043007: Accenture Phils.'s workforce may reach 15,000 at year's end

By Rizal Raoul Reyes

Corrrespondent

GLOBAL technology and outsourcing company Accenture Philippines will boost its workforce in the country to approximately 15,000 by the end of 2007. Country manager Beth Lui told members of the media that hiring is part of the expansion in Accenture’s Philippine operations. At present, the company employs 11,000 workers based  in eight sites in Metro Manila. Lui said Accenture will open another site in Cebu City later this year, which will initially have at least 500 seats. Half of the company’s workforce is engaged in applications outsourcing while the other half is engaged in business process outsourcing (BPO), including data and call-center services. She said about 15 percent of the projected total workforce will handle voice-based services. Lui said the inclusion of voice-based services in the Philippines is a result of the boom of contact-center industry in the country. Accenture, which has been operating in the Philippines for more than 20 years, has been primarily known as a technology consulting company. Lui pointed out that the core competency of Accenture has been recognized in its global operations. “Yes, there is recognition within Accenture about the Philippines’ strength in delivering voice-based services,” she said. “Before, we were in the top 10 countries but now we are in the top 5, Lui said. “And we are on the right track to move up. And I think the challenge is not to grow through the headcount but to ensure the quality of work will not suffer.” Lui said another challenge is how to integrate the new recruits into the Accenture culture so the quality of work will not suffer Lui said she expects the Philippines to branch in to other areas, such as knowledge process outsourcing (KPO). “Definitely, there is a boom in business process outsourcing and this provides an opportunity to the country to move up the value chain,” she said. In this regard, Lui said development of skills in information technology must be maintained so the country can provide the necessary talent for KPO. Right now technology and outsourcing  group and management consulting are the two engines providing services to the global clients of Accenture. T&O focuses on solutions delivery and application management work for projects and outsourcing engagements. The management consulting group deals with consulting services on management concerns such as accounting and finance among others.

 

http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/04302007/companies04.html