Quick Word: Andrew Chan, CEO of ACI HR Solutions

Andrew Chan, founder and CEO of ACI HR Solutions, sees an increase in demand for digital skills in the hospitality industry.

Singapore Business Owners


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Entrepreneur Stories

In SBO Quick Word, business owners and professionals share with us a slice of their industry, business and life over a quick email interview.

How is the hospitality industry in Singapore doing so far this year?

From a recruitment standpoint, largely positive with new hotels opening, although sentiments are somewhat cautious for the remainder of 2019 and in 2020 with geopolitics heavily influencing the economic outlook.

Undoubtedly, there’s a demand for digital skills in the hospitality sector…

What are the most sought-after skills that employers are looking for in a candidate? How is this going to change in the next few years?

Undoubtedly, there’s a demand for digital skills in the hospitality sector – where for some organisation who has so far lagged behind are just now starting to catch up and creating digital-related positions and have found recruiting such talents a challenge.

Apart from offering high salaries, how can employers, especially the smaller players, make themselves more attractive?

While large multinationals have the strength of size and global presence, smaller organisations can actually be far more flexible, creative and quick with implementing engagement strategies.

Higher salaries only make up a small component of overall employee engagement. While large multinationals have the strength of size and global presence, smaller organisations can actually be far more flexible, creative and quick with implementing engagement strategies. There’s no one size fits all, and smaller players need to evaluate what they can and can’t offer, at the same time truly understanding the needs of their staff. Training and personal development rated highly in our 2019 ACI Report; this can be a good starting point for some organisations to evaluate.

The government announced that the foreign worker quota for businesses will be reduced to 35% by 2021. How does it affect employers in the hospitality industry and how can they prepare themselves for what’s to come?

It’ll be challenging, no doubt about it, especially for the service sector who are already struggling. Streamlining workplace efficiencies and implementing automation through available technology will be important to combat staff shortages in the coming years.

How has Airbnb affected the employment landscape in the hospitality industry?

I wouldn’t say Airbnb has affected the employment landscape, at least not so much in Asia from what I’ve seen. It’s probably more relevant examining the impact on sales and revenue for the hospitality sector.


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