Yet one of the prominent challenges of outsourcing to different nations is the cultural barrier that often presents itself. What good would substantial savings be if your customers cannot understand your agents?
If this is a recurring problem for you, then here’s what you need to know about outsourcing to the Philippines.
A nation of linguists
The Philippines is an archipelago with over 7,000 islands with three main island groups: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Its densely populated provinces often have their own dialects. In fact, California State University Northridge indicates that there are eight major dialects in the Philippines. Meanwhile, Ethnic Groups of the Philippines say that there are more than 170 languages spoken on Philippine soil.
With that many dialects in the country, it only made sense that there should be a “universal” language. The official language of the Philippines is Filipino, often spoken in key locations throughout Luzon. Yet the majority of the country’s cities and municipalities promote English as a secondary language. Given that many provinces have their own dialects, the majority of Filipinos know at least three languages: their local tongue, Filipino, and English.
Adaptable tongue
Another point in favor of Filipino call center agents is the fact that they can easily learn different accents. Filipinos can effortlessly recognize different American accents such as the New Yorker, Californian, Southern, and Midwestern accents, among others. When responding to these callers, Filipino call center agents then utilize a neutral accent.
Imagine the opportunities you can derive from agents who do not have prominent local accents. You could have them call up potential clients in Australia, and the Aussies would be perfectly comfortable with their correspondent. You could spread your business far and wide, with your message being heard by countless possible customers.
Abolishing the language barrier
With the aforementioned factors in place, it only makes sense that multinational companies are seeking the services of Filipinos. If you are looking for the kind of sustainable growth that could only be achieved by tapping a group of highly skilled agents, then look no further than the Philippines. Visit Open Access BPO for more information.
