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Tan Mui Sim, Group CHRO, believes that when employees feel a deep sense of belonging, experience purposeful growth, and receive meaningful wellbeing support, both they and the organisation are empowered to thrive.
Employee experience (EX) is the sum of every interaction an employee has with their organisation, from onboarding and development to growth and, when needed, offboarding. When EX is anchored in a sense of belonging, meaningful growth, and holistic wellbeing, both employees and organisations are poised to succeed.
Alliance Bank Malaysia aims to continue embodying this approach. Guided by a people-first mindset and structured around three powerful EVP pillars – culture, career, and wellbeing – the bank has built an employee experience that not only supports individual aspirations but also drives business success.
This focus led the team to receive the following awards at the Employee Experience Awards 2025, Malaysia:
Gold
- Best Employee Engagement Initiative,
- Best HR Digital Transformation Strategy,
- Best In-House Candidate Experience,
- Best Campus Recruitment Strategy,
- Best In-House Recruitment Team, and
- Best Use of Recruitment Technology Tools.
Silver
- Best Workforce Innovation,
- Best Employer Branding, and
- Best Talent Sourcing and Attraction Strategy.
Overall
- Overall Engagement Award, and
- Overall Talent Acquisition Award.
Sitting down for a quick chat with HRO, Tan Mui Sim, Group Chief Human Resources Officer, Alliance Bank Malaysia, shares why supporting employees at every step of their journey is key to building a thriving workforce.
Q How does your team define "employee experience", and what aspects do you prioritise most?
We define employee experience (EX) as the holistic journey each employee undertakes within the organisation, including phases such as onboarding, development, growth and when unavoidable, offboarding. It encompasses employees’ perceptions, the support provided to them, and the quality of their connection with both their work and the organisation.
Our focus lies in fostering excellence through our three EVP pillars: Culture, career, and wellbeing. When employees experience a strong sense of belonging, purposeful growth and effective wellbeing support, both they and the organisation are well positioned to thrive.
Q Can you walk us through your most high-impact EX initiative that led to your success at the awards this year? What business need did it solve, and how was success measured?
Our most high-impact initiative was the Nationwide Employee Communications Roadshow, an extensive effort in which our entire HR team alongside senior leadership, visited our branches throughout Malaysia, including Sabah and Sarawak. The primary objective was to actively listen, foster trust and engage directly with employees at all locations
"This initiative addressed communication gaps, reinforced organisational culture and demonstrated visible leadership support. As a result, we effectively brought our EVP pillars to life, boosted employee engagement, gathered meaningful feedback and received a highly positive response from employees nationwide."
Q How do you balance personalised employee needs with scalable EX programmes?
We achieve a balance between personalisation and scalability by structuring initiatives around pivotal moments that align with our EVP pillars. Leveraging data and employee feedback enables us to customise experiences for various roles and life stages.
Simultaneously, we utilise digital platforms to ensure consistent, accessible and impactful delivery across the organisaton. This strategy empowers us to provide relevant and meaningful experiences at scale whilst maintaining a personalised approach.
Q What are some underappreciated drivers of employee engagement that you think deserve more attention?
Recognition and appreciation, especially when consistent and authentic, can play an important role in the workplace. Whether formal or informal, and whether received from leaders or peers, these actions indicate that employees are acknowledged.
Such practices may contribute to a culture of encouragement and trust. Additionally, manager engagement that demonstrates empathy can enhance emotional commitment among employees. While these approaches are straightforward, they are considered essential for developing a truly engaged workforce.
Q Finally, what is the most important message that you'd like to share with your team as you plan ahead?
We extend our appreciation to our HR team for playing a pivotal role in our people strategy. Through each initiative, you’ve exemplified the INSPIRE promise by strengthening our culture, advancing career growth and prioritising wellbeing.
As we plan ahead, let us remain attentive, demonstrate decisive action and lead with empathy. Together, we will continue building not merely a workplace, but a true team where every endeavour is grounded in a shared purpose – to improve lives.
Read more interviews on why organisations have won trophies for their HR practices - head over to our Winning Secrets section!
Photo: Provided
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