Human Resources is undergoing a digital transformation to meet the changes that technologies are driving in work models, current and future employee skills needed, communication, employee experience and expectations, and the ever-present compliance requirements. Disruptions have accelerated over the past couple of years due to change events such as the widespread implementation of hybrid work, the introduction of artificial intelligence, global talent sourcing, and changing employee expectations – and these have made it clear that new talent management systems and practices are needed. For HR professionals in Asia, the priorities are utilizing technology to meet the evolving expectations of employees and also support an agile organization within the context of rapid external business disruptions.
THE HR DIGITAL AGENDA
The PwC Digital HR Transformation Survey 2022: Southeast Asia reinforced various APAC surveys, making it clear that many organizations have a digital HR agenda. The PwC survey included HR leaders from Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam. The HR agenda is focused on utilizing technologies as tools for designing a better employee experience, supporting the role of change agent, and improving talent development. The HR role today goes far beyond digitizing for compliance and reporting. There were four main insight areas identified in the survey. First, HR must be instrumental in enabling a digital culture. Dave Chen, Workforce Transformation Partner, South East Asia Consulting, PwC Singapore, said, “The purpose of digital HR transformation goes beyond digitalising the HR function. It can potentially catalyse the adoption of a digital mindset and propel the organisation’s digital transformation journey.” This is an important point to note. What HR does in the area of technology can influence how well the entire organization addresses technology disruptions – and whether it develops the right culture for supporting digital transformation across functions.
The second insight was that SE Asia HR leaders believe they must expand on the fact that internal communication tools were key to ensuring business continuity during COVID-19. HR must lead the digitalization of the workplace and find new people management practices, like social collaboration and agile management, all part of a larger effort to create a digital workplace with strong connectivity, collaboration, and communication. The end users and their points of view are considered, and employee engagement and sentiments are actively monitored and managed. “The only way to predict the future is to lead and create it – value creation to the business through HR digitalisation and data insights. We will elevate the digital customer and employee experience interaction to our employees, customers and clients as we scale faster, perform better and go further,” said Chee Gay Lim, Group Chief Human Resources Officer, TDCX.
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