PENANG, October 2014 - The management of human resources is one of the important factors that need to be prioritised to create love, loyalty, continuity and an environment conducive to any organisation.

Air Asia X Chairman Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz said in her speech before an audience of about 400 Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) community during the 7th USM-CEO Talk Series held here recently.

Rafidah, with her long and vast experiences as a Minister who had contributed greatly to the country’s development especially in international trade, commerce and industry, dwelled on the theme of “Managing Strategically in Dynamic and Challenging Environment”.

This was in line with the current challenges that demand the need for strategic leadership capable of mobilising the organisation while facing many constraints, especially with limited resources.

Rafidah said that in all, human organisation plays a very crucial role for the success of the organisation, and proper management of this important aspect needs to be addressed thoroughly.

“Every organisation needs to keep abreast of and understand the patterns of thought and behavior of its workers, especially the younger generation of workers who have been exposed to the advances in digital technology.

“The culture of encouraging innovation in the workplace should also be improved so as to improve the organisation’s delivery system and service, as well as facilitate and streamline work process,” she said.

Rafidah also explained that employers need to know strategies on how to tackle the problem of employees such as those who lost interest, de-motivated, and prone to changing of jobs which she considered is quite common, especially among employees in the private sector.

“Dealing with workers who are from Generation Y or Z needs a different approach from those of the earlier generations. It is only by understanding the needs and current developments that we are able to create a good working environment.

“Similarly, if we want to develop such organisations abroad, we have to understand the market in countries and socio-cultural community there, only then we can survive as the environment is totally different from that of our country," she said.

Rafidah, aged 71, also shared her views about the ability to run a large organisation at a global level.

She said: “I love what I do. To perform a task excellently, we need to have the interest and passion.

“I am also very concerned about the allocation of time. No matter how busy we are, we should know how to manage and prioritise our time efficiently by striking a balance between our work and our family."

Also present at the lecture were the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Dr. Muhamad Jantan; Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC) (Industry and Community Network) (BJIM), Professor Dato’ Dr. See Ching Mey; DVC Academic and International Affairs, Professor Dato’ Dr. Ahmad Shukri Mustapa Kamal; and Registrar, Siti Zubaidah A. Hamid.

The CEO-Talk Series, jointly organised by BJIM, USM School of Management, and the Graduate School of Business, serves as a platform for heads of executive officers of public and private sector to share experiences in leadership as well as their views on the direction of the organisation, business or even the global economy. - Translation: Yong Check Yoon/Text: Marziana Mohamed Alias​​/Photo: Mohd. Fairus Md. Isa