The First Word: Augmenting leadership by using AI

Artificial intelligence (AI) is starting to change job roles in every industry across the globe; it’s only a matter of time before it transforms leadership too. Asia’s top 1000 companies plan to spend more than 50% of their IT budget on AI1 initiatives by 2025. But how much of this is being spent on making […]
The First Word: Enhancing workforce and wellbeing in warehousing

The logistics sector is undergoing a significant transformation driven by automation. The shift towards intralogistics, in particular, where technology optimizes goods movement within facilities, isn’t solely about robots handling the heavy lifting but about enhancing overall efficiency, productivity, sustainability, and safety. First, what are the benefits automation can bring? Automation in warehouses offers numerous benefits. […]
The First Word: Safeguarding your employees abroad

In today’s increasingly globalised economy, the movement of employees across international borders is more frequent, presenting numerous opportunities with heightened security risks. As employees travel through regions with diverse geopolitical climates and varying safety standards, multinational corporations face a critical challenge — ensuring the safety of their workforce in a world where threat levels are […]
The First Word: Empowering accountants to be strategic business partners with AI

From mechanical calculators to the birth of the internet, the quest for artificial intelligence (AI) has spanned centuries. Now, its reach extends to the heart of businesses: financial reporting, where it promises to unlock a new era of accuracy, efficiency, and insight. While AI is impressive when it comes to increasing efficiency and accuracy in […]
The First Word: The automation reformation that is reshaping work in the age of technology

The winds of change are sweeping the landscape of work. Last year, CNN reported that there will be huge disruptions in the global job market over the next five years as companies boost adoption of technologies. The World Economic Forum 2023 – which hosts a gathering of global leaders in Davos, Switzerland annually – found […]
The First Word: Four HR trends coming up on the horizon

We all know there’s no such thing as business as usual. The dynamics of commerce mean the only constant is change. And even after the seismic shifts we all felt during the pandemic, the post-Covid working environment looks set to continue to evolve at pace. For business leaders wanting to move toward growth with clarity […]
The First Word: Retaining the humans in human resources

The growth of artificial intelligence (AI), the Covid-19 pandemic, and the accelerating trend towards globalisation have combined to usher in an epochal shift in working practices, arguably the most significant since the industrial revolution. The traditional office model, where employees collaborate in close proximity, has given way to more atomised workforces, with individuals operating in […]
Asticom CEO: Talent mobility, work-life balance key to battling attrition

Mharicar Castillo-Reyes, Chief Executive Officer of Philippine tech company Asticom, outlines the “Gain, Grow, and Give” strategy, aimed at gaining the best talent, growing them within the organisation, and giving continuous opportunities for personal growth and career advancement. Her interview with Chief of Staff Asia is published in line with our latest whitepaper discussing HR challenges […]
The First Word: Strategies to empower Singapore’s shrinking tech workforce

It’s tempting to assume that laid off tech workers have flooded the job market – but this is far from the case. Many of those impacted have found alternative job opportunities. This is especially true for roles which have highly sought after tech capabilities – there simply isn’t enough talent to go around. If anything, […]
“Outspoken” Gen Z culture an opportunity for organisational growth – Mharicar Castillo-Reyes

While banking strongly on technology adaptation, Asticom Chief Executive Officer Mharicar Castillo-Reyes also underscores the importance of providing meaningful work, sustaining human connection, and catering to the younger workforce particularly in the Philippine setting. Her interview with Chief of Staff Asia is published in line with our latest whitepaper discussing HR challenges in the Philippines. “More […]