Local BPO firm expands
Performance 360 Call Center offers online ESL to Chinese; opens business for franchise
THERE'S no stopping Performance 360 Call Center and BPO Services' business success.
This is what the company's 32-year old founder and chief executive officer, Michael Cubos, believes with the favorable economic conditions and strengthened economic ties of the country with its Asian neighbors.
Cubos announced that his company will soon be servicing the young Chinese population through the virtual ESL (English as Second Language) program. This new account will be operational by January next year, employing initially some 150 teachers.
"The China opportunity came in after President Rodrigo Duterte's visit. I believe his state visit somehow cemented the trust and economic partnership of both countries, making it easier for us and our Chinese partner to do business with each other," said Cubos.
An investment of at least P5 million is needed to set up a specialized workstation for the ESL account. Cubos said that with the aggressive hiring, enough capital and demand, they might need a thousand teachers.
Open for franchise
Online or virtual ESL class is a growing demand in China, according to Cubos, especially among the middle-income class family.
"Chinese families are now exposing their children to learning the English language. I am confident that the entry of our ESL account for this market is a great opportunity for everyone, especially to our licensed teachers affected by the K+12 education curriculum," he said.
But, Cubos noted, applicants need not to be a college graduate. He said he just needs employees who are willing to be trained.
Aside from expanding its services, Cubos also announced that by the fourth quarter of 2017, he will formally launch the company as a franchisable call center.
At present the company is doing a pilot run of this business model in Cebu I.T Park with 30 heads.
Cubos sees this strategy not only as a way to grow the company's revenue but also to bring the outsourcing opportuni- ties in rural areas. This way, Cubos said people leaving in the countryside need not to leave their homes and families to work in urban areas which cost of living and traffic congestion is steadily rising.
"This will help a lot of people take advantage of the opportunities in outsourcing," he said. He, however, emphasized the need for reliable IT infrastructure, like fast internet connection for local investors to roll-out the franchise business.
To maintain profitability, Cubos said its main office will handle all business development, IT and quality support as well as all trainings needed to ensure that same business formula and work ethic and culture will be replicated.
"I want to make the business an inclusive one. We are actually operating on a different paradigm, an unconventional approach of putting up a BPO business," he said.
The second site of this franchised BPO will soon be erected in Argao. The company also received franchise intents in Misamis Oriental, Maasin City and Cotabato.