The pandemic accelerated everything, including cross-border e-commerce.

Chinese cross-border companies had a bumpy, yet in some cases meteoric rise in business that seems poised to continue.  Not without risks, as outlined in this post by SixthTone.com the market is evolving to create both winners and losers.

Once dominated by Amazon and Walmart there are several options for online stores to reach markets in Asia, Europe and around the world.  Diversification of on-line store locations to balance risk now include eBay, AliExpress, and Wish as well as Shopee and Lazada.

Shenzhen, known as the "Cross-Border Capital" is mentioned for actions taken by the government to further expand options.

"...Commerce bureau issued a notice offering financial support to cross-border e-commerce enterprises that develop overseas markets through independent sales channels: 2 million yuan for each project, as well as up to 3 million yuan in awards."

Read the full article here:  https://www.sixthtone.com/news/1009763/as-amazon-changes-course%2C-chinas-sellers-shop-for-options

Employers Need Workers, What do Workers Need?

As the pandemic moves into an endemic phase, the original reason for  remote and hybrid work also retires.  There are real concerns about maintaining an engaged, inventive and productive team without the interaction that comes with close physical proximity.  Many employees, on the other hand are unwilling to return to the strict office culture.

Techwire Asia just published an article exploring the topic as well as a report by Poly Research whose results showed the relationship between retention of existing employees through the lens of hybrid work:

Exiting employees disclosed that the top reasons for leaving are tied to their employer's approach to hybrid work:

• • Employees discovered better suited jobs (19%)
  • Employees did not get the desired flexibility of hybrid working (16%)
  • Employees were unhappy about the way employers handled COVID (9%)
  • Strategy and equality are misaligned: Less than half (48%) of all organizations are fully prepared for hybrid working, while 37% are only prepared in the short-term. A further 52% think that hybrid work is a blip. Meanwhile, 24% each of the Americas and APAC employers, and 17% of EMEA employers are demanding that their employees return to the office full-time.

Hong Kong's leader, Carrie Lam, reportedly has admitted the brain drain in Hong Kong is real.  

This brings us back to a recent webinar that Steve, Fred and Sean of our ATMA launch committee  participated in:  "Searching for the Next Asia Megahub"   

Together with friend and colleague Voon Lee, the panelist discussed the fierce competition between Hong Kong, Singapore and Tokyo to be the next centre for business in Asia.

Closed borders and talent wars are prompting companies to re-think some strategies. 

Providing benefits to new hires and transfers within Asian countries is coming into greater focus.   Like everywhere, talent benefits and incentives need to meet the needs of the employee, be cost effective and help attract and retain talent. 

Weichert Workforce Mobility in a recent blog titled "Examining Global Domestic Mobility in APAC Region" states:

"The trends unfolding across the APAC region are consistent with what mobility professionals are seeing in other parts of the world, with mobility assertively taking the stage as a powerful tool in the war for talent."

The authors also share some insights gained from recent roundtables held to explore the topic.    You can read the entire posting here. 

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), a 10-nation organization has the motto:

"One Vision.   One Identity.  One Community"

In September of last year, the group of nations took the One Community pledge forward by adopting a framework to protect the environment.  

The framework provides structure to existing ASEAN initiatives that explores opportunities to accelerate the region's transition to a low-carbon economy.

TAn exciting step towards a greener and more sustainable Asia is truly welcome.  You can learn more and download a brochure from the ASEAN website:  https://asean.org/asean-adopts-framework-for-circular-economy/

McKinsey & Company recently published a report titled, : Back to human" Why HR leaders want to focus on people again."

The summary takeaways are that Human Resource leaders are moving away from HR process to a focus more directly on people.   

In today's world of burnout and talent shortages, this seems natural, although reading through the article, the shift was well on its way pre-pandemic.  Like everything, the pandemic put change on a fast-track. 

McKinsey Why HR Leaders want to focus on people again.pdf