Exploring Outsourcing in Fiji – EXO Fiji – Country Famil concluded on Friday and for some consultants visiting for the first time it was an eye opening experience of what Fiji’s emerging outsourcing services sector could offer.
Stephen Peattie is a Director of Kinetic, a customer experience (CX) consultancy in the United Kingdom.
His firm helps clients find BPOs to partner with and improve the way they deal with their customers. Part of that includes ensuring employees also have a good experience, he said.
Mr Peattie said Fiji had never been on the radar as a country of choice for the UK and Europe.
We tend to look at India, possibly the Philippines and South Africa for certain functions. There are a lot of BPOs within the UK and Europe so we tend to look nearer than Fiji.
Mr Peattie explained that outsourcing to India, for instance, had some challenges and Fiji was well positioned to demonstrate its potential and build trust.
I think it’s viable and distance is obviously factor, he said.
But I think if people came here and saw what Fiji has got to offer and buy into that vision and ambition Fiji has, I think it could be a great place for the UK and Europe.
From June 18-21, EXO Fiji featured panel discussions, networking opportunities, and site tours to major outsourcing companies in Suva among other activities.
From Mr Peattie’s experience this week, a key differentiator that Fiji had as an outsourcing destination, was its people.
There’s a warmth and contentment in the people of life, he said.
I think that’s what Fiji needs to take advantage of.
Outsource Fiji executive director Sagufta Janif said it was a complete team effort between Outsource Fiji, the Government and the Australian government to organise and deliver a proper showcase of the local outsourcing industry to 20 consultants and three investors from multiple regions, including North America, Europe and Australia.
This event was much needed to bring people to see what Fiji has to offer in terms of the active workforce, because we always think about it as a tourist destination.
Ms Janif said taking EXO Fiji international was on the cards while an in-country event is expected to be held every two years.
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