The First Word: Driving HR transformation in 2026
For years, HR transformation was judged by whether the platform went live. Forms were digitised, core HR moved to the cloud and self-service tools were introduced. Those investments mattered, but in 2026, they are no longer enough. The real test is whether employees, managers and HR teams can use these systems to make work easier. […]
HR Tech Update: Supporting employee identity through responsible HR tech
Employee identity is becoming a more visible consideration in HR technology as organisations seek to create inclusive and respectful workplaces. Across Southeast Asia, HR systems increasingly capture data related to gender, background, and personal circumstances, often with the intention of improving inclusion. At the same time, this raises important questions around privacy, consent, and trust. […]
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 […]
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 […]
The First Word: Why bad hires are usually systems failures
When a new hire fails, most organisations blame the person they hired. In many cases, the real problem started much earlier. It began with a broken hiring system. Across Southeast Asia, talent acquisition has become harder to manage and more consequential. Competition remains fierce, businesses are expanding across borders and job requirements are evolving faster […]
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 […]
