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  1. Unlocking Design Consistency Through Outsourcing

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    Hеy thеrе,  dеsign еnthusiasts and businеss whizzеs! Lеt’s tacklе a dilеmma that oftеn goеs unnoticеd but has a significant impact on your brand—dеsign inconsistеncy. And, oh boy, do we have a gamе-changing solution for you: outsourcing.  But not just any outsourcing,  wе’rе talking about lеvеraging thе spеcializеd sеrvicеs of Big Outsourcе

    Wе’vе all sееn it—brands suffеring from a Dr.Jеkyll and Mr. Hydе complеx. Onе momеnt,  thеir colors arе rich and еngaging,  and thе nеxt,  thеy’rе dull and lifеlеss.  Logos and fonts sееm to havе multiplе pеrsonalitiеs dеpеnding on thе platform.  This dеsign inconsistеncy lеads to a fragmеntеd customеr еxpеriеncе,  akin to a bеautifully sеt dinnеr tablе with mismatchеd silvеrwarе.  It’s disoriеnting,  and it shakеs consumеr trust. 

    Why doеs dеsign consistеncy mattеr so much? Bеcausе inconsistеncy sows sееds of doubt in thе minds of your customеrs.  Imaginе visiting a wеll-dеsignеd wеbsitе and thеn downloading thе brand’s app,  only to find it looks еntirеly diffеrеnt.You’d quеstion thе brand’s authеnticity,  wouldn’t you? 

    Now, let’s talk about a solution that not only addresses this issue but еlеvatеs your brand to nеw hеights: Big Outsourcе.  Spеcializеd agеnciеs likе Big Outsourcе comе еquippеd with a talеnt pool that undеrstands thе importancе of a unifiеd brand narrativе. Thеy sеrvе as a onе-stop shop for fixing inconsistеnciеs and еnhancing your brand’s ovеrall imagе. 

    What’s thе chеrry on top? Going thе Big Outsourcе routе is usually more cost-еffеctivе than maintaining an in-housе dеsign tеam.Espеcially for startups and smallеr businеssеs,  outsourcing to an еxpеrt agеncy offеrs thе advantage of high-quality work without thе high ovеrhеad costs. Plus, an еxtеrnal pеrspеctivе oftеn brings frеsh, innovativе idеas to thе tablе.  

    Don’t just take our word for it. Do your duе diligеncе—choosе an agеncy that mеshеs wеll with your brand еthos and vision. Aftеr all,  this isn’t a fling; it’s morе likе a committеd rеlationship.  And what bеttеr partnеr to considеr than onе with a provеn track rеcord?

    So thеrе you havе it! Dеsign inconsistеncy doesn’t have to be a stumbling block. With thе right partnеrship—perhaps with a trustеd agеncy likе Big Outsourcе—you can turn this challеngе into an opportunity.  It’s not just about cutting cornеrs; it’s about brand еnhancеmеnt,  еlеvation,  and yеs,  downright awеsomеnеss.  Rеady to takе thе plungе? 

  2. The Perfect Blend: Unleashing the Full Potential of Outsourcing and Automation for Long-Term Business Success

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    In the era of automation, one may wonder if the significance of outsourcing is waning. However, it turns out that outsourcing and automation are not rivals, but rather a harmonious partnership. These two elements complement each other to forge a successful business strategy. This comprehensive guide explores the reasons why outsourcing and automation remain a perfect blend for businesses in the age of technological advancements and delves into the benefits of this powerful combination.

    The Continued Relevance of Outsourcing Amid Automation

    Despite the rise of automation, outsourcing remains relevant for several key reasons:

    1. Focus on Core Competencies: While automation efficiently tackles mundane tasks, businesses mustn’t lose sight of their core competencies. Outsourcing allows organizations to concentrate on what truly matters, driving growth and innovation.
    2. Specialized Expertise: Automation is powerful, but it has not yet replaced the need for human expertise in specialized areas. Outsourcing provides access to a global talent pool, ensuring businesses have the necessary skills to tackle industry-specific challenges.
    3. Balancing Human Interaction: Automation excels at processing data and repetitive tasks. However, some functions require a human touch. Outsourcing helps businesses find the perfect balance between robotic efficiency and meaningful human interaction.
    4. Cost-effective Solutions: Implementing advanced automation technology can be expensive. Outsourcing to companies with established automation infrastructure allows businesses to enjoy the benefits of automation without incurring high upfront costs.
    5. Risk Management: Outsourcing allows businesses to distribute risk more effectively. By partnering with specialized outsourcing providers, organizations can mitigate the risks associated with specific functions, ensuring a higher level of overall resilience.

    The Synergy of Outsourcing and Automation

    Outsourcing and automation can work together to deliver optimal value to businesses:

    1. Streamlined Processes: Combining outsourcing and automation enables organizations to optimize their processes, resulting in increased efficiency and productivity. For example, outsourcing customer support while using chatbots for routine inquiries can significantly improve response times.
    2. Data-driven Insights: Automation tools collect and analyze large amounts of data while outsourcing partners help interpret this data and provide valuable insights. This partnership allows businesses to make informed decisions and implement strategic changes based on real-time data.
    3. Enhanced Quality and Consistency: Automation can improve the quality and consistency of the services provided by outsourcing partners. For instance, automated tools can identify errors in financial reports, enabling outsourcing partners to deliver accurate and reliable results.
    4. Seamless Scalability: The combination of outsourcing and automation allows businesses to scale operations smoothly. Outsourcing partners can adapt to changing business requirements, while automation tools can handle fluctuations in workload, ensuring consistent operations during periods of growth or contraction.
    5. Agility and Adaptability: The outsourcing and automation partnership fosters increased agility and adaptability in organizations. This combination enables businesses to react to market changes quickly and adjust their strategies accordingly, ensuring they stay ahead of the competition.

    Maximizing the Benefits of the Outsourcing and Automation Partnership

    To fully harness the power of outsourcing and automation, businesses should consider the following best practices:

    1. Establish Clear Goals and Objectives: Clearly define the goals and objectives of your outsourcing and automation initiatives. This clarity will ensure that both your organization and your outsourcing partners are aligned and working towards a common vision.
    2. Choose the Right Outsourcing Partner: Carefully evaluate potential outsourcing partners to ensure they possess the necessary expertise, infrastructure, and automation capabilities. A strong outsourcing partner will be able to adapt to your business needs and help you achieve your strategic goals.
    3. Integrate Automation Gradually: Implement automation in phases to avoid disruption to your business processes. Gradual integration allows your organization and your outsourcing partners to adapt to new systems and processes smoothly, ensuring long-term success and sustainability.
    1. Foster Collaboration and Communication: Establish open lines of communication between your organization and your outsourcing partners. Regular collaboration and knowledge sharing will help both parties stay aligned and continuously improve processes and outcomes.
    2. Monitor and Evaluate Performance: Establish performance metrics and regularly evaluate the effectiveness of your outsourcing and automation initiatives. This ongoing assessment will allow you to identify areas for improvement and make necessary adjustments, ensuring maximum value is derived from the partnership.
    3. Invest in Employee Training and Development: As you incorporate automation into your business processes, ensure that your employees receive appropriate training and development. This investment will help them adapt to new technologies and work effectively alongside your outsourcing partners.
    4. Stay Informed about Technological Advancements: Keep up to date with the latest developments in automation technologies and best practices. Staying informed will enable you to make well-informed decisions and ensure your business remains at the forefront of technological innovation.

    Conclusion

    Outsourcing and automation, while seemingly different, create a harmonious partnership that remains relevant in today’s technology-driven world. By embracing the synergy of these two elements, businesses can unlock new levels of efficiency, productivity, and growth. In essence, the perfect blend of outsourcing and automation can serve as a cornerstone for long-term success in an ever-evolving business landscape. By implementing best practices, fostering collaboration, and focusing on continuous improvement, organizations can maximize the benefits of the outsourcing and automation partnership and achieve lasting success.

  3. Why Retention is More Important than Cost in Outsourcing

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    For businesses looking to outsource their operations, cost has long been the primary factor in choosing a service provider. While it’s certainly important to find a service that fits within your budget, cost should not be the only consideration. In fact, retention is just as important, if not more so, than cost when it comes to outsourcing.

    Retention refers to the ability of a service provider to keep its clients over time. It’s a key indicator of the quality of service that a provider offers, as well as the level of satisfaction that its clients have with the service. While a low price point may be attractive at first, if the service provider can’t retain clients, it may end up costing the business more in the long run.

    One of the main reasons why retention is so important in outsourcing is that it can have a significant impact on the quality of service that a provider can offer. A provider with a high retention rate is likely to have a more experienced and knowledgeable team of professionals who can provide better service to clients. When a provider has a high turnover rate, it can be difficult to maintain consistency in the quality of service that’s being provided, which can lead to a decline in client satisfaction.

    Another is retention is important is that it can help to build trust between the provider and its clients. When a provider has a high retention rate, it shows that it’s able to build strong, long-term relationships with its clients. This can lead to greater trust and confidence in the provider, which can be invaluable in the outsourcing industry.

    Retention can also help to reduce costs over time. When a provider has a high retention rate, it doesn’t have to spend as much time and money on recruiting and training new employees. This can help to reduce costs and improve efficiency, which can lead to better service and lower costs for clients.

    When it comes to outsourcing, Big Outsource is a great example of a service provider that prioritizes retention. With a retention rate of over 90%, we are able to provide high-quality service to our clients consistently. So, what is it that makes Big Outsource so successful in retaining its clients?

    There are several reasons why Big Outsource has been able to achieve such a high retention rate. One of the main reasons is that the company places a strong emphasis on employee engagement and satisfaction. The company offers a range of benefits and incentives, including competitive salaries, flexible working arrangements, and opportunities for career growth and development. The company also invests in training and development programs, which help to ensure that employees are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to perform their roles effectively.

    Another reason why Big Outsource has a high retention rate is that the company places a strong emphasis on building a positive company culture. The company values teamwork, communication, and collaboration, and encourages employees to share their ideas and feedback. The company also places a strong emphasis on work-life balance, which helps to reduce stress and improve employee well-being.

    The provider understands that outsourcing can be a complex and sometimes confusing process, and it works hard to ensure that its clients are well informed and supported throughout the process. This high level of customer service helps to build strong relationships with clients and can lead to greater retention over time.

    While cost is certainly an important consideration in outsourcing, retention is equally important, if not more so. A provider with a high retention rate can offer better service, build stronger relationships with clients, reduce costs over time, and ultimately provide greater value to its clients. Big Outsource is a great example of a provider that understands the importance of retention and has built its business around this core principle. By working with a provider like Big Outsource, businesses can be sure that they are working with a provider that prioritizes retention and is committed to yielding positive results.

  4. AI vs Outsourcing: The Battle for Business Efficiency – What Clients Need to Know About the Risks and Rewards

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    The outsourcing industry has been a major player in the global economy, providing businesses with cost-effective solutions to manage their operations. However, with the increasing popularity of AI (Artificial Intelligence), the outsourcing industry may face significant challenges. While AI has its advantages, there are also several disadvantages that may impact clients of outsourcing companies.

    One of the main disadvantages of AI for clients of outsourcing companies is the potential loss of quality control. While AI can automate many tasks and processes, it may not be able to match the level of quality control that human workers can provide. This could lead to a decline in the quality of outsourced services, which could result in lower customer satisfaction and retention rates.

    Moreover, outsourcing companies that rely heavily on AI may not be able to offer the same level of customization and flexibility that clients require. While AI-powered tools can automate many processes, they may not be able to offer the same level of personalized service that human workers can. This could make it more difficult for outsourcing companies to meet the specific needs and requirements of their clients, which could lead to a decline in business.

    Another disadvantage of AI for clients of outsourcing companies is that it could lead to a loss of transparency and accountability. AI-powered systems can be opaque, making it difficult to understand how decisions are being made. This could make it more difficult for clients to hold outsourcing companies accountable for their actions and could lead to a decline in trust between clients and outsourcing companies.

    Another potential downside of AI for clients of outsourcing companies is that it could lead to increased security risks. Outsourcing companies may be responsible for handling sensitive data on behalf of their clients, and if this data is accessed by unauthorized individuals or systems, it could lead to serious consequences. AI-powered systems may also be vulnerable to cyber-attacks, which could compromise the security of the data being handled by outsourcing companies.

    Finally, there are concerns around the impact of AI on jobs. As AI-powered automation tools become more sophisticated, they may be able to take over many of the tasks that are currently performed by human workers. This could lead to a significant reduction in the number of jobs available, which could impact communities and families who rely on these jobs to support themselves.

    While AI does have some advantages for outsourcing companies, it also has several potential disadvantages that need to be taken into account. Reduced quality control, a decline in customization and flexibility, a loss of transparency and accountability, increased security risks, and job losses are all potential risks that clients of outsourcing companies need to be aware of. As AI technology continues to evolve, it’s important for outsourcing companies to carefully consider the potential risks and benefits before implementing AI-powered tools and systems. 

    Big Outsource is a reputable outsourcing company that provides high-quality services to its clients. To ensure that its services are of top-notch quality, the company employs several measures. First, they have a team of highly skilled and experienced professionals who are well-versed in the latest industry trends and technologies. This team continuously monitors and evaluates the quality of its services to ensure that they meet the client’s expectations.

    Furthermore, the company employs a rigorous quality assurance process to ensure that its services meet the highest standards. This process includes regular monitoring of their team’s performance, conducting periodic quality checks, and soliciting feedback from clients. By constantly reviewing and improving its services, Big Outsource ensures that they deliver quality services consistently.

    In conclusion, Big Outsource’s commitment to quality is evident in the measures they take to ensure its services meet the highest standards. By utilizing the latest technology like AI and implementing a robust quality assurance process, they provide their clients with high-quality services that meet and exceed their expectations.

  5. Big Outsource: Your Startup-friendly Outsourcing Services Provider

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    Time and time again, Outsourcing is a business process or business strategy that has been proven itself as a unique solution that offers innumerable benefits to a business.

    There are undeniable benefits to outsourcing, from slashing expenditures, bringing in new cash streams, to discovering new talent at short notice, that companies are realizing from their investments in the process.

    Even brands and world-renowned companies in almost all industries right now have taken advantage of outsourcing in one form or another. Very few would complain that outsourcing is not yielding the return from their investment into this process. Outsourcing has become one of the most indispensable business practice to operate a small or larger team smartly, especially for those who know how to utilize it properly.

    Why there is Backlash?

    More recently, some quarters are criticizing outsourcing as a process that could only work for businesses that are already successful. But these claims are unfounded. These unsubstantiated rumors are what cause startups to veer away when they hear the word “outsourcing”.

    The truth of the matter is that startups, more than any other, are the ones who stand to gain the most from the right kind of outsourcing partnership, which is exactly what Big Outsource, one of the premier business process outsourcing firms from the Philippines, promises to deliver.

    When you make a quick search on the internet, you will be shown a long list of large outsourcing firms that are currently dominating the outsourcing scene. It will be remiss to notice that these BPO firms have their services and pricing structure specifically tailored to cater to clients with deep pockets. In short, any of these BPO companies is not exactly a good fit for a new business looking for cost-efficient ways to outsource processes.

    Big Outsource, on the other hand, keeps a commendable track record when it comes to helping small businesses, especially those who handle crucial projects that would have otherwise proven difficult.

    Larger BPO Firms Can be Intimidating for Startups

    When you learned about the requirements more established outsourcing service providers give, it can come off as a little intimidating and frustrating, especially for smaller and starting businesses. From the minimum staff limit to the hefty charges they give, the experience of finding the best partner can look daunting.

    Larger “mainstream” outsourcing firms, as mentioned above, are used to engaging with even bigger companies and have accordingly established their list of minimum requirements. For companies with bigger larger staffing requirements, for example, they would need quite a number of agents to outsource from a third-party outsourcing firm and assign into their project. Setting such sizeable minimum staffing requirement is common among larger BPO companies.

    For this matter, smaller outsourcing providers like Big Outsource enters. Whether your business is looking for three virtual assistants and two copywriters, or you want to hire one back office support agent, Big Outsource will be pleased to provide the assistance. In short, as long as the services requested are within the company’s scope of expertise, the company is willing to go the extra mile.

    Flexibility as a BPO Differentiator

    Another factor that could be a little off-putting among startups or smaller businesses planning to outsource from a larger outsourcing service providers is the long list of rules and policies it imposes among outsourcers.

    Bigger or more established BPOs have their standard operating procedures already set in stones that smaller companies might not be ready to meet or not yet capable of supplying. These practices only makes= sense for the target companies they are targeting to get as clients that smaller firms can only dream of.

    Meanwhile, outsourcing solutions providers like Big Outsource have terms and conditions that it and its clientele can both agree on. After all, what truly matters at the negotiating table is how both parties could mutually benefit from the outsourcing partnership, without hidden charges or costs.

    In the outsourcing industry, the more an outsourcing company is able to customize services to the specific needs of their client, which makes customers happy, the more that the industry becomes an attractive solution to the industry as a whole.

    Cost-Effective Solutions Do Make Clients Happy

    It may be a simplistic analogy but outsourcing for a startup company should be approached the same way as one would approach shopping for a bag for the best bang for your buck. It will always be a smarter choice to purchase a bag of good quality and affordability than its branded counterpart.

    But just because you are gunning to get the offered outsourcing services for a dirt cheap price tag doesn’t mean you should settle for anything less – the quality of hires or subpar performing talent.

    But the whole equation changes once there is an option to have the same kind of service or product for less but of greater quality. Of course, the no-brainer choice would be to shop or jump into the best option around.

    For startups and SMEs, getting their outsourcing processes from larger outsourcing firms are definitely costly. The prominent name alone of those service providers automatically give them the license to bring their prices super high.

    Brand names, just like signature clothing and bags, are costly even though the quality might come off as questionable or less superior to other brands. For this reason alone, it is not surprising to find the trend of smaller to medium-sized companies going after business process outsourcing companies like Big Outsource, which offers not only quality but also affordability that bring in enough return to their investments.

    Big Outsource Gives Hands-on Approach

    When you are just one of the hundreds of other client-accounts that bigger outsourcing providers are accommodating, there is even greater chance to be overlooked, if not neglected. The relationship from provider to client also tends to be too pragmatic and businesslike, sticking rigidly to the fine print of the contract. There seems to be a manifesto encouraged that as long as the agreed-upon quota is hit, the partnership is successful. End of story.

    BPO companies like Big Outsource, however, takes the reasonable route of putting the interest of their clients on top of their priorities. They want to make sure that their partners are doing well, and they would even go the extra mile just to make sure their clients are happy and content with the services being provided.

    Outstanding service in Big Outsource puts the emphasis on practices that promote client retention and making them happy. So what happens is that every affiliate’s project is overseen with keen care and effort.

    IN SUM, well-known outsourcing names and brands are not always the best options. In contrast to smaller companies like Big Outsource, which tend to offer cheaper, more flexible service packages for as long as they best suit their partners’ best interest, who knows they are the yet to be tapped hidden gems of the outsourcing industry.

  6. What Outsourcing Mistakes to Avoid

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    For every successful outsourcing project, there’s another one that gets abandoned or regretted for not yielding positive results. It is for the latter reason that outsourcing as a business strategy has gained a bad reputation.

    Worst, this in turn is hurting the whole outsourcing industry – be it BPO, global IT sourcing, and the likes – which then lead businesses to veer away from a BPO solution that could potentially help it in the long-term.

    If BPO companies will just be honest, there are firms in the global outsourcing industry that deliver subpar services. Sometimes, however, the outsourcing partner is not the one to blame — but the poor outsourcing practices by the client are at fault.

    If you are planning to outsource or you are already running an outsourcing project yet not seeing the results you want, you may want to consider the following:

    Be a skeptic, but not a cynic.

    Many people use these two words interchangeably. But to be skeptical is different from being cynical.

    The word “skeptic comes from the Greek word skeptikó, which means to investigate and to inquire, while the term “cynic” comes from the Greek word kynikós, which translates to dog-like and currish or quarrelsome.

    Using the modern definition of these two, a skeptical person is someone who refuses to believe something unless presented with factual evidence, while a cynical person thinks without any rational basis to reason the worst from the get-go.

    Outsourcing, like every other business solution, needs ample time to start showing positive results. But if you hold back on the project because of a conscious or unconscious bias against outsourcing, you might be hindering it from reaching its full potential and from bringing in profit for your business.

    This kind of approach will cause more harm than good. The thing is, while no one is advising anyone to turn a blind eye, keep in mind that a healthy amount of trust is vital for the well-being of any business partnership.

    Trust is what keeps the gears of an operation running smoothly. The relationship between an outsourcing client and an outsourcing services provider is not an exception.

    Have a clear plan.

    Another mistake that most outsourcing first-timers make is not having a well-drawn plan before approaching a BPO company. Outsourcing without preparation and plan is almost like running into battle without donning an armor.

    The prospect of getting an outsourced partner in the BPO sector is risky already. Without any conscious effort to plan might just harm your business. That is why even before you start looking for an outsourcing partner, draft a roadmap and explain the whys and hows you want things to proceed with a BPO partner.

    List down the tasks and the processes that you want to outsource. Make sure you have carefully laid down the number of people that you want to hire for your project and then clarify your price range.

    Determine beforehand how much you are willing to shell out and ask yourself if your outsourcing plans are aligned with your vision, goals, and ambitions. This way, you can keep track of your project’s progress, and be able to see which parts are doing great, which parts could do better, and which aspect to address.

    Finally, ask yourself: will outsourcing to my preferred partner help you achieve record milestones?

    Hire enough staff.

    One of the supposed advantages of outsourcing is its ability to run processes smoothly and produce results promptly. These are not advantages that you would be able to enjoy if you give tasks that your small outsource team could hardly handle.

    Treat well your outsourced staff from your provider as if they were your own employees. Avoid giving workloads that will burn-out your outsourced staff.

    The key would be to be reasonable when it comes to the number of people you are hiring and the tasks you are going to give them to accomplish a particular project.

    If you are unsure about how many would be needed, you could always ask you outsourcing partner’s opinion.

    Do not Set Very High Expectations

    Outsourcing is not a magical spell that can erase all your troubles away in one go. Outsourcing your customer services wouldn’t miraculously increase the number of your customers, nor would outsourcing your finance and accounting suddenly increase your ROI or ease off your taxes away.

    As a business process, outsourcing has been proven time and time again to bring in innumerable benefits, but there are still limitations to what it can do. Anticipate sensible and practical results so as not to set yourself up for disappointment.

    Avoid the Miscommunication Trap

    No matter how good your plans for your project are, and no matter how skilled and experienced your outsourcing partner is, you would get nowhere if you and your staff are not on the same page.

    Miscommunication is something that outsourcers suffer from more times than can be counted, and though this common workplace problem is often ignored or downplayed, this isn’t a something to be taken lightly.

    Since so many outsourcing providers are located offshore, usually in countries far away from where your company is based, cultural and language barriers are issues to contend with in more ways than one.

    Here is why it is imperative that you spend even more time and effort when it comes to reaching out and getting the details of your project across. Without clear communication, vital mistakes could be committed, leading to a loss of profit if not to the downright end of the project.

    Do not Micromanage

    Control is a good thing … when done in moderation. Taken to extremes, it can lead to your employees feeling held in their necks. What’s next is that productivity suffer and your investment gave no pay offs.

    Simply put, micromanaging is the act of obsessing over every minute detail of the work process in the workplace. It is detrimental to your agents’ morale, hindering them from taking initiatives, dampening their confidence, and ultimately tiring them out.

    The adverse effects of micromanaging are so widespread that it is now considered to be one of the top reasons why employees leave their respective companies. Even outsourcing providers, with their deep pool or talents, are not immune to this.

    Give your agents room to breathe. Let your outsourced staff grow into their responsibilities. Be a mentor who guides, rather than being your agents’ tyrannical boss they fear. Not only will this improve performance, but it will also encourage a positive relationship between you and the people working in your project.

    Opt for Quality Services

    One of outsourcing’s main attractions is that it is almost always less costly than running processes in-house. But truth be told, there is still a very pronounced distinction between companies that offer premium services from those who offer dirt-cheap services.

    Many first-time outsourcers fall to the trap of going for the outsourcing provider that offers the lowest rates and regret their decisions later on.

    This business process has been proven time and time again to bring in innumerable benefits, but there are still limitations to what it can do. Anticipate sensible and practical results so as not to set yourself up for disappointment.

    Finally, Outsourcing is like a Marriage

    Outsourcing gone wrong is not only costly, but it can also be said to be a dangerous mistake. With these providers, you get what you pay.

    When you sign with them, you are signing away your right to demand quality service that your project requires. A more harmful consequence when you happen to be outsourcing your company’s core processes would be you spending twice or thrice the initial amount you paid to fix the damages wrought by the cheap, subpar services you have availed. If that is the end you are project, the risks of outsourcing are just not worth it.

    Outsourcing is a two-way street and both parties must agree on mutual terms and conditions that will share the responsibilities and roles each party will play. Do not assume just because you have outsourced a particular process and are already free or have your hands washed off or cleaned off it by extra responsibilities

    Such mentality has led to the downfall of many outsourcing projects. So before you place the blame entirely against your outsourcing partner, check yourself if you are ready to submit to the fall, make sure that you are doing your part and hat you are not doing things that are detrimental to the success of your project.

    So once you plan to outsource, be sure at the very least, that you are going into a partnership with a provider that you are sure 100% will help you reap positive results for your company.

  7. On the English Language, Neutral Accent, and Effective Communication: An In-Depth Guide

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    In a competitive business landscape, effective communication is not only crucial to be understood, relay important messages and make an impact. Communicating in the language that your wider audience can easily understand is a must – to close potential deals and to ride out competition or overcome common business communication challenges.

    Today, the English language is not just one of the most widely used to communicate in the world of commerce. When you have clients who live abroad like the United States, Australia or Great Britain, English is the medium of exchange that entrepreneurs or corporate officials can easily understand. As a universal language, English is also understood and used in various nations even when English is not the official first language used, such as the people in Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, and even China.

    Let’s begin by looking into the brief history of the English language.

    A Very Brief History of the English Language

    English takes its name from “Anglisc”, the language that the Angles spoke.

    The Angles, along with the Jutes and Saxons, were the three Germanic tribes that invaded England way back in 5th century A.D. The arrival of these Germanic tribes prompted the beginning of what we now know as “Old English”, which was spoken from 450-1100 AD.

    The Norman conquest of England, however, spearheaded by William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy, ushered in the era of “Middle English”, which was widely spoken in England from 1100-1500.

    A phenomenon, “The Great Vowel Shift” occurred during those times and led to the dramatic and radical change in the way words were pronounced. This, and the “English Renaissance”, also referred to as the “Elizabethan Era” or the “Age of Shakespeare”, as a token of honor to the revered monarch and the celebrated writer who lived during that time period, introduced what we now know as “Early Modern English” (1500-1800).

    The invention of the printing press, which helped standardized spelling and grammar, brought forth changes to the way the English language is spoken or used; such eventually continues to be used up to this day. It is now known as the “Late Modern English”(1800-Present).

    The Importance of the English Language

    The English language, widely considered as the language that is probably the richest and the most extensive when it comes to vocabulary, is considered as the world’s “lingua franca”. A number of people have also dubbed it as the “international language”- which is not exactly surprising.

    You can go to any country, on any continent, and you’re very likely to encounter someone who can speak the language. The English language, observers note, serve a purpose: as a common ground, a reaching hand, a connecting bridge between the roughly estimated 7,111 languages that are being spoken in the world at the present.

    The English language’s role in establishing connections and relations cannot be emphasized enough. It is the language of international business and the language of the indispensable computer network that a huge chunk of the entire human population utilizes in their daily lives- the internet.

    Not only that the English language has been described as efficient to use and easy to learn, it is also flexible enough to evolve depending on the geological location where it is being spoken, and dynamic enough to change and adapt notwithstanding the technological advances the civilization is constantly going through.

    Through and through, the massive use of the English language then gave birth to new words and terminologies.

    The Kind of English You Should Learn

    Is there only one kind of English?

    Well – no. Depending on where you are, the way that the English language is used can vary dramatically. The way that words are spelled, for example, American English would spell “color” and “favor” while British English would spell these words as “colour” and “favour”.

    There’s also the difference in how people from both countries would call certain things, a few of which are shown below:

    BRITISHAMERICAN
    AeroplaneAirplane
    AubergineEggplant
    CotCrib
    DustbinGarbage can
    FlatApartment
    FootballSoccer
    MathsMath
    MotorwayExpressway
    PramStroller

    The most distinct and most obvious difference, however, would be the pronunciation of words, which is what usually makes conversation between two people from different nationalities somewhat difficult, even though they are both supposedly using English as a medium of communication. Yet, our example points to only two countries where English is widely used.

    According to the online encyclopedia Wikipedia, in 2015, there were 67 sovereign states and 27 non-sovereign entities were English was an official language. Putting this into perspective, there are currently 195 independent sovereign states. That’s 34.36% of all the officially recognized countries in the world.

    For the sake of further comparison, the French language is official in 29 countries, the Spanish language is official in 20 countries, the German language is official in 6 countries, and Chinese is recognized as the official language for 7 countries, though they are mostly not mutually intelligible.

    To become an effective communicator that could be easily understood, however, there is one method that has been proven to be one of the most efficient- speaking with a “neutral accent”.

    Neutral Accent

    Ever wonder why news anchors seem to speak in the same way? Why do news hosts all seem to have the same cadence and tone? That is because they are utilizing standard broadcasting English.

    An accent-less, neutral enunciation of words give out something that sounds smooth and refined – an almost flawless delivery that could be understood by viewers, even those who might be from different nationalities.

    There are, however, a few important factors that come to play in determining whether an accent can be considered neutral or not, and they include but are not limited to:

    • Generally and easily understandable, regardless of the type of English the listener is accustomed to.
    • Relatively, if not completely, devoid of any regionalisms, and is, therefore,
    • Not distinguishable as originating from any specific place or country.

    A neutral accent is as universal as you can get when it comes to the English language. There are to using a neutral accent. Butt how exactly does one acquire itt? While there are courses that offer lessons to learn the skill, there is no reason at all that it cannot be learnt at the comfort of your own home.

    The first and easiest way to learn neutral accent would be to through watching and listening to people who speaks and uses the “neutral accent”. When you watch Harry Potter or Game of Thrones, soon you’ll be able to acquire the ability to speak in a general British accent. The internet is a minefield of information and resources – utilize it.

    The next step, obviously, would be to practice what you learned. Practice ceaselessly what you learned and over time you will be fluently speaking the accent.

    Conversing to another person who uses the neutral access is another great way to train acclimate yourself to this method of speech.

    Take a newspaper, an article, a text book, or any kind of reading material and read it out loud. Record your voice so you could determine the things that you need to change and improve on.

    Moderate your speed. Do not speak too fast. Take your time with each word, and enunciate them clearly. Open your mouth wide when you speak, and take periodic stops for air so as not to appear out of breath.

    Another simple trick would be to incorporate tongue twisters in your training. This helps to stretch and exercise muscles that are necessary for speech. Tongue twisters are known for being a fun way to gaining clearer pronunciation and fluency in any given language.

    Remember that the dictionary is your friend. Especially if English isn’t your primary language, your pronunciation of certain words and terminologies might be affected by what is called the mother tongue influence.

    If unsure, never be embarrassed to ask the dictionary for help, or to even look up the proper pronunciation online. The first step in correcting a mistake is in being acknowledging that it exists in the first place. There should be no shame in learning.

    Last Words

    The English language is undoubtedly one of the most influential and widely used languages in the world right now. For a language that originated from what could be considered as a relatively small part of the globe, it has come a long, long way indeed.

    And to a lot of people in this day and age, English is not just a means to communicate- it’s a key to opening doors and opportunities. Who’s to argue that it’s not? From movies to newspapers, to blogs and articles on the web- the English language is everywhere.

    It would be not such a leap of faith to say that its relevance and prominence is there to stay. So, to communicate using the English language is not only a convenient knack anymore, but has turned into a necessary skill in order to gain considerable advantage in many aspects of life.

  8. What Are the Advantages of Outsourcing in 2019

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    The past year has been fraught with technological advances in many different markets, with the spotlight being heavily trained on Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and automation.

    During the final months of 2018, there have been many speculations as to whether outsourcing will remain relevant or not. What people fail to grasp, is that outsourcing will always remain relevant.

    The incoming technology, if anything else, will serve as a boost, contrary to claims that it will be a deterrent to growth of the Business Process Outsourcing sector. When properly developed and utilized, any new technology will allow BPO companies to train their employees in other fields of expertise, as opposed to them being stuck on taking care of menial, repetitive tasks.

    But the truth of the matter is, AI and the so-called Robotic Process Automation (RPA) are still at their infancy stage. While they may be capable of replacing some of the most basic tasks like sending automatic, recorded responses, they are however incapable of delivering in-depth, complicated responses that most businesses require.

    New forms of technologies are also expensive to acquire and maintain. As a result, outsourcing will not only remain relevant, it will also remain essential. Here’s why:
    Outsourcing is Cheaper

    Outsourcing remains the most affordable strategic option among businesses. Since doing talent acquisition up to hiring for an in-house call center is expensive, more companies belonging to different niches are turning to outsourcing to get things done.

    When you outsource, you can save up on the many different things that you would have had to pay when you manage an in-house BPO workforce, from expenses related to workspaces, electricity bills, gadgets and accessories (like laptops, chairs, tables, etc.), and more.

    Faced with these expenses, there’s little doubt that outsourcing to a third party outsourcing firm remains the better choice.

    Talent Pool for All Business Tasks

    When you are hiring locally, not only it is more expensive but there is no assurance the candidates at your disposal can fill the required staff to vacant positions in your company.

    With outsourcing, however, there is a ready stream of applicants who are experienced and experts in their field and can be tapped even at a moment’s notice.

    And because there are more options to pick for, you now have the chance to nitpick your employees of choice to your heart’s content. It gives you the power to perform a proper screening process, something that you would not be able to if the selection is too sparse.

    Allows You to Focus on Your Core Business

    Outsourcing repetitive, menial tasks takes away from you the responsibility of doing tasks that are time-consuming and non-strategic. Lighter yet repetitive tasks like doing inventory, record keeping, customer service, transcription, data entry and more are best outsourced if you have the budget and have priorities in line.

    By outsourcing to an offshore outsourcing company, you can have more time and energy to focus on the things that requires your focus and attention, like product development, customer acquisition, technology and capital management, employee satisfaction, etc.

    When you outsource, you are able to look at the bigger picture and pay more attention and resources to all more strategic aspects of your business that requires it.

    Delegating affords you power. And outsourcing gives you this power, as well, not in the sense of additional authority, but power to control your time and resources to achieve more with less.

    And many multi-million companies were built on taking advantage of this business solution. These are some examples: Google, Alibaba, Skype, Expensify, Whatsapp, AppSumo, Groove, Opera and Slack, among others.

    These are not just small named brands. These are giant companies with established systems known the world over. They are successful companies that to this day, employs outsourcing, which can then be regarded as an effective weapon in their arsenals. Why? Because they’ve already proven that it works.

    Outsourcing Results in Increased Productivity

    While it is cheaper to outsource, your business can use extra saving from this strategy by hiring more people to focus on specific projects or business processes.

    You or the in-house employees you do have would not have to exhaust in order to do everything at once, which adversely impact the quality of the output.

    When you have an offshore outsourcing team taking care of most of the workload for a fraction of the cost, you and your employees can focus on fewer tasks within a more forgiving time frame.

    Not only you can increase the quantity of your output through outsourcing, quality is also expected to come next. This process also allows you to have more than one project going on at the time, ensuring that results came in faster than they would have otherwise.

    Greater Flexibility in Managing Projects

    Project management flexibility is the ability to accommodate changes and development for the overall well-being of a project. When you have few employees, this is an aspect that usually gets neglected, resulting in many abandoned and incomplete projects.

    When you outsourced a team to handle sudden increase in the workload, however, you are assured of more successful results. If the seasonal increase in workload becomes too much for your existing outsourcing team, it is cheap enough to add more people; the risk of investing to outsourcing is minimal in the event that you need to ditch a project.

    Final Word

    All in all, 2019, like the year before it, will be a year where business process outsourcing will remain a better go-to business solution for start up companies and known brands alike.

    We also expect that the ongoing technological advances do not serve to change nor to invalidate the many advantages and benefits that outsourcing brings in to different industries. They might change the way businesses do outsourcing in many years to come.

    However, it is an uninformed sentiment, worst ignorance, to state that new technological trends will completely wipe out outsourcing. In fact, the sudden rise in AI and automation just increases the need for outsourcing jobs and projects, specially in the IT and software development sector.

    As long as there is a need for a business solution that is affordable, offers more variety in terms of employee selection, a proven track record in increasing productivity, and ushering in success, outsourcing is here to stay.

  9. Why Low Attrition Rate is Priceless for Any Outsourcer

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    Attrition rate pertains to the number of personnel that leaves a company within a specified period of time. It is also otherwise known as the “staff turnover”. There is a high attrition rate when more employees resign or leave their company for various reasons.

    Why is a high attrition rate a bad thing for an outsourcing company?

    A waste of valuable resources

    Talent acquisition is a costly and exhaustive process. From hiring to training, the time, money, and effort spent on molding applicants to become reliable and competent staff can be considered to be worthwhile investments. Hires who can perform their tasks efficiently and effectively can add value to the success of your organization.

    When these very same people leave, the toll to your organization is huge. Not only these departing employees take away with them any experience and knowledge they might have gained, the resources spent on them while they are with the company go to waste as well. All those expensive signing bonuses, online courses, seminars, trainers, allowances, free lunches … all gone, swiftly flushed down the drain.

    Decline in performance

    When people with the necessary skill-set and experience departs from the company, it leaves behind a hole that the rest would struggle to fill in. The remaining staff would, of course, have to cover all the work left behind. Even worse if the tasks the former employee used to do requires specialized technical skills and know-how that no one else in the office is equipped to perform- the quality of output would be forced into an inevitable downward spiral until a suitable replacement is found and sufficiently trained.

    Gives off the wrong impression

    An outsourcing company’s public image is important not just for the acquisition of more employees, but for attracting more clients as well. And when you see a mass exodus of staff does not exactly shine a positive light on a company’s name.

    The reasons we brought up are just some of the many nasty disadvantages that high attrition rate brings into a company. It is a curse that not just the BPO sector suffers from, but it also affect almost every other fields in business as well.

    What exactly causes high attrition rate?

    No. 1 — Low salary

    The employees might feel like they are not being paid enough for the amount of work that they are doing.

    No. 2 — Toxic work environment

    There are a few that would argue that the only thing worse than a company that hurts the pocket, is a firm that hinders personal growth. Being treated like objects, unprofessional behavior by other employees, constant and incessant gossiping, bullying in the workplace are more than enough reason to make anyone want to leave.

    No. 3 — Lack of recognition

    Another thing that might sour the employees’ affections is the fact that their successes and accomplishments are not even being noticed.

    No. 4 — Poor employee selection

    The person that have been hired might not have been the candidate matched for the position after all.

    No. 5 — Overworked

    Employees might feel like they are being made to do far more than the amount of work that they should be doing or not compensated enough.

    No. 6 — Inequality

    Being treated as less important than someone else is never a good feeling. Some might feel like this is reason enough to burn bridges and move on to a better place.

    No. 7 — Aversion to administrative and/or management staff

    There is a saying that goes “bad managers lose good employees”. Perhaps this can also be the case nearest to when there is a toxic work environment. The bottom line is that no matter how great the compensation might be, if the management does not treat its employees well, its very likely that they would look for others who will.

    No. 8 — Poor working conditions

    Perhaps the employees find that the workplace is not up to their expectations of an pro-employee company. Some of the things that might contribute to poor working conditions are the following: unmanageable stress and noise levels, lack of basic amenities, lack of security, untidy spaces, etc.

    Answers to High Attrition Rate

    There is technically no way for a company to hold people from leaving when they thought it’s game over with that organization. However, there are some preventive measures that can be put in place to prevent them from wanting to leave in the first place.

    • Optimize the hiring process — The best way to keep employees from leaving is to select the right people in the first place. Make sure that the candidates are screened and tested rigorously, to identify which ones meet the qualifications and skillset requirements.
    • Offer a competitive compensation and benefits package — If the reason your staff is leaving is due to their search for a greener pasture, imple- be the greener pasture. Make yourself the more attractive option. Keep your people from leaving by giving them a good enough reason to stay.
    • Make work enjoyable — Monotonous, repetitive tasks are boring. They stifle creativity and passion of employees, which eventually can lead to being unproductive. Make sure that the job is simulating and challenging. Jobs that are something to look forward to rather than a dread sound awesome.
    • Promote a healthy working environment — Team buildings, company lunches, recreational events, even simple parlor games all serve a purpose. They not just boost the morale, bu a healhty workplace can easily promote camaraderie and create friendship within the workforce. By holding events, your company not only promotes a healthy working environment. Even starting positive little practices like saying good morning everyday before the shift starts could contribute a lot to the improvement of the overall positive vibe in the workplace.
    • Communicate your vision — Give employees a goal to achieve or reach. A motivated person performs twice or thrice as much when there is a finish line and deadline that he or she must race on.
    • Fire people who don’t fit — It might seem like an odd thing to do when trying to keep the attrition rate down, but there are people who, instead of adding to the company, detract from it. These are the people who start trouble that can sometimes lead other employees to resign. It is like cutting off a diseased limb because it will be healthier for the entire body in the long run.
    • Provide opportunities — Give employees the chance to grow and to move up the ranks. There is nothing more motivating than the promise of being rewarded after working and spending quality time for your work. An equal-opportunity company easily surfaces a positive impression towards new recruits.
    • Engage your employees — Get to know employees and the work that they do. Gain a bit of knowledge about the tasks that they routinely perform. Ask for their opinion for important decisions that would ultimately affect them. Let your talent feel like actual people who have a say and stake in the company’s success.
    • Honor achievements — When your team reaches a milestone, show them that you appreciate their hard work. When a personnel surpasses a record, give him the recognition he deserves. When a staff attains breakthrough success, award her. Ultimately, let your people know that the work that they so hardly put in are not disregarded, ignored nor being taken for granted. Openly acknowledge every progress and accomplishments. It doesn’t have to be a trophy or a certificate. It can be as simple as a “thank you” card, a “well done” or a “good job” pat in the shoulder. Positive reinforcement works wonders.
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