PETALING JAYA: Rather than putting all eggs in one basket, companies should be more selective with their Star Business Awards (SOBA) applications and focus on categories that play to their strengths.

PKT Logistics Group Sdn Bhd, the biggest winner with five awards from last year’s SOBA, shared during a help desk session that interested participants should focus their resources on categories they feel most confident about and not submit entries for too many categories.

“Identify and prioritise the categories you think you stand the most chance of winning,” a representative of the company said.

“It is also important to present your submissions in a concise and easy yet interesting to read manner, to help the judges understand your achievements.”

The two-hour help desk session held at Menara Star yesterday was aimed at answering queries and assisting those who are participating in this year’s awards.

There are two award categories for SOBA 2013 – the top-of-the-class awards and outstanding achievement awards.

Under the former, there are eight sub-categories, which include the best in marketing, brand, corporate social responsibility, green initiative, employer, innovation and global market while the outstanding achievement awards comprise three sub-categories – rising star, entrepreneur of the year and Malaysian business of the year.

SOBA, which honours up-and-coming local, non-listed companies and small and medium enterprises, is entering its fourth year.

Winners will be rewarded with more than RM1mil worth of advertising space in the Star Media Group. They will also take home the SOBA trophy, as well as receive free financial consultation from Exim Bank for those keen on doing business abroad, among many other rewards.

The awards are open to all local enterprises that are not part of multinational companies or listed groups.

The participants’ foreign equity, if applicable, should not exceed 50%.

The SOBA submission pack can be obtained from The Star office or the forms can be downloaded from www.soba.com.my.

The deadline for entries is Aug 26.

For more information on SOBA 2013, call 03-7967 1388 ext 1240/1237.

The panel of judges this round would comprise representatives from the Associated Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM), Association of Accredited Advertising Agents Malaysia (4As), Branding Association of Malaysia, Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM), Malaysian Advertisers Association (MAA), Media Specialists Association (MSA), Malaysian Associated Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MAICCI), SMI Association of Malaysia as well as Exim Bank.

Exim Bank is the presenter of the awards, supported by Bursa Malaysia. The Royale Chulan Kuala Lumpur is the official hotel partner.

Red Tomato is the official Chinese newspaper, while the The official radio stations are 988FM and RedFM. The awards auditor is BDO.