Boon Lay Power Nasi Lemak

For many food businesses, sustainability often feels like a long-term aspiration rather than an immediate priority. Daily operational demands, going down from maintaining food quality, managing costs, and meeting customer expectations, can leave little room to step back and rethink how work is done. 

For Boon Lay Power Nasi Lemak Pte. Ltd., a well-loved heritage brand that has grown from a grandparents’ hawker stall into multiple outlets, a central kitchen, and catering operations, this tension was very real. While the management team recognised the importance of sustainability, there was uncertainty around what practical, workable steps looked like for a fast paced food services environment. 

To take a structured first step, Boon Lay Power Nasi Lemak partnered the Institute for Adult Learning (IAL) on a NACE@IAL (Starter) consultancy project (NACE refers to the National Centre of Excellence for Workplace Learning) in 2025, using the initiative as a focused entry point to translate sustainability intent into everyday operational practice. 

Making Sustainability Practical, Not Theoretical 

As a growing SME in the food services sector, Boon Lay Power Nasi Lemak faced several common challenges. Sustainability practices were not formally defined, staff had varying levels of awareness, and there were limited SOPs linking sustainability goals directly to daily tasks such as food preparation, portioning, and waste management. 

Rather than attempting to overhaul everything at once, the NACE@IAL (Starter) project was designed to be deliberate and contained, focusing on three clear objectives: 

• Establishing a Sustainability Task Force to lead and coordinate efforts 

• Identifying and implementing Quick Wins that could deliver immediate, tangible improvements 

• Developing short-term sustainability training relevant to actual work roles 

This approach allowed the organisation to start small while laying the groundwork for longer-term change. 
 

Building Ownership Through a Sustainability Task Force 

A key outcome of the project was the formation of a cross functional Sustainability Task Force, bringing together staff from kitchen operations, procurement, customer service, and management. This group became the anchor for the organisation’s sustainability efforts, working closely with the IAL workplace learning consultant to review existing practices, revise SOPs, and define practical sustainability goals. 

The Task Force also played an important role in fostering ownership. Instead of sustainability being seen as an external requirement, it became a shared responsibility, one that could be discussed, refined, and acted upon by staff who understood day‑to‑day operations best. 

Reflecting on the decision to embark on the project, Founder and Director, Mr. Badrol Hisam Bin Ramli, shared: 

“As a small food business owner, we were not certain of the regulatory requirements around sustainability practices that would impact our business. This project gave us a good starting point to understand sustainability and how we can gradually take action in a way that makes sense for our operations.” 

Quick Wins That Fit Daily Operations 

Rather than abstract targets, the project focused on quick wins that could be implemented immediately. These included improvements in portion control, more mindful food preparation routines, basic recycling practices, energy and water conservation habits, and greater awareness around sustainable sourcing. 

These changes were intentionally simple and practical. By embedding them into existing workflows, staff could see how sustainability aligned naturally with operational efficiency, i.e., reducing waste, improving consistency, and reinforcing good work habits. 

To support adoption, targeted sustainability training was introduced. Training covered core topics such as waste management, recycling, energy conservation, and sustainable sourcing, equipping staff with the knowledge to act confidently in their roles. 

A Shift in Mindset and Capability 

For the project team, the journey went beyond implementing a checklist of actions. Mr. Yahya Bin Mohammad Balweel, General Manager and Sustainability Task Force Lead, reflected on the broader impact: 

“What started as an effort to reduce food waste and formalise kitchen practices became a deeper shift in how we think, learn, and work together. Through Quick Wins, SOP refinement, and on-the-job learning, we didn’t just introduce new practices, we built internal capability and strengthened trust across teams. This feels less like the end of a project and more like the start of a culture shift.” 

By the end of the NACE@IAL (Starter) project, Boon Lay Power Nasi Lemak had: 

• A dedicated Sustainability Task Force with clear roles and responsibilities 

• Immediate improvements through quick wins that reinforced efficient and sustainable practices 

•  Targeted training that helped staff understand how sustainability links to their daily work 

• Greater clarity on where SOP gaps existed and how learning could be structured around them 

Perhaps most importantly, the project created momentum. Sustainability was no longer an abstract concept, it was something staff could see, practice, and improve together. 

Looking Ahead: Building on the Foundation 

The insights gained from the Starter project have shaped Boon Lay Power Nasi Lemak’s next steps. Building on this foundation, the enterprise is preparing to embark on a Learning Enterprise Alliance (LEA) project. 

The upcoming phase will focus on deepening and scaling the work begun under NACE@IAL, finalising and rolling out SOPs across outlets, expanding structured OJT beyond the Task Force, and developing internal trainers to support consistent capability building as the business grows. 

What began as a small, focused initiative has become a stepping stone towards more sustainable, resilient operations. 

Looking to turn sustainability and operational improvement into everyday practice? 

Find out how NACE@IAL and LEA consultancy projects support enterprises in building practical, people-centred workplace learning systems that drive real change. Connect with IAL to explore how your organisation can take its first or next step in workplace transformation.