Episode 8 - Ben Pullen - What questions should a company ask about their BPO Provider?

Episode 9 - Ben Pullen and Chris Titley

This interview discussed Outposter, a company that positions itself as 'BPO evolved' with a focus on full-time employment, managed services, and work-from-home flexibility. Ben Pullen, the founder of Outposter, explained the company's approach and its evolution in the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry. Key topics included the company's managed service model, which provides product experts for continual training, the importance of company culture, full-time employment benefits, and work-from-home flexibility. Ben emphasised Outposter's commitment to providing stability for employees while offering on-demand work for clients. The discussion also covered Outposter's expansion into North America, the challenges and opportunities in the Philippines, data security measures, compliance with local labor laws, and the integration of AI in their processes. Ben highlighted the company's ISO 27001 certification for data security and their use of proprietary software called KapOne for recruitment and management. The interview concluded with Ben's vision for Outposter's future, including geographical expansion and diversification of talent sources beyond the Philippines and India.

Episode 8 - Ben Pullen - What questions should a company ask about their BPO Provider?

This podcast episode discusses important considerations for clients when engaging with business process outsourcing (BPO) services like Outposter. Key topics covered include data security protocols, IT infrastructure management, legal employment status of staff, and the benefits of offering full-time employment. The founder of Outposter, Ben Pullen, emphasises the importance of thoroughly vetting potential BPO providers on these aspects to ensure a secure and productive working relationship. He also highlights Outposter's approach to hiring staff across the Philippines as full-time employees with comprehensive benefits, rather than contractors, to attract top talent.

Episode 7 - Vince Dickson, Founder and Director of ZigZag Global

This podcast episode features an interview with Vince Dickson, the founder and director of ZigZag Global, a company that provides offshore staffing solutions in the Philippines. Vince discusses the origins of ZigZag Global, starting as the back-end of his advertising agency in Australia and eventually expanding to establish a presence in Manila. He highlights the company's state-of-the-art office facilities in Manila, designed to provide a comfortable and conducive work environment for their staff. Vince emphasises the strong talent pool and proficiency in English among Filipinos, making the Philippines an ideal destination for outsourcing and offshoring services. He also shares insights into the cultural similarities between Australia and the Philippines, which contribute to successful business relationships. Throughout the interview, Vince provides advice for businesses considering hiring offshore staff, emphasising the importance of starting small, providing proper training and growth opportunities, and establishing a strong partnership with the offshore team. He also discusses the complementary relationship between ZigZag Global and Outposter, a company founded by Ben Pullen, who is also a shareholder in ZigZag Global.

Episode 6 - Jason Venu , Founder and CEO of Coversure

This is a podcast interview with Jason Venu, the founder and CEO of Coversure, an insurance brokerage based in New Zealand. Jason discusses the history and background of Coversure, which was founded 5 years ago after he left his previous job at another insurance brokerage. Coversure services personal and business clients across various industries like construction, healthcare, and agriculture. They have a specialty in providing insurance for migrant workers coming to New Zealand from countries like South Africa, Fiji, Samoa, Australia, and the Philippines. To support their growth, Coversure established an office in the Philippines around 1.5 years ago to hire remote staff. Jason emphasises the importance of integrating the Philippine team with the New Zealand team, treating them equally, and being present in the Philippines for 4-5 months per year. The roles of the Philippine team have expanded from administrative support to quality assurance, graphic design, client retention, and pastoral care. Jason also discusses his relationship with Outposter and Ben Pullen, who has provided valuable guidance and insights into working with a remote team in the Philippines.

Episode 5 - Arnold Kitching ; Business Account Manager at Outposter

This podcast episode features an interview with Arnold Kitching, the business account manager at Outposter, a company that provides business process outsourcing (BPO) services. Arnold discusses his role in managing clients, primarily in the Australian market, and his experience working in the BPO industry for the first time. He shares insights into the mortgage broking industry, one of Outposter's key verticals, and how outsourcing can help mortgage brokers focus on business development by offloading tedious tasks like data entry and document chasing. Arnold also highlights a success story of a mortgage broker client whose offshore staff member was nominated for an award. Additionally, he talks about his visits to Manila, the Philippines, where Outposter has a team, and his observations about the importance of the BPO industry in the country. Arnold emphasises the benefits of outsourcing mundane tasks and provides advice for companies considering offshore staffing.