One Core Business Innovations Join IT-BPO Tripartite Council

Towards the last two quarters of 2008 saw an influx of displaced workers from the manufacturing industry to returning OFW’s (Overseas Filipino Workers). While all these layoffs were going on , the Business Process Outsourcing industry on the one hand have been continuously hiring.

Since One Core Business Innovations is a sourcing partner for several major Cebu based call centers, they saw the need to join hands with other sectors to give their share in helping any displaced worker interested to join the BPO industry.

One Core Business Innovations is the first Cebu based training center to join the IT-BPO Tripartite Council.

The IT & BPO Tri-Partite Council – Cebu was created as the mechanism and venue for displaced workers to find employment within the IT & BPO industry.  Part of the activities of the council are:

 1. To organize Job Fairs & General Orientation Sessions on the IT & BPO industry; as well as, provide related Career Re-orientation, Guidance, and Counseling Services, specifically benefiting the Cebu labor force displaced by the global economic downturn;

 2. To provide Individualized Pre-training Assessment and conduct Regular or Special Training to equip these displaced workers with entry level skills – both on communication proficiency and technical aspects – and thereby qualify them for employment in the IT & BPO industry; and,

 3. To source funding (as may be required) for participating providers that have been designated to conduct the relevant “near- and far- hire” (regular/special) training programs. OWWA, TESDA, DOLE, Provincial Government,  and other gov’t agencies, and even the private and non-government sectors that could be tapped to help provide these funding subsidies.

The following agencies along with their representives formed the pioneering group that composed the Council:

-  For the Provincial Government of Cebu – Hon. Gwendolyn Garcia (CEBU GOVERNOR)

- For the Department of Labor and Employment (Region VII) – Hon. Elias A. Cayanong (DIRECTOR)

- For One Core Business Innovations – Hazel S. Aguisanda ( Training Director)

- For CEDF-IT  (Cebu Educational Foundation for Information Technology)- Bonifactio Belen (President)

-  For Aegis People Support Aspire – Shiv Raj Palta ( Vice President)

-For CITE  (Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise) – Ruben A. Laraya ( Executive Director)

The momentus signing of the Memorandum of Agreement took place last April 21, 2009 at the Social Hall of the Cebu Provincial Capitol.

One Core Business Innovations will continue to be proactive in the business community while collaborating with multiple sectors in finding ways to better prepare the labor force through relevant skills and trainings.

An Overlooked Attrition

It is not unusual for a call center to have numerous employee retention programs; different offerings from educational assistance to retirement  and car plans, bonuses of various types like cash, gift certificates from domestic and international travel and many more.

 These programs are in place for one major reason – employee retention. The industry has seen high attrition figures based on different causes. A most common reason is the call center a few blocks down the road can offer enticing sign up bonuses which can often pose a financial dilemma for an agent who’s credit card bill is more than his take home pay!

 With all the ER (employee relations) activity going on to keep employees from leaving, an often time overlooked initiative is a good Wellness Program.

 One oftentimes dread being in  lobby’s of buildings housing call centers; as you pass by multiple employee’s taking their cigarette breaks; the smell of nicotine reeks and not only does your shirt stink from the smell, you lose a few minutes from your total lifetime as a second hand smoker. I can see readers of this article either react violently (these are the smokers) or nod in agreement (definitely the non-smokers!).

 An oftentimes overlooked attrition is bluntly when a center loses an employee if he is no longer physically fit to work, or worse due to death. The nature of the work can be a hazard by itself; however employees can work around it and still lead healthy lifestyles.

            What centers can look into, beyond a mere health insurance coverage and fitness memberships are: 

• smoking cessation classes
• nutritional counseling (its not a bad idea to tap into your healthcare provider and request for a dietician to conduct nutritional counseling sessions)
• work with pantry concessionaires to serve healthy food; the healthcare dietician can also check into the types of food served and give healthy recommendations. Skip the greasy chorizo and eggs every so often (can you sell more fruits please?)
• time management training                                              

 Employees can further look into modifying some routines:

 PLEASE – no breakfast buffets after your shift!

• Eat an apple instead of puffing a ciggy
• Get a hobby, join a charity club- whatever it is, join activities other than work. It’s a harsh reality, but even if you put in 16 work hours, your company may not keep you if you are no longer fit to work
• If your Team Lead or Operations Manager routinely insist that you work overtime, you can push back if it becomes frequent or unhealthy for you. The best thing is to work as productive as possible within your shift so you can complete your deliverables and not compromise client satisfaction. (yes, this is possible!)
• If you are in a management role, it is best if you set a good example to your team in leading a healthy work/life balance.

 We are all extremely lucky to have all these different call centers provide jobs in our community; but we all need a strong resolve to simultaneously manage hazards of the job by simply not abusing one’s health!

The One Core Business Innovations team work hand in hand with call center practitioners to achieve an ideal work life balance by conducting Life Skills trainings and sponsoring wellness activities.

 Let us make sure that a simple resignation due to poor health does not become an overlooked attrition.