Aligning profitability with purpose: How APBS is inspiring a better world

Asia-Pacific Breweries Singapore (APBS) reiterated its commitment to fostering inclusivity and creating positive social impact beyond their business operation by recently launching their ‘Worlds Together’ initiative, which seeks to connect communities and lay the foundation for a more inclusive and equitable society.

With a number of global events continuing to create a fractured world characterised by uncertainty and intolerance, it is perhaps more critical than ever before for people to come together to form meaningful connections.

For a small but diverse nation like Singapore, where people of different races, beliefs, and nationalities live and work together in close proximity, creating an inclusive and harmonious society where everyone is respected has long been a priority for not just the Singapore government, but also for organisations operating in this bustling metropolis.

Asia-Pacific Breweries Singapore (APBS) for instance, reiterated its commitment to fostering inclusivity and creating positive social impact beyond their business operation by recently launching their ‘Worlds Together’ initiative, which seeks to connect communities and lay the foundation for a more inclusive and equitable society.

Speaking with HRM Asia, Patricia Lee, Corporate Affairs Director, APBS, said, “We believe in a world where true togetherness can inspire positive change, and social progress begins when we foster meaningful connections. ‘Worlds Together’ manifests our corporate purpose of ‘brewing the joy of true togetherness to inspire a better world’ and aligns with our broader social sustainability strategy, which promotes diversity and enriches communities for a fairer and more equitable world.”

“At APBS, we see ourselves as part of a larger movement to foster an inclusive society where diversity is celebrated, and everyone feels valued.” – Patricia Lee, Corporate Affairs Director, APBS

A joint collaboration with the Migrant Workers’ Centre, ‘Worlds Together’ recognises the invaluable contributions migrant workers have made to Singapore’s growth and aims to build meaningful social connections between migrant workers and local communities. According to Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM), there are currently about 1.4 million migrant workers in Singapore, which has a current population of about 6 million.

In the long-term, Lee is also hopeful that ‘Worlds Together’ can serve as a catalyst for more companies In Singapore to make a tangible impact on social inclusion.

“At APBS, we see ourselves as part of a larger movement to foster an inclusive society where diversity is celebrated, and everyone feels valued,” she added. “By creating platforms where genuine connections can form, and community bonds can deepen, ‘Worlds Together’ demonstrates how businesses can go beyond reactive corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts to proactively support social cohesion.”

The journey has also just begun for ‘Worlds Together’, with APBS looking to partner with other companies, industry associations, and NGOs to amplify the initiative and scale its impact.  “We welcome other companies to leverage ‘Worlds Together’ as a springboard for their own CSR efforts as together, we hope to all contribute to building a culture where inclusivity is a shared goal among the local communities and corporations in Singapore,” Lee said.

Focus on diversity and inclusion powering APBS’ sustainability journey

Having been with APBS since 2019, Lee has consistently used diversity and inclusion as fundamental principles to guide her approach to work and life.

What exactly however, does diversity and inclusion mean to her?

To me, diversity means recognising and valuing the unique perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences each individual brings,” Lee highlighted. “It is about creating an environment where everyone feels respected and valued for who they are.”

“Inclusion, on the other hand, is about ensuring that these diverse voices are not only heard but also actively engaged and empowered to contribute to the collective growth and success of the team or organisation. As an introvert by nature, this point resonates strongly with me – it’s not only about being seen but also about being heard.

At the workplace, APBS believes that embracing diversity and inclusion is essential for fostering innovation, driving business performance, and connecting better with their increasingly diverse consumers and stakeholders.

As a leader within the organisation, Lee is constantly striving to bring employees along APBS’ sustainability journey by engaging and involving them in developing key CSR initiatives, so they feel included and empowered to make a difference.

For instance, APBS’ DEI ambassadors’ opinions were sought when deciding which community to engage with for ‘Worlds Together’. Similarly, employees were encouraged to share their feedback and ideas on reducing waste when APBS conduced a Race to Reduce ideathon earlier this year.

“Ultimately, diversity and inclusion are about creating a workplace where everyone feels they belong, thrive, and can contribute their best to achieve shared goals,” Lee said.

In other words, finding common purpose and aligning this with profitability to drive societal change. “When your employees’ passion is aligned with the company’s purpose, that is when you will see the sense of commitment and connection to not only driving business performance but also driving a force for positive change,” Lee concurred.

She recommended organisatons to start by embedding purpose into their corporate strategy to maximise positive social and environmental impact. At APBS, the belief is that people and business will only thrive if the communities and environment in which they operative thrive.

READ MORE: A thriving workplace culture starts with wellbeing for all employees

Authenticity is key, as Lee explained, “A purpose-led approach involves taking a genuine interest in growing with the community and improving their wellbeing. By creating initiatives that address social challenges, such as ‘Worlds Together,’ we not only support those in need but also engage socially conscious consumers and strengthen our reputation as responsible corporate citizens.”

As APBS has demonstrated, organisations that will lead in aligning purpose with profitability in 2025 will be those that can demonstrate their social impact with transparency, engage stakeholders effectively, and make inclusivity an integral part of their business model.