The First Word: The truth behind ATS rejections
The claim is everywhere: “75% of resumes are rejected by Applicant Tracking Systems before a human ever looks at them.” It appears in LinkedIn posts, career-coach webinars, and countless template-selling sites. Job seekers spend hours tweaking fonts, removing tables, and stuffing keywords, convinced they’re outsmarting a ruthless robot. A new study from resume platform Enhancv […]
HR Tech Update: Why HR tech pilots struggle to scale in Southeast Asia
HR technology pilots are becoming increasingly common across Southeast Asia, particularly within learning and development. New platforms are often introduced to test digital learning, skills assessment, or analytics capabilities in a controlled environment. These pilots are supported by a growing number of regional start-ups and global providers offering flexible, low risk entry points. However, while […]
HR Tech Update: Priorities shaping Southeast Asia in 2026
Technology is changing learning and development at a pace that was difficult to imagine even a decade ago. Across Southeast Asia, HR and L&D teams now operate in an environment where digital tools shape how skills are identified, learning is delivered, and impact is measured. At the same time, the market has expanded rapidly, with […]
HR Tech Update: Building a digital-first company culture
Across Southeast Asia, organisations are learning that digital transformation isn’t just about tools — it’s about mindset. Building a digital-first company culture means embedding technology into the way people work, communicate, and grow, while ensuring employees embrace, rather than resist, change. For many companies, this begins with leadership buy-in. Leaders who model digital adoption — […]
HR Tech Update: The Future of HR Tech in the BPO Industry
The business process outsourcing (BPO) sector remains one of Southeast Asia’s largest employers, providing opportunities for millions across the Philippines, Malaysia, and Vietnam. As competition intensifies and workforce expectations shift, HR technology is becoming a decisive factor in how BPO companies attract, engage, and retain talent. Driving digital transformation in BPO HR Unlike other industries, […]
Five HR policies requiring updates in 2026
The rapidly evolving workplace landscape across Southeast Asia demands forward-thinking policy revisions to address emerging challenges. As regional organisations navigate complex regulatory environments spanning multiple jurisdictions, proactive policy development becomes increasingly critical to organisational resilience. Technological advancements, demographic shifts and changing employee expectations are reshaping employment relationships throughout ASEAN economies. HR departments must review and […]
HR Tech Update: How blockchain could transform employee records
Blockchain is best known for powering cryptocurrencies, but its potential in HR goes far beyond finance. One of the most promising applications is in employee records, where blockchain can offer a secure, transparent, and tamper-proof system for storing and sharing workforce data. Today, HR departments across Southeast Asia often struggle with fragmented systems. Employment history, […]
HR Tech Update: Navigating ethical concerns around workplace surveillance tech
The rise of digital tools has made it easier than ever for companies to monitor productivity, but workplace surveillance remains one of the most controversial aspects of HR technology. From keystroke tracking to facial recognition, these systems raise tough ethical questions about privacy, consent, and trust. In Southeast Asia, the debate is becoming more urgent […]
HR Tech Update: The role of predictive analytics in talent retention
Employee turnover is one of the most pressing challenges for HR leaders in Southeast Asia, particularly in fast-growing industries like technology, finance, and outsourcing. To address this, companies are turning to predictive analytics — using data models to anticipate which employees might be at risk of leaving and why. The idea is straightforward: by analysing […]
HR Tech Update: Using gamification to boost employee engagement
Employee engagement remains a pressing challenge for HR leaders across Southeast Asia, particularly in industries where high turnover and routine tasks can dampen motivation. Increasingly, organisations are turning to gamification — the use of game-like elements in non-gaming contexts — to drive participation, learning, and performance in the workplace. Gamification works because it taps into […]
