Remote work is boosting economic opportunities in Southeast Asia
Four years after the onset of Covid-19, opportunities for remote or hybrid work remain widespread. As well as providing flexibility for employees, these arrangements also pave the way for workers to ‘cushion’ their financial wellbeing in the face of economic uncertainty. This is because remote or hybrid setups make it easier for people to work […]
Research Preview: Navigating remote, hybrid work boundaries in Southeast Asia
Jobseeker preferences and current opportunities show that remote or hybrid work is here to stay in Southeast Asia. However, is it truly feasible and beneficial to the region? Southeast Asian countries are known for strong filial ties and intergenerational support. Separating work and personal life is already challenging as it is—what happens when a high-sociability […]
Research Paper: HR challenges in Philippines
With the growing popularity of remote-working options blurring the geographic boundaries, Philippines HR managers are confronting a multitude of challenges. However, the core of the issue is the age-old problem of any organisation – Employee satisfaction and retention. In the rapidly evolving landscape, organisations have to grow and expand, adding more complexity for HR leaders. […]
HR Champions: Rudolf Tjandra’s positive outlook carries employee morale
Title: CEO, PT. Sasa Inti Office Headquarters: Indonesia Company Operations: Global (Exports) Industry: Manufacturing Employees: 1,001-5,000 Rudolf Tjandra sought firstly to maintain employee morale during covid-19, which struck two years after he stepped in as CEO. In addition to implementing remote work, Sasa provided masks, vitamins, and even ginger water to employees in order to […]
HR Champions: “Leadership is about empowering others” – Valerie Ong
Title: CEO, KIP Group of Companies/KIP Real Estate Investment Trust Office headquarters: Malaysia Company operations: Malaysia Industry: Real estate Employees: 51-200 Valerie Ong is not afraid of asking questions. “It’s important to want to learn,” she says, and she demonstrates this by tirelessly eliciting advice and insights from those who know more than her. As […]
HR Champions: Giving back to coffee farmers with Le Hoang Diep Thao
Title: CEO, King Coffee Office headquarters: Vietnam Company operations: Vietnam, Thailand, South Korea, Pakistan, China, UK, and USA Industry: Food & Beverage Employees: 1,001-5,000 The King Coffee magnate has built a company and global partnerships by creating trust and value for her suppliers, franchisees, and partners. “That is the root of what we do. If […]
HR Champions: Jennifer Cho on local talent with global perspective
Title: Vice-president of Island Southeast Asia, Medtronic Office headquarters: Singapore Company operations: Southeast Asia, South Asia, Saipan, and Guam Industry: Medical equipment manufacturing Employees: 700 (Southeast Asia only) Employee engagement and team development are pillars of Jennifer Cho’s leadership style. She recognises the role that she and HR play in motivating employees and providing them […]
HR Champions: Ng Wee Wei on the power of adequate rest
Title: Senior Managing Director/Market Unit Lead Organisation: Accenture Southeast Asia Office headquarters: Singapore Company operations: Global Industry: Business consulting and services Employees: 738,000 In a blog on how digitalisation will drive work-life convergence, Ng Wee Wei expressed the importance of creating a safe environment that is inclusive and diverse so that employees can feel it […]
HR Champions: Hendra Gunawan on communication, belonging, and crisis mitigation
Title: CEO Organisation: United Overseas Bank (UOB) Indonesia Office headquarters: Indonesia Company operations: Global Industry: Banking Employees: 3,200 (provided by the company) UOB Indonesia’s HR team and other staff can testify to how Hendra Gunawan prioritises employee wellbeing and development. He values clear and open communication with employees regardless of seniority or role, so a […]
HR Champions: Wong Sze Keed on taking care of staff
Title: CEO Organisation: AIA Singapore Office headquarters: Singapore Company operations: Asia Pacific Industry: Insurance Employees: 1,001-5,000 Coming in as CEO at the height of the pandemic, Wong Sze Keed immediately built on the holistic wellness of her people. The difficult period simply deepened her recognition that, “if they are well taken care of, they can […]
