Key Considerations for Outsourcing to the Philippines: Experiences and Insights?

[gilbertm]

Hi all,

I’ve been exploring different outsourcing options recently, particularly in the Philippines, which seems to be a popular destination for business process outsourcing (BPO). It’s got me thinking about the key considerations that businesses should keep in mind when looking to partner with a BPO company there.

For those of you who’ve taken this route, what was your experience like? Were there any unexpected challenges or benefits that you came across?

I’ve seen a lot of discussion around factors like cultural compatibility, time zone overlap, and the importance of clear communication. Are there other things UK businesses should watch out for when selecting a BPO partner?

I’d love to hear about any standout companies you’ve worked with or strategies you used to make sure the partnership was successful. Personally, I’m considering a few options, and I’ve noticed how important it is to have a tailored approach that fits the specific needs of the business.

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!

 

[fisicx]

As you are posting from the Philippines it’s a bit of a pointless question.

 

[gilbertm]

As you are posting from the Philippines it’s a bit of a pointless question.

Thank you for your feedback! I appreciate your perspective, and I understand how it might seem. My intention is to gather insights from a variety of experiences in outsourcing, particularly regarding the unique dynamics of partnering with BPO companies in the Philippines.

The feedback from those who have worked with BPOs, whether from the Philippines or other regions, can provide valuable insights for businesses considering this option. It would be great to hear from anyone who has experiences or strategies to share!

 

[fisicx]

I built a plugin for a loan company in the Philippines. They were a complete pain to work with, it seemed endemic.

 

[gilbertm]

I built a plugin for a loan company in the Philippines. They were a complete pain to work with, it seemed endemic.

I’m sorry to hear about your experience; that sounds really frustrating. While some companies can indeed present challenges, I want to emphasize that not all businesses in the Philippines are the same. Many organizations are dedicated to fostering positive partnerships and delivering excellent service. It can often come down to finding the right fit for your needs.

 

[fisicx]

But not sourcefit. I'd avoid using their services because they consider faux posting to be a good marketing technique.

 

[antropy]

I’ve been exploring different outsourcing options recently

No you haven't, you're a spammer as @fisicx says.

However, I used to outsource when I started my company 15 years ago and I have a lot of experience with it.

In a nutshell, in 2009-2010 after the 2008 crash, there were thousands of incredible freelancers ready to be found online and outsourcing worked very well.

Since then it's got harder and harder to find the good ones and now my team is 100% UK-based and the work we do is better than ever.

Paul.

 

[AmazonGeek]

Hi all,

I’ve been exploring different outsourcing options recently, particularly in the Philippines, which seems to be a popular destination for business process outsourcing (BPO). It’s got me thinking about the key considerations that businesses should keep in mind when looking to partner with a BPO company there.

For those of you who’ve taken this route, what was your experience like? Were there any unexpected challenges or benefits that you came across?

I’ve seen a lot of discussion around factors like cultural compatibility, time zone overlap, and the importance of clear communication. Are there other things UK businesses should watch out for when selecting a BPO partner?

I’d love to hear about any standout companies you’ve worked with or strategies you used to make sure the partnership was successful. Personally, I’m considering a few options, and I’ve noticed how important it is to have a tailored approach that fits the specific needs of the business.

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!

I've not used anyone from the Philippines but I have used a VA company in India for years and just took on another in the last few weeks, so I can hopefully give you some of my tips...

• The golden rule is only outsource what is mundane, easy and repetitive. If you try and do it for things that are dynamic or complicated, then you will spend more time putting them right. I use one VA for bookkeeping for example and another one for keyword research and competitor research. The SOP is pretty straightforward for each and the job never changes. I would not use them for writing copy for listings though for example because of the language barrier. I would end up correcting everything
• The company in India is called Brickwork - they are huge and handle a lot of the US banks and finance houses so they have all the right security procedures in place
• Culturally I have never had a problem. They are very polite, hard-working and eager to improve. If they get something wrong they quickly adjust and it rarely happens again.
• Be very clear about what you want them to do. Lay it all out in writing and be as clear as you can. Write it as if telling a child - English is not their first language.
• Depending on where they are based, time zones don't necessarily have to be an issue. Very often my guys are working as I sleep so I wake up to a new batch
• Whoever you choose, ask for references, testimonials, etc. The good ones will be able to give you them

 

[gg12]

Been working with about 10 people (devs, QAs, project managers) from the Phillipines in the last year and a half. Good work ethic. Job gets done promptly. Communication is quite good as all of them know English very well.