29.9 C
Vientiane
Monday, June 16, 2025
spot_img
Home Blog Page 2078

Schneider Electric named as a ‘Lighthouse’ in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion by the World Economic Forum

Schneider Electric earns recognition for advancing pay equity and fostering an inclusive and caring work environment

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 19 January 2023 – Schneider Electric, the leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, has been named as a Global Parity Alliance Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Lighthouse for its Global Pay Equity (GPE) initiative, by the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Centre for the New Economy and Society.

This award recognizes Schneider Electric’s efforts to promote inclusion and care by advancing pay equity across all its offices. Schneider Electric’s Global Pay Equity initiative began in 2014 with pilots in 12 countries. Since then, it has been implemented in over 100 countries, reaching 99.6% of the company’s total workforce by the end of 2020.

It’s an honor to be recognized for our ongoing commitment to gender equity. We believe that an inclusive and caring company culture is key for creating a sustainable future. We want to bring a long-term positive impact for our people, our company, and our planet – and that can only be achieved by providing equitable opportunities to everyone, everywhere. We’ve gained a lot of momentum and progress over the years in this area, and we’re determined to continue hardwiring equity and inclusion in all stages of our employees’ experience.” said Charise Le, Schneider Electric’s Chief Human Resources Officer.

Established by the WEF in collaboration with McKinsey & Company, the Global Parity Alliance is a global, cross-industry group of organizations that is working to drive better and faster DEI outcomes by identifying initiatives with proven impact, sharing insights that have been key to their success, and elevating DEI action to CEO level.

Schneider Electric’s Global Pay Equity initiative has enabled year-over-year improvements in the female pay gap, through:

  • A global-local compensation framework: a unified global methodology to address pay gaps, starting with a common definition for “pay gap”, a consistent approach to gap measurement, and a company-wide target; local HR teams were then empowered to define action plans to close gaps based on local market needs and conditions.
  • A compensation review process: set on a quarterly basis at global and local levels to review KPIs and identify emerging gaps; the process also integrated a pay equity adjustment process into annual salary reviews to identify and close gaps.
  • Upskilling for HR compensation teams and department managers: Schneider trained HR professionals and people managers to increase awareness of the impact of gender biases on compensation, and to equip them with the tools they need to make equitable pay decisions throughout the recruitment, promotion, and pay review processes.
  • Data automation: introduced automated data analysis and reporting through its HR Information System to identify pay gaps through accurate tracking of key drivers across the employee life cycle.

Schneider Electric has since expanded its GPE program, setting itself the goal to attain and maintain a pay gap of <1% for all employees, and to achieve a 50:40:30 gender balance (i.e., women should represent 50% of all new hires, 40% of all frontline managers, and 30% of senior leadership) by 2025. The company will also look to implement a pay equity simulator tool to provide broader visibility into pay gap data, to help managers, HR business partners and recruiters make fair offers to potential candidates.

Related resources:

Hashtag: #Diversity #Inclusion #PayGap #Sustainability

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Schneider Electric

Schneider’s purpose is to empower all to make the most of our energy and resources, bridging progress and sustainability for all. We call this Life Is On.

Our mission is to be your digital partner for Sustainability and Efficiency.

We drive digital transformation by integrating world-leading process and energy technologies, end-point to cloud connecting products, controls, software and services, across the entire lifecycle, enabling integrated company management, for homes, buildings, data centers, infrastructure and industries.

We are the most local of global companies. We are advocates of open standards and partnership ecosystems that are passionate about our shared Meaningful Purpose, Inclusive and Empowered values.

Discover more:

Follow us on:





Discover the newest perspectives shaping sustainability, electricity 4.0, and next generation automation on

Laos Road Tax for 2023 Payable Via New Channels

Road Tax 2023

Road tax payments in Laos for 2023 are now payable via a range of different methods, including a new mobile application from Joint Development Bank (JDB).

Despite Slow Growth, Grab is Still Customer Favorite in SE Asia

The Singapore-based multinational technology company is strengthening its position as the most popular food delivery app in SE Asia, even if the superapp is not growing as fast as before, says a new report. 

Ai-Generated Cat Mistaken for Sculpture in Vietnam

Cat generated by AI causes a stir in Vietnam.
Cat generated by AI causes a stir in Vietnam (Photo: Bo Nguyen/VN Express)

An image of a cat that went viral in Vietnam, believed to be a sculpture marking the year of the cat, has turned out to be an AI-generated image.

Sangthong to Host Rice Stack Festival in January

Sangthong to Host Fragrant Rice Festival in January
The entrance to the Rice Stack festival (photo: Pakaad)

Officials of Vientiane’s Sangthong district will organize the rice stack festival also called Boun Kongkhao between 27-29 January in Nachalern village.

Chubb Appoints Hng Keng Yoong to Lead its General Insurance Business in Singapore

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 19 January 2023 – Chubb today announced the appointment of Hng Keng Yoong as Country President for its general insurance operations in Singapore, subject to regulatory approval. Currently, she serves as the Chief Operating Officer for Chubb in Malaysia.

In her new role, Keng will have overall responsibility for the business and financial performance of the operation across all lines of business, which comprises property and casualty, accident and health and personal lines insurance. She will also oversee all affinity partnerships. Keng will report to Edward Ler, Executive Vice President and Head of Southeast Asia for Chubb.

Keng has extensive experience in both life and general insurance. Her 20-year career spans across Asia and the United Kingdom. Since joining Chubb in 2010, she has worked in various capacities within its Regional Accident & Health, Finance, and Strategic Planning teams in Asia Pacific based in Singapore.

According to Edward, “Keng is a seasoned insurance executive who has consistently demonstrated strong acumen and strategic leadership. A talented individual who has grown her career with Chubb, I’m confident that Keng’s expertise will strengthen Chubb’s position as a leading general insurer in Singapore. She will certainly enable us to deepen and optimize our relationships with important strategic partners in the region.”

Hashtag: #Chubb

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Chubb

Chubb is the world’s largest publicly traded property and casualty insurance company. With operations in 54 countries and territories, Chubb provides commercial and personal property and casualty insurance, personal accident and supplemental health insurance, reinsurance and life insurance to a diverse group of clients. As an underwriting company, we assess, assume and manage risk with insight and discipline. We service and pay our claims fairly and promptly. The company is also defined by its extensive product and service offerings, broad distribution capabilities, exceptional financial strength and local operations globally. Parent company Chubb Limited is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CB) and is a component of the S&P 500 index. Chubb maintains executive offices in Zurich, New York, London, Paris and other locations, and employs approximately 34,000 people worldwide.

Additional information can be found at: .

dobiQueen Launches 6-Hour Laundry Service

The First-Ever Door-To-Door Fastest Laundry Pick-Up Service in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach – 19 January 2023 – dobiQueen, the innovative, premier self-service laundry provider in Malaysia, is excited to officially announce the launch of its new “6-Hour Laundry Pick-Up.” The first of its kind in Malaysia, this service allows customers to have their laundry picked up, cleaned, and returned to them in as little as six hours. It is perfect for the New Year season spring cleaning of curtains, duvets, and larger launderable items.

With dobiQueen’s new 6-Hour Laundry Pick-Up, time-starved individuals are now able to unburden themselves from the stresses of everyday chores with a service that seems almost miraculous. For those wishing they can simply place their dirty laundry outside their door, to be picked up and cleaned, and returned fresh and folded within hours – that is now a reality. Fast, easy, and processed entirely online, all orders for the new service can be fulfilled within six hours, or at another convenient time, if placed before 12:00 p.m.

“At dobiQueen, we are intensely focused on solving our customers’ problems, and we believe that finding a solution is always possible. Other innovations we have implemented include our free transfer from washing machine to the dryer as we noticed our customers wanted to run errands, and the half-hour transfer was a huge hassle and deeply disruptive,” says Nini Tan, the CEO, and Co-Founder of dobiQueen.

“That’s why I’m thrilled to announce our new 6-Hour Laundry Pick-Up, perfect for those last-minute spring cleaning needs. We’ve tested the delivery window extensively over the past few months, and I am now confident to claim to be the first to be able to deliver this offering in the market. I’d like to invite all to come and experience the convenience and efficiency of dobiQueen in this festive period.”

As a company that prides itself on being the first in providing perfume-smelling laundry services at affordable prices, dobiQueen uses only high-quality detergents and softeners. Combined with their commercial-sized washing machines that can handle large pieces like duvets and blankets, your garments are ensured to be laundered to the highest standards. The new laundry pick-up is no exception to this commitment. In addition to the new service, dobiQueen offers a range of laundry services, including wash and fold, washer-to-dryer transfers, and more.

With Chinese New Year just around the corner, now is the perfect time to take advantage of the new 6-Hour Laundry Pick-Up to prepare the home and the wardrobe for the festive season ahead. The brand operates over 72 outlets in the Klang Valley, making it easy for customers to find a location that is convenient for them. For more information about dobiQueen and its services, visit www.dobiqueen.my.

Just in time for Chinese New Year, dobiQueen is providing a special Spring Cleaning Offer. This exclusive promotion includes four laundry bags (wash & dry only) for the price of three that can fit up to four 32kg machines capable of laundering large items, from bedsheets and comforters to cushion and sofa covers, and more.

Originally priced at RM140, this promotion is available at RM99 for a limited time only. To learn more about dobiQueen’s Spring Cleaning Offer, visit delivery.dobiqueen.my.

Hashtag: #dobiQueen #6HourLaundry

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About dobiQueen

Founded in 2015 by Nini Tan and Seng Lee Tan, dobiQueen aims to lessen the burden of everyday chores by providing easy and convenient services for a faster, cleaner laundry alternative. With over 72 outlets throughout Klang Valley, dobiQueen offers a range of services for a wide variety of laundry types without hidden costs, including coin-operated self-service laundry and 6-Hour Laundry Pick-up. Each dobiQueen guarantees consistent, high-quality perfume wash using ELECTROLUX Professional equipment and the finest detergents from Dynamo and Downy. For more information, visit www.dobiqueen.my.

YouBiz research reveals key trends and challenges facing Southeast Asian SMEs in 2023

  • YouBiz has launched its first white paper on spend management, with analysis of over 60,000 business transactions from over 4,500 companies, and surveys with over 160 SME executives in Southeast Asia today.

  • The press release highlights emerging spend insights YouBiz uncovered and how spend management will be the key growth driver for SMEs in 2023. For more information on the 2023 Business Spend Insights report by YouBiz, please visit: https://www.you.co/biz/2023-biz-spend/

  • Reducing operational costs emerged the top business priority among all SMEs surveyed
  • Over 85% of SMEs are exposed to currency fluctuations as cross-border transactions increase with the acceleration of global expansion plans
  • As borders reopen, SME travel and entertainment spend increased by 2X in the last two quarters of 2022

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 19 January 2023 – YouBiz, the SME spend management platform by YouTrip, launched its first whitepaper studying emerging business spending trends and key business priorities for SME in 2023. Titled ‘2023 Business Spend Insights: Keys to SME Success in Uncertain Times’, the report analyses over 60,000 business transactions from over 4,500 companies, and surveys with over 160 SME executives in Southeast Asia.

Reducing operational costs was identified as the top priority for SMEs as macro conditions for 2023 remain uncertain. As borders reopened last year, business travel resumed and companies doubled their travel and entertainment spend in the last two quarters of 2022. Cross-border payments also surged, with more than 7 in 10 SMEs facilitating foreign currency transactions monthly as they worked with overseas suppliers and partners to establish operations in new markets. This has however led to a spike in overall operating costs.

“In our conversations with SMEs, the issue of reducing operational costs and spend management surfaced numerous times. YouBiz understands that as companies emerged from the pandemic, they grew even more prudent in the face of continued economic uncertainties. And as borders reopened, the increase in cross-border payments drove greater urgency and need for better spend management,” said YouTrip Co-Founder and CEO Caecilia Chu.

“As a valuable and reliable partner of SMEs, YouBiz is committed to helping businesses harness their full potential by uncovering spending trends, challenges and considerations, as well as showcasing best practices and case studies in our in-depth report, to help companies better forecast and manage their business spend for the year ahead,” she added.

Reducing operational costs is imperative in the face of economic uncertainties

Reducing overall operational costs emerged the top business priority for SMEs in 2023 as business leaders ready themselves for impending challenges and volatility ahead, despite the positive economic growth in the region.

Among SMEs surveyed, reducing operational costs (40%) takes precedence over the development of new products and services (30%), improving real-time spend management (17%) and finding new supply chain partners (10%).

But as borders reopen, SMEs are hungry for new growth opportunities overseas

Global business travel is expected to reach US$1.4 trillion in 2024, a year sooner than forecasted. SME owners are riding this resurgence of business travel, increasing their travel and entertainment (T&E) spending by 2X in the last two quarters of 2022. This upward trend is projected to continue into the first quarter of 2023.

Based on the report findings, companies in the professional services industry (35%) invest the most in business travel. Executives of these companies are keen to budget more for travel spend to expand sales in new markets and reinforce partnerships that have been affected by the lack of face time during the pandemic.

Over 85% of SMEs are exposed to FX fluctuations with the increase in cross-border payments

With easier and quicker access to payments in most foreign currencies globally, SMEs are able to venture into overseas markets without compromising on their rate of growth, operational efficiency and cashflow. 56% of SMEs surveyed regularly transact with foreign currency including card spend, making and receiving payments – with more than 90% transacting S$50,000 or more.

However, 86% of SMEs face exchange rate fluctuations on their frequent transactions in foreign currencies. Without the necessary tools to hedge against foreign currency fluctuations, SMEs are likely to incur opportunity costs as a result of overestimating or underestimating their overseas expenses – impacting the overall operational costs of working with overseas partners.

Leveraging spend management tools reduces operational costs and builds business resilience

Adopting the right spend management solution enables SMEs to have real-time control of various budgets, and the tools to effectively manage FX fluctuation risks that arise from cross-border payments. This is essential as YouBiz estimates 8 in 10 SMEs do not have full visibility on company spend. SMEs are also looking out for easy-to-use, affordable and convenient solutions that are complementary to their business operations and support the various foreign currencies they frequently transact in.

Caecilia added, “As SMEs evaluate the myriad spend management tools in the market, YouBiz aims to advise them on the key areas of spend management and resource optimisation, and share with business owners timely insights that will propel their growth to the next level.”

For more information on the 2023 Business Spend Insights report by YouBiz, please visit: https://www.you.co/biz/2023-biz-spend/

Hashtag: #Fintech #SME #SMEs #Business #Spend #CorporateSpend #B2B

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About YouBiz

Launched in 2022, YouBiz is the leading multi-currency corporate card and spend management platform for SMEs. Built by YouTrip, a first-mover in the Southeast Asian fintech and digital payments space, YouBiz provides SMEs and startups with an easy-to-use, convenient and affordable spend management platform to power their cross-border payment needs and global expansion plans.

Today, YouBiz is one of the fastest growing spend management fintechs and a reliable partner for SMEs as they accelerate their business growth with the best in market exchange rates, at zero FX fees.

For more information, please visit