The First Word: Reimagining work-life balance with tech for new parents
Returning to work after childbirth is one of the most vulnerable periods in a parent’s personal and professional life. While Southeast Asia has made significant strides in parental leave policies and flexible work arrangements, many working parents still face a major gap: the lack of accessible, everyday support during early caregiving. As a mother of […]
Five methods for delivering cross-cultural training
In Southeast Asia’s diverse business landscape, effective cross-cultural training has become an essential component of organisational development. With countries like Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines each hosting unique cultural nuances, HR professionals face the challenge of equipping employees with the necessary skills to navigate these differences successfully. The region’s rapid economic integration […]
The First Word: When strategy fails, it’s usually not the plan—it’s the people
In over two decades of helping organisations implement strategy across the region, I’ve noticed a recurring pattern: businesses rarely fail because they lack good ideas. They fail because people aren’t aligned behind those ideas. Singapore is a perfect case in point. With over 400,000 registered businesses and a population of just under 6 million, there’s […]
Five HR compliance changes affecting Southeast Asia
The regulatory landscape for human resources across Southeast Asia continues to evolve at a rapid pace, creating both challenges and opportunities for organisations operating in the region. As governments modernise their labour frameworks to address changing workplace dynamics, HR professionals must remain vigilant to ensure compliance across multiple jurisdictions. Recent legislative developments reflect the region’s […]
Allianz Malaysia named “Employer of Choice”
Allianz Malaysia Berhad is the Employer of Choice at the 2024-2025 HR Stars Awards, reaffirming its commitment to creating an outstanding workplace. This recognition highlights Allianz Malaysia’s dedication to fostering an inclusive, dynamic, and forward-thinking work environment. The company has prioritised employee well-being, professional development, and digital transformation to enhance the workplace experience. With a […]
Five elements of team resilience
In today’s volatile business landscape across Southeast Asia, organisations face unprecedented challenges from economic fluctuations to digital transformation demands. The ability of teams to withstand pressure, adapt to change, and emerge stronger—team resilience—has become a critical competitive advantage for companies throughout the region, from Singapore’s financial sector to Indonesia’s manufacturing industries. HR professionals in Southeast […]
Five strategies for managing multi-generational teams in Asia
Across Southeast Asia, organisations are increasingly finding themselves with workforces spanning four or even five generations. From Baby Boomers delaying retirement to Gen Z entering the job market, this diversity presents both unique challenges and opportunities for HR professionals in the region. Traditional hierarchical structures common in many Asian organisations can sometimes amplify generational differences, […]
Allianz Malaysia strengthens DEI with ‘Allianz Beyond’
The 2024-25 HR Stars Awards Malaysia Berhad recently celebrated outstanding achievements in HR practices across the country. Allianz Malaysia is recognised for its dedication to creating an equitable workplace environment—earning the Best Diversity and Inclusion Strategies award. The journey towards this recognition began when Allianz Malaysia identified a significant challenge within its organisation—the underrepresentation of […]
The First Word: A paradigm shift in retaining Gen Z lawyers
I was born in 1984 (i.e. technically, a Millennial) and admitted to the Bar in 2007, less than 20 years ago, but many things have happened since, including a global pandemic, some of which were not even predicted by George Orwell when he wrote Nineteen Eighty-Four. The world’s priorities have shifted for every generation, across […]
The First Word: How female leaders drive innovation and inspire the next generation
Building a strong pipeline of future leaders is essential for long-term success in any industry. In STEM fields, where women remain underrepresented[1], leadership plays a critical role in expanding access, fostering talent, and ensuring that innovation is driven by a broad range of perspectives. Female leaders contribute not only through technical expertise but also by […]
