inflow send their employees to enhance
their skills and knowledge to any seminar and course invited by Majlis Amanah
Rakyat (MARA), SME Corp, Dewan Perniagaan Negeri Perak (DPNPk) and
Permodalan Usahawan Nasional Berhad (PUNB) in the area of marketing, e-
commerce and accounting. Employees who attended the training will increase the
productivity, expose to the latest technology and obtain additional knowledge. Inflow
also trained their employees to be multi skills in order to cut the cost. For example,
lorry driver will carried out task of order taker and at the same time they deliver
products to the customers.

Organizational culture encompasses values and behaviors that contribute to
the unique social and psychological environment of an organization. The director of
Inflow believes that organizational culture based on Islam is the best culture. Every
morning from 7.45am to 8.00am, reciting ‘doa’ is carried out before start working and
recites ‘surah Yassin’ every Friday morning is compulsary. During the section of ‘doa’
and reciting ‘surah Yassin’, the employer and employee able to meet in order to
strengthen the relationship among themselves and to build a good teamwork.

Furthermore, in order to maintain the employee’s satisfaction and loyalty, the
Director of Inflow arranged an annual dinner in 2014. Inflow management also
showed the company appreciation by giving birthday card and present to the staff. In
addition, an allocation for a dinner treat and giving a theme park ticket of The Lost
World of Tambun for those who worked hard in order to increase the sale volume
after handling sales marketing event such as the Food Fair at RTC Gopeng. From
time to time, employees need to work extra hours (overtime) to cater the high
demand in Inflow products during sales and marketing events such as providing
Inflow products to the flood victim in Perak.

As the company continued to diversify, the opportunities for workplace
problems intensify. Small medium enterprise (SME) owner typically face one or more
of three potential levels of conflict which are employee, team or organization wide
issues. In 2004, Inflow was growing up and hire more staff to fulfill the demand
unfortunately Inflow had identified a problem regarding employee’s turnover.

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Many employees resigned working with Inflow. They worked in short period with the
company.At the same time, Inflow had to hire new workers to run the company’s daily
operation. Therefore, the company had to invest high cost in hiring new staff. In 2005,
the company had to bear almost 70% cost for manpower and in the same year many
competitors Giant and Tesco had emerged the market. This situation caused the
employees jump to the work with competitors from time to time. Inflow lost 4 staff at
one time from 10 employees reduced to 6 employees. At this moment, Inflow decided
to cut down the working capital and tried to rebound. Employee turnover is the
serious problem for the business because loyal employees is an assets to a
company. It is a big challenge to retain employees in the company for a long period.

Time elapsed and the company was growing up. Inflow faced another cycle of
human resources issues in 2011 when the government sets a minimum wage of
RM900 per month for Peninsular Malaysia. The policy gave high impact to the
company where had to bear higher labour cost. The company has to follow the policy
done by the authority but the implementation was postponed then. During that period,
a few employees resigned from Inflow to find the best offer salary from other
company. At this moment, Inflow shorthanded and tried to find new employees with
the new wage policy to support the business operation.

4.0 MARKETING STRATEGY TO PENATERATE MALAYSIAN MARKET

Inflow Global Trading and Marketing has two major businesses of trading and
manufacturing in Perak. Abdullah has started to sell ‘ikan kering” (salted fish) with
initial capital of RM50 and now his company is blooming and grow well. His
determination has manages him to be the only Muslim trading company in Ipoh,
Perak. Inflow supply many Muslim products to the market such as Jalen, Orang
Kampung, Afiat Marketing, Tamin, Samano, Adabi, Lestari, Madura, Suria, Zuza,
Antikah, Kacang Pecal & Ketupat Jamilah Mansor, Budu Cap Ketereh, Keropok Ikan
Segar Mak Wan, Mak Uda, Shahrinie Food Industri, Tauchu Opah, Campuran
Manisan Gula Kabung, Istiqamah, Rempah Cap O, Faiza, Sos Pencicah, Dadih
Yess, Air Mineral Alla Fonte, Annusyrah and many more to retailer outlets such as
groceries shops, mini market and super market all over Peninsular of Malaysia.

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Besides, customers are free to shop at Inflow warehouse located at Kawasan
Perindustrian MARA, Tambun or at Frozen Mini Market at Ipoh Jaya, Ipoh, Perak.
The company sales is not only limited to trading business but also produced frozen
food products to fulfill customer needs and wants. Demand for frozen food is high
due to many career women nowadays. Inflow takes the challenge by producing a
few traditional foods which has higher demand like Karipap and Samosa. They
produced variety types of filling such as chicken, beef, sardine, prawn and vegetable.
Looking at the high demand in the traditional food, Inflow has expended in producing
Cucur Badak, Popia Sayur and Otak-otak Popia.

In order to stay competitive, Abdullah takes a challenge to learn how to
produce an instant noodle to compete with the non-Muslim companies. It is not an
easy task to make a dream comes true. Finally in 2006, Abdullah managed to
produce an instant noodle by using a quality recipe and technique but until now he is
continuing to produce using a better recipe ever. Today, Inflow produces two types
of instant noodle name as Mee Geti and Mee Cepat. Both products have high
demand but it cater different types of customer. Inflow keep on upgrading the quality
of the products as to penetrate Malaysian market thoroughly and to compete with
other products alike such as pasta and noodles.

In reality, many Bumiputeras’ products has been unfairly treated and accepted
in the market. One of the reasons for not excepted is the unattractive packaging of
the products. Inflow spend high cost on packaging of Mee Geti and Mee Cepat.
Abdullah believed by having new and attractive packaging, sales volume for both
product will increased. All the experiences obtained by Abdullah for more than 9
years in business and marketing, is an important asset for Inflow as a guideline to
choose the most suitable and cost effective to the company as well as to increase
sales volume. He uses integrated marketing communication to promote his products.
He also believes in educating customer on the products is one of the effective
strategy of the promotion tool as result of Inflow sales increase by 2% in year 2014
compared to 2013.

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The strategy of educating customer has been carried out recently in year 2015
during a trade show in RTC Gopeng by giving out samples and food testing together
with giving the recipe for cooking Mee Geti and Mee Cepat. This situation also leads
to the increment numbers of Mee Cepat /Mee Geti consumers.

As believing promotion is a powerful tool to convey message to the customer,
Inflow seriously spend more on promotion effort by using flyer, banner, catalogue and
billboard. Inflow also participate in many trade shows organized by government such
as Karnival Usahawan Desa 2015 (KUD) organized by Ministry of Rural and Regional
Development (KKLW), Hari Pengguna etc. Conveying message in a right way about
the strength of the product help the company to increase trust among their
customers. Besides, Inflow appoint Siti Saleha a well-known actress in Malaysia as
the company ambassador during Hari Pengguna 2015 as to attract more customers
to buy their products. In addition, Inflow also has one segment in Radio Perak “Untuk
Kome Aje” and Abdullah also plan to use television advertising soon to promote their
brand name.

Besides using traditional media advertising, Inflow also using internet as a
promotion medium. Customer may log on to their website http://www.inflow.com.my
to get more information regarding the products, services and the promotion. They
also expending their information through social media by using Facebook, Twitter
and Instagram.

As to sustain in the market, Inflow has many agents to help them in marketing
their products. Inflow management always welcome who ever interested to be the
agent even though they are a micro company. By using this approach, Inflow can
ensure the entire product will meet the customer’s attention as many as they can.
They have term and condition to certify all the jobbers/agents to follow Inflow
requirements. Their agent consists of Pasar Malam agent and cooperation agents.
Inflow has regulation which in every two weeks they need to service their customer to
ensure providing a good service always.

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Unfortunately, the shortage of salesman in Inflow causes the major problem
to the after sales service. Referring to the figure 1 below, Inflow unable to provide
superior after sales service in their marketing channel which give bad impression
towards their retailers. They failed to serve the customer within two week as mention
in the company carter.

Figure 1: Inflow Marketing Channel

Customer complaint on the difficulties to get Inflow products on time which cause to
the empty shelves in most of the retailer’s shop that used to be Inflow retailer. This
situation gives bad impression toward Inflow after sales service which encourage the
end user to look for substitute product of Inflow from the competitors.

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Year 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Sales 982,236.00 980,462.00 1,241,235.00 1,625,739.00 1,430,733.00 1,642,341.00 1,934,756.00
Gross Profit 127,431.00 130,948.00 201,218.00 242,782.00 252,519.00 348,086.00 369,095.00
15,432.00 (23,168.00) 17,758.00 11,491.00 14,061.00
Net Profit 4,550.00 9,813.00

Year 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Sales 2,346,693.00 2,606,794.00 3,082,821.00 2,833,445.00 3,005,902.00 2,926,164.00 2,981,295.00

Gross Profit 415,349.00 424,028.42 509,022.00 477,249.00 492,125.00 4,565,143.00 691,992.00

Net Profit 19,990.00 23,818.00 63,675.09 (30,158.78) (115,212.00) (112,109.00) 70,707.00

Figure 2: Inflow Global Marketing (M) SDN. BHD. sales performance from 2001-2014

According to figure 2, the company started to generate income in year 1999
onwards. The sales estimated in 1999 was RM420,000.00 and in year 2000 was
RM600,000.00.Year by year, the sales increased. In 2001, the profit gained was
RM4,550.00 (Total sales: RM982,236.00). Looking back at the year 2002, profit had
increased to RM9,813.00 although the sales was slightly dropped to RM980,462.00.
The gross profit in year 2002 jumped from RM127,431.00 to RM130,948.00 and it
has contributed to higher net profit in year 2002. In 2003, the sales was
RM1,241,235.00 and gross profit was RM201,218.00.

According to Abdullah, 2 vans were added has been bought that helped to
increase of sales volume on the current year and at the same time increase the
financial performance in 2003. In 2004, the sales was higher than previous year
(RM1,625,739.00) but the net profit was negative. On that current year, few problem
occurred. The cost of material and staffs turnover were high and effected the net
profit. The sales was negative in 2004. The company gained profit in 2005
(RM17,758.00). It was positive on that year. With the existence of Giant & Tesco
(effected the sales), the company still gained profit. Abdullah used few strategies to
increase the net profit. On that current year (2005), 70% of the production involved
manpower cost. When the staff quit from the company, manpower cost was reduce
and the net profit was increased.

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In 2006, the net profit dropped to RM11,491.00 due to the increase in
company assets. Company bought few assets on that current year. In 2007, the sales
was increased with the profit of RM14,061.00. The sales in 2008 and 2009 increased
and contributed to the company’s profit. With the past experiences, the company
gained more profit (compared to previous years) in 2010. With experience had, En.
Abdullah increased the sales by promotion and asset (helped to boost the
production) and then contributed to the profit for 2010.

In 2011 to 2013 the company at loss. The external factors has effected on the
company financial performance. The changing in government policies, increment on
toll expenses, and increment on raw materials effected the net profit too. The
government policies that required all businesses to pay minimum salary of RM900.00
had caused the company expenses to increase (salary expenses). Other expenses
effected the company financial performance like operation cost, sales and promotion
expenses as well.

How did the company survived with the losses? Based on figure 3 below, it is
shows how the company survived by loan injection from varies financial agency
started on year 2000 until year 2010. In fact at 2010, the company received loan
injection of RM500,000.00 from Perbadanan Usahawan Nasional Berhad (PUNB)
which has helped the company continue their business to survive. With the three
consecutive years of losses, Abdullah took an action to monitor the company cash
flow as it effects the company financial performance. In 2014, after three consecutive
years of losses, Inflow Global Marketing (M) Sdn. Bhd. gained back profit. On that
year the company gained RM70,707.00 on the net profit. Recently the Malaysian
Government have implemented the Goods & Services Tax (GST). Abdullah said that
the implementation of GST effect the company performance again. With all the
challenges faced by Inflow, Abdullah has plan to market his product to global level to
widen the market.

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Year Agencies/Institutions Total loan (RM)
2000 Tabung Ekonomi Kumpulan Usaha Niaga 3,000.00
(Tekun Nasional)
2001 Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) 50,000.00
2002 Tabung Ekonomi Kumpulan Usaha Niaga 10,000.00
(Tekun Nasional)
2004 Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) 100,000.00
2007 SME Bank 150,000.00
2010 Perbadanan Usahawan Nasional Berhad (PUNB) 500,000.00

Figure 3: Loan injection of Inflow Global Marketing (M) Sdn. Bhd.

5.0 CONCLUSION

From the gathered data, it can be conclude that Mr Abdullah is a very hardworking
person. Despite all the problems and challenge faced, Mr Abdullah is not giving up
easily. With the help from few institutions, the business survive until now. According
to Mr Abdullah, there’s always ups and downs in business. If you’re willing to take
risk, then go for it. It’s not easy to gain success in business unless with a good effort
and never give up.

Notes:
All informations on this case study gathered by qualitative research. The reseachers obtained all the
data from the business owner himself.

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