The First Word: The CMO conundrum in evolving marketing leadership
In many boardrooms today, a significant shift is happening: the role of the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) is disappearing. A McKinsey study found that 40% of Fortune 500 companies no longer have a CMO or a similar role on their CEO’s executive team. In a challenging economic outlook, businesses are working with increasingly lean teams […]
Five creative office design ideas for increased productivity
Workplace design is about more than just aesthetics; it’s about creating an environment that fosters productivity, engagement, and employee satisfaction. Across Southeast Asia, businesses are rethinking their office spaces to adapt to new working models and the needs of their teams. From creating open, collaborative spaces to investing in technology-driven design solutions, organisations are exploring […]
Five innovative strategies for modern Talent Acquisition
The competitive landscape for recruiting top talent has shifted dramatically, driven by rapid advances in technology and changing workforce expectations. HR professionals across Southeast Asia are constantly seeking new methods to attract and retain high-quality candidates. In this evolving environment, traditional recruitment approaches may no longer suffice, particularly as the demand for specialised talent intensifies […]
The First Word: Leveraging personal growth and independent learning for career success
As the Founder and CEO of First Principles Education, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing firsthand how personal growth and independent learning can transform students into resilient, capable, and innovative professionals. In an era where knowledge is abundant but rapidly evolving, the ability to learn independently and grow personally is becoming increasingly crucial for success […]
The First Word: How are women adapting to the new leadership landscape?
While organisations have made progress on gender diversity, Center for Creative Leadership’s (CCL) recent Elevate the System report found a troubling reality: hidden biases and societal pressures persist, creating an uneven playing field for women in leadership. Women continue to be under-represented at top levels across the private and public sector. According to Fortune, in […]
The First Word: Gen Z’s skill-first mindset for hiring and keeping talent
By 2025, Gen Z is expected to constitute a quarter of the Asia-Pacific (APAC) population, marking a significant shift in the global workforce dynamic. As this generation rises to prominence in the professional world, understanding their motivations, work habits, and underlying drivers becomes more critical than ever. Our recent data indicates that the economic uncertainty […]
Sector Report: HR challenges in the Hotels and Hospitality industry
Case in Point: How MindChamps teaches, immerses newcomers in company culture
When MindChamps recognised the importance of building strong leadership within their staff from the get-go, the company launched an alignment programme to immerse new employees or “MindChampions” into the culture, history, and philosophy of what the company stands for. Mindchamps Way Culture Training incorporates the 3-Minds (Champion, Leaning and Creative Minds), an integral part of […]
The First Word: Advancing gender diversity at the highest levels of leadership
The business case for diversity has long been established. Companies with more diverse leadership tend to perform better financially, as having a breadth of perspectives helps with better decision-making. As organisations navigate an increasingly complex global landscape, harnessing the full spectrum of talent is not just a moral imperative – it’s a competitive edge. Driven […]
The First Word: Understanding the Significance of Employer Branding for Law Firms in Singapore
Beyond the accolades of prestigious clientele and landmark cases, a law firm’s true triumph rests upon its ability to attract, retain, and empower its most invaluable asset—its people. In the past year, we have seen law firms like Spanish-based Perez-Llorca and Beijing-headquartered Han Kun Law opening up offices in Singapore. If law firms in Singapore […]
