Many businesses are turning to offshoring to reduce costs and gain a strategic advantage. While this trend offers significant growth opportunities and a path to global expansion, success hinges on one critical factor: building the right team.
Fortunately, when you partner with a Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) company in the Philippines, you get to be part of the recruitment process. This gives you a unique opportunity to screen candidates who will become the core of your offshore team. While skills and knowledge are essential, the key is to look for four specific qualities that predict a team’s long-term success and cohesion.
Four Qualities of a World-Class Offshore Team |
1. Highly Adaptive: Beyond Just Flexibility
An offshore team will need to quickly adjust to your company’s culture, management style, and operational processes. You’ll be introducing them to systems that may be very different from what they’re used to. While many candidates can work with new software or tools, true adaptability is the ability to learn and thrive in a new environment.
What to look for:
- A proven track record of success in various industries or roles.
- Experience with a range of tools, and technologies your company uses.
- A “can-do” attitude that shows they embrace new challenges.
The good news is that Philippine workers are renowned for their adaptability.
With over a million professionals in the BPO industry, many have experience serving diverse international clients and can seamlessly integrate into any work culture. This natural flexibility makes them an ideal choice for building a versatile offshore team.
2. Exceptional Communication: More Than Just English Fluency
Communication is vital to any successful business relationship, and it becomes even more critical when working with an offshore team across different time zones.
While language proficiency is a factor, exceptional communication is about clarity, proactiveness, and mutual understanding.
What to look for:
- Proactive communicators who don’t just wait for instructions but provide updates and raise potential issues.
- Clarity and directness in their written and verbal communication.
- An understanding of professional etiquette in an international business setting.
The Philippines is one of the top English-speaking countries in the world, and second only to Singapore in Asia, which significantly reduces the risk of language barriers.
This linguistic advantage, combined with a natural aptitude for professionalism, ensures that your Philippine offshore team can communicate effectively, leading to more seamless operations and better results.
3. Optimism and Resilience: The Ability to Maintain Grace Under Pressure
Every job has its challenges, and a positive mindset can make all the difference. An optimistic and resilient team can navigate setbacks, solve problems creatively, and maintain productivity, even during high-stress periods. This quality is a key indicator of a team that can handle the pressures of deadlines and complex projects.
What to look for:
- A positive attitude during interviews and interactions.
- Evidence of problem-solving skills, where they can turn challenges into opportunities.
- A proactive mindset that seeks solutions rather than dwelling on problems.
A team full of upbeat and optimistic individuals is a tremendous asset. During interviews in the recruitment process, pay attention to the candidate’s demeanor and ability to talk about past challenges. Those who stand out for their positive attitude are often the most valuable additions to your Philippine offshore team.
4. Experience and Reliability: A Foundation of Trust
You’re seeking an offshore team to deliver fast, reliable results without extensive supervision. This is where experience becomes crucial.
An experienced team already understands the tools and processes required for the job, which significantly reduces onboarding time and enables them to hit the ground running.
What to look for:
- A proven track record in their field.
- Experience with industry-standard software and equipment.
- Positive references that attest to their reliability and work ethic.
Experience ensures that your team is trustworthy and dependable. When you hire professionals with a solid background, you’re not just getting a team—you’re getting a reliable business partner.
This makes the initial screening process for your Philippine offshore team incredibly important, as it ensures you get a unit you can count on.
Conclusion: Your First Step to Success
Ultimately, a bad hire can be a costly mistake for your business. That’s why you need to be deeply involved in the recruitment process to find a team that possesses these essential qualities.
The first step, however, is to partner with a reliable and trustworthy offshore service provider. They will not only help you identify and screen the best candidates but also ensure you are presented with a pool of qualified individuals who are ready to become a successful extension of your business.
Take the first step toward building your ideal offshore team by partnering with iSupport Worldwide.
Contact us today and let us connect you with skilled professionals tailored to your business needs. Your successful offshore team awaits!
Email us: buildyourteam@isupportworldwide.com
About the Author |
About iSupport Worldwide Founded in 2006, iSupport Worldwide is a US-owned offshoring leader based in the Philippines, delivering tailored solutions to enhance operational efficiency and exceed client expectations. Recognized on the Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing private companies for three consecutive years, honored in Inc. Magazine’s Power Partner Awards, and a recipient of the ACES Award for Inspiring Workplaces in Asia, iSupport Worldwide embodies a commitment to excellence. |