Business as usual is no longer sustainable and the Covid-19 pandemic has proven that over the last one year. The pandemic had accelerated all progress into a digital economy within a year as cashless transactions and work-from-home dominated workforces.
Digitalisation and sustainability became the key words for change for many businesses worldwide and while some saw the transition smooth, others struggled.
On a positive note, Asia is rebounding and are already showing early signs of strong growth. The IMF forecasts that with the unprecedented policy stimulus around the region to support the recovery, growth in Asia is projected to rebound strongly to 6.6 percent growth this year, following a 1.6% contraction in 2020 given no further disruptions to the market.
For wider context, Asia is on track to rank in the top 50 percent of the global GDP by 2040 and drive 40 percent of the world’s consumption.
The challenge and what is important for businesses in Asia, especially Malaysia is the ability to scale up or down – to be more agile, not just as a response to the pandemic, but to any market changes.
“We need to take a step back and understand the simple fact that our lives have changed in how we work, play and learn. While Malaysia is still dealing with the impact of the pandemic, it has inevitably sped up digital transformation,” says Alex Tan, Managing Director of HP Inc. Malaysia.
“Which is why we introduced HP Amplify to represent a completely new, forward-thinking, future-ready global partner programme, optimised to seamlessly connect transformation, agility and innovation and provide HP and our partners with a competitive edge,” Tan adds.
Part of the larger HP Amplify programme, the latest initiative is an industry-first Sustainable Impact assessment, resource, and training programme for partners.
“The goal is here to bring our partners to an understanding on how running a sustainable business can drive meaningful change for the planet, people and the community,” he says.
The programme designed to be inclusive hopes to help partners achieve more and unlock economic opportunities that aim to improve the vitality and resilience of their local communities.
As part of the programme, all HP Amplify partners will have access to training, sales tools, HP’s Sustainability & Compliance Centre (SCC), HP LIFE and HP Planet Partners as well as marketing assets. Participating partners will be recognised via certification and an annual awards programme.
The HP Amplify programme helps to consolidate several hundred regional and country programmes into one streamlined global programme. It has also established two programme tracks with clear rewards to eliminate complexity.
Additionally, it creates a seamless experience for both HP and their partners to collaborate and build stronger customer insights.
“These challenges will create a platform where partners can better understand our customers and more closely align their business model to customer needs. The HP Amplify program readies our partners and their business to succeed in today’s environment and beyond – capitalising on emerging trends and playing a central role in the evolving customer buying journey.”
HP’s Sustainable Impact work helped drive more than US$1.6 billion in new sales.
“For partners that are starting their sustainability journey, we want to support and kickstart the process by charting their sustainability journey through personalised sustainability assessments, setting sustainability goals and receiving access to HP’s sustainability offerings,” the Managing Director highlights.
Tan also believes that by helping businesses, communities stand to benefit through their initiatives.
The digital divide, he says varies from communities and countries, but the initiatives stand to provide support to the underserved and to continue to bridge the digital divide and build the skills for the future.
“We must continue to find new ways to positively impact the planet, people and the communities we serve. This is not just the right thing to do but it’s also good for our bottom line. But HP can’t do it alone. No company can. Which is why we need to work with companies, governments, and NGOs to find new ways to work on shared solutions.,” Tan says.
“Our Sustainable Impact strategy is HP’s commitment to create positive, lasting change for the planet, its people and our communities. It is our guiding principle to create technology that makes life better for everyone, everywhere. This strategy is informed by our analysis of megatrends, materiality assessment, ongoing engagement with stakeholders, and alignment with our core businesses,” Tan concludes.
