PCGNY.net | News Release

NY CONSULATE HOSTS JOHN CLEMENTS-SPONSORED BUSINESS FORUM

PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL - NEWS RELEASE
19 September 2005

New York, NEW YORK --- The Philippine Consulate General in New York hosted a business forum sponsored by John Clements in the evening of September 6, 2005 at the Philippine Center. The forum was the first of its kind and meant to show Filipinos and Filipino-Americans abroad the many professional prospects now available back home. Over forty (40) professionals and executives representing different sectors and industries, like firms such as Citibank, Bear Stearns, Morgan Stanley, UNDP, Price Waterhouse, and Deutsche Bank attended the successful event.

President and CEO of John Clements Consultants, Inc. Carol Dominguez opened the event by talking about the phenomenal growth of the business process outsourcing and call center industries in the Philippines. Dominguez said these two industries have created more available jobs than any other sector in the last five years. They have also become the Philippines’ top value proposition towards capturing a bigger share of the billion-dollar offshore outsourcing business.

The guest speakers were Tully Moss, President of the Magellan Alliance, and Arlene Tolentino, an AVP of HSBC HDPP.

Mr. Moss mentioned that the Philippines is a world leader in offshore outsourcing because “it has the second highest market share after India, the Filipino has the personality for customer care work, the Philippines has a very good telecommunications infrastructure, the Philippines has low cost labor, and Filipinos have a reputation for having a good work ethic.” He added that “because of these advantages, the Philippines is attracting global Fortune 50 companies such as Citibank, AIG, Dell, JP Morgan Chase and Shell resulting in many employment opportunities for people with strong managerial and leadership skills.” When Mr. Moss asked the attendees if they had any family in the Philippines, all of them answered yes. When he asked them for a good reason to return, most answered that they will come back for retirement. Still, some agreed that starting a new professional life back home would be rewarding in itself, but the ideal compensation package would sweeten the deal all the more. Mr. Moss and the Magellan Alliance help North American companies with their offshore outsourcing decisions.

When Ms. Tolentino began her talk and mentioned the dozens of management positions available at HSBC HDPP in the Philippines, the possibility of a homecoming became more of an opportunity to take. She spoke from experience, having spent 2 years as an expatriate in London with another firm, but returned to the Philippines and joined HSBC to help manage the 1,400 employees of its captive BPO and call center in Alabang. The number of employees alone and the fact that the Alabang facility is one of HSBC’s global service centers worldwide is a testament to the rapid growth and viability of offshore outsourced business in the Philippines.

Still, a lot of work remains to be done. “We need to do some more educating in terms of showing that the Philippines holds a lot of prospects for executives, managers, and professionals,” said Ms. Dominguez. “Many opportunities await Filipinos back home; all that’s needed is to inform them of the bright future that could be theirs, and see if they are willing to take the chance, she added.

Those who wish to explore exciting career opportunities in the BPO industry in the Philippines may send their resume to cvdominguez@johnclements.com.