One of the biggest challenges nowadays is the acquisition and retention of staff across the booming Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. Both large and small firms are facing challenges with respect to hiring and retaining critical talent. The issue of having to re-hire for the same position within the same year, is definitely not an exception.

This phenomenon is probably most prevalent in India and China where job-hopping is common and driven by an “employee” market. Aside from changing jobs for remuneration, employees, predominantly in India, move in pursuit of better training and development opportunities – seen amongst some to be equally, or even more important than compensation.

Australia has similar challenges, be it driven by other market conditions. Having one of its lowest unemployment rates, Australian talent in the metropolitan areas have a wealth of choice to pick their preferred employer. Combine this with a strong Australian culture of a good “work-life” balance (definitely with the younger generation), you sometimes need to be a creative employer.

Make sure you offer a well-balanced package, with the right perks and benefits, in order to be able to attract and retain your much needed resources. Hong Kong and Singapore remain “hot markets” where there is still a wealth of regional and local talent. Both job markets have probably one of the highest standards when it comes to work ethic.

So what could be the common denominator to “attract and retain” talent in this hectic booming market? Competitive compensation & benefit packages, blooming career opportunities, training and personal development programmes don’t seem to always do the trick.

Maybe it is time to put more emphasis on other value-added benefits like ensuring fair and ethical work practices, equal opportunities and providing a more work-life balance environment. The concept of becoming an employer of choice has worked in other parts of the world and seems to be gaining momentum in the region.

In this respect, diversity programmes that leverage the experiences, attitudes, cultures and viewpoints of each individual employee will be one of the key drivers when it comes to the recruitment and retention of talent.

Daniel Miseur

Vice president of human resources, APAC and Middle East

Pitney Bowes