Culture anchored on trust, redefining HR inside out
Siti Sabariah Ahmad Murtazam, Assistant Vice President of People & Culture, Kumpulan Wang Persaraan (Diperbadankan), widely known as KWAP, secured the Best Up and Coming HR Leader category at the 2025–2026 HR Stars Awards Malaysia. This win highlights her career trajectory, starting as a young talent in the graduate programme to her current role as […]
Five ways HR can re-energise teams mid-year
By the middle of the calendar year, many teams across Southeast Asia begin to experience a dip in momentum. The initial excitement of New Year goals has often faded, and the long stretch before the year-end holidays can feel daunting. This period is frequently marked by increased fatigue and a plateau in productivity. For HR […]
Five engagement drivers that matter more than perks
While glamorous office spaces and catered lunches might attract initial attention, they rarely sustain long-term commitment in the Southeast Asian workforce. Employees in the region are increasingly looking for deeper meaning and stability in their professional lives. As the cost of living rises in urban centres, the novelty of “perks” wears thin compared to substantive […]
Five productivity myths HR leaders should challenge
The traditional view of productivity in Southeast Asian workplaces has long been anchored in visible presence and sheer volume of hours worked. However, as regional economies shift towards high-value services and digital innovation, these legacy mindsets often hinder rather than help. HR leaders across the ASEAN region are now tasked with dismantling deeply ingrained cultural […]
Five questions HR should ask at mid-year reviews
Mid-year reviews provide an important checkpoint for organisational alignment and workforce health. In Southeast Asia’s fast-moving business environment, six months can significantly alter market conditions, workforce needs, and performance expectations. HR teams, therefore, benefit from structured reflection during this period. Rather than focusing solely on target achievement, mid-year reviews offer insight into engagement, capability gaps, […]
Five inclusive benefits employees actually value
Employee benefits are a powerful lever for inclusion when designed thoughtfully. Across Southeast Asia, workforce demographics are diverse, spanning multiple generations, cultural backgrounds, and caregiving responsibilities. Inclusive benefits therefore require flexibility and relevance rather than uniform offerings. In markets such as Singapore and Thailand, rising living costs and dual-income households influence benefit expectations. Meanwhile, in […]
The First Word: Employee wellbeing matters for talent retention
Employee wellbeing is no longer peripheral. It is one of the clearest indicators of whether an organisation’s values are real. As employers navigate shifting expectations, capacity pressures and talent constraints, wellbeing shapes whether people feel respected, supported and are able to perform over time. That explains why retention remains high on the agenda. But wellbeing […]
Five mistakes companies make when approaching DEI
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) have become strategic priorities across Southeast Asia, particularly as organisations expand regionally and operate in multicultural environments. However, despite strong public commitments, many companies struggle to translate intent into meaningful progress. DEI efforts often stall due to structural gaps, inconsistent leadership support, or a lack of measurable accountability. In markets […]
Five ways organisations can build everyday inclusion
Inclusion in Southeast Asia extends beyond diversity representation to everyday behaviours that shape belonging. Multicultural, multilingual workplaces are common across the region, particularly in Singapore and Malaysia, making inclusive practices essential for cohesion and performance. While formal diversity initiatives signal intent, inclusion is experienced daily through communication, decision-making, and recognition. Employees often evaluate belonging based […]
The First Word: People-first workplace transformation
At a time when the future of work is being reimagined across industries, hospitality is proving that meaningful transformation is not only possible but already underway. This year, Hilton has been recognised as the #1 World’s Best Workplace — the only hospitality company to achieve this twice in just three years — and also ranked […]
