The COVID-19 pandemic and the nationwide Movement Control Order (MCO) that took place in mid-March 2020 has had varied impacts from one business to another. During this time, our #LabFam members have found meaningful ways through their businesses to carve optimism in different ways to reach out to the public in these unprecedented times. From creating impactful messages, contributing funds, creating a new business model to helping SME’s manage their human resources better, we highlight four businesses that are part of our Co-labs Coworking members making an impact during the MCO period.
BRANDLAH is a low-cost marketplace that specializes in providing an unfair advantage to SMEs to access simple, low-cost, and flexible outdoor advertising solutions to build their brands. As the company is an SME themselves, they understand the growing pains and needs of other similar small and medium enterprises that seek to advertise their brands, with no-frills and with a competitive cost advantage.
It’s founder, Alex Goh observed that during the initial implementation of the MCO, many irresponsible Malaysians were still out and about and he felt the strong need to send a social reminder to the public. With his swift thinking and creativity, he thoughtfully converted digital billboards across the Klang Valley that indicated a strong message urging the public to stay at home and abide by the social distancing measures put in place to contain the spread of the pandemic. His message read “Dear Malaysians, If you can see this, please: #StayHome #DudukRumah #KitaJagaKita.
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Billboards with a simple yet impactful message urging the public to stay home were spotted across the Klang Valley
“Seeing everyone still taking this MCO lightly and going about with their routine, we got worried. We swiftly started developing a campaign within 24 hours to be featured across 200 digital screens in Klang Valley as an effort to “nag” and “annoy” anyone who is out on non-essential/medical purposes. The twist is that the content will get “more annoying” as the day goes”, Goh explains.
UPDATE: On 30th April 2020, the company launched an RM3.1milliom advertising fund for SME’s aimed at supporting local businesses affected by the Covid-19 crisis. For more info about this fund and how you may apply, click here
To read more about BRANDLAH’s initiative click here
ServisHero
ServisHero is the leading mobile application for home servicing needs where users can find local service providers such as cleaners, part-time maids, electricians, air conditioning experts, plumbers, and other home pros.
Within 48 hours of the MCO announcement, ServisHero effectively became a COVID-19 response company and created Disinfection2u. It mobilised a team of disinfection specialists to areas in need, dedicating the company’s support to the community to keep loved ones safe by offering professional disinfection services for homes and offices
ServisHero’s mission for the MCO is to mobilise resources to stop the spread of COVID-19. With the right networks and vast marketing reach, they are now able to disinfect Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand in a cost-effective way.
Within 48 hours of the MCO, ServisHero responded with an impactful business service that offers professional-grade disinfection services to homes and offices across South East Asia.
Its founder, Karl Loo shares, “Nothing is more important now than to #StopTheSpread – I’m grateful to see everyone in the community do their part in these trying times to stay safe. Organisationally, our #1 priority was to make sure we could continue to support our network of Heroes whilst stopping the spread of COVID-19”.
ServisHero is lending its hand to help selected vulnerable communities or essential service providers that need immediate or dire protection to provide immediate disinfection services for zero profit. This outreach program is available to those that meet certain requirements, kindly reach out to ServisHero if you know anyone in need.
Click here for more information on Disinfection2U, a special initiative by ServisHero,
Swingvy
Swingvy‘s mission is to create a workplace where work empowers people. Built to champion people in their work, Swingvy seamlessly connects all HR information – HR, Claims, Payroll and Benefits – and automates every administrative task without hassle through the web and mobile app.
In response to the pandemic, Swingvy launched the COVID-19 ZeroNationSMEs support program that gives out 6 months free of its full HR suite (inclusive of HRIS, Payroll, Claims and Leave) to businesses seeking a seamless HR solution. The company’s mission is to help out businesses remain sustainable and maintain an efficient workplace where all HR needs are seamlessly connected, even during trying times of crisis.
Melly Ling of Swingvy shares “We want to help SMEs and startups, to keep up their daily operations moving as we all can agree that human resources and administrative works take up plenty of time and work in a company. We came up with the COVID-19 support program to ensure businesses stay afloat while enjoying a cost-effective and seamless HR solution”.
Get 6 months Free access to HR Software with Swingvy’s ZeroNationSMEs support program
Paramount Corporation Berhad, listed on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad, is one of Malaysia’s most established investment holding companies. Over the last 50 years, the Group has evolved from a rice milling company into an award-winning investment holding company with well-established interests in property development and education services, operating under the Paramount Property and Paramount Education brands respectively.
Paramount Corporation Berhad has generously pledged RM500,000 to The Edge COVID-19 Health Care Workers Support Fund in aid of our health care workers who are serving tirelessly in hospitals day and night. Paramount’s Chairman Dato’ Teo Chiang Quan and his family have also personally donated another RM250,000 to the fund.
In recent times, The Edge Media has encouraged Corporate Malaysia to make monetary contributions to support the fight against the COVID-19 virus health crisis. The Edge COVID-19 Health Care Workers Support Fund dedicated towards providing financial assistance to health care workers who are infected while caring for COVID-19 patients is an initiative driven by The Edge Media that has encouraged Corporate Malaysia to make monetary contributions to support the fight against the COVID-19 virus health crisis.
Dato’ Teo said, “My colleagues, family members and I have a huge respect for the health care workers in this country especially over the COVID-19 epidemic.”
“Through our pledges, I pray that our healthcare heroes will come to know that they are loved and appreciated by all Malaysians. We thank The Edge for this initiative to encourage corporate Malaysia and the public to contribute financially and show their love and support,” he added.
For more information about this initiative, please click here.
Corvan
Corvan is a local home appliances company and also the Official Sole Distributor of NEATO, PicaMop, and HandiMop who pride themselves with the best service centres in the world to provide top-notch after-sales service on all its products. You can find out more about Corvan products here.
Once the MCO took place, they realised that the pandemic had severely impacted small businesses throughout Malaysia. Hence they compassionately launched a Charity Awareness Drive (CAD) to encourage donations for front liners in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic allocating prizes worth more than RM10,000 in a lucky draw. The initiative received recognition from BFM, Bernama.com, and World of Buzz.
Win over RM10,000 worth of prizes from Corvan’s Charity Awareness Drive!
“Like many Malaysian SMEs, our business is seriously affected by the pandemic. But it should not stop us from contributing to the fight against COVID-19. The front-liners and underprivileged deserve more support from all of us.” said Vanessa Tho, Co-founder of Corvan
Winner’s of the lucky draw will be announced on 13th May 2020. For more information on Corvan’s Charity Awareness Drive, please click here.
