The inaugural HR Ecosystem Awards, by Chief of Staff Asia, have identified a wide range of partners and solutions, all excelling in their quest to empower HR leaders and teams across the Southeast Asia region.
The winners were spread across three markets, and four different categories, and included both commercial operations and a non-profit, community-based organisation.
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Paul Howell, head judge, and publisher of Chief of Staff Asia said the awards celebrate the rich network of service providers and solutions that enable HR teams to excel at every aspect of workforce management.
“HR can’t do what it does without the support of these partners backstage,” he said. “From recruiters to training specialists, and from technology developers to corporate hospitality services, they really do provide a vital ecosystem from which HR can excel to greater and greater heights.”
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The Medallia Experience Cloud, by Medalia, was named Best Employee Engagement Solution. Judges noted the unique, real-time sentiment tracking embedded within the cloud-based platform was one of the driving forces behind the win.
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Denise Miura, Geo Vice President for Medalia in the Asia Pacific, said her team was honoured to accept the trophy. “Our award-winning Medallia Experience Cloud was recognized for its capabilities, and we will continue to do what we do best in customer and employee experience management – helping our clients engage meaningfully with stakeholders at all levels,” she noted.
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In Malaysia, executive coach, trainer, and consultant Toh Siew Pat was named Best Training Provider for developing general professional skills. His training program was noted for its focus on Malaysia-specific legal and compliance issues. Toh says the key takeaway for his participants is to consistently “Lead with Authenticity (and) Manage with humility”.
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The HR Ecosystem Awards also uncovered four deserving winners across different categories in the Philippines.
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The DSWD Caraga Institute and Virtual Academy was named Best Training Provider (general professional skills) there, largely for its ability to continue its work in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic.
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Regional Director Ramel F. Jamen told Chief of Staff Asia the win was an important milestone after a difficult two years. “DSWD Caraga Institute & Virtual Academy is an innovation of the Department to further our vision of providing technical assistance and capacity building to all social welfare and development partners and stakeholders, despite the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.
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The uniquely named HR community group HR CaLaBaRZon, won the award for Best Leadership Development Provider in the Philippines, with judges noting that its training service provided a vital response for businesses and organisations during the upheaval of the pandemic.
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Founder Ma. Nedylyn R. Estrella said the group was founded in March 2020 and provides both virtual and face-to-face learning sessions to uplift HR management practices. “Through strategic partnerships and collaboration with the Philippine HR Group and Government Entities, HR CaLaBaRZon will commit and communicate with co-HR all over Calabarzon,” she said.
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The Primer Group of Companies won the HR Ecosystem Award for Best Employee Engagement Provider in the Philippines, with its internal HR work standing out in the category. Calixto B Salud Jr, Head of HR across the retail sale and distribution conglomerate, said the trophy was a welcome recognition of its hard work over the last two years.
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“We thank Chief of Staff Asia for acknowledging Primer for employee engagement,” he said. “The last two years have been difficult but we managed to innovate to continue engagements with our employees.”
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The final trophy in the Philippines was awarded to the EORA Association. It was awarded the HR Ecosystem Award for Best Training (Specialist Skills) Provider in the Philippines for its work with developing specialist law enforcement and anti-terrorism skills amongst key organisations in the country.
