HR Tech Update: Strengthening payroll resilience through technology
Payroll remains one of the most critical and sensitive HR functions across Southeast Asia. Errors or delays have immediate consequences for employee trust and organisational credibility. As workforces become more complex, payroll resilience has emerged as a key priority for HR technology investment. In 2026, payroll is no longer viewed as a purely administrative process. […]
HR Tech Update: Workforce risk analytics beyond turnover metrics
Turnover has long been used as a primary indicator of workforce risk. While important, it offers a limited view of organisational health. Across Southeast Asia, HR and learning teams are recognising the need for broader analytics that capture earlier signals of risk related to engagement, capability, and sustainability. In 2026, workforce risk analytics are evolving […]
The First Word: Why deep reading matters more in an AI-driven world
Young people now encounter more words than perhaps any generation before them. They read captions, messages, subtitles, slides, search results, prompts, summaries and AI-generated explanations throughout the day. In one sense, they are reading all the time. What is less clear is whether this constant exposure to language is making them better readers. It may […]
HR Tech Update: Managing multi-country compliance through HR systems
Managing compliance across multiple countries remains one of the most complex challenges for HR teams in Southeast Asia. Differences in labour laws, reporting requirements, and employee entitlements create ongoing operational risk, particularly for organisations with regional footprints. HR systems play an increasingly important role in navigating this complexity. In 2026, compliance is no longer treated […]
Brewing a digital revolution at Kopi Kenangan
Kopi Kenangan has been celebrated for its revolutionary approach to employee engagement, having won the Best Digital HR award at the 2025-2026 HR Stars Awards Indonesia. This honour acknowledges companies that leverage digital technology and data to create meaningful experiences for their workforce. For a brand that has rapidly expanded to over 8,300 employees across […]
HR Tech Update: The context of Labour Day realities
Labour Day across Southeast Asia serves as a reminder of the changing nature of work, employee expectations, and the role organisations play in providing fair and sustainable employment. For HR and learning teams, the occasion highlights ongoing challenges around workload, job security, and access to development. HR technology increasingly sits at the centre of how […]
HR Tech Update: Why experience-led learning platforms are replacing traditional LMS
Traditional learning management systems were designed to administer courses, track attendance, and ensure compliance. While these functions remain important, they no longer meet the full needs of modern workplaces. Across Southeast Asia, learning teams are increasingly adopting experience-led platforms that focus on engagement, relevance, and flexibility. In 2026, this shift reflects changing expectations around how […]
The First Word: The future of HRTech in 2026 and beyond
Five years ago HRtech was probably seen in a different lens but it is no longer viewed as a novel digital transformation idea in the conventional sense. Across global enterprises, core HR platforms are now already in place. Cloud migration is largely complete. Systems of record have been selected, deployed and embedded into daily operations […]
HR Tech Update: Learning technology that drives real workplace application
Learning investment only delivers value when new skills are applied on the job. Across Southeast Asia, HR teams are increasingly questioning whether learning technology supports real behaviour change or simply content consumption. This has driven demand for platforms that prioritise application rather than completion. In 2026, learning technology is being evaluated not by how much […]
Five skills HR teams must future-proof now
The HR function across Southeast Asia is evolving rapidly as digital transformation, workforce mobility, and regulatory complexity reshape organisational priorities. Traditional administrative capabilities remain important, but they are no longer sufficient for long-term impact. In markets such as Singapore and Thailand, HR leaders are expected to contribute strategically to workforce planning and transformation. Meanwhile, in […]
