The First Word: Protecting employees when borders close
In June 2025, escalating conflict and airstrikes between Israel and Iran triggered widespread airspace closures across the Middle East, grounding thousands of flights and severely disrupting global travel. Over 2,000 flights were cancelled or diverted within 10 days, stranding an estimated 50,000 travellers, including 30,000 Israelis unable to return home as Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion […]
Five ways organisations foster innovation
Innovation has become the cornerstone of organisational sustainability in today’s rapidly evolving Southeast Asian business landscape. As regional economies transition toward knowledge-based systems, companies that cultivate environments conducive to innovation gain significant competitive advantages in attracting top talent and driving business growth. Across Southeast Asia, forward-thinking organisations are implementing structured approaches to foster innovation while […]
The First Word: Are Singapore office workers grappling with focus?
Singapore stands as a beacon of digital excellence, ranking third globally in digital competitiveness. But beneath this impressive reality lies a paradox that business leaders must address: the very digital tools driving Singapore’s success are silently eroding workplace productivity. The numbers tell a compelling story. In 2024, more than 9 in 10 small and medium […]
Five skills assessment tools driving talent development
In Southeast Asia, organisations are increasingly turning to skills assessment tools to help develop and nurture their workforce. With rapid technological advancements and evolving industry needs, HR professionals face the challenge of ensuring that employees remain competitive and adaptable. The demand for talent with both technical and soft skills is accelerating, making it crucial for […]
The First Word: Shaping tomorrow’s talent today
Starting in the working world is both thrilling and daunting. For fresh graduates, it marks a huge shift from structured classrooms to fast-paced work environments, where they must navigate new expectations, expand their knowledge and experience, and find their place within corporate culture. For employers, this is a chance to plant the seeds for tomorrow’s […]
Five strategies for attracting Gen Z talent in Asia
The landscape of workforce recruitment is rapidly evolving, with Generation Z emerging as a critical demographic transforming organisational talent strategies across Southeast Asia. Born between 1997 and 2012, this generation brings unique expectations, digital fluency, and distinct workplace values that challenge traditional recruitment approaches. As organisations in countries like Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines […]
The First Word: How CHROs in Asia are leading transformation
As the pace of change accelerates across global business, Asia’s Chief Human Resources Officers (CHROs) are emerging as pivotal architects of organisational resilience and transformation. While global CHRO turnover has risen, reaching 2.6% in Q1 2025, a 15% increase from the previous year, Asia’s turnover remains notably low, with less than 1% and zero departures […]
Five approaches to sustainable workplace design
The concept of sustainable workplace design has emerged as a critical strategy for organisations across Southeast Asia, reflecting both environmental imperatives and evolving workforce expectations. As the region continues to experience rapid economic growth and technological transformation, HR professionals are increasingly recognising the importance of creating work environments that balance ecological responsibility with employee well-being […]
The First Word: Transforming work with AI agent communication
In the modern workplace, artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer just a tool; it’s a teammate. As we move further into the age of AI, a new and transformative development is on the horizon: AI agent communication. This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionise workforce management, pushing the boundaries of what we thought was possible […]
Five methods of measuring DEI progress effectively
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) have become critical priorities for organisations across Southeast Asia, reflecting a growing recognition of their importance in creating sustainable and innovative workplace environments. As the region continues to evolve, HR professionals face the challenge of moving beyond surface-level diversity initiatives to meaningful, measurable progress. The complexity of measuring DEI effectiveness […]
