Together in Enterprise, an international organisation which aims to increase women’s participation in entrepreneurship and trade by providing training, coaching and other opportunities is hosting an intensive marketing and sales masterclass this summer starting on 2 August at Women for Women Community Hub in Malta. 

This is an opportunity for women leaders and business owners to brush up their knowledge and techniques in a safe environment, mastering essential and practical skills to achieve their business goals while learning in a supportive environment.

The Masterclasses and workshops are delivered in person with one-on-one dedicated attention and are designed to help women master essential skills for navigating today’s digital and highly competitive marketplace.

Programme Highlights:

• Intensive 3-day 6-Session Series: Designed for business leaders seeking expert techniques, inspiration, new skills, and increased success.
• Expert-Led Sessions: Delivered by renowned international marketing and sales specialists.
• Comprehensive Curriculum: Covers strategy, market analysis, competition, customer personas, digital marketing, sales strategies, distribution channels, sales psychology, and performance metrics.
• In-Person Learning: Engaging sessions held in person, fostering a collaborative and interactive learning environment.
• Networking Opportunities: Connect with like-minded women entrepreneurs and join an ongoing online community for continued support and networking.

Why Attend?

• Tailored for Women Entrepreneurs: Specifically developed to address the unique challenges faced by women in business.
• Interactive and Practical: Benefit from a mix of presentations, practical worksheets, and personalised coaching.
• Actionable Insights: Develop tailored marketing strategies and gain practical tools to drive business growth.
• Certificate of Completion: Achieve recognition for your dedication and new skills.

Event Details:

• Dates: 3 dates in August: Friday, 2 August; Wednesday, 7 August and Wednesday, 21 August 2024
• Time: 10am to 12pm/NOON
• Location: The Community Hub, Women 4 Women, 131, Triq il-Madonna tal-Gebla, Gzira
• Format: Each masterclass is an hour long, featuring 30 minutes of instruction followed by 30 minutes of group work.
• Special Webinar: Participants will also benefit from an exclusive online fireside chat discussing Importing, Marketing, and Selling in a Local Market

Registration: Limited places to ensure one-on-one attention. Register at www.togetherinenterprise for more details and to secure a place in this transformative Masterclass series.

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Titled ‘The impact of ESG and sustainability on real estate investment, finance and valuation’, the 2024 workshop takes a focused approach on ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance), in acknowledgement of both the timely nature of the topic and the importance of ESG considerations in real estate finance.

Building on the success of the first workshop in April 2023, this year’s workshop is designed to facilitate open conversations and collaborative efforts among real estate professionals, the banking and finance community, and the real estate investment and development sector. The objective is to help stakeholders navigate complexities and enhance investment and valuation practices through shared insights and expertise, including the seasoned perspective of the keynote speaker and leading world expert Dr. Georgia Warren-Myers, Head of ESG Risk in Asia Pacific at JLL.

Other speakers include David Marshall (JLL), Georgina Chillingworth (JLL), Chris Meilak (EY Malta), Clint Azzopardi Flores (Bank of Valletta p.l.c.), Anthea Huber (Archi+), Michael Warrington (AX Group p.l.c.), David Xuereb (ESG Alliance), Erica Maria Brincat and Michaela Ghigo (Central Bank of Malta), Angelique Spina (PwC Malta) and Justin Mizzi (Archi+).

The event will be divided into two half-day sessions, the first being a face-to-face workshop on the 28 February at the Xara Lodge in Rabat which is supported by Bank of Valletta p.l.c. and BNF Bank p.l.c. The MBA’s Chair, Marcel Cassar, will open the workshop with a keynote speech and this session will delve into a number of key topics such as “The Emergence and Context of ESG”, “Green Buildings and Ratings”, “The Business Case for Green”, “Exploring Limitations and Gaps in ESG” and “Social & Governance Considerations in ESG Investment”.

The second session, which is supported by PwC Malta, will be held online on 7 March. It will focus on “ESG and Climate Risk”, “The Link Between Governance and Data and Valuation”, and “The Impact of ESG and Sustainability on Real Estate Valuation”.

To facilitate active participation in the workshop, the full agenda and registration details can be found on: https://www.maltabankers.org/the-impact-of-esg-sustainability-on-real-estate-finance-investment-and-valuation-2/

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Starting in 2024, approximately 50,000 companies within the European Union will be required to report on sustainability under the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). The initial CSRD reports are due in 2025 for companies with a year-ending on 31 December 2024. The CSRD obligations apply to companies listed on EU regulated markets (excluding micro-undertakings), as well as all EU-based companies that meet at least two of the following criteria: (i) employing more than 250 employees, (ii) having a net turnover exceeding €40 million, or (iii) possessing total assets exceeding €20 million.

For companies reporting under the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), the CSRD will be supplemented by two new IFRS standards addressing sustainability finance reporting: the IFRS S1 General Requirements for Disclosure of Sustainability-related Financial Information and IFRS S2 Climate-related Disclosures, both effective from January 2024.

At present, SMEs in Malta are not subject to any ESG reporting under the default accounting rules, which are the General Accounting Principles for SMEs. However, this does not mean that SMEs should disregard sustainability, as adopting sustainable practices can bring significant benefits.

Recognizing the importance of sustainability, Malta Enterprise has committed to supporting companies in their transition toward green and digital practices. This support includes measures such as the Smart and Sustainable Investment Grant. Additionally, the Ministry for Energy, Enterprise, and Sustainable Development launched Malta’s first ESG portal in December 2021. This portal allows the public and investors to assess the ESG credentials of major quoted companies in Malta and Gozo, enabling smaller businesses to make informed decisions for sustainable investments by evaluating the progress made by larger enterprises.

In the pursuit of sustainability, SMEs can take various measures to enhance their ESG performance. Embracing an environmental approach involves reducing CO2 emissions, decreasing energy consumption, adopting renewable energy sources, increasing the utilization of recycled materials, and managing water consumption. For instance, installing photovoltaic panels to harness Malta’s abundant annual sunshine can be an effective measure. Improving the energy efficiency of buildings through renovations such as window and door insulation can significantly enhance thermal performance. Furthermore, opting for greener equipment and energy-efficient assets can contribute to a company’s daily sustainability. Considering investments in electric fleets, charging stations, and upgrading to energy-efficient air conditioning systems can be both profitable and environmentally beneficial. It is crucial to recognize that every SME has the potential to operate in a greener manner and, in some cases, even develop sustainable or recycled products

The adoption of sustainable practices not only allows SMEs to expand their businesses but also enhances their competitiveness. Implementing a sustainable business model is financially advantageous as it reduces costs and provides access to new customers and markets. With ESG information becoming increasingly important in assessing creditworthiness, SMEs with enhanced ESG credentials gain access to better financial conditions, critical funding, business opportunities, and overall resources.

In summary, there are numerous measures that SMEs can adopt to improve their sustainability performance and achieve high ESG ratings, benefiting both their own enterprises and the environment. To stay updated on the latest developments, businesses are invited to join on the 27th of June at PKF Malta’s “The ‘S’ in ESG” conference, taking place at Hilton Malta. One can register for the event here: https://www.ticketline.com.mt/bookings/Shows.aspx?ProductionId=1002

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The Academy of Givers is hosting its second annual For Impact Event & Fair on 28 March at the Salini Resort. This unique, full-day event is an excellent opportunity to learn from industry experts how to give back to the community with greater impact and engage with some of Malta’s most inspiring corporates and social and environmental organisations.

At this event, you’ll have the chance to hear from local and international experts on topics including impact, sustainability, corporate responsibility, and giving. You’ll also have access to hands-on workshops, themed discussions, and networking activities. And don’t miss the exciting NGO Pitch Fest and Impact Fair, where you’ll get to see first-hand the impact of voluntary organisations, CSR projects, and social purpose organisations.

The Impact Fair will be running alongside the main event and will be open to schools and the public free of charge between 9:30am and 12:30pm, providing a space for everyone to connect, learn more about the social and environmental issues in Malta and see who’s doing what to tackle these issues.

While the Fair is open to the public, the main event is targeted at business CEOs and executives, HR and CSR managers, ESG and sustainability officers, corporate and philanthropic foundations, and leaders of voluntary and social purpose organisations. It’s a unique opportunity to discover how corporate responsibility and giving can help a company create effective impact and improve a business.

For this main event, the Academy of Givers is excited to bring to Malta key-note speakers Will Gardner, co-founder of Motive, who has inspired and equipped a global community of 6,000 marketers to put social purpose at the heart of their brand; as well as Miles Webber, Partner and co-head of ESG and FGS Global, who was also Group Corporate Affairs & Sustainability Director at the UK’s largest listed commercial property company, Landsec. The workshops will be conducted by various local and international speakers, including Muriel Arts, senior partner and CEO of impacting.today, a consulting and management firm, specialising in sustainability for agri-food-horticulture businesses & brands.

Tickets for the For Impact Event can be purchased from Showshappening, while schools and the public can register for the Fair here free of charge. Social purpose organisations and Academy Members can contact the team at info@academyofgivers.org for discounted tickets. Check out the full agenda and more information about the event https://www.academyofgivers.org/for-impact-event. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this incredible event and make a meaningful impact in Malta!

The post Malta’s only ‘For Impact Event & Fair’ returns first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

Last year, the critically acclaimed entrepreneurial-themed reality show that has served as a platform for entrepreneurship all around the globe landed in Malta. Shark Tank has proved to be a great platform which provides entrepreneurs with the opportunity to get funding from a number of investors.

The Malta Enterprise team has stepped in to provide its expertise and support to all of the participants in the preparations before pitching their ideas to the sharks. All of this has been done in line with our commitment towards start-ups and towards building a better ecosystem for start-ups who choose to make Malta their home.

“We aim to support start-ups from the beginning of their journey throughout all of the highs and lows that they have to encounter. We do this both through helping the participants getting ready for their pitches as well as helping them understand what we have to offer them through our schemes which can help businesses achieve their goals.” Explained Malta Enterprise CEO, Kurt Farrugia.

Aired on TVM, the second season of the business-themed show aims to find local business ideas with the passion to be great and connect them to the ‘sharks’, people with funds and who can be seen as having made it in the business world.

Shark Tank season 1 saw investments of over 1.2 million euros with a total of 37 deals being struck between the 5 sharks.

The sharks for the second season have been announced to be as follows: Mark Bajada, Alexander Fenech and Christabelle Borg, who were also sharks during the first season of the show, as well as introduced a new shark to the mix: Chris Vassallo. Additionally, this year, Shark Tank Malta will be inviting guest ‘sharks’ throughout the season, including Steve Mercieca, Angelo Dalli and Dino Fino who will all bring their area of expertise to the show.

Shark Tank is based on the Japanese ‘Dragon’s Den’ format, created by Nippon Television Corporation Network. This series is produced by greatt Company Limited in association with Sony Pictures Television.

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At its first event for 2023, WDM, a registered voluntary organization which promotes the participation of women on boards of directors and decision-making entities, will encourage a discussion about the value of networks, and understanding why women may struggle to form and use networks.

The panellists are Helga Ellul, former Chief Executive of Playmobil Malta; Sara Grech, CEO of Sara Grech Ltd; Marthese Portelli, Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber of Commerce; Antoinette Caruana, Farsons Group Human Resources Manager and Company Secretary; Abigail Agius Mamo, Chief Executive of the Malta Chamber of SMEs, and Natalie Briffa Farrugia, Chair of Vassallo Group. The discussion will be moderated by WDM Committee Member Joanna Ripard.

The event is sponsored by EY and supported by HSBC Bank Malta. Refreshments will follow.

“To break down the truth about the benefits of networking for women, no-one is better positioned to tell us than the ones who have put theory into practice and used the power of networks to help shape their careers,” WDM President Prof Marie Avellino explains. “We at WDM, a network of women who can support each other to join boards and contribute more directly towards companies’ profitability and sustainability, are holding this event so that we can share learning experiences and grow our networks.”

To register attendance and to join Women Directors in Malta, visit https://womendirectors.org.mt/event/making-time-for-networking/

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Mark Calleja has been working for Karl Vella Foundation for the past five years. Previously, he held roles in the psycho-social, educational and spiritual fields with different organisations. He also has a keen interest in creative writing, martial arts and mindfulness practice. Mark is qualified in Training and Human Resources Management, Mindbody Therapy and in Consciousness and Transpersonal Psychology, the latter equipping him with a broad range of theory and skills in whole-person development, in particular the psycho-spiritual growth.

Learn more about this APS talk and register to attend by visiting apsbank.com.mt/events/apstalks-28/.

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The event; The Impact on the European economy of the EU Regulation on Foreign Subsidies, will be presided over by Minister for Environment, Energy and Enterprise Miriam Dalli and Malta Enterprise CEO Kurt Farrugia. The panel discussion will see the participation of Eddy De Smijter, from the European Commission’s DG Competition, MEP Dr Alfred Sant, the Malta Chamber President Marisa Xuereb among others.

The Foreign Subsidies Dossier aims to address distortions created by subsidies granted by non-EU governments to companies who are operating in the EU’s single market. The Regulation establishes a framework which will allow the European Commission to investigate, monitor and remedy to these instances.

The event will consist of a debate based on the practical implementation and potential outcomes of the Foreign Subsidies Dossier. The discussions will aim to address questions and concerns regarding the dossier, amongst which the prevalence of a level playing-field in the EU’s internal market, the potential impact on the EU’s attractiveness for FDI and how the dossier was perceived by non-EU countries.

This event is being organised as part of a series of discussions designed by the EU Affairs Unit at Malta Enterprise to keep the industry and stakeholders abreast on leading EU dossiers.  Interested stakeholders should send an email on euaffairs@maltaenterprise.com to register participation.

The post Malta Enterprise to host Foreign Subsidies Regulation debate first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

Two training sessions will be held on the 24 March and 5 April, respectively. The first session will be delivered by Anthony Galea, former winner of the JCI World Public Speaking Competition, where he will give tips and tricks on how to excel at public speaking, this will be followed by off-the-cuff speaking exercises. Pia Zammit will deliver the second public speaking training session focusing on individual mentorship, with JCI Senator, Rachel Cassar, explaining the JCI guidelines of the competition.

Participants will compete for the winning title during the semi-final and final on 9 April, hosted at the MCVS Volunteer Centre in Valletta in the presence of three judges who are experts in both public speaking and JCI competitions at an international level. Only participants who sign up for the competition can attend the training sessions.

Participation is free for registered JCI Malta members, and at a fee of €10 for non-members.

Participants need to be based in Malta or Gozo and aged between 18 and 40 to be eligible for the competition. The winner of the competition will need to be a registered and paid-up member of JCI Malta by 16 April, 2022 to be able to represent JCI Malta at the JCI European Convention.

JCI Malta is supported by its Corporate Partners: 230 Works, Chitzo, Content for Success, JPA, UP Your Level Performance Coaching, Veonio, Zaar, and Zampa Debattista.

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Leadership organisation JCI Malta launched its events calendar for 2022 earlier this month as it gears up for another year of initiatives based on leadership skills, business networking, civic responsibility activities, and sessions on personal and professional self-development.

Change Politics: I’m not your party favour! will see JCI Malta tackle the current hot topic of political party favours in the run up to the election through an online discussion with the participation of Oliver Scicluna – PL Member of Parliament, Clifford Camilleri Zahra – PN Candidate on the 7th District, and Abigail Mamo – CEO, Chamber for SMEs. The panel discussion will be moderated byMatthew Caruana – JCI La Valette Local President. This event is happening on the 9 February at 18:30. The event is free for members while non-members are requested to pay a nominal €5 fee.

On 17 February, there will be the return of the much-lauded leadership skills course ‘Leaders of Tomorrow’, delivered by Julian Azzopardi, CEO of Up Your Level Performance Coaching. These sessions are professionally curated and developed especially for JCI Malta and focus on the topics and issues that affect those already in leadership roles, and those who are looking to move into that sphere. The sessions for 2022 will run between February and July and will focus on topics such as FLOW: Focusing with intent and purpose, Managing Expectations: 20/20 vision in work and life, Increasing your message’s shelf-life: Speaking for your legacy, Team dynamics, and more. These sessions are free for JCI Malta members, with a fee of €25 per session for non-members, or a one-time block booking fee of €125 for all six sessions.

Conflict is present in everyone’s lives and it’s difficult to stay away from it; however, it is possible to learn how to manage it. Conflict Friend or Foe: An Improvised Approach to Conflict Management will show just how this can be done. Participants will explore different forms of conflict and apply improvisation techniques to acquire a toolbox of conflict management strategies. Esteemed trainers, Matt Bonnici from Germany, and Simone Ellul, both with plenty of experience on an international stage, will be delivering this three-hour in-person workshop on Saturday, 19 February from 10:00 – 13:00. Any ongoing Covid-19 regulations will be followed and participants will be asked to wear their mask during the workshop.

For more information on these and other events, and to register, go to the JCI Malta website: www.jci.org.mt/events

JCI Malta is supported by its Corporate Partners: 230 Works, Chitzo, Content for Success, JPA, UP Your Level Performance Coaching, Veonio, Zaar, and Zampa Debattista.

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