How Bukalapak built a future-ready workforce
When Bukalapak decided to refocus its entire organisation around four core business pillars in 2025, the leadership team knew that strategy alone would not be enough to achieve sustainable profit. Success would depend on the 40.68% of employees who suddenly faced significant skill gaps in their evolving roles. This challenge birthed the “Learning to Thrive” […]
Beyond the headcount: Home Credit’s resilient workforce
Home Credit Indonesia has claimed the prestigious Best HR Team award at the HR Stars Awards, proving that an organisation’s impact is defined by the quality of its collaboration rather than the size of its headcount. This award is reserved for teams of 4 to 10 members who work with such synergy that their collective […]
The heart and soul of a unicorn leader
Gemini Aryanto has been named the Best HR Leader at the 2025-2026 HR Stars Awards Indonesia, a recognition that celebrates his profound impact on the human resources landscape within Kopi Kenangan. This award honours top-tier HR executives who demonstrate full authority and responsibility for the advancement of their organisation’s people function. Since stepping into the […]
Five strategies for building agile HR functions
The rapid evolution of workplace dynamics across Southeast Asia presents unique challenges for human resource departments. Traditional HR approaches are proving insufficient as organisations navigate digitalisation, remote work arrangements, and changing employee expectations in this diverse region. Economic volatility and talent shortages further amplify the need for HR functions that can respond swiftly to emerging […]
Five essential skills shaping future HR leaders
The role of HR leadership across Southeast Asia is undergoing profound transformation, evolving from traditional administrative functions into strategic business partnerships. Regional economic integration through ASEAN frameworks has created increasingly competitive talent markets where organisations must navigate complex workforce dynamics spanning multiple countries, cultures, and regulatory environments. Leading regional HR associations indicate that tomorrow’s HR […]
The First Word: What EV habits teach HR about lasting change
When people talk about electric vehicles (EVs), the focus often falls on technical specifications, battery range, charging speed, or running costs. But the real transformation lies in how people’s behaviour is affected by it. New EV owners don’t simply adopt a new car. They adopt a new rhythm. They begin planning more efficient journeys, charging […]
The First Word: What middle managers really want – privacy
As organisations across Asia adapt to hybrid work and evolving collaboration norms, one group is often left out of the workplace design conversation: middle managers. Positioned between leadership and teams, they juggle competing demands, manage sensitive information, and operate under constant pressure to perform—yet their specific needs are frequently overlooked. While leadership often emphasises visibility […]
Five principles of inclusive leadership in ASEAN organisations
The landscape of leadership in Southeast Asia is rapidly evolving, driven by increasing diversity, globalisation, and the complex multicultural environments that define the region. Inclusive leadership has emerged as a critical competency for organisations seeking to navigate the intricate social and professional dynamics of ASEAN countries. As businesses become more interconnected and workforces become increasingly […]
Five approaches to developing local leadership talent
Leadership development represents a critical challenge for organisations navigating the complex and rapidly evolving business landscape of Southeast Asia. The region’s economic transformation demands innovative strategies that can effectively nurture and cultivate homegrown talent capable of driving organisational success in an increasingly competitive global marketplace. The unique cultural, economic, and social dynamics of Southeast Asia […]
The First Word: Strategic shift for HR, business leaders and managers
The 2024 Graduate Employment Survey in Singapore[1] revealed that 87.1% of graduates secured employment within six months of completing their final exams, a slight drop from 89.6% the year before. While the difference may seem minor, those of us working closely with young professionals recognise a deeper trend: many graduates are entering the workforce with […]
