Introduction

In today's increasingly globalized marketplace, creativity and innovation are critical to the competitive success of virtually all companies, especially SMEs. Innovation is the transformation of creative ideas into high-value tangible products, services or business practices for sustainable development and growth. Engaging in creativity will result in innovation, which can level the global playing field and allow companies such as SMEs to compete on equal footing with world-class giants.

SMEs are the heart of economic growth in Malaysia. To keep pace in the competitive business landscape, SMEs need to be nimble. To stay on top, they need to demostrate creativity and innovation. While conservative mindsets always lead to conformity and compliance, which in turn inhibits creativity and stifles immagination, SMEs should be prepared to break the norm and think out the box in order to leap into creativity and innovation.

In line with 2010 being named as the Year of Creativity and Innovation by our Honorable Prime Minister Dato' Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak, the Golden Bull Award, moving onto its 8th edition, will adopt the theme "Triumph with Creativity and Innovation", which promotes the importance of creativity and innovation in helping SMEs move up the value chain, and archieve full potential in order to forge ahead and reap greater success.