Philippines

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Capital City: Manila

Population: 92M

GDP (nominal) 2008
- Total US$167B
- Per capita US$1.8K

 

GDP: (PPP) 2008 
- Total US$318B
- Per capita US$3.5K

Corruption Perception Score: 2.5

 

Currency: Philippine Peso (Php)

 

Dominant Religions: Roman Catholic, Islam

 

Official Languages: Filipino, English

Governmental System: Presidential republic

 

 

Background:

 

Philippines was controlled by a Spanish theocracy beginning in the 1600`s and later by the United States before achieving full independence after the Second World War.  Some Filipinos describe their culture as the result of spending 400 years in a Spanish monastery and 40 years in Hollywood.  The country has made strong economic progress over the past few years particularly in fast growth industries such as business process outsourcing and tourism.  

 

There are some special cultural differences that separate Filipino managers from those of other countries.  First of all, female participation in the professions and senior management is one of the highest in the world --  at par with progressive Scandinavian countries.  Despite being a deeply Catholic country within a male-dominated region, Filipino women have developed themselves into formidable managers in this remarkably tolerant nation.  

 

The second difference is that Filipino managers are more mobile than those of other countries.  They are very adaptive to foreign cultures and can function successfully in developed and emerging work environments.  Their work is well-regarded by international managers.  

 

 

Appraisal of Management Talent

 

Available Types:

Given that Philippines does not yet have a large number of regional head-quarters of multinational companies, the country does not have a significant number of senior management people.  That said, it does have a strong supply of very capable, mobile and English-speaking middle managers.  

 

There are a growing number of localized expatriate managers available in Philippines who are motivated to work and live for their own reasons.  Depending on the industry, there is a cost differential between these people and local Philippine managers although this is steadily being eroded over time.  

 

Education Standards:

There is a small supply of managers with international schooling.

  

A disproportionate number of senior managers in Philippines come 5 or so prominent universities.  These are: University of the Philippines (UP), Ateneo University, De La Salle University, University of Santo Thomas (UST) and Mapua Institute of Technology (MIT).   

 

Career Experience:

Local managers in Philippines are thought to be able to perform at international levels.  Multinational experience (rather than local company experience) is considered necessary for managers to perform at international levels.  

 

That said, some large local companies in Philippines are considered to be suitable training ground to develop international management talent.  Examples of these include: Smart Communications, Globe Telecom, SPI-BPO and Jollibee. 

 

Career Stability:

Filipinos are capable of forming strong relationships with managers and teams and exhibit above average career stability.  In most industries, it is possible to hire senior people with a history of long-term employment relationships.  If managed effectively and sensitively, they can be counted upon to be loyal to their managers. 

 

An interesting corollary of this, is that Filipinos often change jobs in groups.  A good management hire can result in a acquisition of an entire group of talented people who work well together. Although work must be done to prevent the same group from leaving again.  

 

Language Skills:

English is widely spoken in Philippines.  Most experienced managers will have excellent international English communications skills.  Other languages are also available but in less supply. 

 

Candidate Mobility:

Filipino managers are often mobile and many are ideal for overseas postings within Southeast Asia and other locations.  They flexible and open-minded toward most cultures and well regarded by international managers.

 

Candidate Motivation:

Filipinos are capable of developing lasting relationships with overseas managers.  They seem to be best motivated in this way rather than the achieve-your-numbers-or-I'll-fire-you approach that seems more prevalent in more aggressive cultures.

 

Compensation:

Despite the high-quality of Filipino managers, Philippines is an emerging country with income levels that are generally lower than those of so-called developed countries.   

 

 

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SPECIAL DOWNLOADS:

 

Media organizations throughout the world call upon the Principals of Chalre Associates for thought leadership.  Below are some examples of published material written by our consultants or international journalists who refer to them.  For a complete list of published work, Click Here.  

 

 

Getting Ready For The Deluge: Outsourcing in Philippines

by Chalre Associates senior staff

 

Download [PDF file, 62KB]

 

The Economist Intelligence Unit of the Economist magazine asked Chalre Associates' Chairman, Richard Mills, to write a chapter about the Philippine outsourcing sector in its annual Business Guide Book.  The material provides a Executive Briefing on the progress and major issues facing this industry that is certainly one of most significant growth stories in the world.  more

 

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Asia Pacific Mining Conference 2007 - Report

by Chalre Associates senior staff

 

Download [PDF file, 28KB]

 

The 7th Asia Pacific Mining Conference put on by the Asean Federation of Mining Associations was perhaps the largest such event in the region.  Richard Mills, Chairman of Chalre Associates gave this report on what was said by the prominent mining people who presented. more

 

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The State of BPO in Philippines: Dan Reyes Speaks

by Chalre Associates senior staff

 

Download [PDF file, 31KB]
 

Richard Mills, Chairman of Chalre Associates, interviewed Dan Reyes of Sitel for ComputerWorld (US) recently to get his views on the state of the BPO industry in Philippines. Dan presented US readers with compelling information to support his view that Philippines is currently seen as the "Number 1" option by global companies sending BPO work to offshore destinations. 
 
Dan Reyes is easily one of most experienced Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) managers in the Asia Pacific region and the world. He is head of the extremely successful Philippine operations of Sitel, the world's largest call center organization. Among other things, he is a founder and former president of the Business Processing Association of the Philippines.    more