Philippine's Business Culture

By Author: Brandon Witham
Total Articles: 26
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What are those cultural features in the Philippines that make the country suitable for offshore outsourcing? The call center Philippines industry has for long been a thriving and growing sector of the country’s industry. This is as a result of many factors. One of the most significant of these factors which most businesses are on the lookout for is the cultural factor.
Another obvious factor certainly is the cost of doing business in the country. Renting of office space, payment for utilities like water bill, electric bill, VOIP telephone connection and internet are not an issue as they are very affordable and well accessible throughout the entire country. However, these factors are also in abundance in a handful of other countries. The cultural factor therefore, could just be an edge for the Philippines. What really is this cultural edge? How did such a factor develop in the country? How does this edge facilitate the call center industry and offshore outsourcing in general?
The Island of the Philippines was initially a Spanish colony for about four hundred years. The culture ...
... of the people was greatly influenced by this. The foreigners were accepted by the Filipinos in a very hospitable manner. They were received by the Filipinos who prepared feasts and welcomed them into the country. This is a basis tradition of the people even till this day.
Hospitality is an integral part of the traditional beliefs of the Philippines. In addition, the cavalier Hispanic culture of receiving guests in the most hospitable manner further reinforces this lifestyle even more. This hospitable nature is visible seen in call centers which require agents to be accommodating and patient with customers which is similar to receiving a guest. Call center agents also need to have a listening ear to entertain requests from callers. This is how hospitality plays a major role.
After being a Spanish colony, the Philippines was later colonized by the United States. Although, during the war, it was invaded by the Japanese, it was later reclaimed by the Americans after defeating the Japanese. The colonization of the Philippines by the United States of America lasted for a very long time and they assisted in the rebuilding of the nation and this has left a lasting impression which is still visible today. The nation's legal system, the educational system and the constitution was modeled after the codes and system of the United States. In fact, the business systems tradition and practices were all designed to be similar to that of the United States.
The language of business in the Philippines is American English. It is taught as a core subject right from grade school to the high schools and colleges. With all of these cultural influences, the call center industry in the Philippines has an edge of linguistic and cultural compatibility. American movies, television shows, music and news are widely consumed across the entire country. Having said that, there is no doubt why Filipino agents are able to provide quality offshore call center services and reliable customer service support.

Filipino call center agents are well equipped to communicate effectively with customers who are Americans as they have the same mind set.