The Outsourcing Week in Review: Wednesday, February 6, 2019

Welcome to Inside Outsourcing: The Outsourcing Week in Review

THE WEEK IN REVIEW

IT spending should reach US$3.76 trillion in 2019, up by 3.2% year on year, according to global consultancy Gartner. Opportunities in this huge market are well within the sights of the Philippines outsourcing sector, but only if the industry can sustain its development on multiple fronts. Despite fears over AI and automation, there is, thankfully, still robust demand for workers in the country that have ‘hybrid’ skills – those that combine technology skills with people-oriented ones – says a report by LinkedIn. It is not only in skills in new technology that are important, however, maintaining a basic standard of English language is a also a must, reminds former Senator Manuel Roxas II, who has played a significant role in developing the BPO sector in the country.

And demand for BPO jobs is not growing as fast as before, says Monster.com in its latest recruitment report. Maintaining the appeal of the country for foreign investment will be central to keeping up employment rates, and the uncertainty and delay over the new tax reform bill is taking its toll. According to the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, it has already resulted in a European company’s manufacturing project, with an investment of about P25 billion, being put on hold. Having high standards and strong regulation are also important in attracting more business. The Insurance Commission of the Philippines has just released a circular that provides new guidelines and definitions on the outsourcing activities and processes that insurance companies can undertake, and – as importantly – what they cannot outsource.

Overall, the major industry players are steadily taking firm action to position themselves competitively for the future. Accenture is continuing to ramp up its digital transformation in the country and across the region, says country managing director Lito Tayag. It has just opened its new Accenture Intelligent Operations Center Fukuoka in Japan. Closer to home, and on a different playing field, its local basketball team, the Accenture Sharks, is still in the running for the company’s first championship trophy in the Tanduay Athletics E-Leagues for Basketball after recently defeating the Sykes Pioneers.

In other events, WNS Holdings COO Ronald Gillette has announced his departure from the firm, citing personal reasons; Datamatics posted a solid 22% rise in its Q3 revenue; US-based consulting firm Accelerance has partnered with the Filipino software development firm, Exist; and Canon Business Process Services announced two senior hires to help drive its global expansion. IAOP, the global standard-setting organization has also inducted KPMG and Toyota business leaders into its prestigious hall of fame for services to outsourcing.

Wednesday, February 6, 2019

NEWS THIS WEEK

4 February 2019

• PH senator seeks protection for BPO sector – read more…
• WNS Holdings COO Ronald Gillette departs – read more…
• Datamatics posts 22% rise in Q3 revenue – read more…

1 February 2019

• Insurers given guidelines on outsourcing by Philippines regulator – read more
• Accenture ramps up its digital transformation in the Philippines – read more…
• Accelerance ties up with Filipino software firm Exist – read more…

31 January 2019

• IAOP inducts KPMG, Toyota business leaders into hall of fame – read more…
• IT spending to reach US$3.76 trillion in 2019 – Gartner – read more…
• Philippines BPO jobs post slower growth in December – read more…

30 January 2019

• ‘Hybrid’ skills much in demand in the Philippines – LinkedIn – read more…
• Accenture opens an intelligent operations center in Japan – read more…
• Canon Business Process Services announces senior hires – read more…

29 January 2019

• Filipino job seekers must be competent in English – Roxas – read more…
• A P24 billion European investment put on hold because of tax reform delay – read more…
• Accenture Sharks draws first blood in Tanduay E-Leagues – read more…

Read more Inside Outsourcing Newsletters here:

1. The Outsourcing Week in Review: December 26, 2018
2. The Outsourcing Week in Review: February 13, 2019