Working with Filipino Talent
5 Reasons Why DTC Owners Should Hire from the Philippines (and Hiring Mistakes to Avoid)
Key takeaways
Hiring talent in the Philippines can provide incredible opportunities for businesses. Known for its skilled and hardworking professionals, the country offers cost-effective solutions and a natural cultural fit for Western companies. However, hiring remotely involves challenges like navigating time zones, communication gaps, and onboarding hurdles, which require thoughtful planning.
This guide, inspired by a podcast featuring Lara Guevara, CEO and Co-founder of More Staffing, and Gregg Carey, Co-founder of Section 119 and More Staffing, explores the benefits of hiring Filipino professionals, pitfalls to avoid, and strategies for long-term success. Gain actionable insights to seamlessly integrate top-tier Filipino talent into your team and set your business up for scalable growth.
Why Businesses Hire in the Philippines
Businesses across industries, from small startups to large enterprises, are turning to the Philippines for cost-effective and quality staffing solutions. What makes the country such an attractive option? Here are key reasons:
1. Cost-Effectiveness
One of the biggest draws of hiring in the Philippines is the significant cost savings. Salaries are lower compared to markets in the U.S. and Europe, allowing businesses to scale efficiently without sacrificing quality. Filipino professionals often earn higher wages than they would in their local context, making it a win-win for both companies and employees.
2. High English Proficiency and Strong Work Ethic
With the Philippines ranking among the top countries for English proficiency, communication with Western businesses is seamless. Filipino employees are valued for their work ethic and commitment to excellence. As Gregg Carey explains, “Filipinos’ purpose is often connected to more than just themselves, but with the contribution to their family and their community.” This cultural value of dedication and responsibility makes them ideal remote employees.
3. Cultural Compatibility
Filipinos are highly adaptive and collaborate well with international teams. Their cultural compatibility with Western norms, especially in customer service and business communication, makes them a great fit for roles requiring high interaction and trust.
4. Remote Work Experience
As a thriving BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) industry, it has equipped Filipino professionals with the skills, discipline, and flexibility to excel in remote work. Many are accustomed to night shifts and understand how to effectively manage virtual environments.
5. Ease Through Staffing Agencies
Working with a staffing agency like More Staffing ensures a seamless hiring process. Agencies handle everything from screening candidates to ensuring compliance with labor laws, allowing you to focus on what matters most for your business.
“You need a partner leadership on the ground in that country who can interpret trust and culture,” says Lara Guevara. With More Staffing, you gain a trusted partner who connects you with pre-vetted talent while simplifying the complexities of remote hiring.
Common Hiring Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
The benefits of hiring in the Philippines are substantial, but it’s not without potential pitfalls. Avoid these common mistakes to ensure a successful hiring process:
1. Focusing Too Much on Cost Over Quality
Opting for the cheapest option might save money initially, but it often leads to subpar results. Instead, seek skilled professionals who offer long-term value. Gregg Carey emphasizes, “If you focus solely on cheap talent, you’re likely to compromise the quality of work. It’s better to focus on hiring the most skilled professionals at a fair rate that benefits both you and the employee.”
2. Skipping Proper Onboarding and Training
Onboarding is more than just handing over login credentials. It’s about setting clear expectations, providing the necessary tools, and ensuring employees understand your company culture. Lara Guevara shares, “Onboarding isn’t just about skills. It’s about managing expectations and ensuring the talent understands the client’s culture and work processes.”
Struggling with onboarding? You can access our free onboarding checklist, designed to help you create a seamless and successful onboarding program.
Download the Onboarding Checklist
3. Poor Communication of Expectations
Misunderstandings in time zones, responsibilities, or KPIs can derail projects. Ensure these details are communicated clearly to avoid any misalignment.
4. Ignoring Background Checks
Skipping reference checks or rushing the hiring process can result in poor hires. Always take the time to verify candidates’ qualifications and prior experience. In fact, we created a guide just for this problem. With our candidate reference checks manual you get everything you need to know to ensure you’re getting high-quality hires. Download it here.
5. Overlooking Time Zone Challenges
The 8- to 12-hour time difference between the Philippines and Western countries can create bottlenecks. Establish strategies like overlapping work hours to maintain productivity.
Best Practices for Hiring and Onboarding Filipino Remote Employees
To maximize the benefits of hiring in the Philippines, you need a strategic and thoughtful process. Here are proven best practices:
Step 1. Build a Structured Hiring Process
- Partner with a Staffing Agency: Agencies save time by introducing pre-vetted candidates and ensuring legal compliance.
- Conduct Structured Interviews: Use skills assessments and cultural-fit questions to evaluate candidates holistically.
- Prioritize Cultural Understanding: A candidate’s ability to adapt to your company’s values is as important as their technical skills.
Step 2. Develop a Comprehensive Onboarding Program
- Set Clear Expectations: Outline job responsibilities, KPIs, and remote work guidelines upfront.
- Provide Training Resources: Equip new hires with SOPs, video tutorials, and detailed processes.
- Encourage Open Communication: Use tools like Slack or Microsoft Teams to foster collaboration and address questions in real-time.
Looking to streamline your management of remote teams? Watch our on-demand webinar with expert insights into best practices for managing distributed workforces.
Step 3. Appreciate Cultural Differences
Filipino employees tend to be polite and hesitant to challenge authority directly. Create an environment where they feel comfortable sharing feedback and ideas.
Step 4. Invest in Retention and Development
Employee retention improves when workers feel valued. Offer professional growth opportunities and show appreciation for their contributions.
“Invest in your team, and they’ll invest in your business,” notes Gregg Carey, highlighting the importance of nurturing long-term relationships.
Managing Time Zones and Remote Work Dynamics
Working across time zones can be a challenge, but with the right approach, you can maintain seamless communication and productivity.
Time Zone Management Tips:
- Set Core Hours: Establish overlapping work hours for live communication.
- Leverage Digital Tools:
- Slack for instant messaging.
- Zoom for virtual meetings.
- Notion or Trello for project management.
- Promote Balance: Allow flexibility for employees to manage work-life priorities while staying productive.
Real-Life Success Stories of Hiring in the Philippines
Businesses like Section 119 have scaled rapidly by leveraging Filipino talent. By building a remote team of virtual assistants and customer service representatives, they optimized operations and expanded faster than anticipated.
“Hiring Filipino talent unlocked a deep expertise in supply chain, product development, and e-commerce, which allowed me to build out a rock-solid A-Team much earlier than expected,” shares Gregg Carey. These success stories demonstrate how Filipino talent can drive business growth when integrated thoughtfully.
Is Hiring in the Philippines Right for Your Business?
By tapping into the skilled talent pool in the Philippines, businesses can achieve scalable growth while fostering mutually beneficial relationships with employees. However, success requires a strategic approach. Avoid common mistakes, invest in onboarding and development, and consider partnering with a staffing agency like More Staffing to simplify the process.
“Working with a trusted staffing partner who understands local culture and business dynamics is key,” advises Lara Guevara. More Staffing specializes in connecting businesses with top Filipino talent, helping them save time and resources while ensuring success.
Start Hiring with More Staffing
Want More Insights?
For an in-depth discussion, listen to the full podcast featuring Andrew Faris, along with Lara Guevara and Gregg Carey. Learn how to avoid pitfalls, implement best practices, and hear real-world success stories. Don’t miss out on this resourceful episode!
