CEBU CITY — Global management consulting company Accenture has expanded its operations in Cebu to include business process outsourcing (BPO) services.
Pankaj Vaish, managing director for Accenture’s Delivery Center Network for BPO, said the company started providing customer contact services for a UK-based client last week. Although he declined to divulge the current extent of Cebu contact center operations, he said the company was looking at creating up to 500 jobs.
"We usually start with one client to show how focused we are. From the BPO perspective, our growth will come from adding more developments," he said in a press conference here yesterday.
Accenture is focusing on growing its Cebu operations, instead of expanding to other potential locations in other provinces in the Visayas and Mindanao, officials said. Accenture opened its technology delivery center in Cebu, the first outside Metro Manila, in August last year. The facility initially offered systems integration focused on applications development and other information technology (IT) outsourced services.
"When we look at expansion, there are many criteria to consider. Cost is one, but the first thing we do is find the people to make our business viable," Mr. Vaish said.
Yogesh Malhotra, senior executive and country lead for the Accenture Philippines BPO Delivery Center, pointed out that the firm’s growth strategy is driven by talent. In 2007, Accenture invested nearly $776 million globally in training and professional development.
"We are very committed to growth in the Philippines. The key to growth is our people," he said.
Accenture has been in the Philippines since 1985. The Cebu facility and the six delivery centers in Manila employ a total of 15,000 people. They form part of Accenture’s global network of more than 40 delivery centers, which provide IT outsourcing, data and non-voice BPO and contact center services.
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