Cultivating a competitive edge through innovation and flexible work

Leadership’s role in shaping the future of work is vital for success, intertwining organisational and individual wellbeing, says SIG's Angelina Chua.
By: | July 25, 2024

In today’s competitive economic landscape, continuous innovation is the key to maintaining an edge, declared Angelina Chua, Head of People and Culture, Asia-Pacific South, SIG Group.

She told HRM Asia, “A highly skilled workforce drives this innovation, ensuring the organisation gains a competitive advantage.”

In Chua’s perspective, the influence of leaders in shaping the organisation’s future of work is paramount for its success. The interdependence of organisational and individual success has led progressive organisations to achieve multidimensional success, extending beyond the traditional focus on physical wellbeing. “These initiatives demonstrate an organisation’s care for its employees, enhance its value proposition and appeal to potential talents,” she said.

HR professionals play a crucial role in designing and implementing these wellbeing frameworks. A significant aspect of this approach is the offering of flexible work arrangements for roles that permit such flexibility, as she elaborated, “Offering flexible work for roles that allow for it can further elevate the organisations’ employee value proposition and improve their attractiveness to employees over others that provide less flexibility for jobs that allow for flexibility, as today’s workforce demands.”

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The benefits of embracing flexible work arrangements are manifold. For organisations, it broadens the talent pool, mitigates increased business costs associated with hiring and replacement, and reduces the time required to fill roles. “The availability of talent improves operational efficiency and revenue and enhances the organisation’s appeal to top talents, thereby maintaining a competitive edge.” For employees, flexible work arrangements offer better work-life balance and the ability to work in a way that suits them best, fostering a positive work culture and enhancing motivation.

To optimise the benefits of flexible work, organisations should comprehensively review all jobs and roles, exploring possible work arrangements. Chua suggested, “Organisations can consider redesigning jobs to offer flexibility for difficult-to-fill roles and clearly understand the organisation’s needs and talents’ availability. Effective communication with employees and potential candidates regarding the available options, including discussing positions that do not allow for flexible arrangements and providing the rationale behind such decisions, will foster better understanding and alignment and establish clear expectations.”

Ultimately, organisations that continuously explore new ways to work more efficiently and adapt to the changing needs of the workforce will bridge the gap and shape a culture of innovation and adaptability. Embracing a mindset shift and enhancing the understanding of available options can cultivate a mutually beneficial relationship, ensuring that both the organisation and its employees thrive, she concluded.

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