从豪华鞋店(Hoover)到Kasut U;从”Kasut Sekeluarga”到”Fit For Family”,这家历经59年的本地鞋履品牌,见证了马来西亚零售鞋业发展的沧海桑田,经历一次又一次的商业变革,在无数荆棘的商业环境中克服一波又一波的挑战,最终成功在大马市场中打下坚若磐石的基础。
尽管Kasut U扎根大马市场多年,但在疫情期间也难逃噩运,业绩遭受巨大冲击。然而,这一波劫难也让Kasut U执行董事颜林茂 (Raymond Gan) 意识到数码转型对零售企业的重要性。今天就让Exabytes零售英雄与您分享Kasut U数码转型的故事,听听他们的看法。

延续家庭的定位 | 打造了一个全新的符合社区需求的鞋店
Kasut U的起源可以追溯到麻坡老字号豪华鞋店 (Hoover),拥有超过55年的历史。豪华鞋店是一个社区型鞋店,注重 “家庭” 的味道,强调 “一家人来的鞋店” (Kasut Sekeluarga)。Kasut U延续了豪华鞋店的风格和精神,打造了一个全新的符合社区需求的鞋店。
如今,随着时代的改变,Kasut U从过去“一家人来的鞋店”,转型成为一个主打健康鞋品牌,主打“Fit For Family”理念,注重顾客的健康和舒适。除了优质的鞋子外,它还提供各种鞋垫,以提高顾客的舒适度、提供额外的支撑和减震,帮助缓解脚部疲劳和不适。这些鞋垫不仅适用于成人,还适用于儿童和老年人,以保障全家人的健康。
颜林茂指出,鞋子是人们日常生活中必不可少的物品,对于每个人来说,如何选择一双合适的鞋子不仅关系到舒适度和健康,更关乎个人形象和风格。在市场上,各种品牌和类型的鞋子琳琅满目,让人眼花缭乱。但是,面对如此激烈的市场竞争,如何让自己的产品脱颖而出呢?
他说,对于Kasut U来说,品牌定位与差异化策略是他们成功的关键。在初期,他们致力于生产和销售基础的拖鞋,以大众市场为主要目标,走的是“Basic and comfort”的路线。但是,随着市场竞争加剧,Kasut U也意识到需要转变定位,打造与众不同的产品,从而走出自己的品牌路线。
“这就是Fit for family,健康鞋的由来。Kasut U将目光放在了健康领域,注重打造功能性鞋子,如校鞋有防滑、防臭等功能,引进足弓支撑设计,提高舒适度,满足顾客不同的需求。同时,他们也注重将健康与时尚相结合,让鞋子不仅具有实用性,也具有美观性,吸引更多的消费者。”
颜林茂补充,这种品牌定位与差异化的策略,让Kasut U的产品逐渐从基础的拖鞋扩展到休闲运动鞋和上班鞋等不同类型。
这一类品项如今占据了他们销售额的40%,Kasut U成功地满足了消费者不断增长的需求,引领鞋子市场向健康休闲的潮流转变。
跳脱舒适圈 | 让数码转型变得可行
颜林茂说,在疫情爆发前,Kasut U虽早已设立一个四人小部门,掌管电商业务,但公司并没有用心经营,主要还是沿用传统的作业方式经营。
他解释,2016年到2019年间,零售业一片繁华景象,Kasut U也享受于舒适圈中,没有意识到数码转型的重要性。
“在疫情肆虐的时期,许多实体店的业绩暴跌,甚至有的门店不得不关门大吉。Kasut U也曾经历了这样的困境,门市没办法营业,只能开线上店。”
他说,当疫情来袭时,线下店的业绩却一落千丈,不得不改变策略,被逼着一定要用线上的思维去考虑。以前,他们会觉得实体零售和线上零售,价格不可以卖一样。“如果价格一样,实体会没有生意,而如果卖不一样,线下的顾客会不满,会质问为什么不一样线下那么贵。
但在疫情期间,他们不得不降低价格,甚至贱价卖,以便在短时间内换取现金。”
他指出,疫情时期,Kasut U的线上部门表现非常出色,甚至推出临时流动摊贩(pop up store),在多种尝试下,Kasut U的线上业务开始取得成功,他们也开始从中寻找到一些转型的希望。
让品牌成为Kasut U的核心竞争力
在商业发展中,企业需要时刻保持敏锐的洞察力和变革意识,随时适应市场的变化。疫情席卷全球,许多企业都受到了不同程度的冲击和挑战,而其中不少企业通过转型升级、拓展渠道等方式迎难而上,找到了新的发展方向。
Kasut U在疫情中也受到了很大的冲击,但是他们选择从中寻找机会,从渠道跳出来,耕耘品牌。他们的转型之路,可以为其他企业提供思路和借鉴。
颜林茂说,Kasut U如今从一个以店面为主的零售商,转变成了一个以品牌为核心的企业。在这个转变中,他们认识到,线上生意需要的是品牌,而不是店数。另外,如果想要在出口领域立足,也需要有一个良好的品牌。因此,他们开始在品牌方面下功夫,打造自己的独特形象,提高品牌的知名度和美誉度。
他指出,为了实现这一目标,Kasut U制定了具体的计划和策略。他们聘请了设计师和出口专才,为品牌的打造提供有力的支持。这些专业人才的加入,使得企业在设计、生产、营销等方面都更加专业化和高效化。在品牌的策略方面,他们也开始注重细节,例如品牌形象的传播、线上市场的占有率等方面。
在经过一系列的努力后,Kasut U成功地转型升级,并取得了显著的成果。他们将品牌建设放在了第一位,这不仅为企业带来了更多的市场机会,也让他们走得更远。在未来的发展中,他们还将继续注重品牌建设,进一步提高品牌形象和市场好感度,从而在市场竞争中占据更有利的位置。
做别人不想做的,做别人看不到的
作为一个零售商,要想获得成功,就必须在众多竞争者中脱颖而出。颜林茂说,而要脱颖而出,就需要做别人看不到的事情,这是非常重要的。
“如果你做的和别人一模一样,那么你的竞争力就会很小。因此,做别人不愿意做的事情更为重要。”
颜林茂补充,做别人不愿意做的事情,意味着你需要关注那些别人通常忽视的细节。在这些看似微不足道的细节中,你可以发现不同的机会,并在这些机会中获得优势。而这些优势就是能让你在竞争激烈的市场中脱颖而出,实现长期稳健的发展。
他说,同时,做别人不看重的事情也是非常重要的。因为只有你认为它们很重要,才能使你的产品或服务与众不同,从而成为市场上的佼佼者。这些看似不重要的东西,其实对于顾客而言却具有很大的价值,因为它们能够带来更好的用户体验和更高的品质感。
成为我们的零售英雄吧!
每一个零售品牌,背后都有一段伟大的故事。
成为我们的零售英雄,让更多人知道你的经历。
想了解如何成为我们的零售英雄,现在就预览零售英雄官方网站,阅读其他零售英雄的故事吧!





![Teamwork Made Simple: How SMEs in Malaysia Stay Organised with Google Workspace Teamwork Made Simple: How SMEs Use Google Workspace to Stay Organised [Image] Discover how Malaysian SMEs use Google Workspace to stay organised and work like corporates. Learn teamwork hacks for proposals, spreadsheets, and project tracking. Boost productivity, save time, and simplify collaboration with Exabytes Google Workspace solutions. Targeted Keywords: Google Workspace Malaysia, Google Workspace for SMEs, teamwork with Google Workspace, Google Workspace collaboration tools, SMEs productivity tools Malaysia, project tracking with Google Workspace, Exabytes Google Workspace solutions Teamwork Made Simple: How SMEs Use Google Workspace to Stay Organised Running a small or medium enterprise (SME) in Malaysia often means juggling multiple roles at once — handling sales proposals, updating financial spreadsheets, managing HR files, and following up on client emails. Without the right tools, these daily tasks quickly become scattered across WhatsApp chats, email attachments, and endless file versions. This is where Google Workspace comes in. Designed as an all-in-one productivity suite, it helps SMEs streamline teamwork so even small teams can operate with the efficiency of large corporations. 👉 In this article, we’ll explore: - Why staying organised is critical for SMEs. - Real-life scenarios where Workspace improves teamwork. - How proposals, spreadsheets, and projects get done faster. - Extra features beyond Gmail, Docs, and Sheets. - A Malaysian SME case study. - The importance of security and trust. - Why Exabytes is the right partner for local businesses. --- Why Organisation Matters for SMEs Organisation is not just about being neat — it directly affects profit and growth. According to a study, unclear communication and disorganisation cost teams 20–30% of their productivity. For SMEs in Malaysia, where teams are often small and resources limited, this impact is even greater. Consider this: - A delayed proposal can mean losing a valuable client. - A duplicated spreadsheet entry may create cash flow miscalculations. - Misplaced documents can slow down regulatory compliance. By adopting structured tools like Google Workspace, SMEs can: - Share and edit files in real-time without confusion. - Keep communication centralised, reducing reliance on messy WhatsApp groups. - Track tasks and projects systematically. - Build a professional image when engaging clients and partners. --- Scenario 1: Sharing Proposals Without the Chaos Imagine a sales executive at a Kuala Lumpur-based SME preparing a proposal for a major client. Traditionally, the process involves: 1. Drafting the proposal in Microsoft Word. 2. Emailing the attachment back and forth for edits. 3. Managers reviewing different versions simultaneously. 4. Confusion about which “final_v2.docx” is the actual final version. With Google Docs in Workspace, this chaos disappears: - Multiple teammates can edit and comment in real-time. - The manager can approve changes instantly without version clashes. - A single live link is shared with the client, avoiding outdated attachments. For SMEs, faster proposals mean a higher chance of closing deals ahead of competitors. --- Scenario 2: Collaborating on Spreadsheets Made Easy Finance and operations teams often depend heavily on spreadsheets. But with manual file sharing, version mismatches and calculation errors are common. With Google Sheets, SMEs benefit from: - Live updates: everyone works on the same file simultaneously. - Data integrity: built-in change history reduces the risk of accidental deletion. - Advanced features: pivot tables, charts, and even integration with external data sources. - Access control: sensitive data is view-only for some, editable for others. 📍 Example: A Penang-based SME tracks supplier payments and client invoices in Google Sheets. When a team member updates a supplier’s payment status, the finance manager sees it in real-time. No delays, no duplicate records. 💡 Supporting Research: A PwC report found that while digital tools can boost productivity, clarity in digital processes is essential for improving employee morale and reducing workplace stress. --- Scenario 3: Tracking Projects Like a Corporate Giant One of the biggest struggles for SMEs is managing multiple ongoing projects without expensive software. Google Workspace makes this simple by combining Google Drive, Google Calendar, and Google Meet. - Project files are stored in shared Drives, eliminating scattered folders on personal laptops. - Deadlines are synced to Google Calendar, with automated reminders. - Weekly check-ins are held on Google Meet, where teams can update progress directly from linked Docs and Sheets. 📍 Example: A Johor-based creative agency uses Workspace to manage multiple client campaigns. Each campaign has its own shared Drive folder, with timelines tracked on Calendar. The team no longer spends hours asking “who has the latest file?” — everything is in one central place. 💡 Research Insight: A report by International Data Corporation (IDC) sponsored by Google found that organisations using Google Workspace gained significant productivity benefits, including an average reduction in project delivery time compared to traditional methods. --- Beyond the Basics: Features SMEs Often Overlook Many SMEs in Malaysia still think Workspace is only about Gmail, Docs, and Sheets. But it offers much more: - Smart Canvas: assign tasks, insert checklists, and tag teammates directly inside Docs or Sheets. - Google Chat Spaces: structured, searchable team chatrooms — a more professional alternative to WhatsApp groups. - App Integrations: connect Workspace with Asana, HubSpot, or Trello to create a central hub for all work. - Forms & Surveys: quickly gather staff feedback or client inputs without relying on third-party tools. These features transform Workspace into more than just a productivity suite — it becomes a complete SME management platform. --- Case Study: Malaysian SME Scaling Faster with Workspace A Johor Bahru-based e-commerce SME adopted Google Workspace after struggling with scattered tools (email on one platform, Dropbox for storage, Trello for tasks). Within six months: - Proposal turnaround dropped from 3 days to 1 day. - Finance reporting errors decreased by 40%. - Meetings became shorter and more effective as updates were visible in Docs and Sheets before calls. - Team onboarding improved as new hires could access all resources in one shared Drive. This shift helped the SME appear more structured to partners and investors — a critical factor in securing funding. --- Security and Trust — Even for Small Teams SMEs are often targets of cyberattacks due to weaker security setups. A 2024 report by Lockbaud indicates that small companies experience a 350% increase in social engineering attacks compared to larger organisations. With Workspace, SMEs benefit from enterprise-grade security without the costs: - TLS encryption for email. - Two-step verification for accounts. - Admin controls for file sharing and device access. - Data Loss Prevention (DLP) to prevent accidental leaks. This means even a small 5-person team can have the same protection as a multinational corporation. --- Why Malaysian SMEs Choose Exabytes for Workspace While Workspace itself is powerful, implementing it correctly can be tricky. That’s where Exabytes steps in: - Migration support: move old emails and files without disruptions. - Local support: 24/7 assistance from Malaysia-based teams. - Affordable pricing: plans customised for SMEs. - Training & onboarding: ensuring staff adopt the tools effectively. For Malaysian SMEs, this local support makes all the difference in achieving smooth digital transformation. --- Conclusion For SMEs, staying organised isn’t just about efficiency — it’s about survival and growth. With Google Workspace, small teams can: - Share proposals seamlessly without version confusion. - Collaborate on spreadsheets with real-time accuracy. - Track projects like corporate giants. - Leverage security and integrations usually reserved for big enterprises. The result? Faster decision-making, a more professional image, and stronger client trust. In Malaysia’s competitive market, these advantages give SMEs the agility they need to thrive. 👉 Ready to simplify teamwork for your SME? Explore Exabytes Google Workspace solutions today. --- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Here are answers to common questions Malaysian business owners ask about Google Workspace: 1. Why should SMEs in Malaysia use Google Workspace instead of free tools? Free tools like Gmail, Dropbox, or WhatsApp may work initially, but they lack consistency, professionalism, and control. With Workspace, SMEs get a unified system for communication, file storage, and collaboration. This means fewer errors, faster decision-making, and a stronger brand image. For SMEs competing in Malaysia’s crowded market, these small advantages add up. --- 2. How does Google Workspace improve teamwork compared to traditional email attachments? Traditional workflows often involve endless email chains and multiple file versions. With Workspace, all team members edit the same document or spreadsheet in real-time. The “version history” function ensures no data is lost. This means fewer misunderstandings, less back-and-forth, and faster project completion. --- 3. Is Google Workspace too advanced or costly for small businesses? Not at all. Plans start at just a few ringgit per user per month, making it affordable even for micro-SMEs. More importantly, the time and errors saved often outweigh the subscription cost. Plus, Workspace scales easily as the business grows. --- 4. How secure is Google Workspace for SMEs? Very secure. Workspace uses enterprise-grade security, including TLS encryption, two-factor authentication, and AI-driven spam/phishing filters. According to Google Cloud, Workspace blocks 99.9% of spam and phishing attempts before they reach inboxes. This gives SMEs protection usually only accessible to large corporations. --- 5. Can Workspace integrate with the tools I already use? Yes. Google Workspace integrates seamlessly with CRM software like HubSpot, project management tools like Asana, and accounting platforms like Xero. SMEs can keep using their preferred apps while enjoying centralised communication and file management. --- 6. How does Workspace help SMEs present a professional image? Emails from yourname@yourcompany.com look far more credible than free Gmail or Yahoo addresses. Consumers are more likely to trust and buy from businesses with branded email addresses. For Malaysian SMEs, this can be the difference between closing or losing a deal. --- 7. Does Workspace help remote or hybrid teams in Malaysia? Yes. Workspace is cloud-based, so employees can log in from anywhere. Whether staff are in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, or working overseas, they can collaborate seamlessly on Docs, Sheets, and Meet. This is crucial as hybrid work is now the new normal in Asia. --- 8. How does Workspace reduce reliance on WhatsApp groups? Many SMEs in Malaysia still run projects through WhatsApp, leading to lost messages and scattered files. With Google Chat and Spaces, discussions are structured, searchable, and tied directly to files in Drive. This prevents important updates from being buried in casual conversations. --- 9. What happens if my company grows quickly? Workspace scales effortlessly. Adding new staff is as simple as creating new accounts under your domain. Each team member instantly gets access to shared drives, branded email, and collaboration tools. This keeps the organisation consistent as the team expands. --- 10. Can Workspace really save time for SMEs? Yes. Features like Gmail’s Smart Compose and Docs’ AI suggestions help employees write faster and avoid repetitive tasks. Google mentioned that AI across its productivity suite saves its 3 billion users' time. (Google Blog). For SMEs, time saved translates directly into cost savings and faster client responses. --- 11. How does Workspace help with project management? Workspace combines Docs, Sheets, Drive, Calendar, and Meet into a single ecosystem. SMEs can store all project files in shared folders, assign tasks via Docs or Sheets, and schedule deadlines in Calendar. This makes project tracking far simpler compared to juggling multiple third-party apps. --- 12. Is Google Workspace mobile-friendly? Yes. According to DataReportal Malaysia 2024, 96% of Malaysians use the internet via smartphones. Workspace has official apps for Android and iOS, so employees can check emails, join meetings, or update files while on the go. --- 13. Can Workspace improve customer service for SMEs? Absolutely. SMEs can set up specific email addresses such as support@company.com or sales@company.com. This ensures customer queries are directed to the right team, speeding up response times and improving satisfaction. Customers perceive the business as more organised and professional. --- 14. Is it difficult to migrate from Gmail, Yahoo, or Outlook to Workspace? Not with the right support. Google offers migration tools, and Exabytes provides local assistance to transfer emails, contacts, and files safely. This ensures zero downtime, so businesses can continue operating smoothly while upgrading to Workspace. --- 15. How does Exabytes support SMEs using Google Workspace? As an official Google Workspace Partner in Malaysia, Exabytes offers: - Domain setup and email migration. - Training sessions for your staff. - 24/7 local support in English and Bahasa Malaysia. - Affordable SME-friendly pricing plans. This means SMEs don’t just get the software — they get guidance to fully maximise its potential.](https://i0.wp.com/www.exabytes.my/blog/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/5273896e-9703-42cd-8d04-7e9ab092839a.png?resize=218%2C150&ssl=1)























