Survey shows PH firms expect jobs growth
THE LATEST Regus Business Confidence Index showed that 90 percent of businesses in the Philippines are planning to increase or maintain headcount in 2013. The survey of more than 26,000 businesses across 90 countries highlighted a strong emphasis on recruiting more sales, marketing and operational staff in the Philippines. This positivity bolsters a stable business confidence index score which has risen slightly in the Philippines since October 2012, Regus said.
Globally, the Regus Business Confidence Index stands at 114 points, up 3 points from October 2012.
In the Philippines the index stands at 147 points, up one point from six months ago. Sixty-three percent of businesses in the Philippines report rising revenues and 59 percent increased profits over the past twelve months.
Nearly a third (30 percent) plan to increase headcount by more than 5 percent and 51 percent think firms will hire more sales and marketing employees and 53 percent highlight operational staff.
John Henderson from Regus, the global workspace provider, said: “The standout figures are not just that firms are looking to recruit but that their plan is to invest in sales and marketing, this shows that companies feel it’s the right time to go out there and sell.”
He said the results suggested that sales and marketing professional would be in high demand in the coming months and that businesses needed to consider how to recruit and retain the best in the field, ensuring they could remain competitive in their market.
“All trends indicate that offering flexible working will move from a ‘nice to have’ perk to a necessary condition of employment, being key to securing and retaining the best employees for any company. As younger people come into the workforce, they have a very different attitude to work, placing flexibility and quality of life above more traditional considerations. But flexible working also brings additional benefits helping businesses cut fixed office space costs and increase staff productivity,” Henderson said.