Technological Innovations and Efficiency of BPO Services

One way to create more efficiency in Business Process Outsourcing operations is to maximize existing technology. Current trends in information technology have not only upgraded Answering Services, but technological innovations have proven quite helpful in lowering costs, thus decreasing stresses due to budgetary limitations.

BPO services have evolved in the past decade. There was a time when IT functions and BPO were not at all integrated, but now it has become the norm. These days, information technology platforms are at the very core and are one of the primary considerations of clients when they choose service providers. Aligning IT processes with business requirements is one of the current challenges for service providers as well. For instance, Offshoring is not the only answer to lowering overhead costs. Automation has become a popular alternative.

The following are some of the more popular innovations that have been integrated by service providers in their operations:

• Cloud technologies. The customers of a BPO company that implements cloud technologies get more value for their money.
• Social media platforms. B2B Telemarketing and other activities that involve dealing directly with customers now include the social media. These platforms are being used extensively within BPO because they are not only effective. They also decrease overhead costs.
• Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions. This markedly reduces capital costs and ensures rapid deployment and implementation. Saas capabilities allow for more flexible solutions in staffing and personnel as well.

Many companies that utilize BPO teams for Customer Service Calls and other services recognize the fact that technology is an essential component of the functions provided by BPO companies. When technological innovations are used properly, operations such as Callcenter services are more streamlined and ultimately more effective. Having a more standard and unified technology platform lessens the number of systems needed to implement tasks and activities amounting to lesser overhead costs.

BPO Blues: The Challenges Faced by Contact Centers in the Philippines

In the recent years, the Philippines has gained the reputation of being one of the top business process outsourcing (BPO) destinations even around the world. This isn’t really surprising since the Pearl of the Orient Seas does have a lot to offer to companies that need offshoring services. However, it’s important to acknowledge the fact that the contact center industry in the Philippines is not all milk and honey. After all, most (if not all) BPO companies in the entire country face several challenges, too. These include:

Low talent supply

The Philippines produces thousands of college graduates every year and can therefore provide numerous workers. However, the problem lies in the quality of the workforce, as many of these graduates don’t really have the skills necessary in B2B telemarketing and other contact center jobs. As a result, many BPO firms find it hard to look for qualified employees and sustain their growth.

Rising operating costs

The improvement of the Philippine peso is a blessing to the country, but it also poses a huge challenge to companies that offer call center service. Power costs have also become a problem, especially in Manila where electricity has become an expensive commodity.

Negative image perception

Many Filipino employees earn high salaries from taking customer service calls and doing additional contact center tasks. However, a lot of people (especially parents) think that working in business process outsourcing is not a viable career option. This can discourage many qualified employees from applying in call centers and using their skills and talents to help the BPO sector.

BPO companies in the Philippines face several challenges, but these problems can be solved if the contact center industry and the Philippine government would work hand in hand. Once they do, it will be easy to sustain the growth of business process outsourcing in the country and create a brighter future for everyone.

Success in Outsourcing: Things You Need to Be Aware Of

Outsourcing has been widely practiced by thousands of companies worldwide. It’s convenient, cost-effective, and measurable; hence, more and more businesses are adapting to this innovative solution.

But is outsourcing to a BPO company for you?

Well, if you want to streamline your crucial tasks, you need to consider offshoring non-core activities, like manufacturing, marketing, etc. To ensure success, here are some tips you can use:

1. You need to outsource for the right reasons.

You have to determine why you want to outsource your call center services. If there are problems that are best handled by your own staff, taking it to other companies may only make matters worse. It’s important that you solve any issues within your team first because contracting out should only be done to improve processes.

2. You have to thoroughly look into each vendor.

If you want to contract out your B2B telemarketing services, you need to look into the company’s background and track record. This is to make sure that you have chosen the right company who can offer excellent results and good value for your money.

3. You should seek advice.

Whether you are outsourcing paperwork, customer service calls, or any other business process, you have to consult experts if you want to succeed. This is crucial if this is your first time to outsource work out and if offshoring will potentially expose your company to significant risks. Besides, seeking advice from a consultant can help you better evaluate your needs and choose a reliable service provider.

Once you have built a good relationship with a third-party company, you have to remember that complacency may lead to disaster. Keep in mind that you need to exert sufficient effort to ensure that all your hard work is paying off. So assess your specific business needs thoroughly for higher possibility of success.