Five mistakes companies make when approaching DEI
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) have become strategic priorities across Southeast Asia, particularly as organisations expand regionally and operate in multicultural environments. However, despite strong public commitments, many companies struggle to translate intent into meaningful progress. DEI efforts often stall due to structural gaps, inconsistent leadership support, or a lack of measurable accountability. In markets […]
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: The future of recruitment is AI with a human touch
Across the Asia Pacific, hiring feels harder than ever. Roles stay open for months, recruiters are overloaded, and some new hires leave within a year. It is tempting to blame the market or changing expectations, but the real issue is that many organisations are still using old methods to solve new problems. APAC is now […]
Five ways CNY traditions influence workplace engagement in Asia
Lunar New Year is one of the most significant cultural periods across Southeast Asia, shaping not only social life but also workplace dynamics. In markets such as Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, and parts of Indonesia, the season carries deep meaning around renewal, respect, and shared prosperity. These values continue to influence how employees relate to their […]
Building a sense of belonging in a high-pressure industry
In a high-pressure logistics environment, engagement is often treated as an extra effort, something added on top of demanding operations. For Achmad Ziki Rahmad Hidayat, that approach never made sense. As Head of Employee Engagement at DHL Supply Chain Indonesia, his perspective is grounded in the realities of the warehouse floor and frontline teams. As […]
Beyond HR: Jan Pambid’s leadership journey
Leadership is often described through frameworks, models, or ambitious transformation plans. Yet in practice, the leaders who leave a lasting mark are usually those who build belief before strategy. Belief in people, in responsibility, and in the idea that culture shapes results long before numbers do. This belief has guided Jan Pambid throughout his career. […]
Five workforce planning mistakes that cost companies growth
Workforce planning is often treated as a technical exercise, focused on headcount numbers and budget alignment. However, in Southeast Asia’s fast-changing labour markets, ineffective workforce planning can directly constrain business growth. Rapid expansion, skills shortages, and evolving employee expectations make planning errors both costly and difficult to reverse. Many organisations in the region continue to […]
Five “people risks” organisations often overlook
The start of the year often brings renewed energy, fresh plans, and ambitious targets for organisations across Southeast Asia. Budgets are approved, strategies are launched, and HR teams shift quickly into execution mode. Yet this period also carries hidden risks that are frequently underestimated or missed entirely. In many organisations, early-year optimism can mask underlying […]
Five early-year workforce signals HR should monitor closely
The early months of the year offer HR teams a valuable window into how the workforce is likely to perform, engage, and evolve over the coming months. While formal reviews and surveys may be scheduled later in the year, subtle signals often emerge much earlier. These indicators can reveal underlying risks or opportunities that are […]
Dr. Koh Ngee Loke: Grounding HR in reality and results
Dr. Koh Ngee Loke’s HR journey did not begin in a traditional people role. It began on the factory floor, inside operations, materials, and production environments where safety, quality, delivery, and cost mattered every single day. That grounding shaped how he sees HR today, Reflecting on his early years at Motorola, where he spent 17 […]
