HR Tech Update: Digital career pathways supporting women returning to work
Women returning to work after career breaks remain an underutilised talent pool across Southeast Asia. Despite strong skills and experience, many face challenges re-entering organisations structured around uninterrupted career progression. HR technology is increasingly being used to address these barriers through more flexible and transparent career pathways. In 2026, learning and development teams are focusing […]
The First Word: Elevating mobility in crisis planning
The year 2025 has been marked by heightened volatility—from geopolitical shifts and economic uncertainties to abrupt changes in visa policies and widening skill mismatches arising from technological shifts. The pressure on organisations to manage talent has intensified. Many companies have invested heavily in business continuity planning, focusing on building robust systems and safeguards into their […]
HR Tech Update: Using people analytics to close gender pay gaps
Gender pay equity remains a persistent challenge across Southeast Asia, influenced by occupational segregation, career interruptions, and inconsistent data practices. While awareness of pay gaps has increased, many organisations still struggle to translate intent into action. HR technology, particularly people analytics, is increasingly viewed as a practical tool for addressing this issue. In 2026, HR […]
The First Word: Rethinking how Malaysia builds for the future
What do we really want from work today? Stability? Flexibility? Meaning? Across Malaysia, these questions are quietly reshaping boardroom discussions, hiring decisions, and business strategy. Work has become more digital, more dynamic and yet, for many, less connected. As industries evolve and technology accelerates, one truth has become clear: the future of work is no […]
HR Tech Update: Designing HR technology that works for women
Technology is playing an increasingly influential role in shaping how work is organised, assessed, and rewarded across Southeast Asia. Yet many HR systems were originally designed around standardised career paths and working patterns that do not reflect the lived experiences of many women. As organisations continue to invest in digital HR platforms, questions around inclusivity […]
The First Word: Why 2026 will redefine the employee experience across Southeast Asia
As workplaces evolve across Southeast Asia, HR leaders are facing a pivotal moment. Digital transformation is now a daily reality, AI is moving into mainstream use, and expectations around the employee experience are growing rapidly. These shifts are already influencing how people work and how organisations prepare for the future. In my role overseeing people […]
HR Tech Update: How SMEs are shaping the future of HR tech in Southeast Asia
Small and medium sized enterprises play a central role in Southeast Asia’s economies, employing a large proportion of the workforce. Unlike large organisations, SMEs often operate with limited HR resources, making efficiency and simplicity critical. As a result, their approach to HR technology is reshaping how learning and development tools are designed and used. In […]
HR Tech Update: Workforce planning tools for volatile labour markets
Labour markets across Southeast Asia remain highly volatile, shaped by economic shifts, regulatory changes, and ongoing skills shortages. For HR and learning teams, workforce planning has become more complex, requiring faster adjustments and better visibility. Traditional planning methods, often based on static headcount assumptions, are no longer sufficient. In 2026, workforce planning tools are increasingly […]
The First Word: Beyond the busywork for Singapore’s small business owners
In my ongoing conversations with small business owners across Singapore, one challenge I continually hear is: “There is too much to do, and never enough time”. This isn’t a complaint; it’s a genuine capacity crunch. Running a small business means continually juggling an endless list of seemingly impossible priorities – everything from revenue, HR, marketing […]
HR Tech Update: Managing cross-generational tech adoption at work
Workforces across Southeast Asia are becoming increasingly multi generational, with employees spanning different digital experiences and learning preferences. HR technology is often introduced with the assumption that all employees will adapt at the same pace, yet this is rarely the case. Differences in comfort with digital tools can directly affect how learning platforms, analytics, and […]
