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"By focusing on skills, organisations can empower career development and ensure that talent is utilised effectively across borders," he affirms.
Kenneth Koo's journey into HR was what he likes to describe as "serendipitous. Initially seeking a job through a recruitment search firm, he ended up being hired to work there.
It was this "unexpected turn" that led him to discover his passion for HR, he tells Sabarish Prasad. And so began the journey: "After more than a decade, I transitioned to an in-house role with Micron as a Talent Acquisition Leader. This experience has only strengthened my commitment to becoming a better HR professional," he shares
Today, Koo holds to his name more than 15 years of experience in talent acquisition, talent management, and consulting, having honed his expertise across the Southeast Asia and North Asia regions. He is currently Talent Acquisition Leader & Executive Hiring Lead, South Asia, at Micron Technology.
The leader believes in using a blend of data analysis and personal interaction in talent sourcing, attraction, development, and retention. At Micron Technology, he excels in aligning people strategies with business goals, driving HR initiatives, and fostering a culture of engagement and inclusion.
In this interview leading up to his session at Talent Mobility 2025, Koo talks about the biggest challenges in managing talent on the mobility front today, his vision for an internal talent marketplace that empowers career development, and more.
Q What is the #1 challenge you face in managing talent mobility currently, be it across borders or internally between functions?
Managing talent mobility presents several challenges. Navigating complex immigration laws, visa requirements, and labor regulations, which vary significantly by country, is a major hurdle. Additionally, cultural and adaptation challenges, such as different work cultures and family adjustments, including spousal employment and dependents' schooling, add to the complexity.
Balancing cost management with ROI, addressing talent retention risks, and ensuring effective employee engagement and communication regarding criteria and processes are also significant challenges. But if I had to choose, the #1 challenge would be cost management while maximising the wellbeing of our team members, which strongly co-relates to retention.
Q Planning ahead, is there an aspect of improvement or evolution you hope to see in talent mobility, for it to deliver more business impact?
Looking ahead, I believe talent mobility can and should support and enable an internal talent marketplace, driven by skills, to empower career development. In summary, talent mobility should be seen as a key driver in creating a robust internal talent marketplace. By focusing on skills, organisations can empower career development and ensure that talent is utilised effectively across borders.
This approach not only supports individual growth but also aligns with the evolving immigration and talent policies that aim to fuel economic growth.
Q On the lighter side, can you share a memorable experience from one of your own relocations?
While I don't have a particularly memorable relocation experience to share, I believe that each move has contributed to my growth and understanding of the complexities involved in talent mobility. However, I certainly do have a few memorable experiences of which I have managed alongside our Global Mobility team, where we were able to prioritise the team member’s wellbeing and experience by providing flexibility in the mobility programmes we offer, ensuring effective engagement and communication with the team member throughout.
Q Finally, what are you most looking forward to during your own session at #TalentMobility in February 2025?
I am most excited about meeting other HR professionals and panellists at #TalentMobility in February 2025. It's a fantastic opportunity to learn from each other and share insights on how we can continue to evolve and improve talent mobility practices.
I want to attend the conference: If you're keen to attend this closed-door conference, kindly register your interest here. For speaking opportunities, please write in to Sabarish Prasad. We look forward to welcoming you!
I want to sponsor: Engage in meaningful dialogue through dedicated speaking slots, roundtable discussions, and at your booths! If your organisation provides any mobility and expatriate solutions and products that you'd like to showcase, you’ll fit right into this event. To learn how you can sponsor, please reach out to a member of our team now!
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