PEOPLElogy charts regional growth

New Straits Times

19-06-2025

KUALA LUMPUR: Integrated people development solution provider PEOPLElogy Bhd is charting an ambitious regional expansion plan, with the aim to transform 10 million digital talents in Southeast Asia.
Founder and managing director Alan Lee said the company is planning expansions in Indonesia and the Philippines to create operational hubs via joint ventures or mergers and acquisitions.
Lee also said Sabah and Sarawak present a golden opportunity for the group, considering their emphasis on digital talent.
"I have spent more than nine months in 2023 exploring these markets. What I can say is that the response to PEOPLElogy's ecosystem was overwhelmingly positive.
"It is a painful journey for small training firms with no branding, no capital, no processes. When we bring our 6D framework and technology, we help them scale and we do not just compete, but we also collaborate," he said in an interview.
On top of that, Lee said its regional office in Singapore will serve as a business development hub to promote its solutions across Asean.
"Through our Singapore office, we aim to forge stronger partnerships and deliver impactful learning solutions."
DEVELOPING DIGITAL SKILLS
Founded in 2001, PEOPLElogy has grown from a traditional training company to a tech-enabled human capital solutions provider. It has more than 1,500 corporate clients and has trained over 250,000 people.
The company operates in Mid Valley City, Kuala Lumpur, with branches in Selangor, Penang and Johor.
In the next five years, PEOPLElogy plans to train up to 10 million digital talents in Southeast Asia.
According to Lee, the digital skills gap is a significant challenge for businesses in Southeast Asia, with more than 60 per cent reporting a large gap that hinders their digital transformation.
Projections show that more than 800 million jobs worldwide may be taken over by automation by 2025. Therefore, Lee said there is an urgent need for lifelong learning and skills development.
"We plan to carry out the training in stages, helping people acquire key skills, especially in the digital field.
"Since 20 years ago, I have been keeping count how many people we have impacted. In 2016, I found out that the fastest and easiest way is to leverage technology.
"That was the year I incorporated PEOPLElogy Digital. We decided to leverage technology to accelerate growth. So, in 2019, we got our mobile app ready.
"I am pretty sure in the next three to five years, we should be able to impact 10 million people throughout Southeast Asia."
STRONG MARKET FUNDAMENTALS
PEOPLElogy was successfully listed on Bursa Malaysia, marking a historic milestone as Malaysia's first public-listed people development company, pioneering the future of digital workforce transformation.
Lee is aware that there is market uncertainty, but remains optimistic about the company's outlook.
He said the company has secured RM9.1 million in sales for the second quarter. It posted RM5.47 million in net profit in 2024, with revenue growing 18.2 per cent year-on-year to RM29.24 million.
"Despite higher operational costs, our upward trend reflects growing demand and solid business fundamentals.
"The tariffs do not affect us. I believe that there is no right time. We just need to work around the situation. We are still small compared to the market size, and with this listing, we are scaling to meet demand. To summarise, I think we are pretty confident," he said.
CYBER RANGE LABORATORY
A significant portion of the proceeds from the initial public offering (32.38 per cent) was allocated for a state-of-the-art Cyber Range laboratory in Kuala Lumpur.
Lee said there is increased demand for cybersecurity programmes due to cyber threats and data breaches impacting individuals and organisations in Malaysia.
According to him, the RM3 million facility will offer immersive, gamified cybersecurity training.
"Just imagine, entering Cyber Range Laboratory is like stepping into a game. But it is a game that could save your company from a real cyber threat."
The company has yet to identify a location for the simulation lab.
Lee also said PEOPLElogy plans to launch Version 2 of its digital learning platform, building on its current business-to-business and business-to-consumer mobile apps.
The platform supports the company's proprietary 6D methodology (discover, design, develop, deploy, digitise and deliver) which helps organisations identify talent, design learning journeys, train staff, monitor results and ensure behavioural change.
"Unlike traditional training firms, we do not just give you the medicine but we also run a full diagnosis. We help organisations identify what they need, train their teams, monitor their progress and ensure long-term behavioural change through technology."
COMPETITION IN THE INDUSTRY
As it positions itself for regional growth, Lee said PEOPLElogy remains confident about its unique market position.
"Looking forward, we do not see any firm in Malaysia as our direct competitor as we are not just a training services provider, but an end-to-end integrated people development solutions provider.
"We believe that our 6D framework makes us a unique platform for customers looking to enhance their digital skills."
PEOPLElogy was recently named one of the skills partners of "Program Akar", launched by PayNet and Microsoft as an AI-powered initiative to boost financial services industry talent development in Malaysia.
"We are thankful for this opportunity to work with both PayNet and Microsoft to help develop financial services industry talent in Malaysia. This also establishes PEOPLElogy's standing among international players," Lee added.