(Manila, Philippines, January 21, 2008) — Global consulting and IT services firm Headstrong announced that it is expanding its operations in the Philippines as a result of increased outsourcing and offshoring (O&O) opportunities here.

“Our clients see the Philippines as a largely untapped gem when it comes to outsourcing and offshoring. The skills that we need are here,” said Mark Kim, Headstrong vice-president for delivery North America operations. In addition to technical skills, “Cultural alignment and flexibility makes the country a viable alternative for O&O services,” he said.

“The Philippines is now taken very seriously,” he said, “as a quality provider of a range of outsourcing and offshoring services. Coupled with this perception is the benefit, for the Philippines, of accelerating demand globally for these services.”

Headstrong’s Manila Global Delivery Center (GDC) provides implementation support, engineering and quality assurance services to international clients. Increased client interest in the Philippines as well as positive outsourcing trends account for the decision to expand the Manila GDC. Michael Freiman, a Headstrong engagement principal based in New York, said the strength of the Manila GDC is the customer experience. “Customers meet our people here and immediately know they can get the job done. When you come out here, you see it,” he said.

“That’s because our people are able to articulate the issues clearly and then demonstrate that they can and they will to get the job done on a collective level.”

Both executives observed that long-term and repeat client engagements increasingly require more than process experience and domain expertise. “Close alignment in terms of management perspective and a deep understanding of the client’s business are becoming much more important,” Freiman said. “Expertise is fairly widely available in many of the tier-two O&O centers around the world, so it is important that tier-one providers differentiate themselves in other ways.”

Freiman believes that much of the Manila GDC’s success is attributable to the Filipino staff’s ability to understand their clients’ businesses and to credibly communicate that understanding while demonstrating a commitment to helping the client attain key business goals. “As a result,” he said, “we’re well positioned to leverage existing client partnerships to go to the next level of value-added services.”

Kim is confident that the Philippines will experience a surge in O&O business opportunities. “Given that the Philippines has steadily succeeded in establishing itself as a thriving center for the O&O business, we are working to strengthen skills development and deepen understanding of customer needs and processes in all service areas. Headstrong is growing at least 40% a year, and we are all excited to sustain this momentum.”




(Pinoy Press)