StarTek Inc. Call Center in Makati

Let's welcome another major player in our robust call center industry, and it reiterates that the Philippines is a preferred choice for BPO's.

StarTek Incorporated is a Denver, Colorado-based, leading international service provider, which operates 21 call centers, all in North America. Its Makati City call center is StarTrek’s first overseas venture. In the news, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo led the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the StarTek contact center, last January 21 at the SM Cyberzone Building located between Jupiter street and Buendia Avenue in Makati City. Country Manager Susan Padley said that 400 customer care representatives are now currently employed at StarTek’s Makati facility and would reach 600 next month, and up to 1,125 at full capacity.

The way I see it, this is another great opportunity for us to grow our careers, as more choices may translate to a more competitive market for us BPO workers.

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Convergys in Glorietta 5 Makati

Just got the word that Convergys is now accepting applicants for its newest Glorietta 5 site. The new building is an eight-level structure at the old parking lot occupying the space in front of Hotel Intercontinental Manila and beside Rustan’s mall. Three floors of Glorietta 5 will have retail spaces spanning around 9,500 square meters, and the other five floors will have office spaces for Convergys. Here are the available jobs that might be worth of your attention:

Senior Operations Managers

-should have at least 2 years experience as an Operations Manager in an international call center

Operations Managers

-should have at least 1 year experience as an Operations Manager in an international call center

Team Leaders

-should have at least 1 year experience as Team leader in an international call center

Customer Service Associates

Collection Care Representatives

To apply, proceed to our Ayala Recruitment Office:
Convergys One, Building 6796 Ayala Ave.,cor. Salcedo St. Legaspi Village, Makati City

It's never too late to change jobs if your current employer won't give you your annual salary increase! hehe.

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Callwork Comics in Sykes Asia - Robinsons Summit Makati

Since the November 2008 launch of Callwork Comics, it’s been selling like hotcakes! Now, let me show you some pictures of Sykes Asia - Robinsons Summit Makati agents enjoying Callwork Comics. Special thanks to their team manager, Jj. I enjoyed the jollyjeep breakfast hehe!

Get your own copy of Callwork! You may text or call 0922-5626803 for free delivery.

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Stream Global Services Call Center in SM North

This should be an additional proof that the call center industry in the Philippines remains strong, amidst the worldwide financial crisis. Few months ago, I happen to pass by from Monumento to MRT North station and noticed the big renovation job by SM North on its Annex building. Now, a US-based firm, Stream Global Services, formerly known as Global BPO Services Corp., is constructing a 1,500-seat facility at the sixth floor of the newly opened SM North Annex. Stream Global Services will start operating its facility this June, and saw this ad online:

Jump into the Stream! Be part of the pioneer team in the newest call center to operate in Quezon City. Customer Service Representatives- Competitive Salary Package- Get as much as Php18,000 as Basic Pay- Receive a signing bonus up to 1 month of your basic salary. Apply Now! Email your resume to stream@teledevelopment.comVisit 3/F Robinsons Executive Tower ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center Pasig City.

Hmmm..18k is not that bad at all, when I remember my 12.5k basic pay days! hehe.

Update: The Stream Global and eTelecare Merger

For Jobs Central link please click here.

Join our Forums to discuss topics about Stream Global Services.

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“Filipinoism”?

A lot of words that are considered “English” in the Philippines are actually not readily understandable by foreigners or non-Filipinos. It is a result of direct, literal translation from the Filipino language to English, and it is not always correct to do it that way. As call center agents we should practice more to be understood clearly by our customers and I got a partial list here that should help us avoid “Filipinoism” and improve on our communication skills.

Most common Filipinoisms:

Aircon – air conditioner; air-conditioning unit.
Already – literal translation of “na”.
Batches – use classes, teams, groups for people and batches for things.
Bottomless – refillable
C.R. or comfort room – restroom; toilet, washroom, men’s room or ladies room.
Come again – Pardon me?; could you say that again please?
Connected with – working with
Fall in line – Stand in line, form a line
Fetching – picking up someone
For a while – use Please hold; hold on (when speaking on the phone)
Go down – Get off; I’m getting off (from a vehicle)
I’ll go ahead – Goodbye; I have to go
Officemates – Co-workers; colleagues
Ref – Refrigerator; Fridge
Rubber shoes – Sneakers; trainers; running shoes

And my favorite: It’s so traffic! hehe.

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January Agent of the Month: Ruth

Let’s start the year right with a fresh face from the call center industry, and I'm glad to also share to you her different views about the job. I had a chat with Ruth, and she is After Call Blogs' Agent of the Month for January. hehe. Here are some of her candid answers to my queries.

Alex: You’re from which call center?
Ruth: IBM-Daksh

Alex: And your account and role?
Ruth: Secret. No disclosure. hehe. online shopping.

Alex: Describe your company.
Ruth: My company is known all over the world because it is a computer brand. LOL. Can’t specify any other than that. (antok na ako eh huhu)

Alex: What do you like best in your job?
Ruth: Pay, friendly environment, team buildings, chance to go to different places and meet different kinds of people.

Alex: what do you usually do on your breaks?
Ruth: I rarely eat, I’d rather spend it sleeping or walking outside the office.

Alex: Describe your perfect day at work.
Ruth: Having a great time with my team despite the stress that you get from work and getting recognition for a job well done.

Alex: Can you give some advice to aspiring call center agents?
Ruth: Call center agents should master the virtue of patience. The secret of staying in this industry is finding enjoyment in the tasks given to you.

Maybe I should also learn that patience thing... hehe. I'm just thinking aloud.

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How to Handle Irate Customers

The inevitable in a call center job: irate customers. I can't help but laugh when I remember a co-worker used to tell his customers "restrain yourself, sir." hehe. This video may help us understand angry customers, and may also reduce our urge to release calls. haha.

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A Prosperous and Happy New Year Ahead of Us

It’s the first day of the year 2009 and there are lots of speculations about the year ahead, especially about the economy. It’s really easy to get confused to what people predict for this year but for your personal finances, it’s really only you who can make things happen for you, all for the better. Here are some things that I plan or continue to do this year 2009 and this may also help you formulate your own.

Sell old stuff that I don’t need. Doing this will free your apartment of clutter and could generate some amount of cash that could go directly to your savings, or can be used to buy new useful stuff.

Try to cut on cellphone expenditures. For prepaid users, set a limit to your prepaid load usage for the month and buy 300 or 500 call cards because they contain free texts. For me, getting a postpaid plan will only incur unnecessary expenses, and I’d rather take advantage of unlimited texting promos and call promos.

Put up a home based business. Home-based businesses, which simply refer to work that could be done in the comfort of home, are continuously increasing in popularity. Home business, of course, doesn't have to be confined to homemakers. It could be a sideline while doing a day job and it don’t necessarily need a large capital to start, but only creativity, hard work and a lot of “diskarte”.

Learn something new. What you may learn can also be a good business idea as well. You can try to read and surf online or attend free seminars.

Save and save. And that’s the bottom line. Other than your payroll ATM account, open a separate passbook savings account. I think an ATM account will not be a good savings account, because of access to withdraw cash anytime from an ATM machine. Deduct a fixed amount from your pay every time as if you are paying for something, and deposit it directly to your savings account.

Woohoo! May we all have a prosperous and happy new year ahead of us!

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