GCash Advances Cashless Ecosystem and Financial Literacy in the BPO Sector

GCash, the country's leading mobile wallet app, is working toward building a cashless ecosystem for the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector, considered the biggest private employer in the country, by introducing a suite of products and services to fit the needs of BPO companies and employees. The company has partnered with several top BPO companies which are now using GCash’s digital finance solutions, while promoting financial literacy among thousands of BPO employees.

In a webinar organized by GCash called, "GShift: Advancing Digital Financial Solutions for BPOs,” Martha Sazon, GCash president and chief executive officer, said, “Our purpose is to 'Make Filipinos' Everyday Lives Better.' To accomplish this, we provide safe and seamless solutions to various companies like BPOs, while striving to help even more BPOs through a cashless ecosystem and financial literacy.”

BPO companies, like Ibex Philippines Global, are reaping the benefits of their partnership with GCash. According to Potski Alvarez, Ibex Global Philippines' country manager, "One of the things that I was very happy with was how we were able to pay incentives, spiffs, and rewards to our employees in real time. Instead of having to go through payroll and wait 15 days, you get your money within the day, and that has been one of the more practical digital solutions of our partnership with GCash."

During the webinar, Kim Pineda, GCash assistant vice president and head of BPO enterprise, presented the suite of digital financial solutions and programs to support the BPOs' drive for digital innovation and achieve GCash's vision for financial inclusion for all Filipinos.

For disbursements, the GCash PowerPay+ allows the company to disburse incentives, allowances, reimbursements, cash advances, and salaries in real time, and with easy access through the app, anytime, anywhere. To further encourage a cashless ecosystem in the office, merchants within the BPO company can accept payments from employees using the app's QR code through GCash's Cashless Cafeteria Program for BPOs.

GCash also continues to champion financial literacy as it empowers BPO employees to take control of their money through the app's other services. Aside from the everyday transactions and payments such as buying load, paying bills, and sending money, BPO employees and other consumers can shop on GLife or grow their money through the app's financial services such as GSave, GInvest, GInsure, and GCredit.

During the virtual roundtable discussion, Rowena Belmonte, Teleperformance's administrative services manager, noted that partnering with GCash has not only kept her and her colleagues safe, but it has also allowed her to take advantage of the app's many useful features. "For me, personally, I don't have to go to the bank or payment centers and line up to pay for my utilities and other bills. I have also recently enjoyed GInvest and GSave, and of course, GCash's online shopping features!"

Likewise, for Dan Lester Guevarra, Concentrix Philippines' senior project manager, aside from using GCash for online shopping, he has also started investing through the app: "I've also recently discovered GInvest, which I really enjoy. I've invested some money there and I've gotten some profit out of it -- definitely better than just putting it in the bank and incur interests."

Joining GCash during the webinar were partners from the BPO industry including Ibex Global Philippines' country manager Potski Alvarez, Ibex Global Philippines' senior vice president for Business Development Eric Kaufman, and Concentrix Philippines' vice president for People Solutions, Hazel Bañas. GCash VP and Enterprise Head Luigi Reyes also graced the event.

For more information on how to turn your BPO into a safe and efficient workplace with GCash, visit https://www.gcash.com/business.

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About GCash

GCash is the leading mobile wallet in the Philippines. Through the GCash app, customers can easily buy load; pay bills at over 600 partner billers in the app; pay at more than 7,000 online partners; send and receive money anywhere in the Philippines; pay using QR codes at over 130,000 partner merchants nationwide; save money while earning interest; and invest money at local and global funds -- all through the convenience of their smartphones.

GCash is part of the portfolio companies of 917Ventures, the largest corporate incubator in the Philippines wholly-owned by Globe Telecom, Inc. GCash was recognized by The Asian Banker (TAB) in 2021 for its outstanding digital financial inclusion programs impacting more than 40 million Filipinos in the country today.

Concentrix SVP in Manila for Women’s Forum

Jyllene Miller, Concentrix Senior Vice President, Client Engagement Strategy and Marketing, was in Manila as a special speaker for the Network of Women (NOW), a regular forum organized by Concentrix for its women workforce around the world. Miller, the executive sponsor of NOW, shared some of her strategies for success. She also highlighted the importance of building a communication network in promoting employee development while fostering diversity and inclusiveness. NOW is focused on empowering the women workforce of Concentrix for growth and leadership through development activities that build skills and move their careers forward. The program provides participants with valuable life skills such as financial management, strategies for success, and even self-defense, to better equip them in dealing with life’s various challenges. More importantly, the program promotes gender-inclusiveness by building a support network and giving each participant a voice. Concentrix Philippines is one of the first locations to embrace NOW. Learnings and insights from the successful implementation of the program are being adopted by Concentrix locations across the world.

About Concentrix

Concentrix, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SYNNEX Corporation (NYSE: SNX), is a leading business services company. We focus on customer engagement and improving business outcomes for over 450 global clients across many continents. Our 100,000+ staff deliver technology-infused, omni-channel customer experience management, marketing optimization, digital, consulting, analytics and back office solutions in 40+ languages from 125+ delivery centers. We serve automotive; banking and financial services; insurance; healthcare; technology; consumer electronics; media and communications; retail and e-commerce; travel and transportation; and energy and public sector clients. Visit www.concentrix.com to learn more.

About SYNNEX

SYNNEX Corporation is a Fortune 500 corporation and a leading business process services company, providing a comprehensive range of distribution, logistics and integration services for the technology industry and providing outsourced services focused on customer engagement strategy to a broad range of enterprises. SYNNEX distributes a broad range of information technology systems and products and also provides systems design and integration solutions. Concentrix, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SYNNEX Corporation, offers a portfolio of strategic solutions and end-to-end business services around customer engagement strategy, process optimization, technology innovation, front and back-office automation and business transformation to clients in ten identified industry verticals. Founded in 1980, SYNNEX Corporation operates in numerous countries throughout North and South America, Asia Pacific and Europe. Additional information about SYNNEX may be found online at www.synnex.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

Statements in this news release that are forward-looking involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties which may cause the Company's actual results in future periods to be materially different from any future performance that may be suggested in this release. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release.

Copyright 2018 Concentrix Corp. All rights reserved. SYNNEX and CONCENTRIX are registered trademarks of SYNNEX Corporation, used under permission. Reg. U.S. Pat. & Tm. Off. DIFFERENT BY DESIGN is a trademark of Concentrix Corp. Other names and marks are the property of their respective owners.

Concentrix Philippines Cherishes a Day of Fun and Games at National Children’s Hospital

Leading global business services company Concentrix Philippines, partnering with United Airlines, brought smiles to the faces of young patients as they were gifted with Ben Flyin’ Adventure bears. The occasion was the Adventure Bear Program organized annually by United Airlines. This year, it was held at the National Children’s Hospital, which is dedicated to serve the pediatric needs of indigenous patients. Concentrix Philippines held fun games and activities at the event, served meals, and distributed happiness bags and other prizes, which greatly lifted the mood of the children. Photo shows United Airlines’ senior managers for Contact Center Supplier Performance, Mark Seville and Joyce Neumeyer, with Concentrix Philippines volunteers.

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About Concentrix

Concentrix, a wholly owned subsidiary of SYNNEX Corporation (NYSE: SNX), is a leading business services company. We focus on customer engagement and improving business outcomes for over 450 global clients across many continents. Our 100,000+ staff deliver technology-infused, omni-channel customer experience management, marketing optimization, digital, consulting, analytics and back office solutions in 40+ languages from 125+ delivery centers. We serve automotive; banking and financial services; insurance; healthcare; technology; consumer electronics; media and communications; retail and e-commerce; travel and transportation; and energy and public-sector clients. Visit www.concentrix.com or follow @Concentrix on Twitter.

About SYNNEX

SYNNEX Corporation (NYSE: SNX) is a Fortune 500 corporation and a leading business process services company, providing a comprehensive range of distribution, logistics and integration services for the technology industry and outsourced services focused on customer engagement strategy to a broad range of enterprises. SYNNEX distributes a broad range of information technology systems and products. SYNNEX also provides systems design and integration solutions. Concentrix, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SYNNEX Corporation, offers a portfolio of strategic solutions and end-to-end business services around customer engagement strategy, process optimization, technology innovation, front and back-office automation, and business transformation to clients in ten identified industry verticals. Founded in 1980, SYNNEX Corporation operates in numerous countries throughout North and South America, Asia-Pacific and Europe.  Additional information about SYNNEX may be found online at www.synnex.com.

*This is Press Release

Trade Chief on Artificial Intelligence: Let’s make it work for BPO

There is a way to make artificial intelligence (AI) work for the sector of the business process outsourcing (BPO), amidst threats that this technology posts on our major services industry, the country’s trade chief said.

A product of the fast pace changes in technology, AI has presented itself more than just a new technology but as a threat to the current employees servicing the service export industry and the BPO, including the contact centers.

“Let us retool and reposition the nature of the current jobs in the industry,” said Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez, in the course of pessimistic prediction that AI could potentially diminish 45 to 50% of the approximately 1.2 million Filipino employees of the BPO industry.

Sec. Lopez cited these possible solutions coming from his recent collaboration with Dr. Dado Banatao, a renowned Filipino technology entrepreneur based in Silicon Valley, in order to minimize the impact of AI on job displacements. Together with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) and the Unite States Agency for International Development (USAID), the group is currently working on building an inclusive, innovation ecosystem (government-academe-industry network) that will infuse science and technology, and innovation in industries including agriculture and services. 

The AI technology enables computers to provide answers or solutions to problems raised in contact center transactions. Through programming, and deep learning technology, several databases are processed at faster speed and the computer processors are able to respond and recommend actions to callers.

“We need to train affected BPO employees and strategically orient them on the emerging technology requirements of the industry that will enable them to continuously improve job performance. In other words, making use of technology in their jobs rather than being displaced by it,” said Sec. Lopez.

“In simpler terms, we will endeavor to make this new technology work for them,” he added.

The trade chief said that intensive education and training programs for those in the industry should be developed soon by the academe, government and industry innovation ecosystem to ensure least manpower displacement.

He also underscored the need to develop an inclusive, innovation-led industrial ecosystem that will upgrade the competitiveness of the Philippine core sectors, including the services sector, in a bid to improve productivity, output generation. This is in line with President Rodrigo Duterte's agenda to build competitive industries that will generate more jobs and income, reduce inequality and give a more comfortable life for every Filipino, according to Sec. Lopez.

DTI and DOST will lead the convening of all enablers in the innovation ecosystem to map out the overall framework and programs to be implemented.

“There is a need to strengthen curriculum towards computer science, engineering, data science and AI application design, among others. This effort is also deemed to be inclusive as disqualified BPO applicants and retrenched agents will be retrained for AI application development that will eventually enable them to get jobs,” Sec. Lopez concluded. 

*This is Press Release

Project T Launches First BGC Facility

Project T officially launched its first facility in Bonifacio Global City last March 16. Its forward thinking focus on design and detail makes it suitable for SMEs planning to set-up businesses in the Philippines.

The serviced office boasts of 29 private offices, 400 internet-enabled workstations, two conference rooms which can accommodate respectively 25 and 10 people, 70 seater training room, 2 interview rooms, work pods, sleeping quarters, a clinic and lactation area, business center and lounge, and two pantries.

Project T offers end to end business solutions. Their services include: 
⦁ Serviced Office: private office spaces (BGC) with furniture and internet-enabled workstations for 4 to 400
⦁ Virtual Office: premium office address (BGC or Makati), landline number, mail and call handling services
⦁ Co-working space: 400 flexible plug and play seats (BGC), available with no minimum number requirement
⦁ Business Continuity Plan: disaster recovery office spaces, multiple redundant internet connection
⦁ Staff Leasing: recruitment, onboarding, and management of virtual, part-time and full-time employees
⦁ HR & Payroll: redundancy control, process payroll and mandatory benefits - SSS, Philhealth and Pag-ibig
⦁ Commercial Space: locate suitable office spaces (bare shell and furnished) in BGC, Makati, Ortigas, and Cebu
⦁ Residential Space: locate suitable housing (apartments, townhouses, condos ) for individuals and companies
and
⦁ Business Registration: process documents with SEC, PEZA, FDA, BIR, LTO, BI and other PHL government agencies

Website: http://www.projecttsolutions.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/projecttsolutions/
Email Address: inquiry@projecttsolutions.com
Address: 23rd Floor, Bonifacio Stopover Corporate Center, 31st St. Corner 2nd Ave., Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, 1634
Phone Number: 02-236-5999

TaskUs Partners with Color Manila of CM Challenge Run Held at Clark Pampanga

TaskUs, headquartered in Los Angeles, and best recognized by Inc. 500 as one of the 5000 Fastest Growing Companies in America, is rapidly expanding in the Philippines today.  It currently has 7,500 employees and five sites, and is best known as the “secret behind the phenomenal scaling of some of the world’s companies”, such as Twitter, Groupon, Tinder, Shopify and Whisper, among others.

Known as ridiculously good at powering tech startups; it has partnered with Color Manila, the country’s most aggressive ‘concept fun-run’ organizer, for its CM Challenge Run held last March 19, 2017, at Clark Parade Grounds in Pampanga.

The partnership makes perfect sense, “As a company that cares deeply about affecting people in meaningful and revolutionary ways, TaskUs finds a kindred spirit in Color Manila, as they find purpose in bringing color to people's lives. We genuinely care about our employees' overall well being, and this includes their physical and emotional health. Work-life balance is important, so a colourful fun run that defies norms and gives people the opportunity to not just explore an avenue for healthy recreation but also create connections with other human beings who enjoy the same things, is something that we definitely support”, says Rey Salazar Jr., Brand Director of TaskUs.

Thousands of runners trooped to Clark as early as 4 a.m., to participate in the race’s various finishes, such as 3K, 5K and 10K.  Runners also enjoyed taking selfies and were given limited edition goodies as they immersed with employees at the TaskUs branded color station inside Clark Parade Grounds.  TaskUs employees from the House Teamwork Nepo, Angeles site also took the opportunity to join the colorful and challenging event.

“TaskUs today is expanding rapidly and has transformed to something more than just a company.  It is a movement.  We change what it means to work in this industry; not by idly accepting the status quo, but by taking smart risks, and finding new ways to do things better”, adds Ma.Isabel Bernal, VP of Culture.

For more information about TaskUs, please visit www.taskus.com and facebook.com/taskusph
See a TaskUs site open in Batangas City this March 2017


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ABOUT TaskUs:

     A startup for startups, TaskUs is a place where #OnlytheEvolved come together to bridge the gap between those who want to #BeBetter by revolutionizing the ways the world works, and the ever-evolving technological landscape. We believe in combining exceptional individuals with promising technologies to create innovative and exciting opportunities and applications for any and all situations.



*This is Press Release

VXI opens flagship facility in Pasay, eyes one or two more by yearend

Pasay City, Philippines, 15 June 2016—Contact center solutions provider VXI Global Solutions recently opened its flagship facility in Pasay—its seventh in the Philippines—and is looking at opening one or two more by end of this year.

Speaking to the local media during the facility’s grand opening at the Five E-Com Center located at the Mall of Asia Complex in this city, Jared Morrison, Senior Vice President and Country Manager for the Philippines of VXI Global Holdings B.V. Philippines, Inc., said they are already in the market scouting for two more additional locations.

Morrison said among those locations are one at the National Capital Region (NCR) and another provincial site. He mentioned that they’ve already looked at the Next Wave Cities list of the Department of Science and Technology-Information and Communications Technology Office (DOST-ICTO) and the Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) for possible locations.

“We’ve seen the list and we’ve already sat down with our real estate consultants. Right now, we’re developing strategies on where to locate next,” explains Morrison.

He added that VXI will make the announcement on the new expansion location, whether in the NCR or in the province, by the end of this year and the next one by early next year.

Davao City was mentioned as a possible provincial site again since VXI already has an existing facility there. “Of course Davao is also still possible but we don’t want to compete with ourselves. However, if there’s room for one more there, then we’d love to go to Davao,” he said.

The Pasay site, costing around an estimated Php 185 million to build and will house more than 1,000 employees, is already filled to about 80% of its total capacity and Morrison said they expect to be fully loaded by the end of this year as well.

But what’s even more exciting is the fact that the new facility will provide additional jobs for those interested to work in the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry. Last year, Morrison said VXI paid a total of close to Php 3 billion in salaries and this facility will definitely add up to that total.

“VXI has an excellent service track record with our clients and they are demanding more of our services so we have to develop an excellent talent pool, which we compensate with above-industry standard pay, including other exceptional benefits. People work for us and stay long with us because they see opportunities for career advancement and growth, the chance to lead people. That’s the value that VXI offers in terms of jobs for those who want a career in the BPO industry,” Morrison added.

VXI has more than 21,000 people working around the world with office in the US, China and of course the Philippines. More than 40% of its global employee footprint is based in the Philippines. The company started with only 590 employees in 2003 and grew at an average of 30% per annum, and now has more than 10,000 employees as of June this year working in its facilities in Makati, Ortigas and Quezon City . Last year, VXI grew its headcount in the Philippines by 16% from 2014.

VXI provides call center and ITO services in more than 25 languages for leading global Fortune 500 companies. Its partners rely on a complete range of contact center and technology solutions to retain and grow their customer base while maintaining the highest level of quality and operational excellence.

For more about VXI, visit www.vxi.com

Harte Hanks Open BPO Site in Mall of Asia

Harte Hanks (NYSE:HHS) praised the dedication and service-oriented culture of Filipino workers and called them the country’s main draw for foreign investors.

In a panel discussion, following the opening Thursday of the American marketing company’s new BPO-call center in the Mall of Asia (MOA) Complex, which was moderated by ANC Anchor Ron Cruz, executives of Harte Hanks and its local business said they decided to increase investment here because of the Philippines’ “very good” labor market.

“Filipinos possess a very strong work ethic and a culture of customer service,” said Benjamin Chacko, Harte Hanks’ Head of BPO Operations. “We have been always impressed by the skill and dedication of Filipinos who work for Harte Hanks. They have been an important factor in our success, and we look forward to sustaining our growth here.”

He added: “Our Filipino employees learn quickly, are customer-service minded and culturally aware of the United States, our primary service market.”

Chacko also attributed the steady growth of the country’s BPO industry to a highly-educated, English-speaking workforce.

Butch Valenzuela, treasurer of the Contact Center Association of the Philippines, who participated in the forum along with Jopat Lelay, project director of the Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines, and Atty. Ray Glenn Agranzamendez, representing Pasay City Mayor Antonino Calixto, said the IT-BPO industry hired 1.2M workers in 2015 and would add another 100,000 this year to 1.3M.

The Pasay facility, situated at Five E-Com Center, consolidates both of Harte Hanks Philippines’ former primary and secondary locations and creates seats for hundreds of additional new employees.

The US-based firm’s Manila affiliate employs about 2,000 IT-BPO workers, majority of whom are assigned at its primary location in Fort Bonifacio, Global City.

Jonathan Bondoc, Site Director for Harte Hanks Philippines, said the company prides itself as a BPO with a low-attrition rate, or turnover of employees, focusing on in-house programs that engage, enable and retain personnel.

“Our employees generally stay for the culture and work environment we provide,” Bondoc stressed. “We pride ourselves in a culture that is inclusive and embraces diversity.”

He cited the company’s program dubbed Promise Based Management. “It is quite simply ‘Who will do What by When.’ We apply it to both our internal and external customers. Our commitments to our employees is updated through PBM boards across our sites. It outlines the promises we have accomplished and those that we are still working on.”

Harte Hanks began operating in the Philippines over a decade ago with a buy-operate-transfer partnership.

Harte Hanks Help Sony Regain Brand Loyalists

Sony is a global leader in electronics products, but the Japanese multinational conglomerate once lost this status as a premier brand, at least for the brand loyalists.

How did Sony, an iconic brand for Filipino consumers, regain that lofty position in the world market?

It took a marketing strategy mapped out by Harte Hanks (NYSE:HHS), who is known for driving growth for the world’s largest brands, to turn things around for Sony, one of the world’s largest television manufacturers.

With consumers having more options, how could Sony Corp. generate consumer buzz around its products, and then translate that into long-term loyalty that drives growth and profitability?

Harte Hanks, which will incidentally open on April 21 its BPO-call center at the Mall of Asia Complex, in Pasay City, and the Japanese company devised an integrated marketing campaign that leveraged the power of untapped data from Sony’s existing and prospective customer base. The idea was to keep them a step ahead of the customer.

“We deliver real interactions and measurable engagement results for brands the world over,” said the US-based marketing firm, who had established a main and two secondary locations in the Philippines more than a decade ago. The MOA facility will consolidate Harte Hanks Philippines’ BPO-call center operations in the country. 

The campaign included key elements like direct mail to drive traffic to Sony’s website and Email communications to deliver just the right product information at the right time.

Sony also implemented catalog drops and free standing inserts (FSI) that would engage the customer on a more frequent and relevant basis, resulting in a more engaging and profitable consumer experience, and enhancing loyalty across multiple products and devices.

The Harte Hanks’ strategy paid off as Sony’s sell-through and product registrations, cross sales and conversion rates, and customer satisfaction have all significantly improved.

The company registered a 41 percent growth in revenue and 100 percent increase in email open rates because of the successful marketing initiative.

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ABOUT HARTE HANKS

Harte Hanks partners with clients to deliver relevant, connected and quality customer interactions. Our approach starts with discovery and learning, which leads to customer journey mapping, creative and content development, analytics and data management, and ends with execution and support in a variety of digital and traditional channels. We do something powerful: we produce engaging and memorable customer interactions to drive business results for our clients, which is why Harte Hanks is famous for developing better customer relationships, experiences and defining interaction-led marketing. For more information, visit the Harte Hanks website at www.hartehanks.com, call 844-233-9281, email pr@hartehanks.com or follow us on Twitter @hartehanks or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/HarteHanks.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements about the company's leadership transition, services and clients. A number of risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from currently anticipated results. Additional important factors and information regarding Harte Hanks that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements are set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the SEC and available in the "Investors" section of our website under the heading "Financials & Filings." We specifically disclaim any obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the future even if circumstances change and, therefore, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as representing our views after today.  

As used herein, "Harte Hanks" refers to Harte Hanks, Inc. and/or its applicable operating subsidiaries, as the context may require. Harte Hanks' logo and name are trademarks owned by Harte Hanks. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective owners. 

*This is Press Release

US Firm to Open BPO - Call Center in MOA, Offer New Seats Harte Hanks Increases Its Philippines Investment

Harte Hanks (NYSE: HHS), a leader in customer engagement and interaction-led marketing, is consolidating its Manila operations and adding room for hundreds of new employees with the opening on April 21 of the company’s BPO-call center at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Complex, in Pasay City.

Harte Hanks Philippines, a subsidiary of the US-based marketing company currently employs about 2,000 people in its main and secondary locations in Metro Manila.

The move allows the company, which has established its presence in Asia-Pacific with the launching of its call center in the Philippines over a decade ago, to integrate the secondary locations with the Pasay facility.

“We have been always impressed by the skill and dedication of our employees in Manila and look forward to sustaining our growth here,” said Jonathan Bondoc Harte Hanks Manila-based Site Director, in a statement.

Among Harte Hanks’ clients are companies known worldwide in information technology, computer software, sports media, banking, mobile phone and health insurance industries.

Besides the Asia-Pacific, Harte Hanks has offices spread across North America, Europe and Latin America.

“The Philippines’ consistent support of innovative business models such as buy-operate-transfer model and investment in dependable infrastructure priorities are just two of the reasons we are expanding our investment here,” added Ben Chacko, head of operational planning and strategy for Harte Hanks.

The American outfit, whose call center business focuses on North American clients, started doing business in the Philippines with a buy-operate-transfer partnership in 2001.


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ABOUT HARTE HANKS

Harte Hanks partners with clients to deliver relevant, connected and quality customer interactions. Our approach starts with discovery and learning, which leads to customer journey mapping, creative and content development, analytics and data management, and ends with execution and support in a variety of digital and traditional channels. We do something powerful: we produce engaging and memorable customer interactions to drive business results for our clients, which is why Harte Hanks is famous for developing better customer relationships, experiences and defining interaction-led marketing. For more information, visit the Harte Hanks website at www.hartehanks.com, call 844-233-9281, email pr@hartehanks.com or follow us on Twitter @hartehanks or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/HarteHanks.

*This is Press Release

Transcosmos Now in Ortigas

Transcosmos Incorporated, the largest Business Process Outsourcing company in Japan with roughly 15,000 employees globally and with Headquarters in Tokyo, Japan has recently established Transcosmos Asia Philippines Inc. located in the heart of Ortigas Business District, as its latest overseas base in the Philippines and started its operations in September 2014. Popularly known for providing excellent BPO services, Transcosmos Asia Philippines also provides development and operation services for smartphone websites and applications for the Philippine market. In addition, other related to the said business such as contact center services with English as its primary language are likewise offered for the global market.

Transcosmos Philippines is a subsidiary which is committed to develop highly engaging games and applications for mobile,tablet and the web.

Distinguished guests Senator Paolo Benigno "Bam" Aquino IV and Director General Lilia B. De Lima were also there which challenged the company of hitting the target number of jobs that Transcosmos wishes to fulfill next year.

The Transcosmos Philippines' inaugural opening also featured the Kagami Biraki/Japanese Sake Ceremony. A 300-year-old traditional ceremony which means "opening of a mirror, a beginning." The fourth Tokugawa Shogun was the first one to hold the said ceremony 300 years ago. It had been said that before going to the war, he gathered his daimyo in his castle to break open the sake cask. The battle was successful, so from then on a new traditional ceremony was born.

With the establishment of Transcosmos to the Philippines, global bases deployed by Transcosmos will extend to 70 locations, and its presence in the ASEAN region will move into its fourth country following Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam. Transcosmos Philippines is targeting ¥2billion by year 2018.

Transcosmos Philippines is located at 32nd Flr. One Corporate Center, Julia Vargas Avenue cor. Meralco Exchange, Ortigas, Pasig City

For more information, visit them on Facebook https://facebook.com/transcosmos.ph 

Philippines’ first BPO Choice Awards celebrating the voice of the BPO Industry.

The Core Productions, Inc.,represented by its Busines Development Director, Juan Paulo Galinato, together with ePM, a full service training and professional certification company with headquarters in Singapore and Malaysia, represented by its Managing Director and Founder, Mr. Allan Puyan, presented the first industry and awards night that revels the voice of the IT-BPO industry at the International Centre InformationTechnology (ICITE) Auditorium.The BPO Choice Awards 2014 is the first awards night where IT and BPO professionals can nominate and vote for their peers, managers, companies, and celebrities in different award categories through the online voting platform, BPOChoice.com. The core mission of this awards event is to celebrate and promote the workersand organizations in the industry who are responsible for the significant economic contribution to the country.

The BPO Industry is a huge economic driver that has completely changed the business landscape of the Philippines. The continuous increase in the size of the industry, with a targeted 1.3 Million filipinos employed by 2016, the industry has paved the way for the establishment of Small and Medium sized enterprises, development of more real estate projects, and demand for retail products and services. In addition, the IT-BPO industry have provided jobs to over 900,000 Filipinos currently handling a multitude of processes outsourced from around the world. Through The BPO Choice Awards 2014, this growing market will be properly represented and will help

The campaign is supported by its esteemed Media Partners such as Teledevelopment, BPO Career Hub, 97.9 Natural FM, 105.1 Crossover FM, BusinessWorld, BusinessMirror, JobsDB.com, PinoyExchange.com, “We’re very happy to finally introduce The BPO Choice Awards 2014 to the public. It’s the perfect time to create a campaign for an industry that is often misunderstood and misrepresented but has done so much for the economy of our country,” says The Core Production, Inc’s Business Development Director, Juan Paulo Galinato,  “I encourage everyone in the BPO industry to support this advocacy. This platform is made and designed for you.” BPOChoice.com is the web voting platform where participants can register for free and gain access to the nomination and voting features. Voters may nominate and vote from the following categories:

BPO Company Of The Year BPO Choice For Movie Of The Year
BPO CEO Of The Year BPO Choice For Actor Of The Year
BPO Manager Of The Year BPO Choice For Actress Of The Year
BPO Employee Of The Year BPO Choice For Song Of The Year
BPO Choice For Group Artist Of The Year
TELEVISION BPO Choice For Female Artist Of The Year
BPO Choice For TV Network Of The Year BPO Choice For Male Artist Of The Year
BPO Choice For Female Celebrity Of The Year BPO Choice For Sports Team Of The Year
BPO Choice For Athlete Of The Year

Winners will be announced during the ceremony to be held at the Newport Theater in Resorts World Manila on December 13, 2014 with telecast at ABS-CBN News Channel on December 20 and 21, 2014.

7 Habits of Highly Effective Call Center People

The call center industry is largely a tough place to survive in. Most find it hard to adjust with schedules, regulations and general demands of working in an organization where efficiency is vital and team work is essential to reach target goals.

In one interview I attended a few years ago, I was struck by a statement by the interviewing director which really summed up what a call center is. He said the industry is simply a "business of effective communications". It really made sense. We are in the business of talking, encouragement and team work. These are the 3 factors where my 7 Habits of Highly Effective Call Center People revolve around.

These 7 points I'm about to deliver below are not only applicable to a certain group of individuals within a call center organization but it encompasses everyone in order to be a cohesive unit that delivers results.

I. Comes to work everyday - As simple as it is, it is also the hardest thing to adhere to. Working in a call center, all people experience some form of stress and in varying degrees. It may sound funny to some people, but adhering to schedules yields a lot more positives than some people realize. Coming to work and being there for your co-workers and managers lightens the load of everybody concerned. It also gives everybody a chance to interact with one another, help and motivate each other. In the long run, this habit can boost camaraderie and teamwork while realizing that anybody can count on everybody to be there for support.

II. Enhances morale - Working as a team in a call center setting is like attending a support group. Ideally, Managers help everybody down to the agents, supervisors help managers and agents in one way or another, agents help managers, supervisors and each other in a complete circle where accessibility should be a direct line. Simple realization of this ideal situation should already be a morale-boost by itself. Actively enhancing confidence is an attribute not inherent to everybody. They say leadership by example is the way so this means in order to foster a supportive environment, leaders must show the way. Care for your employees translates to better service for your customers in return.

III. Resolves issues completely - Handling a leadership role in a call center setting occasionally involves pacifying noise. Noise is any internal or external factor that acts as a disruptive element affecting agent-customer interactions. As important as you regard each and every customer interaction to be concluded in a satisfactory manner, leaders also need to make sure they eliminate noise or at least keep it to a minimum level as much as possible while committing to resolve any pending issues in a timely manner. Satisfied employees translate to satisfied customers. It’s as simple as that.

IV. Always updated - The call center operations floor is an environment of ceaseless change. Most changes in policy and procedures come from the leaders and cascade to rank and file. Ensuring each and every soul is on the same page and checked for understanding eliminates the possibility of confusion that can possibly escalate to a bigger problem. To be an effective person on the ops floor means each and everybody will have to play an active role in making sure everyone is kept abreast with changes.

V. Sets goals and aspires - a major responsibility of a call center leader is to guide employees towards a clear and defined path towards a more meaningful and personally fulfilling endeavor. People that manage people need to aspire for a better future for their team members. In the same light, employees also set goals for themselves and aspire to be better in their chosen careers. Constant coaching, well-documented progress reports and personal awareness helps ensure everybody is in the right direction. Being aware that you have a goal and somebody is helping you reach it is one way to get the best obtainable performance from everybody.

VI. Participates, Cooperates and Suggests - all three are bunched in one concept because they fall under one key factor which is effective communications. Suggestions, participation and cooperation to resolve an issue are 3 things that are not only seen within team interactions but should also be seen within an agent-customer interaction. Encouraging creativity to solve problems within a working environment also fosters your front liners to be resourceful in their approach to solve customer issues. Many companies have gained more customers and retain existing ones because people who solve their customers' concerns have been innovative in their approach.

VII. Recognizes - getting recognition should always be part of any working environment. Sadly, this is not the reality we see in every office. You may find a group of people feeling left out and unappreciated. Though most would agree that credit should always be directed where it is due, failing to at least acknowledge a few, no matter how small their contribution is, breeds an attitude of indifference towards your goals and worse to customers. People are motivated in different ways. However, failing to recognize contributions can unravel a team working towards a goal. Small and/or occasional pats on the back wouldn't hurt. Celebrating small successes is a call center best practice that plays a major role in getting the best performance from everybody.

You may have noticed that the points I mentioned above all seem like they have one thing in common. In fact, you are correct. They all seem to have one common thing or share a common goal. This is precisely an analogy I want to include in this article. Like these 7 habits of highly effective call center people, everyone within a call center organization shares a common goal, should have the same things in mind and improves each other for better understanding. In a call center office, people interact with customers only as good as they interact with each other.

TeleTech Bloggers Networking Event

Last May 31, TeleTech invited bloggers to get a glimpse of TeleTech's working environment that brings people closer to home, new relationships and self development. We were able to know the company even better and was given some incite of what's coming up in the future.

For 30 years, Teletech and its subsidiaries have helped the world's most successful companies design, build, implement and manage superior customer experiences across the customer life cycle in order to drive shareholder value. As the go-to partner for the Global 1000, the Teletech group of companies delivers technology-based solutions that maximize revenue, transform customer experiences and optimize businesses processes. Event also gave us a brief history of Teletech Philippines and gave us the timeline below:

2001 - Teletech begins Operations in the Philippines at the Fort in Taguig City
2004 - Teletech's second services delivery center opens in Pasay City
2005 - Novaliches service delivery center opens as Teletech's third facility
2006 - Teletech opens Cainta, Lipa, Bacolod, Dumaguete and Cebu-Mandaue service delivery centers
2007 - Teletech's Bacoor & Iloilo service delivery centers open
2008 - Teletech's Pampanga & Sta. Rosa service delivery centers open
2009 - Teletech's Makati-Eco Plaza service delivery centers open
2010 - Teletech's Career Hub opens in Makati - Ayala
2011 - Teletech opens Training Center and second Career Hub in EDSA, Mandaluyong City
2012 - The Teletech Global Network Operations Center opens in Pioneer
2013 - Teletech opens its Cebu-IT Park, Lahug service delivery center

-Teletech has 15 sites across the Philippines. You can choose which site is nearest you so you can spend more time on personal activities like doing sports, hobbies, and spending time with friends and family
-Working closer to home can create a better work-life balance for employees who are trying to manage their professional and personal lives. Many jobs require that employees work at least eight hours a day not including the commute, which takes even more time out of an employee's personal life
-Working close to home can save you time that would otherwise be spent traveling to and from work

Stellar opens new facility

Mr. Edmund Macaso, CEO of Stellar Philippines, Inc

Stellar Philippines, one of the country’s fastest-rising and progressive business process outsourcing (BPO) companies, opened its newest facility located in Quezon City.

The formal opening of the new Stellar Philippines facility at the 24^thFloor, MDC 100 Building, E. Rodriguez Jr. Avenue, Bagumbayan, Libis, Quezon City, one of the newest and most modern buildings in the area, is part of the company’s commitment to expand further its presence in the country and also serves as a strong testament to its successful operations for the past several years.

“Being in a new location has its challenges but we are confident that with Stellar’s management and operational philosophy, we can overcome these challenges and will help us push forward to more fruitful years for the company,” declares Mr. Edmundo Macaso, Chief Executive Officer of Stellar Philippines during the opening.

The decision to open its newest facility in one of the country’s most strategic BPO sites, the Eastwood City CyberPark, was very significant, Mr. Macaso said, since the location boasts of state-of-the-art power and telecommunications facilities, the two most important factors BPO locators look for to ensure seamless operations.

“Our former location in Cubao served us well in terms of awareness among those looking for a career in the BPO industry. Now, with this new location, we are convinced that we would be able to attract even more quality talents who are willing to be part of this burgeoning industry,” adds Mr. Macaso.

Aside from power and telecommunications, the new facility in Libis is also at the center of an area that provides all amenities and necessities of life like food, recreation, nature, fitness, entertainment, and other exciting features to provide the facility an even more conducive work environment.

In the Philippines, Stellar employs more than close to 2,000 agents in its  two facilities. For next year, Mr. Macaso said they plan to hire an additional  1,000 agents as part of its expansion.

“We value our people’s work that is why we made sure that with this new facility, the quality of work by our agents, their level of expertise and of course, the overall work culture of fun and excitement, remain intact. We pride ourselves for being the global experts in customer relationship and interaction management and in delivering excellent results, and we intend to keep it that way.”

The opening of the new Stellar Philippines facility saw the company’s top executives and management personnel in full attendance, and was even made more significant with the presence of its special guest, Undersecretary Cristino Panlilio of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and other government officials.

Stellar is a leading global provider of call center and BPO solutions. It operates outsourcing centers around the world manned by more than 5,000 employees that collectively manage over 300 million customer interactions and 100 million transaction processes annually.