HR Tech Update: Priorities shaping Southeast Asia in 2026
Technology is changing learning and development at a pace that was difficult to imagine even a decade ago. Across Southeast Asia, HR and L&D teams now operate in an environment where digital tools shape how skills are identified, learning is delivered, and impact is measured. At the same time, the market has expanded rapidly, with […]
Five ways organisations optimise HR tech stacks
Southeast Asia’s dynamic business landscape presents unique challenges for HR technology implementation. With workforces spanning multiple countries, languages, and regulatory environments, organisations must carefully craft technology strategies that balance sophistication with practical adoption. The region’s varying levels of digital infrastructure further complicate standardised approaches to HR technology deployment. Despite these challenges, forward-thinking organisations across Southeast […]
The First Word: Closing the skills mismatch, bridging the talent gap
Singapore’s stable unemployment figures are healthy, but beneath them hides a deep crisis in our workforce. While recent data for Q3 2025 shows stable unemployment, a startling 70% of employed young Singaporeans are actively or passively looking for new opportunities. Simultaneously, fresh graduates face a demoralising job hunt, sending hundreds of applications and potentially receiving […]
Five strategies for employee wellbeing programmes
Employee wellbeing has emerged as a critical focus area for organisations across Southeast Asia, particularly as workforces navigate post-pandemic realities. The region’s distinctive blend of cultural values, rapid development, and varying healthcare systems creates unique challenges for HR professionals implementing comprehensive wellbeing initiatives. Mental health awareness is growing, though stigma remains a significant barrier in […]
The First Word: Elevating efficiency through modern agreement management
Across the Asia Pacific, agreement management is undergoing a shift that’s reshaping how organisations operate, compete and scale. As business conditions grow more complex, driven by shifting regulations, rising compliance demands and digital acceleration, managing agreements efficiently has become critical. In fact, 77% of leaders in high-performing organisations credit agreement management with driving success in […]
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 […]
Sid Bhasin: Scaling HR with purpose and precision
When you talk to Sid Bhasin, you immediately sense that his view of HR is very different from what most of us are used to. He sees HR as a powerful engine that can shape organizational agility, culture, and long-term capability. For him, HR is not a support unit. It is a strategic product and […]
The First Word: Why continuous upskilling must become the norm in Singapore
AI has become the new language for businesses across the globe, and those who are adapting quickly are defining the future of work. Forward-looking companies are already responding by embedding digital and AI competencies into their core capabilities as an essential business infrastructure. They understand that AI readiness will increasingly determine the growth and success […]
Five approaches to career development in flat organisations
Across Southeast Asia’s evolving business landscape, traditional hierarchical structures are increasingly giving way to flatter organisational models emphasising agility and innovation. This structural shift presents unique challenges for HR professionals tasked with providing meaningful career development in environments with fewer vertical advancement opportunities. Regional talent retention studies indicate that career progression remains a primary concern […]
The First Word: Rethinking what productivity really means
Singapore’s ambition has long been its hallmark. From world-class infrastructure to global competitiveness, the nation has consistently aimed to be a step ahead. Yet, beneath this drive lies a hidden barrier to sustained productivity: poor psychological safety in the workplace. A recent study by Calm Collective Asia and Milieu Insight revealed that more than 60% […]
