Winning Secrets: How Excelpoint Systems measures success on its CSR strategy

The indicators lie in increased growth, efficiency, value creation, enhanced reputation, and more, according to Pooi Mun, MAK, Group VP, HR & Administration.

Excelpoint Systems is one of the leading regional B2B platforms that aims to provide quality electronic components engineering design services and supply chain management to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), original design manufacturers (ODMs), and electronics manufacturing services (EMS) in the Asia Pacific region.

With R&D centres in Singapore, China, and Vietnam, Excelpoint aims to create innovative solutions to complement their consumers’ products & solutions.

At the 11^th edition of the HR Excellence Awards, Singapore (2023), Excelpoint took home the bronze award for ‘Excellence in CSR Strategy’.

We sit down with Pooi Mun, MAK, Group Vice President, Human Resources & Administration, Excelpoint Systems, who shares her insight on strengthening connections with the community to help those in need.

Q. Congratulations on your top performance at the HR Excellence Awards! How has your HR and people strategy contributed to your success this year?

Through resource efficiency and conservation, we have been reducing the negative effects of our business activities on the environment such as waste and energy. With our donations and employee volunteerism, we want to strengthen our connections with the community to assist the needy. It is our commitment to focus on helping children and youths in building the next generation. While our efforts may not be extraordinary, we are driven by the conviction that every extra mile we take, can instigate significant change, irrespective of the scale.

Q. Looking back at your achievements, what aspect of your HR initiatives are you most proud of and why?

We believe there is something we can contribute to making our world, our communities, and our surroundings better places to live. Every bit of effort will go a long way, and we persevere in our conviction that we care and share. Since Excelpoint operates in the technology arena, we wholeheartedly embrace CSR efforts within this space. Additionally, we recognise that education is key to an individual’s growth and development.

"As people play an important role in the Excelpoint Group, we aim to instill this nurturing concept in our CSR efforts."

Q. During your HR journey, what were some significant obstacles you faced, and how did you overcome them to achieve excellence?

We debated whether the CSR event should be motivated by business interests or social concerns, recognising that there are multiple ways CSR can benefit society and the environment. Open communication, starting with corporate ethics, values, and the environment, consistently leads to positive outcomes when everyone works towards the same goal – helping those in need.

HR plays a significant role in CSR to ensure that all volunteers are included in the process. It is crucial to carefully consider every detail from planning to execution, regardless of the scope or magnitude of the CSR activity. We have consistently received praise and gratitude from those less fortunate for the assistance we provided, serving as silent but powerful evidence that our actions were driven by a genuine desire to make a positive impact. We have also received appreciation from our employees for willingly and energetically participating in these activities.

Q. How does your organisation measure the success and impact of your HR initiatives?

Our confidence in our business drives our determination to achieve sustainable growth and provide our stakeholders with more value-added products and services. As an electronics company, we wouldn't have earned our acclaimed status without the trust of our employees, principals, customers, bankers, business associates, and shareholders. Implementing sustainable strategies in our business model will result in benefits such as increased growth, efficiency, value creation, enhanced reputation, and the cultivation of trust and confidence among all our stakeholders.

We run an annual report covering our environmental, social, and governance (ESG) activities over a three-year period, consolidating data on Excelpoint Group's environmental and social performance, extracted from our official records. In consideration of the material impacts on the environment, society, and the economy, we have also assessed potential sustainability risks and opportunities to demonstrate our commitment to compliance and responsible conduct.

Q. In what direction do you see the HR/people function evolving in the future, considering the emerging trends?

Examining comparable programmes implemented by competitors is a good starting point when determining the best way to implement a CSR strategy. It's important to research what other businesses in our sector are doing and assess the success of their CSR activities. Most importantly, this allows us to learn from their achievements and avoid repeating any mistakes that could harm our brand image.

We will ensure that our business partners adhere to the same broad principles aimed at reducing their environmental impact and supporting the community. When our CSR goals align, this not only facilitates fair pricing but also helps us avoid collaborating with suppliers who do not uphold social responsibility. Values alignment can eventually strengthen our relationships with both suppliers and customers. As we move forward, future CSR initiatives should adopt a more cost-effective and organic approach.

Read more interviews on why organisations have won trophies for their HR practices - head over to our Winning Secrets' section!

Photo: Provided by Excelpoint Systems