The Philippines has a strategic advantage in the call centre/ business outsourcing arena. How long is it going to last. This is an interesting question. I would suggest it will sustain itself because people as they are educated and wealthier are opting for those resources which will bring them into the global market. Consider the following:
1. University influence - At the moment the people showing the most commercial acumen are those who are going to those ivy league universities or who have professional or business-owning parents. This list of people is growing
2. External role models - Teachers are often not good role models since most of them are unthinking, unchallenged bureaucrats; however the expatriate uncles and brothers often are, and often willing to finance opportunities which they bring to the family.
3. Investment propensity - There is a lack of places to invest in the Philippines. People are more likely to invest in their brothers job than buy investments like land and stocks. You can't trust stocks, and many families are divesting under-utilised land rather than buying it. This does not make land a bad investment (in the right area), but it does convey that Philippines, even if they are asset-rich, are cash-poor.
4. Disparity of opportunity - There is a strong distinction to make between those working in the global economy and those stuck in the domestic economy. Many foreigners come in and attempt to build businesses in the low-end market because its big. The problem is that they have no value proposition beyond their 'great idea'. The problem is that their idea is so easily copied, so they make the mistake of entering an arena where the barriers to entry are low.
The Philippines is a land of opportunity....just choose your vocation wisely. See our blog post on the global dynamics of outsourcing and offshoring.
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