Hybrid working in FMCG sector in Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam

Hien Pham, Head of Human Resources, Masan Consumer Holdings

Hien Pham, Head of Human Resources, Masan Consumer Holdings

Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city in Vietnam and a major economic hub in Southeast Asia. The city is home to a diverse range of industries, including manufacturing, services, and tourism, but the FMCG sector is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the city.

The FMCG (Fast-Moving Consumer Goods) sector in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, is a rapidly growing industry driven by the country's strong economic growth, rising middle class, and increasing consumer demand for high-quality goods and services.

The FMCG sector is driven by several factors, including Vietnam's young and growing population, increasing urbanization, rising disposable incomes, and a shift in consumer preferences towards higher quality and more sophisticated products. The COVID-19 pandemic has also had a significant impact on the FMCG sector in Ho Chi Minh City, with increased demand for essential goods and a shift towards e-commerce and digital marketing channels.

The COVID-19 epidemic also forced organisations to adapt to working remotely to comply with social distance requirements. Employees who work remotely conduct their business from a place other than their regular office. This model gives employees more freedom to complete the same work activities anywhere they choose instead of commuting to a work site provided by their job. Only a portion of the time working on-site may be part of a hybrid work arrangement. These agreements were crucial for many organisations when there was little opportunity for in-person social interaction.

The below study shows that 60.7% of the FMCG companies in Ho Chi Minh already applied for hybrid working while 25.8% did apply, and 13.5% of companies will consider applying depending on many factors. Source: MBA Capstone Project survey of Pham Thi Quy Hien in Oct 2022)

Another view from 89 Leaders and HR Professionals responders in the FMCG industry in Ho Chi Minh City is about what all factors organization create more when applying Hybrid Working (Source: MBA Capstone Project survey of Pham Thi Quy Hien in Oct 2022). There are productivity improvement, Inclusiveness, Talent attraction and retention, Creativity, and so on.

Every organization will soon adopt a hybrid workplace model, just like they did with open floor plans. That is why in the "2021 Workplace Trends Forecast" report, I list "hybrid workplace" and have already started speaking about it at conferences and to executives worldwide. Therefore, any organization in Vietnam needs to prepare a few things to scope well with the new hybrid work-life future.

• Infrastructure: Hybrid working requires a reliable internet connection and access to the necessary technology, such as laptops and software, to enable employees to work from home effectively. It is important to ensure that all employees have the necessary equipment and infrastructure to support remote work.

• Communication: Effective communication is essential for successful hybrid working. Companies should establish clear communication channels, such as video conferencing and instant messaging tools, to ensure that remote workers can stay connected with their colleagues and managers.

• Job Requirements: Not all jobs may be suitable for hybrid working. Companies should carefully assess job requirements and identify which positions can be performed remotely and which ones require in-person presence.

• Company culture: A positive company culture is essential for successful hybrid working. Companies should foster an inclusive and collaborative culture that values and supports remote workers and provides opportunities for them to engage with their colleagues and contribute to the company's success.

• Legal and regulatory considerations: Companies should ensure that they comply with relevant labor laws and regulations when implementing hybrid working. This may include ensuring that remote workers have appropriate insurance coverage and that their working conditions meet legal requirements.

Overall, hybrid working can provide numerous benefits for both employees and companies in the FMCG sector in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. By carefully considering the above factors and implementing appropriate policies and procedures, companies can successfully adopt a hybrid working model that enhances productivity, work-life balance, and employee satisfaction.