The COVID-19 pandemic has not only upended traditional ways of work, it has also significantly changed the experiences, motivations and priorities of workers and job seekers. As employees find more comfort and productivity working from home, the demand for better work-life balance may be even more significant than before.
P&G Singapore is investing in innovation and talent, including in connecting with local start-ups, to plan for a post-pandemic economy.
In May, P&G launched iLab 2021, a three-day virtual innovation festival held in partnership with the Singapore Economic Development Board. During the festival, start-ups from Singapore and across the region came together to collaborate with P&G and develop innovations that can overcome real-world challenges faced in the areas of advertising, retail, and supply chain.
The competition began before the festival started: 100 start-ups were assessed to solve real business challenges set by P&G, and only the top 27 start-ups made the shortlist to participate in the 3-day festival.
During the event, regional startups brainstormed with P&G leaders to solve challenges using technology in the areas of AI personalization, gaming, supply chain resiliency, and social commerce. Selected startups will work with P&G in pilot rollouts across our markets in Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa.
Karthik Natarajan, Senior Vice President and CFO, Asia Pacific, Middle East, & Africa, said efforts like iLab are possible because of partnerships.
“We are very thankful to have the support of like-minded partners in this exciting journey, especially the close partnerships that we enjoy with the EDB and ESG,” Natarajan said. “At P&G, we always endeavor to lead the change across all aspects of our operations, and support our partners, employees, and other stakeholders.”
Innovative activities like iLab are just one reason P&G Singapore has been recognized as the top employer where Singaporeans want to work for the second year in a row, according to Randstad, the world’s leading human resources solutions agency in its annual Randstad Employer Brand Awards. The 2021 Randstad Employer Brand Research examines job seekers’ and workers' perceptions of employer brands, with this year’s edition being the only global independent research that captures the changes in workforce sentiments since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Magesvaran Suranjan , P&G’s President of Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa, said this award recognizes the tireless efforts of P&Gers to lead as a force for good and a force for growth in Singapore.
“We have focused on keeping our people safe while we serve our consumers with our trusted health and hygiene products and support the Singapore community,” Suranjan said. “Importantly, we have gone to great lengths to prioritise the well-being, growth, and learning and development of our people, ensuring we maintain our healthy, vibrant, and inclusive culture, despite the challenges of the pandemic.” Read how P&Gers in Singapore brought Lunar New Year cheer to families in need.
"In the post-pandemic future, the pursuit for innovation is crucial for the recovery and advancement of our economy,” Suranjan said. “Our vision for P&G in the Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa region is to become the company of the future … leading digital transformation and powering innovation across all aspects of our business.”
With the heart of a start-up and the resources of a global corporation, we are always looking for imaginative ways to reinvent every aspect of our business. To learn more about our global investment in innovation, visit https://us.pg.com/innovation/.
