Posts Tagged ‘Call Centers’

Call Centers in India –The New Asylum for The Jobless

Monday, April 14th, 2008

The alarming population growth and unemployment in India .The history of call centers in India – the New Found Job – Changing face of the educated Youth of India.

India the second most populous nation in the world and getting ready to overtake China to become the most populous country in the globe is struggling hard to offer jobs for its teeming educated millions. India The emerging Super power India though being the fourth largest economy in the world in terms of purchasing power due to its swelling population that has since crossed a billion faces severe challenge in feeding her population. It holds the seventh position in the world by geographical area and is well known for its diverse culture and tradition. The country has made rapid progress in the economic, industrial and military spheres during the last two decades. It is an emerging super power and the largest democratic republic of the world.

The leader in the BPO industry The country has more than 1672 local dialects and 15 approved languages in the constitution. English and Hindi are widely used as the official languages. While the south east Asian Nations like Taiwan, China, Singapore, and Philippines concentrated on the outsourced jobs in electronic, digital and hardware domains, India carved a niche in software and call centre outsourcing process. Countries like China and Taiwan lagged behind in this area due to their poor command over English the one and only basic requirement for the call centre job. Unlike In China English is a compulsory subject in India and most of the schools have included it as the second language in their curriculum. Many schools are still maintaining English as the Medium of Instruction. The 200 year colonial rule by the British made this language a lingua franca among its diverse and multi language speaking states of North and South. The country realized its potential and exploited the Global call centre market to its advantage making use of its large English speaking educated youths willing to offer their service at low wages. The average income of a graduate call centre employee in India is not more than $350 a month compared to more than $1500. in any other developing nations. No wonder many a multinational in USA, and other European countries found their lucrative partners in call centre outsourcing process in India since 1995.

The major cities of Bangalore, Delhi, Chennai, and Pune has emerged as the BPO centers of the country where small ,medium and large sized outsourcing companies are being opened. The leading multinationals like Wipro, Dell and other leaders in the software market have found India as their Outsourcing partner due to its strategic location, English speaking skills, low wages and abundant labor forces. The call centre jobs in India is a fast developing industry that provide millions of Job for the educated unemployed of the country. The industry is likely to surge ahead and has the potential to emerge as a sector offering vast employment opportunities in the coming days.

Raveendranath.V.R. is a featured writer for CallCentersWorldwide.com. CallCentersWorldWide.com offers free consultation and access to over 100+ call center vendors around the world. Hope you have enjoyed the article. For consultation on Call Centers in India call 888-863-6680 or email newbiz@callcentersworldwide.com .

Call Centers in Romania

Monday, April 14th, 2008

Romania is best placed to make the most of the Cultural and Economic Revolution which is now following in the wake of the end of the cold war.

Not slow in spotting the huge shift in commerce to Eastern Europe, call centers in Romania have striven to make their mark on the world.

Romania recently impressed the Outsource World conference at the Earls Court exhibition center in London, with its open minded and modern approach to setting up call centers in the country. It has gone a long way to shake off the communist block image of a backward looking country, left behind by the rest of the world. They have always been innovative, but have lacked the opportunities. They were the first to build a computer in the Soviet block in 1962. With call centers being set up in Romania, this is all set to change.

Recently called the New India, as far as call center opportunities are concerned, Romania looks well placed to make the most of it. Already there have taken great strides to draw in property and tourist opportunities, which have opened up the whole Black Sea area. But are now looking for new partners to increase off-shore outsourcing in call centers.

Once ignored by many large companies, this is about to change with Aries, the Romanian Association for Electronic and Software Industry, and it’s vice President: Florin Vrejoiu. Their point of view is, that Romanian’s better understand European culture, and are much better places to communicate with Europe than India.

This will have a resonance with the European Union, who are keen to promote Industry close to home. They are expected to pour $124.2 million a year into Romania alone. The wonderful thing about call centers is, that they only need the commodity of people. In a recent report drawn up by the consultants Pierre Audoin Consultants (PAC), the claims were put that Romania is even more economical than India.

It is true to say that many large European and US companies have poured money into Eastern Europe. No one country is getting the lion’s share, and the skills and expertise have to be shared by Romania and her neighbors. But the possibility of high investment in call centers in Romania, is almost certain.

The Rise of Outbound Call Centers in the 21st Century

Monday, April 14th, 2008

As the technology swims in a state of flux through generations, so is the necessity of mankind for ready access to substantial and authoritative information. The invention of computers and other cybernetic machines paved way for the rise of the Internet, which allowed us to instantly gather information with just a few clicks.

The remarkable expansion of the computers and the Internet in the 21st century conquered different fields— in biochemistry, in nuclear physics, in psychology and in dozens of other fields. Internet made what appears impossible, possible. Computers had successfully accomplished the discovery of grand new areas in medicine, the exploration of outer space by manned flight, the innovations in the field of robotics and countless other advancements.

Moreover, computers also provide assistance in many aspects of our daily life, including purchasing products. Truly, computers have made it possible for companies to market their products without the hassle of actual negotiations. However, as time goes by, most customers prefer talking to someone to make sure every information about the product is clear and every question he has in mind is instantly answered. This gives rise to telemarketing.

Perhaps you have experienced receiving a call from a stranger with perfect accent and formal language offering a product at a reasonable price and explaining the benefits the product may cause you. That scenario is what telemarketing exactly is. It increases and stabilizes customer awareness about products which may be of great necessity to the customers. Telemarketing is only one of the two major services offered by outbound call centers. Many companies are taking this strategic method in business to increase the sales and popularity of the products.

Basically, outbound call center is a unit that uses high technology telecommunications system. It serves as an outsourced provider facility that manages services for outgoing phone calls and other technological means of communications such as e-mail, VoIP and live internet chat. Telemarketing outbound call centers make use of sophisticated communications technology such as PBX, IP and ASR.
Aside from telemarketing services, another major service offered by outbound call centers is market research. Since marketing firms only have limited time to survey, most firms pass on this task to a third party which is an expert on market research. The main function of market reasearch is to know more about what the customers want and how they evaluate certain products.

The present rate of outbound telemarketing expansion in the global market has increased over the years. Evidently, it is likely to continue its vigorous growth in the next years to come. At this generation where competition is stiff and consumer demands are high, telemarketing and market research through outbound call centers would remain in promoting public awareness about what they need and what they want.

Sources:
1. http://www.callcenter-guide.com/outbound-call-center.php
2. http://www.callcenter-guide.com/call-center.php

Call Centers in the Philippines

Monday, April 14th, 2008

Call centers in the Philippines are best suited to offer service to many parts of the world. It still has close cultural ties with the US; is closely situated to Australia, and is best placed to make the most of the breathtaking growth of China.

At the moment, the ex-patriot population who has had to leave the country to find work around the world, fuels many inbound customer calls amongst the population. This is a problem faced by many third world countries, that once relied on commodities to help their economies. With the unprecedented growth in IT and the Internet, call centers are a way of helping with this.

The call centers in the Philippines can reply on a highly educated population, that are in big demand for skills across the globe. But the Philippine government has realized this and launched an education program to turn things around.

The call center Industry in the Philippines drew up a Benchmarking Study, by the company: callcenters.net 3 years ago, and found some startling facts. There are over 200 call centers in the Philippine, operated by over 150 companies. Most of the working population are women, taking up 20,000 call center seats, but this true figure for employment is twice this. This brings in around $260 million to the outsourcing market. This is a very young market, with most of the new companies being set up in resent years. However most annalists agree that this market will more than double in the next few years.

Am education center was set up in Cebu to cater for the growing need to bring education standards for call centers in the Philippines up to world levels. There were some problems in the early days, as it is difficult to motivate a country that has only been looked upon in the past, as an exploited labor force.

The Clark Aerotropis was once known as the largest US air base in the region. When it was handed back in 1991, business was not slow to utilize the potential of this huge and valuable resource. The best know transport company to use this site was the US firm UPS. With excellent transport links to the rest of the world, this is where the call centers in the Philippines are choosing to set up their base.

Like many countries around the world that want to embrace the commercial revolution, one of the best ways of encouraging them, is to offer incentives on tax rates.

Call centers in the Philippines are offered 5% on the tax rate for all equipment.

This has caught the eye of even Japan, who are pouring in over $9 million to set up call centers in the Philippines.

By far the biggest catch for the country, is the fact that AOL have even set up call centers in the Philippines. With a company as big as this, there can be little doubt as to the driving intentions of the market.

(Steven Lambert) is a featured writer for CallCentersWorldwide.com. CallCentersWorldWide.com offers free consultation and access to over 100+ call center vendors around the world. For consultation on (call centers in the Philippines) call 888-863-6680 or email newbiz@callcentersworldwide.com .

The World of Philippine Call Centers

Monday, April 14th, 2008

The Philippines, as the third largest English speaking nation in the globe, and with a high literacy rate, is regarded as one of the best call center destinations in the world. Thus, making them the most serious and stiff rival of India. This is also since the call center outsourcing industry chiefly caters to markets from countries like United States, United Kingdom and Australia, call center agents are obligated to obtain the foreign accent, study the geography and cultural backgrounds of these countries and work on a graveyard shift.

Furthermore, the low-cost class A office spaces, better power and telecommunications infrastructure, good quality yet economical labor force and the cooperation the government is all too willing to hold out to these foreign investors are other reasons which make the country attractive to foreign companies.

Trainings undergone by call center agents
Call center trainees as agents, graduates and even undergraduates, who qualified the preliminary examination go through a six-day English skills training and product training for three weeks. After these, agent trainees will be placed on the floor to mock calls for assessment. These agents are assumed to type at least 25 words per minute.

Salary and other incentives
Call center agents receive the basic pay which ranges from P11, 000 (US$200.98 at US$1=PhP54.73) to P13, 000 monthly. Some call center companies give their agents P2, 500 food and transportation allowance a month and a performance appraisal bonus summing to P4, 000. Often, they are also offered spiffs like appliances, cellular phone loads and gift checks to enhance the sales per hour capacity of the employees. For instance, whoever first gets five sales per hour for the night earns a prize. And an additional P11, 500 commissions plus a 30-50 percent night differential is granted to an agent who hits the target quota sales. Generally speaking, a good-working agent acquires a gross monthly income of more than P31, 000.

And that’s not all. Benefits like SSS, health insurance, Pag-ibig and salary loans are received by call center agents. Plus, some call centers offer freebies like free shuttle rides, free meals and coffee and sleeping rooms to rest and even karaoke rooms to wind down.

Most people find the job simple and beneficial. But call center is not just about the easy stuff and being laid-back. It is as well a stressful job just like others. Same as others, it is a job that deals with great effort. This is the world of call center. Rapidly running, easy to some, very helpful and often times, stressful. Are you ready to enter it and live by it?

SOURCE:
http://www.livinginthephilippines.com/call_centers.html

Call centers in U.S.A. The controversy in Outsourcing

Monday, April 14th, 2008

The history of call centers in U.S.A. growth and potential-the concept of outsourcing- Job opportunities Vs. cost reduction-

U.S.A. The Country and Its Population
United States of America the federal republic situated primarily in North America bordered by Canada in the north and Mexico in the south is the global super power of the world especially after the fall of the U.S.S.R. This federal republic has emerged as the leading and dominant influence in the economic and political domains of the world. The majority of its population being the descendants of white European settlers, the country’s culture is a mixture of various sects and cosmopolitan in nature. As per the estimates of 2006 the population exceeds 289 million people. It would be interesting to know that the United States has no official language though English is the most widely spoken language. More than 97 percent of the population speaks English followed by Spanish and Chinese in that order.

The History Of Call Centers in USA
The concept of call center is nothing new to this federal state. The call center industry that became popular in USA has created more than 5 million jobs in the country since 1990 as per the rough estimates. The industry is all set to take a high growth rate considering the shift in the prominence from industry to service sector. The call centers of the USA being managed professionally and the employees receiving good pay packets some of the multinationals and later on many large and medium sized companies started exploring the outsourcing of the call centre jobs to the third world countries in Asia and other developing nations.

Out sourcing The New Mantra
The high savings in the cost of labor that the multinationals could make may be assessed from the drastic difference in the compensation paid for a call center employee in USA and to the counterpart in a country like India. While the average yearly earnings of an employee in a call centre in U.S.A is around $20000 the corresponding figure in India is only about $4000 i.e. on an average only 20 percent of the wages paid in developed countries. The move though claimed to be part of industrial globalization the main motive behind the same could be economy in expenditure and reduction in cost. The corporate giants could also cite historical evidences of outsourcing from 1830 starting from country’s wagon covers that was outsourced to Scotland and the outsourced work relating to the payroll and word processing in nineteen eighties. The new move was received not without criticism on account of impending job insecurity and labor displacement in the country. Though the immediate impact is not alarming there is wide spread resentments among the labor organizations about unbridled outsourcing.

Looking Ahead
The scope and growth of the call centre jobs in the U.S. has to be seen in the above backdrop. Looking ahead we may hope that new innovations may in future replace human work places and the need and economy of the job outsourcing may eventually reduce if not vanish , bringing new vigor and dimensions to the call centers in the country.

Raveendranath.V.R. is a featured writer for CallCentersWorldwide.com. CallCentersWorldWide.com offers free consultation and access to over 100+ call center vendors around the world. Hope you have enjoyed the article. For more information and consultation on Call centers in U.S.A. please call 888-863-6680 or email newbiz@callcentersworldwide.com .

The Rise of Outbound Call Centers in the 21st Century

Monday, April 14th, 2008

As the technology is in a state of flux through generations, so is the necessity of mankind for ready access to substantial and authoritative information. The invention of computers and other cybernetic machines paved way for the rise of the Internet, which allowed us to instantly gather information with just a few clicks.

The remarkable expansion of the computers and the Internet in the 21st century conquered different fields— in biochemistry, in nuclear physics, in psychology and in dozens of other fields. Internet made what appears impossible, possible. Computers had successfully accomplished the discovery of grand new areas in medicine, the exploration of outer space by manned flight, the innovations in the field of robotics and countless other advancements.

Moreover, computers also provide assistance in many aspects of our daily life, including purchasing products. Truly, computers have made it possible for companies to market their products without the hassle of actual negotiations. However, as time goes by, most customers prefer talking to someone to make sure every information about the product is clear and every question he has in mind is instantly answered. This gives rise to telemarketing.

Perhaps you have experienced receiving a call from a stranger with perfect accent and formal language offering a product at a reasonable price and explaining the benefits the product may cause you. That scenario is what telemarketing exactly is. It increases and stabilizes customer awareness about products which may be of great necessity to the customers. Telemarketing is only one of the two major services offered by outbound call centers. Many companies are taking this strategic method in business to increase the sales and popularity of the products.

Basically, outbound call center is a unit that uses high technology telecommunications system. It serves as an outsourced provider facility that manages services for outgoing phone calls and other technological means of communications such as e-mail, VoIP and live internet chat. Telemarketing outbound call centers make use of sophisticated communications technology such as PBX, IP and ASR.

Aside from telemarketing services, another major service offered by outbound call centers is market research. Since marketing firms only have limited time to survey, most firms pass on this task to a third party which is an expert on market research. The main function of market reasearch is to know more about what the customers want and how they evaluate certain products.

The present rate of outbound telemarketing expansion in the global market has increased over the years. Evidently, it is likely to continue its vigorous growth in the next years to come. At this generation where competition is stiff and consumer demands are high, telemarketing and market research through outbound call centers would remain in promoting public awareness about what they need and what they want.

Sources:
1. http://www.callcenter-guide.com/outbound-call-center.php
2. http://www.callcenter-guide.com/call-center.php

Call Centers in Mexico

Sunday, April 13th, 2008

When it comes to call centers, Mexico is well placed to take a slice of the world market.

Many large companies like Vycera are bullish when it comes to the prospect of opening more call centers in Mexico. The most obvious of which, is the fact that it borders the largest commercial market in the world.

Coupled with this, the working cost for wages and taxes, are a fraction of the cost compared to the United States. For years Mexico has looked on, and seen its work force slip over the border to be employed in the lowliest and menial jobs. Now this can be halted, as call centers in Mexico will provide a level of skills and security never seen before by any other industry.

With a growing social problem, the last thing Mexico needs is the patronage of large corporations who would flood the country with more dead end jobs. No, what they need is high tech, and high motivation jobs that will put them alongside the superpowers in the information revolution. And call centers in Mexico can deliver this.

At first the language barrier might appear to be a problem when a Hispanic nation is talking to an English based one. But apart from the fact, that such a high proportion of Mexican’s are bilingual there is another advantage.

The fact is, that a large proportion of US citizens are now of Hispanic origin. They might have it as a second language, but the mother tongue is well and truly embedded in the culture. To this end, many companies can see the potential for this huge market.

People will buy goods and services if they feel they are tailored to them, and they are not treated like foreigners. Call centers in Mexico have been quick to pick up on this, and many billing and enquiry services now use this underused tool to their advantage.

As the world moves on, so do levels of service, and call centers in Mexico have to provide information for people to cope with the demands of modern life.

Tijuana has seen companies like Vyera, open 350 customer support services, in a bid to make call centers in Mexico expand. These were services once provided over the border in San Diego, but at a fraction of the cost. Since its start in 1995, Vyera has seen the market skyrocket.

To stop any critics of the development, call centers in Mexico have gone out of their way to guarantee quality assurance. To prove they mean what they say, these big companies have gone out and won major contracts, providing long distance and local telecomm bundles. Now the challenge is to win over those profitable contracts for international and dial-around services.

A company like Linea Mexicana can deliver 10-45% less than their friends across the border. This service will be used to the limit, because most of the market is back and forth across this dividing line. Call centers in Mexico are more important now as the backbone to the economy.

(Steven Lambert) is a featured writer for CallCentersWorldwide.com. CallCentersWorldWide.com offers free consultation and access to over 100+ call center vendors around the world. For consultation on (Mexican Call Centers) call 888-863-6680 or email

newbiz@callcentersworldwide.com .

Call Centers in Jamaica

Sunday, April 13th, 2008

Call centers in Jamaica, find themselves in a fortunate position, as this is the largest English speaking island in the Caribbean. It is within short flying distance of the US mainland, and enjoys a strong international link with Europe.

They have adopted a free market approach to liberalizing and deregulating the economy. So any call center in Jamaica is well placed to exploit the world market. In recent years the world has changed so much, and this country has faced up to the challenge, and re-written the rules.

At one time, the only large Telecomm Company that operated on the island, was Cable & Wireless. Still on the island, in the form of Jamaica Digiport International (JDI). This was left over from the colonial days, as the British enjoyed a monopoly on any commerce. Now that has all changed, and Jamaica has welcomed in many new companies from all over the world.

To this effect, they have set up several free trade zones, where new investors enjoy cut rate deals from the government. These incentives give new investors 100% relief from any import tax, as long as they can prove they can export most of their services.

This has had the effect of boosting the market so much, Jamaica can now compete with the largest call center firms in the world. They have applied to claim their own VSAT license to operate their own satellite links from call centers in Jamaica to the whole planet.

Like many small struggling countries, Jamaica found the old markets of world trading drying up. Sugar; Bananas and other commodities, were not enough, for a growing population. They needed something else, and although tourism is still the bedrock of the economy, the government knew it could exploit the highly intelligent population to come up with an answer.

The answer was call centers in Jamaica, and with the pressing ahead of a massive education program, they look well set to achieve it. The INTEC program, was launched by the government to bring all the industry sectors together. It succeeded and has now brought in 6 new call centers in Jamaica, to employ over 2,000 people. They even give some money back to employers, who offer to train the new staff for all call centers in Jamaica. This is through (HEART) the Human Employment and Resource Training Trust, at 20,000 Jamaican Dollars per employee.

The country enjoys a stable democracy, with a low crime rate, which has meant foreign capital has come flooding in. The largest companies are: Apple Vacations; SITEL Caribbean; Alliance One, and Teleservices. Not content with that, they have formed their own company: Westcome Jamaica Ltd.

With wages and health costs, making up half to three quarters of any large company, call centers in Jamaica, can significantly reduce this. True to say, that it cannot compete with large countries like India, but it is well placed to the US. But more to the point, the industry has taken off so much, that even the largest countries cannot cope, and call centers in Jamaica with be quickly snapped up. Even India cannot cope with the explosion of trade with China, so there is still a great deal of slack in the market to be taken up.

(Steven Lambert) is a featured writer for CallCentersWorldwide.com. CallCentersWorldWide.com offers free consultation and access to over 100+ call center vendors around the world. For consultation on (call centers in Jamaica) call 888-863-6680 or email newbiz@callcentersworldwide.com .

Call Centers in Israel

Sunday, April 13th, 2008

Call centers in Israel are well placed to exploit the massive information revolution which is taking place around the globe today.

Situated between two worlds, Israel is at the gateway between the East and Europe. With one of the highest educated populations in the world, language and technical difficulties are no barrier here.

Being on the leading edge of telecomm and computer advancement, has ensured call centers in Israel are in the center of this world wide movement. Most countries outside of Europe and the US, had to import the skills and knowledge into their own country to bring themselves up to world standards. Israel is in the unique position of driving the industry standards from the start. Many of the technical innovations which have made call centers possible, have been pioneered by Israel from the beginning.

With the free flow of people emigrating to Israel from every part of the world, there is an important need for them to stay in touch. They will have left behind friends and families, so there will be a desperate need to stay in touch. Call centers in Israel can fill this gap, by shrinking the world. People will feel homesick for a life they left behind, so any reminder of their old life is welcomed.

Many new citizens to Israel today, are from Eastern Europe. Once the Cultural Revolution took place in those countries and the cold war was ended, people found they could travel and live, where ever they liked. So Jewish people wishing to come home to their roots took the opportunity and flocked there. But there is always a cultural shock, and many will want to keep the links with the life they left behind.

It may not be possible to physically go back to those countries, but call centers in Europe make all this possible.

It is not enough to just set up a building and fill it full of telephones. Without the expertise to monitor and analyze these calls, the opportunities are wasted. Many of the machines used to monitor calls began life in Israeli companies. VoiceSense is a good example of this. Enabling companies to adopt filtering and voice analysis.