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Image credit: The Edge Malaysia

As Malaysia continues to face a growing talent exodus, losing 5.5% of its workforce in 2024 (nearly twice the global average), one small and medium enterprise (SME) has defied the odds. Central Force, a local SME, reported a remarkable 96.7% retention rate last year, placing it in stark contrast to the 60–90% of employees departing other SMEs in search of better work-life balance and career fulfilment abroad.

The company’s achievement earned it the title of Best SME at the Life At Work Awards (LAWA) 2024, a recognition highlighting progressive workplace practices. Its Chief Executive Officer, See Toh Wai Yu, spoke at LAWA 2025, urging SMEs to rethink how they approach talent management—not as a cost, but as a human investment.

“Employees are not just roles to be filled; they are individuals with lives and aspirations,” said See Toh. Central Force’s approach combines digitised onboarding, flexible work policies, and an emphasis on empathy from leadership—all designed to support work-life integration and boost long-term loyalty.

The firm was also recognised with the Women in the Workforce award for initiatives that include support for working parents, career mobility for women, and transparent recruitment practices. These policies are part of a broader strategy focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as business imperatives, not just buzzwords.

See Toh believes SMEs can compete with multinational corporations (MNCs) not by matching salaries, but by building environments where employees feel trusted, respected and supported. “It’s not about deep pockets. It’s about deep culture,” he added.

With Malaysia’s brain drain showing no sign of slowing, Central Force presents a rare success story—one that other local businesses may look to for practical inspiration in retaining homegrown talent.

Source: https://www.businesstoday.com.my/2025/06/24/one-sme-beats-the-brain-drain-with-96-7-staff-retention/