MoneyTree Idea eXchange (MIX) – SOTA Challenge

Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, June 09, 2010 --(PR.com)-- The MoneyTree Idea eXchange (MIX) – SOTA Challenge saw 7 teams battling it out against each other intensely for a chance to grab a Cash Prize of RM 1,500.

The MIX teams were given 3.5 minutes to pitch their business ideas to a panel of judges, by coming up with various business solutions for problems and challenges that were faced by the Standard Online Tourism Architecture (SOTA) platform (a consolidated tourism e-business platform that unites Government, travel businesses and Consumers) and suggest ways as to how those problems and challenges could be resolved. During the Q & A session, the teams had 5 minutes to defend their business ideas against the scrutiny of the judges.

The invited judges were Mr Vincent Kok (Chief Operating Officer, Creative Advances Technologies), Mr Damanhuri Mahmood (Chief Financial Officer, Creative Advances Technologies), Mr Ooi Woon Chee (Executive Director, KPMG), Mr Bugs Tan (Co-founder of MACRI) and Mr Neil Walter (Entrepreneur).

MIX also provides a platform for employers and employees to mingle and get to know each other at a more personal level. Like what CEO of MoneyTree Malaysia, Mr Brandon Liew said, "We used to look into employees’ curricular vitae, check if they possess the skills and then determine whether we should hire the person but later find out that the person whom does not have the "right personality" for the job. Instead, we should be hiring people with the right personality and train them for the skills. We want to change the process of employment through MIX. This is the platform where personalities and talents of youths shine in their very unique ways."

Not only do participants get to showcase their ideas and capabilities, they also got the chance to talk to potential employers and gain more knowledge from them during the event. Besides that, the event was hosted by Papi Zak, a rising comedian in the local scene. Everyone was entertained by how MIX was being compared with the American Idol and Malaysian Idol contest. MIX has proven that business and pleasure CAN MIX.

At the end of the MIX presentation session, Soo Jen Ric, a Taylor’s University College graduate was announced as the MIX 2 Prize Winner of the night and bagged the cash prize of RM1,500 with his interesting presentation. In his presentation, he stressed that if travellers were given the flexibility to pick and choose activities of their liking and were given a myriad of choices to choose from, SOTA will be a hit amongst most travellers.

One of the highlights of the event was the announcement of the lucky draw winner. The winner walked away with 2 passes to Universal Studios, Singapore, with a 2 day – 1 night hotel accommodation and 2 return tickets on board Odyssey’s Luxury Coach Liner.

MIX is a monthly event which also serves as a platform for organizations to identify TOP talents within Universities and Colleges. The next session of MIX will be held on the 22nd of July which promises more excitement and fun.

For more information regarding MIX, please contact Jo at +6012 255 2728 or write to jo@moneytree.my.

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