Adele C.

Top HR tech concerns CHROs in Singapore are addressing Having ambassadors, champions or cross-departmental taskforces will ensure all employees feel like they have a say in any change process – this is one of the best practices to enable a smoother transition into HR tech, as we learnt at a recent roundtable by HRO x Grab For Business. Report by Sarah Gideon.  The ways teams work, the tools employees use, and the expectations that top talent have are all constantly evolving. And no greater factor impacts these changes more than the utilisation of technology, which helps to equip employees to perform better, both quickly and efficiently.  At a breakfast roundtable held on 15 April 2024 (Monday), organised by Human Resources Online (HRO) in partnership with Grab For Business, 15 HR leaders sat together to discuss how technology comes into play in their talent management strategies, and how these have, ultimately, helped improve employee engagement. Setting the context for the conversation in her opening address, Chin Yin Ong, Chief People Officer, Grab, talked about understanding what a holistic and great employee experience entails.  At Grab, the leader and her team are looking to weave together what they call “the P-H-D of employee experience”:  👉 Physical, in terms of the office space: Infusing, for instance, wellbeing into the office space, acknowledging the impact a workspace can have on the employee; 👉 Human: Looking at the company’s policies, and how the leadership team engages its people, and 👉 Digital: Leveraging technology advancements to bring the employee experience forward. In addressing these, Ong noted, the aspiration is to be able to design work that allows employees to be more and more productive without having to work more and more hours. Wouldn’t that be an ideal scenario?  Well, keeping this wish in mind, the conversation moved to the key challenges leaders are facing in elevating the employee experience in their organisation through tech-powered human capital strategies, as well as their approach to ensuring these concerns are met. Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/g4Fhuh4F Special thanks to the attendees at the roundtable: Raymond Soh, IHRP-SP, SHRM-SCP Siu Ming HONG (GRP, CCP, IHRP-SP) Tina Sharma -IHRP SP Jasmine Chen Sanjoy Shaw Jessie Cheing Helen Snowball Anupam Trehan Stepfanie Kee Swee Lin Andral Lim (林依穎） Clement Chew Jonathan Filmer Vasumathi Parthasarathy And thank you to Chin Yin Ong and Lorraine Ng for sharing your insights from Grab For Business Special thanks to Aditi Sharma Kalra for moderating the roundtable discussion! It was truly and honour sitting and writing this piece, and learning so much from so many leaders 💫

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A new report delivers insights from 30 communications and PR leaders across Asia-Pacific, providing a compelling picture of the issues defining reputation management in the region. Produced by PRCA APAC, ‘Reputation: The APAC Perspectives Report 2024’ features viewpoints from in-house communications and PR agency leaders based in 14 Asia-Pacific cities, ensuring a welcome breadth of geographic diversity. In no particular order, here are five takeaways from the research: 🧩 Media fragmentation and trust issues are flagged by a number of the study's authors. The situation is worsened by social media algorithms that create echo chambers, spreading misinformation and intensifying societal polarisation. 💼 Several of the the report's contributors highlight how effective crisis and issues management starts by prioritising internal stakeholders. Employee engagement, accordingly, emerges as a critical means of navigating the VUCA era. 🤖 The rapid evolution of technology, particularly AI, alongside the intentional implementation of DEI practices, are identified as significant opportunities in terms of reputation management. While AI is seen as being to able to enhance productivity and creativity, DEI initiatives can drive positive societal change in Asia-Pacific. 🔍 All of the issues above also require a level of transparency and authenticity that has not always been prioritised in Asia-Pacific markets. This may sound obvious, but PRovoke Media's Crisis Review regularly reveals how authentic communication is too often overlooked, leading to ineffective reputation management and significant financial losses. ✅ While the scale of the 'ESG backlash' is not quite as significant as in Western markets, the report nevertheless advises a measure of caution amid the twin trends of greenwashing and green-hushing. Specifically, that means rising above superficial ESG efforts and genuinely committing to ethical behaviour. Organizations must align their actions with their stated values to build and maintain stakeholder trust — that this point is so clearly advocated suggests that it remains a challenge for many in the Asia-Pacific region. With thanks to the many contributors including: Kiri Sinclair, John Bailey, Darren Burns, Tara M., Carolyn Devanayagam, Ong Hock Chuan, Farah Jaafar, Margaret Key, Nitin Mantri, Lee Nugent, Joyce Peh, Angela Scaffidi Asia-Pacific Association of Communication Directors

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[A non-work related post] Imagine paying for an insurance premium for three years. Then one day you get the dreaded cancer diagnosis. You submit your insurance claim, only to have the insurance company void the policy and offer a refund. Unimaginable? Well it happened to my wife. Insurance companies have made it easy for people to purchase policies. Answer a few yes/no questions online and the policy is approved very, very quickly. No secondary or medical checks. Manulife does this on the DBS mobile banking app. And when you submit a claim against the policy, they say the questions were not answered correctly, hence allowing them to void the policy. The net result: you have a false sense of insurance protection. It is a win-win for the insurance company – they get to make returns on the premiums, and yet not make any insurance payout. And the policy holder is left with nothing. These easy-to-sign-up insurance policies need to be reviewed. I applaud Minister Ong Ye Kung’s speech and for calling out the health insurance sector. Things need to change. Read his full speech: https://lnkd.in/gwGHTK8D https://lnkd.in/gqH8_HDP #healthinsurance #insurance #singapore Ministry of Health (Singapore)

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An interesting perspective at a time where flexible work arrangement is to become a norm in Singapore. I myself was a prior beneficiary of exceptional leaders that allowed me to expedite my growth through additional external commitments. The modern workplace have started to recognise the desirability, potential and contributions of talents with M-shaped skillsets. We should not overlook the journey to be completed to develop skillsets into a M-shaped profile. Some career coaches has long urged young professionals seeking personal development to challenge themselves and commit their early careers to startups (rationale being the nature of the work enviorments at startups provide exposure of multiple job functions concurrently). Courses can induct us into new knowledge areas but proficiency is only attained through experiences of putting knowledge into practice. Unfortunately, most job roles are typically not crafted in such a way that a person staying on similar roles for long durations would be exposed to the breadth of functions to develop M-shaped skillsets. This is where concurrent commitments has the potential to supplement. Personally I think the benefits discussed in the article are logical and sound and at the same time the concerns supporting the arguements against also valid. As the modern workplace transits towards embracing new flexibility, will we be able to find a way to achieve a balance? Are we ready to embrace the emerging trends? What else can we do to support talents seeking to acquire M-shaped skillsets? What are your thoughts? #leadership #hrm #talent #talentdevelopment #skillsets #skillsdevelopment #executive #management

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Click through for full details here: https://lnkd.in/dHUXv-yq #TheExpectationGap can cause a divide between professionals and companies. Great to see our insights making headlines in The Straits Times again. #TT24

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*We’re Not Just Storytellers, We’re Problem Solvers* “What exactly do we do?” At my recent strategic communications workshop for Ngee Ann Polytechnic, I posed this simple yet thought-provoking question to a dozen comms pros. The exchange of varied perspectives was inspiring. Here’s my take: We’re not just storytellers; we’re problem solvers. Through communications, we tackle organisational challenges head-on, driving results and creating tangible impact. This thought-starter led to an afternoon of engaging discussions and deep reflections on our evolving role as comms practitioners. Key Takeaways from Our Session: 1️⃣ Start Every Campaign with the End Goal in Mind What is the challenge we want to solve, and how will we define success? Understanding the purpose behind our efforts and the objectives they aim to meet is crucial. 2️⃣ From PR to Integrated Communicators The days of traditional PR are behind us. Our role has evolved into integrated communications, blending integrated, omnichannel strategies to create targeted, cohesive and impactful initiatives. Black and white is out; grey is the new norm. 3️⃣ Harness AI Wisely In today’s fast-paced world, embracing AI and staying ahead of trends is essential. The future demands agility and innovation, where we seamlessly integrate technology with the irreplaceable human touch. 4️⃣ Combine Emotional and Data-Driven Storytelling Effective storytelling marries the heart and mind. Authentic, data-driven content builds trust and credibility, while maintaining genuine connections remains a cornerstone of what we do. 5️⃣ Measure Impact It’s not enough to measure outputs and engagement. It’s essential to link our communications efforts to overall organisational impact and outcomes. Continuous measurement ensure our strategies are refined to drive sustained progress and tangible results. Change is the only constant in our dynamic world. As we navigate this ever-evolving landscape, let’s remember that comms pros are not just responsible for crafting compelling narratives. We’re solving problems, driving results, and creating measurable organisational impact. Leading this workshop at NP, one of my favourite former long-time clients, was such a surreal and delightful experience. Thank you Sheryl Sim, Sangeetha Naidu for the opportunity to reconnect with cherished connections including yourselves, Mei Fong-Looi and May Goh, and to engage with the rest of your lovely team. Brewer #StrategicCommunications #IntegratedCommunications #FutureOfComms

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Singaporeans aged 40 and above have received a $4000 top-up in SkillsFuture Credit. But here's a piece of advice. Never take a course thinking that simply completing it will lead to a job, regardless of your age. Many people think simply having the qualification or course is enough to get the job. When the reality is, it's just one of the many signals that you MIGHT be able to do the job. For mid-career switchers, it's especially important to overcome concerns of the hiring manager. Some of these concerns could be on whether you might be difficult to manage. You'll likely be judged on things like your willingness to be managed by someone who might be much younger. Or your ability to adjust from a more senior role to one with less authority. Your learning agility. Your commitment to the role could be a concern as it could come across like you're just trying to cruise along until something better comes along. Or HR could have concerns that your salary expectations will too high for the seniority of the role and the experience that you possess. And let's be honest, it's mostly the same complaints people make about younger employees and fresh grads. No manager wants some inexperienced person with only paper qualifications coming in acting like they know better. Or to train someone who will leave shortly after receiving training. After taking a course, try building a portfolio and addressing these concerns in your resume so that you at least get called up for an interview. #careeradvice #skillsfuture #skillsfuturecredit #singapore #ccpn

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Scope 3 emissions management is the next frontier for robust and meaningful climate action. In their joint report, Schneider Electric and the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA) revealed that there is still much to be done for Singapore companies to meet global emissions standards and targets. In our enlightening panel discussion, Andrew Buay, Singtel's VP for Group Sustainability, highlighted the critical role of understanding Scope 3 emissions across all management levels. He emphasised that execution, measurement, and implementation often occur at the middle and junior levels, underlining that this journey involves everyone. It was a pleasure partnering with these esteemed organisations to bring this vital study to light. Excited to continue this impactful work—even as a junior consultant! 🌱💪 Do reach out if you are keen on learning more or getting hold of this report! #ClimateAction #Sustainability #Scope3Emissions #FutureForward

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The #dentsu Story of Adaptation and Growth. Read now!

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✨Register Your Interest for our newest AI Opportunity Fund: Asia Pacific, supported by Google.org and ADB✨ We cannot deny that there is an anxiety around how #AI will take over more work. However, the growth and development of #technology, such as AI, is not something that we can stop. Instead, the question is, how can more people who are affected by AI have access to learn how to utilize this technology and develop their skills in AI? That's why we are inviting organisations that reach #workers who are affected by AI to register their interest at https://lnkd.in/gNZxR8Bd Successful applicant will receive funding, training, and even networking opportunities. Very excited to be working on this initiative! Moutushi Sengupta Amy Lim Navneeta Natasha Rynjah Marija (Maria) Ralic Jason Bogovich

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Besides owning an electric vehicle (EV), how can investors hitch a ride with various players in the ecosystem? This week’s cover story in The Edge Singapore explores Singapore’s electric dreams, from land to sea and even up north to Thailand and Vietnam. ► ComfortDelGro, Singapore’s largest taxi operator, aims to convert its entire fleet to fully electric and hybrid models by 2040. ► From 2030, all new harbour craft operating in the Port of Singapore will have to be fully electric, be capable of using B100 biofuel or be compatible with net-zero fuels such as hydrogen. ► The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) launched on April 8 the first pilot trial for an electric harbour craft (e-HC) charging point. Located at the Marina South Pier, this was awarded to a partnership between Pyxis Energy, Pyxis Maritime and SP Mobility. ► MPA also awarded a mobile charging concept proposed by Seatrium O&G (International) and a high-power DC Charger proposed by Yinson Electric. ► Singapore’s Charge+ and Malaysia’s ChargeSini EV Charging have signed a “roaming collaboration agreement”, which grants EV drivers from both parties access to each other’s charging networks across the region. ► Charge+ has started work on a 5,000km “EV charging highway” that stretches across five Southeast Asia countries: Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. ► Amid share price declines at Tesla and BYD, China’s Li Auto is a name to watch. The EV manufacturer went public on Nasdaq in 2020 and in Hong Kong in 2021. As at April 17, shares in Li Auto are up more than 8% over the year. For more investing ideas on leading EV battery manufacturers and “carpooling” through EV ETFs, read the full cover story by Samantha Chiew, Douglas Toh and I on The Edge Singapore.

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Cyber threats are the top risk for individuals and organisations. With Generative AI, there are so many opportunities for scammers to scarce, threaten and steal from anyone. This ST story highlights how such scammers operate. Preparation and public education for such risks are therefore important steps. #cyberthreats #crisismanagement #crisiscommunications #iprt https://lnkd.in/gG54RMMt

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As part of its brand and strategic refresh last July, OCBC laid down a target to capture fund flows from Greater China towards Asean and log $3 billion in cumulative incremental revenue between 2023 and 2025. OCBC achieved the first part of its three-year additional revenue target by logging $500 million in FY2023. But has the bank’s other wish on capturing fund flows out of Greater China materialised? China is a very dynamic market, says Ang Eng Siong, CEO of OCBC China. “When one door closes, another door opens. That's our experience so far.” Speaking at a May 29 briefing in Hong Kong, where OCBC unveiled a $1.5 billion investment into modernising its Greater China operations, Ang acknowledged a slowdown in China’s domestic consumption. “But on the other hand, we are also seeing the emergence of new industries; we’re also seeing a pick-up in exports.” According to Ang, many Chinese corporates are considering the suitability of expanding into Malaysia and Indonesia — where OCBC has a “much bigger presence” — and not just Vietnam and Thailand, their immediate neighbours to the south. A May 29 report by OCBC's economists says foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows into the Asean-6 economies of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam have been gaining traction and rose to US$236 billion ($318.58 billion) in 2023 compared to annual average of US$190 billion between 2020 and 2022. Ang claims that his team will soon collaborate with local authorities “to promote Chinese investments into these countries”, without specifying any of the four Asean countries in particular. Read the full story on The Edge Singapore.

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Con Sunak's manifesto are just promises like 'Castles in the air' ... Not just unrealistic, desperate hopes, but lies, nothing less nothing more. On New-Builds: The Cons haven't reached their target since 2017. Current target of 300,000 new builds has never been achieved in the last 14 years of Cons tenure. Current year's figure is likely to limp along to around 189,000 by the end of the year. So how on earth will they now be able to built 1.4m houses in 5 years - especially as there has been a lack of experienced workforce in construction for years. On immigration: Since the Cons took over in 2010, they have promised to reduce immigration. It is now two and half times the number in 2010, namely 252,000. Furthermore, net migration hit a record high of 685,000 in 2023. Now Sunak has promised to halve this figure, which will still be higher than the net migration number when the Cons came to power 14 years ago. This reduction will no doubt be possible without Sunak's intervention as there will be no more immigrants from Hong Kong, Ukraine and EU entering the UK in the largenumbers previously. On Flights to Rwanda: Con Sunak pledges that the first flight will now take place after the election. Even if that does happen, presently the deal struck with Rwanda is for only sending 300 migrants. Figures banded about officially shows that 300 people sent to Rwanda over 5 years equates to £1.8m per person plus flight costs ... a great financial master-stroke from ex chancellor of the exchequer: Delivering value for money for the taxpayer? I'd carry on but have lost the will to live - Let's get rid of rubbish and simply oust Sunak and his cabal!

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Interesting Article on Gig-workers or Freelancers in ST 04May2024 This is the gig-workers (gig-economy in a larger realm) that will continue to will grow.  Therefore, when in Workforce Planning by HR personnel, we should seriously take this 8.7% of the workforce into consideration.  I see some key words used in Future of Worker 5.0 are: https://lnkd.in/gqCSbTit * multi-hyphenate (multiple skills & competencies) * work-life balance = self-employment, not flexi-work * essential technologies for remote work * networking and upskilling to remain relevant * turned passion into a business * drastic change in lifestyle * work-Life simplicity - never been very interested in luxury items and the finer things in life

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Reflecting on a conversation with Mirza Mohammad at our local mamak spot, I realized how much our mundane 9-5 routines can be transformed by a spark of enthusiasm. Over a cup of teh tarik, we delved into the hustle, not just as a means of income generation but as a catalyst for reigniting our passion for our careers. Our chat, flavoured with the age-old saying "duit bukan segalanya" (money isn’t everything), touched on the essential truth that while money does settle many issues, it's the journey and the drive that truly enrich us. With the rising cost of living and stagnant wages in the private sector, the conversation couldn't have been more timely. The heart of our discussion lay in the potential side hustles suitable for salaried workers. It's a reality check that many of us need to embrace. Are we ready to learn new ways to earn, or are we content to complain about economic challenges without seeking solutions? This dialogue left us with lingering questions: Are Malaysians willing to embrace the hustle? Do we merely lament the negative news impacting our economy, or do we break free from stereotypes and seize opportunities to learn, improve, and innovate? It's time for us to reflect and act. Let's turn our struggles into stories of growth and resilience. #CareerGrowth #SideHustle #EconomicReality #PersonalDevelopment #MalaysianWorkforce

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My Professional Journey In Numbers... -20 years in B2B marketing -15 years in professional services -10 years in enterprise software sales *1st marketer in a global firm to be promoted as a partner in Apac *Transformed marketing in 3 companies *Managed a team from 12 countries -Written an Amazon #1 bestseller -Won #1 student award in NYP for brand management *Interviewed by 3 TV and Radio channels *Keynote speaker in 6 countries — Each number tells a story of challenges met and milestones achieved. But the true measure of this journey isn't just in the data; it’s in the helpful connections, the unquantifiable moments, and the infinite possibilities that lie ahead. With gratitude for every lesson learned, I stand ready to inscribe new chapters of innovation and leadership. — Connect with me if you aim to achieve successful shifts from: ► Brand awareness to demand generation ► Features and benefits to commercial insights ► Reactive PR to proactive storytelling #cmo #leader #growth #lbfalumni #skyhightower #marketing #communication

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I took a deep dive into a crucial yet lesser known facet of the ruling People's Action Party’s organisation structure - the Government Parliamentary Committees. Despite its name, GPCs are party entities, not #parliament institutions, and are very much political in nature. The committees were created in a time when there was virtually no opposition MPs in parliament, to provide that much needed check and balance on Cabinet. Fast forward to today, we can all agree that the #opposition landscape is very much different. I hence sought to unpack the fundamental question: What is the role and relevance of the GPC system in this current day, if the impetus for its existence seemingly no longer applies? Speaking to political observers, party activists and GPC members past and present, I found that the system has actually evolved over time to serve another core function. From critique of #government policies, they have moved to collating feedback from the ground focused specially on their domain topics, and even introducing bills and motions themselves. The modern day GPC has also done away with pre-appointed panels of experts and instead widely consult stakeholders in their various domains, and maintain more regular contact through messaging apps instead of formal meetings. The work of the committees can be seen as an extension of the PAP government’s drive to be more consultative and collaborative with the electorate, in line with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s style of governance. Their efforts will no doubt play a role in how the public views the ruling party, and whether voters will give it an adequate mandate in the next #generalelection. I thank everyone who took the time to speak with me for this piece. Every insight was valuable and crucial for our political discourse. Elvin Ong Kay Key T. Kasthuri Prameswaren Louis Ng Desmond Choo Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim Pei Ling Tin

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