The worldwide BPO (business process outsourcing) market reached $261.9 billion in 2022 according to one Grand View Research study. This demonstrates that the business process outsourcing industry is a global phenomenon and has grown rapidly in recent years.
Business Process Outsourcing is a method that allows businesses to outsource non-core company activities and procedures to third-party service providers. BPO providers provide unique knowledge and efficiency, which can lead to cost savings and higher productivity. As a result, companies of all sizes are increasingly outsourcing a variety of jobs, from customer service to IT support to manufacturing.
As this industry grows, it creates numerous job opportunities for the general population. Outsourced employees from all around the world are employed by BPO companies. In the Philippines, for example, it was projected that 1.3 million Filipinos would be employed in over 1,000 BPO businesses in 2019, with an annual growth rate of 8–10%. According to estimates, the country controls 10–15% of the worldwide BPO business. Its services are geared toward the United States, Japan, New Zealand, and Australia.
Expectations of Employees
Here are some of the things that employees in the BPO business might expect:
Fast-paced and Demanding Work Environment:
Because BPO companies often have tight deadlines and high expectations, employees must be able to work swiftly and efficiently. They may also be required to deal with tough or demanding customers.
Strong Communication Skills:
One of the most important criteria for BPO is a demand for great communication skills. As previously said, outsourcing companies frequently interact with clients from different nations, so outsourced workers must be able to communicate well in English.
A Global Workforce:
Because many BPO companies have a global workforce, employees may work with people from all over the world. This could be a useful way to learn about various cultures and points of view.
The Possibility To Develop New Skills:
BPO companies frequently invest in training and development so employees can pick up new skills to further their careers.
Competitive Pay and Benefits:
BPO companies often pay competitive salaries and provide benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off.
Work-from-home options:
Many BPO businesses provide the opportunity to work from home, which may be an excellent way to achieve a better work-life balance.
The requirement for flexibility:
BPO companies often have to adjust employees to meet the changing demands of their clients. Outsourced workers may be required to work a variety of shifts or take on more responsibilities as a result of this.
Employee Challenges
Some of the different challenges that BPO employees may address are as follows:
Long hours and high pressure:
BPO employees are often required to work long hours, including weekends and overtime. This may be difficult and stressful, leading to burnout.
Repetitive Tasks:
BPO employees often need to carry out repetitive activities, which can be boring and monotonous. This may result in work dissatisfaction.
Language Barriers:
BPO workers may be needed to collaborate with clients or customers who speak different languages which might be challenging.
Cultural differences:
BPO employees can be expected to work with people from different cultural backgrounds. This might be hard and lead to misunderstandings.