Innovative HR in Asia: Navigating the future

HRD Asia’s Innovative HR Teams 2023 special report recognises the organisations that are breaking boundaries to move the HR industry forward.

Putting the spotlight on their adaptability and innovation, the report highlights 15 pioneering HR teams in Asia. These teams have overhauled their policies to meet the ever-changing needs of their employees and to harness technological advancements.

In an interview with HRDTV, Helen Coult from Armstrong Craven deep-dives into the special report that spotlights innovative HR teams across Asia and unveils key takeaways for HR professionals aiming to stand out in 2024.

Watch the full video on HRDTV here

The role of HR has evolved dramatically, moving from being primarily administrative to playing a crucial role in business partnerships. In today's dynamic environment, marked by shifting candidate expectations, remote work, and changing business strategies, the challenge is to retain talent.

“We're working differently, we're acting differently, we've got different priorities, we've got different expectations of our employers, and the innovative HR team will hook into that and understand that DEI initiatives are incredibly important. D&I must be ingrained in an organisation's culture of trust,” said Coult.

Diversity in Asia extends beyond gender, focusing on ethnicity and the promotion of local leadership. Innovative HR teams nurture local talent through robust training and development programs, offering clear career paths.

Emphasising the importance of talent management Coult said, “You’ve brought these people into the organisation now you need to retain them, in order to retain them, you need to develop them effectively because then they’ll fit the roles and purpose that you need them to do, not just now but in the future too.”

Health and wellness take centre stage

Health and wellness also take centre stage, particularly in cultures where long working hours prevail. Employers in Asia are striving to prevent employee burnout, offering flexible health and wellness packages that cater to individual preferences.

“Organisations are actively working to make sure that there are almost safeguards in place, because there's been some pretty bad stories that have come to light over recent years, where individuals have just worked themselves to the bone,” said Coult.

“That’s a cultural shift within an organisation and that’s not easy to do, but it’s something that is incredibly important. It’s never completely altruistic between employee and employer – both are getting something out of the deal, but it’s got to work.”

Watch the full video on HRDTV here