Five ways HR can reduce people-related risk
People-related risk—ranging from key-talent dependencies and operational misconduct to severe burnout and sudden turnover—has become a top priority for corporate boards across Southeast Asia. In the region’s fast-evolving business ecosystem, where rapid digital acceleration often collides with acute talent shortages, human errors and systemic workplace stress present tangible operational hazards. When human resource departments function […]
Five compliance blind spots HR leaders should audit
The regulatory environment across Southeast Asia is tightening rapidly, leaving many multi-country organisations exposed to significant legal risks. As regional governments modernise their frameworks to address the digital economy, flexible work, and workplace equity, legacy HR practices are fast becoming liabilities. In markets like Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines, statutory updates are shifting from mere […]
Five future-ready learning models gaining traction
The landscape of corporate education across Southeast Asia is undergoing a dramatic paradigm shift. Driven by government-backed upskilling initiatives—such as Singapore’s SkillsFuture framework and Malaysia’s HRD Corp mandates—organisations are moving away from rigid, classroom-bound training strategies. In a fast-evolving regional economy characterized by rapid digital transformation and acute talent shortages, traditional educational frameworks are no […]
Five mistakes organisations make when reskilling employees
As technological disruption accelerates across Southeast Asia, the race to reskill workforce talent has become a critical business imperative. Organisations from Kuala Lumpur to Manila are pouring significant capital into training initiatives, eager to prepare their workforces for the digital economy. However, despite these large financial investments, many of these transformation agendas fail to yield […]
Five indicators your workforce lacks learning agility
In a region as dynamic as Southeast Asia, the ability to learn, unlearn, and relearn is perhaps the most critical attribute for any employee. As industries are disrupted by technology and changing consumer behaviours, “learning agility” becomes the true currency of the modern professional. However, many organisations suffer from a hidden stagnation where employees are […]
KWAP’s mission: Purpose beyond the balance sheet
Kumpulan Wang Persaraan (Diperbadankan), widely known as KWAP, achieved the highest recognition at the recent 2025–2026 HR Stars Awards Malaysia by winning the Employer of Choice award. This headline victory is a collective triumph that provides a comprehensive model for HR practitioners on how a large public-sector organisation can successfully build an award-winning workforce framework […]
AFFIN Bank: Shared success, powered by people
AFFIN Bank Berhad was awarded the Employer of Choice – Gold Award at the 2025–2026 HR Stars Awards Malaysia, marking a key milestone in its “People Office Metamorphosis Journey”. Under the leadership of Group Chief People Officer Dr. Syukri Sudari, the bank transitioned its HR function into a strategic engine anchored in its “i-CARE” values—Integrity, […]
Five practical ways HR can bridge critical digital skills gaps
The rapid digital transformation across Southeast Asia, driven by the growth of the internet economy, has left many organisations struggling to keep pace. From e-commerce booms to the integration of AI in financial services, the demand for tech-savvy talent far outstrips the supply. HR leaders are now at the forefront of this challenge, tasked with […]
CGS International: A culture built on people
CGS International Securities Malaysia Sdn Bhd won the Gold Award for Best Workplace Culture and Environment at the 2025–2026 HR Stars Awards Malaysia. By moving away from rigid handbooks and focusing on leadership trust, open feedback loops, and human connection, the investment house has established an operational model for how modern financial firms can build […]
Brewing Culture at Scale: Combining AI and empathy at Kopi Kenangan
“Rapid scaling and genuine empathy aren’t opposing forces. When technology handles the administrative weight, leaders gain the space to put people first.” — Gemini Aryanto, Group Chief People & Culture Officer, Kenangan Brands When Gemini Aryanto brought three decades of global HR experience across Nestlé, Danone, and Yum! Brands to Kenangan Brands (Kopi Kenangan), […]
