Why The Philippines is a Business Outsourcing Giant

Behind Asia
3 Feb 202205:02

Summary

TLDROutsourcing has revolutionized the global business landscape, with the Philippines emerging as a major player, particularly in the BPO sector. Leveraging its young, English-speaking population and government support, the country has seen exponential growth in IT and BPO, employing over 1.3 million people and generating billions in revenue. However, challenges like AI and cyber threats loom, requiring the Philippines to adapt and focus on higher-skilled jobs to maintain its outsourcing dominance.

Takeaways

  • šŸŒ Outsourcing has become a major change in the competitive business landscape, allowing companies to increase profits by employing in more affordable nations.
  • šŸ’¼ It has given rise to an alternative industry, creating employment opportunities for billions of people, either directly or indirectly.
  • šŸ† The Philippines has emerged as a significant beneficiary in the BPO sector, particularly in Southeast Asia.
  • šŸ“ˆ The country's information technology industry has rapidly grown due to the rise of the BPO sector.
  • šŸ”¢ The BPO industry in the Philippines has employed over 1.3 million Filipinos and is expected to generate over $29 billion by the end of 2022.
  • šŸŒŸ The Philippines was awarded the BPO capital of the world in 2010, positioning it as a top outsourcing destination.
  • šŸ“Š The surge in demand for jobs in the Philippines is attributed to various factors, including a young population and high English literacy.
  • šŸŽ“ The government's push for a tech-savvy population has also been instrumental in capitalizing on the BPO opportunity.
  • šŸ“‰ The future of BPO is expected to see a decline in low-skilled jobs and a growth in mid-skill and high-level jobs, indicating a need for reskilling.
  • šŸ¢ The BPO sector has had a significant indirect impact on the Philippine economy, contributing to land value increases and office space demand.
  • šŸ›”ļø Challenges such as AI and cyber attacks pose threats to the call center industry, but they also present opportunities for innovation and improvement.

Q & A

  • What is the main impact of outsourcing in the business landscape today?

    -Outsourcing has become a leading change in the competitive business landscape, allowing companies to increase profits by placing employment in more affordable nations and focusing on their core strengths.

  • How has the outsourcing industry benefited the Philippines?

    -The Philippines has become one of the biggest beneficiaries of the outsourcing industry, particularly in the business process outsourcing sector, leading to the growth of its information technology industry and creating employment opportunities for millions.

  • What are some of the services provided by the Philippines' IT-BPO industry?

    -The Philippines' IT-BPO industry provides services such as software development, animation, engineering design, game development, medical transcription, and notably, call center services.

  • How many people are employed by the call center industry in the Philippines, and what is the expected revenue by the end of 2022?

    -The call center industry in the Philippines has employed over 1.3 million Filipinos and is expected to generate over $29 billion by the end of 2022.

  • Why is the Philippines considered a big outsourcing giant?

    -The Philippines is considered a big outsourcing giant due to its young population, high English literacy, and government policies that support a tech-savvy population, making it an attractive destination for outsourcing.

  • What was the Philippines awarded in 2010, and how has the BPO industry grown since its inception?

    -In 2010, the Philippines was awarded as the BPO capital of the world, and the industry has experienced exponential growth from its inception in 1992 up to 2021.

  • What are the factors contributing to the surge in demand for jobs in the Philippines' BPO sector?

    -Factors contributing to the surge in demand include the country's young population, high English literacy, and government policies that promote a tech-oriented workforce.

  • How does the BPO sector contribute to the Philippine economy indirectly?

    -The BPO sector indirectly contributes to the Philippine economy by creating 4.08 indirect jobs through various industries and driving up the value of land as demand for office spaces increases.

  • What challenges does the BPO sector face with the emergence of the fourth industrial revolution and AI?

    -The BPO sector faces challenges such as job loss in the call center industry due to digital automation and AI, as well as disruptions from cyber attacks.

  • How can the Philippines adapt to the changes brought by AI and the digital revolution?

    -The Philippines can adapt by focusing on reskilling and upskilling its workforce, developing solutions that AI cannot replace, and leveraging its IT-support education system and tech-oriented individuals.

  • What is the projected change in the job market for the BPO sector in the Philippines in the coming future?

    -Low-skilled jobs in the BPO sector are expected to decline by 29%, while mid-skill and high-level jobs are projected to grow by 12% and 19%, respectively, indicating a shift towards more skilled roles.

Outlines

00:00

šŸŒ The Rise of Outsourcing in the Philippines

The script discusses the significant impact of outsourcing in the global business landscape, focusing on the Philippines as a major beneficiary. It highlights how outsourcing has allowed companies to increase profits by employing workers in more affordable countries, leading to the growth of various industries in the Philippines. The country's information technology sector has seen rapid growth, with software development, animation, engineering design, game development, and medical transcription being key areas. The call center industry is particularly notable, with over 1.3 million Filipinos employed and projected to generate over $29 billion by the end of 2022. The video poses questions about the future of the Philippines as an outsourcing giant and invites viewers to follow for more insights.

šŸ† Philippines as the BPO Capital of the World

This paragraph delves into the factors that have contributed to the Philippines' success as a leading business process outsourcing (BPO) destination. The country's young population, with a median age of 24.1 in 2020, has been a significant advantage, as has its high English literacy rate, ranking it as the 4th largest English-speaking population globally. The ease of understanding Filipino accents and government policies promoting a tech-savvy population have also played a role. The script outlines the exponential growth of the BPO industry from its inception in 1992 to 2021 and emphasizes the importance of government policies for the sector's continued health.

šŸ“ˆ Job Growth and Economic Impact of BPO in the Philippines

The script explains the direct and indirect impact of the BPO sector on the Philippine economy. It details the various roles within the industry, such as contact centers, software development, animation, and transcription, and predicts a shift from low-skilled to mid- and high-level jobs. The BPO sector has directly employed 1.3 million Filipinos and indirectly contributed to 4.08 million jobs across various industries. It also discusses the increase in land value due to the demand for office spaces by the BPO industry.

šŸ›” Challenges and Opportunities in the Future of Outsourcing

The final paragraph addresses the challenges facing the BPO industry, particularly the threat posed by artificial intelligence (AI) and digital automation to the call center sector. It suggests that job losses are inevitable as technology advances, but also presents these challenges as opportunities for innovation. The script encourages the Philippines to develop solutions that AI cannot replace and highlights the country's potential to adapt and thrive in the evolving outsourcing landscape due to its IT-support education system and tech-oriented individuals.

Mindmap

Keywords

šŸ’”Outsourcing

Outsourcing refers to the practice where a company contracts with external entities to perform tasks that are traditionally performed in-house. In the context of the video, outsourcing is a key driver of change in the business landscape, allowing companies to reduce costs by moving jobs to countries where labor is more affordable. The script highlights how this has led to a significant opportunity for countries like the Philippines to develop new industries and create employment.

šŸ’”Business Process Outsourcing (BPO)

BPO is a subset of outsourcing that involves contracting a third-party service provider to manage one or more business processes. The video emphasizes the Philippines as a major player in the BPO sector, particularly in areas such as call centers, software development, and medical transcription. The growth of BPO has had a substantial impact on the country's economy and employment.

šŸ’”Profit

Profit in a business context is the money remaining after all expenses have been deducted from the revenue. The script discusses how outsourcing has enabled companies to increase their profit by reducing labor costs, which is a central theme in the discussion of the economic benefits of outsourcing.

šŸ’”Information Technology (IT) Industry

The IT industry encompasses all forms of technology used to create, store, exchange, and utilize information in its various forms, including software, hardware, and services. The video script notes that the IT industry in the Philippines has become one of the fastest-growing due to the rise of BPO, highlighting the sector's importance in the country's economic development.

šŸ’”English Literacy

English literacy refers to the ability to read, write, and understand the English language. The script points out that the Philippines is the 4th largest English-speaking population, which is a significant advantage in the BPO industry, as it allows for easier communication with international clients.

šŸ’”Median Age

Median age is the age that divides a population into two equal halves. The video mentions that the median age in the Philippines is significantly lower than the global average, indicating a young population that is more adaptable to learning new technologies and skills, which is crucial for the BPO sector.

šŸ’”Reskilling

Reskilling is the process of acquiring new skills or improving existing ones to stay relevant in the job market. The script suggests that the future of BPO will require reskilling, as low-skilled jobs are expected to decline while mid-skill and high-level jobs grow, indicating a shift towards more specialized roles in the industry.

šŸ’”Indirect Employment

Indirect employment refers to jobs that are created as a result of the economic activity generated by a primary industry. The video script explains that the BPO sector in the Philippines has contributed to indirect employment through various industries, highlighting the broader economic impact of the BPO industry.

šŸ’”Fourth Industrial Revolution

The Fourth Industrial Revolution, also known as Industry 4.0, refers to the current era of digital transformation characterized by emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, automation, and the Internet of Things. The script discusses the potential threats and opportunities this revolution poses to the BPO industry, particularly in terms of job displacement and the need for innovation.

šŸ’”Artificial Intelligence (AI)

AI refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think like humans and mimic their actions. The video script identifies AI as a potential disruptor to the call center industry, as it could automate tasks traditionally performed by humans, leading to job losses but also opportunities for the development of new, AI-resistant solutions.

šŸ’”Cyber Attacks

Cyber attacks are attempts to damage or disrupt computer systems, networks, or digital infrastructure. The script mentions cyber attacks as a challenge brought about by the digital revolution, indicating that as the BPO industry grows, it also becomes more vulnerable to such threats, necessitating robust cybersecurity measures.

šŸ’”IT-BPO Sector

The IT-BPO sector combines information technology and business process outsourcing, reflecting the integration of technology into the delivery of outsourced services. The video script discusses the importance of this sector to the Philippine economy, emphasizing its contribution to employment and economic growth, as well as the need for continued support and development.

Highlights

Outsourcing has become a leading change in the competitive business landscape, enabling companies to increase profits by employing workers in more affordable nations.

Outsourcing allows firms to focus on their core competencies while providing massive opportunities for receiving countries, creating alternative industries and employing billions of people.

The Philippines is one of the biggest beneficiaries of the emerging business process outsourcing industry, particularly in information technology.

The Philippines' IT industry has grown rapidly due to the rise of outsourcing, becoming one of the country's fastest-growing sectors.

The Philippines is known for providing excellent services in software development, animation, engineering design, game development, medical transcription, and call centers.

The call center industry in the Philippines has employed over 1.3 million Filipinos and is expected to generate over $29 billion by the end of 2022.

The Philippines was awarded the BPO capital of the world in 2010, positioning it as a top outsourcing destination.

From 1992 to 2021, the BPO industry in the Philippines experienced exponential growth due to various factors.

The Philippines' young population, with a median age of 24.1 in 2020, has been a significant factor in the surge of demand for jobs in the country.

English literacy is a key characteristic of the Philippines, being the 4th largest English-speaking population with one of the easiest understood accents.

The Philippine government's push for a tech-savvy population has helped the country seize BPO opportunities.

Policies enacted in the past and future will be crucial to the health of the IT-BPO sector in the Philippines.

The contact center industry is the biggest in the Philippines, followed by software development, animation, and transcription roles.

Low-skilled jobs in the Philippines are expected to decline by 29%, while mid-skill and high-level jobs grow by 12% and 19%, respectively.

Reskilling and improvement will be key battlegrounds for the future of the BPO industry in the Philippines.

The BPO sector has indirectly contributed to the Philippine economy by creating 4.08 indirect jobs through various industries.

The BPO industry has contributed to the rising land value in the Philippines as it becomes a leading force in demand for office spaces.

The fourth industrial revolution and artificial intelligence pose a threat to the call center industry in the Philippines, with potential job losses due to digital automation.

The digital revolution has brought challenges such as cyber attacks, which the Philippines should view as opportunities for growth and innovation.

The Philippines is positioned to ride the transformation in the outsourcing world due to its IT-support education system and tech-oriented individuals.

Transcripts

play00:00

Outsourcing in todayā€™s modern world has becomeĀ  one of the leading changes in the competitiveĀ Ā 

play00:04

business landscape. It has enabled companiesĀ  to increase their profit by placing employmentĀ Ā 

play00:10

in more affordable nations. And has led theseĀ  firms to focus on what matters more to them.Ā Ā 

play00:16

These have then given a massive opportunity forĀ  the receiving country, as these conglomeratesĀ Ā 

play00:21

pour out billions upon billions of dollars.Ā  It has pushed an alternative type of industry,Ā Ā 

play00:26

employing hundreds or even billions of people,Ā  either directly or indirectly through these typesĀ Ā 

play00:32

of schemes. One of the biggest beneficiariesĀ  of this emerging industry, however, is locatedĀ Ā 

play00:37

all the way in Southeast Asia. Yes, this isĀ  the Philippines, and it has been one of theĀ Ā 

play00:43

countries that have profited from the rise ofĀ  the worldā€™s business process outsourcing sector.Ā Ā 

play00:48

Its information technology industry has becomeĀ  one of the fastest-growing in the country becauseĀ Ā 

play00:53

of this rise. It is today, well known that theyĀ  provide some of the best software development,Ā Ā 

play00:59

animation, engineering design, game development,Ā  medical transcription, and most famously knownĀ Ā 

play01:06

as its call center. This industry alone hasĀ  employed well over 1.3 million Filipinoā€™sĀ Ā 

play01:13

and is expected to generate a sum of over $29Ā  billion dollars by the end of 2022. So, why isĀ Ā 

play01:19

the Philippines such a big outsourcing giant? AndĀ  will they continue to capture this large market inĀ Ā 

play01:25

the future to come? Before we move on donā€™t forgetĀ  to leave us a like and follow for more videos!Ā Ā 

play01:31

In the year 2010, the country of the PhilippinesĀ  has been awarded as the BPO capital of the world.Ā Ā 

play01:37

It has positioned the nation to be one of theĀ  top outsourcing destinations. From the yearĀ Ā 

play01:42

of its inception in 1992 all the way to 2021,Ā  the industry experienced exponential growth.Ā Ā 

play01:50

What led to this surge in demand for jobs inĀ  the Philippines lies in various aspects. TheĀ Ā 

play01:56

most common factor is because of theĀ  countryā€™s young population. In 2020,Ā Ā 

play02:01

it is estimated that the median age is onlyĀ  at 24.1, way below the rest of the world. ThisĀ Ā 

play02:07

then gave the young population to learn all ofĀ  these technologies early on. English literacy isĀ Ā 

play02:13

its other characteristic, the Philippines isĀ  the 4th biggest English-speaking population.Ā Ā 

play02:19

Moreover, it has one of the easiest understoodĀ  accents around. And finally, the governmentā€™sĀ Ā 

play02:25

push for a more techy population and the countryĀ  has also helped them to take the BPO opportunity.Ā Ā 

play02:32

Such policies enacted in the past and theĀ  ones in the coming future will be crucial toĀ Ā 

play02:37

the very health of the IT-BPO sector. The biggestĀ  amongst all these is the contact center, given theĀ Ā 

play02:44

countryā€™s English-speaking population. FollowedĀ  by roles in Software development, Animation,Ā Ā 

play02:50

and Transcription. In the coming future,Ā  however, these will all change. Low-skilled jobsĀ Ā 

play02:56

are expected to decline by as much as 29% whileĀ  mid-skill and high-level jobs grow by 12% and 19%,Ā Ā 

play03:04

respectively. This indicates that reskilling andĀ  improvement will be the futureā€™s battlegrounds.Ā Ā 

play03:11

These have all directly employed 1.3Ā  million Filipino's giving the citizensĀ Ā 

play03:16

huge employment. But its biggest effect is how itĀ  indirectly contributes to the Philippine economy.Ā Ā 

play03:23

According to the IBPAP, the entire sector gave wayĀ  to 4.08 indirect jobs through various industries!Ā Ā 

play03:31

They have also contributed to the growing riseĀ  of land value of the Philippines, as the sectorĀ Ā 

play03:36

continues to become a leading force in demandĀ  for office spaces. The challenges, however,Ā Ā 

play03:42

are also quite threatening. The emergence of theĀ  fourth industrial revolution or more specificallyĀ Ā 

play03:48

the so-called artificial intelligence or AI posesĀ  quite a danger to the countryā€™s biggest industry,Ā Ā 

play03:54

call center. As this form of digital automationĀ  grows, there will be an inevitable job loss inĀ Ā 

play04:00

that sector as technology will play the roleĀ  of a call agent and even more so that in theĀ Ā 

play04:06

near future, experts are predicting that thisĀ  job will be taken entirely by AI. Furthermore,Ā Ā 

play04:13

the digital revolution has also brought disruptionĀ  from cyber attacks to the country. TheseĀ Ā 

play04:20

challenges are in our opinion arenā€™t something theĀ  country should be afraid of. Rather, it should beĀ Ā 

play04:24

taken as an opportunity. The growing industry ofĀ  AI might mean that the call center is in dangerĀ Ā 

play04:30

but it could also give the country a push to haveĀ  better solutions that canā€™t be replaced by AI.Ā Ā 

play04:36

It is no doubt that there will be a massiveĀ  change in the futureā€™s outsourcing world,Ā Ā 

play04:41

there will be a variety of job transformationsĀ  to come. But the Philippines is in a positionĀ Ā 

play04:47

to ride the transformation becauseĀ  of its IT-support education systemĀ Ā 

play04:52

and tech-oriented individuals which willĀ  enable them to thrive in the IT-BPO world.

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Business OutsourcingPhilippinesIT-BPOCall CentersGlobalizationEnglish SpeakersTech IndustryJob GrowthDigital RevolutionAI ImpactEconomic Boost