The Philippines has been known to be one of the top outsourcing destinations. Filipinos are known to be hardworking, loyal, and great English speakers. Just like Virtual Talent Abroad, many other outsourcing companies choose to hire from the Philippines as well, and within good reason.

But just because Filipinos are great workers doesn’t mean that you don’t have to do any of the work anymore. In fact, due to some cultural differences and working styles, you may need to do a bit of adjusting. 

In this blog post, we talk about some of the best ways for you to manage Filipinos virtual talent so that they become happy and dedicated members of your business:

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Tip #1: Encourage transparency

Unlike Westerners, Filipinos aren’t straightforward when it comes to saying what they actually mean. Sometimes “yes” doesn’t really mean “yes” because they don’t want to let someone down or aren’t comfortable with turning down a favor. Be sure to cultivate an environment of openness so that they feel safe in saying what’s truly on their mind.

Tip #2: Give constant feedback

Naturally, there will always be a learning curve for any new hire. If you want your virtual talent to fully acclimate to the role, you will need to take the time to give them constant and specific feedback so that they know exactly what they need to fix and improve on. Make sure they understand your standards and expectations to avoid any misunderstandings in the future.

Tip #3: Cultivate a sense of family

Filipinos work better when they don’t feel like they’re alone. Because they’re very family-oriented, they also need to feel like they belong to a work family so that they know that they have someone to rely on when things get challenging. This can involve weekly catch-up meetings to talk about not just work, but personal life updates as well. Also, be their friend, with boundaries of course!

Tip #4: Establish job stability

Filipinos need stability, especially if they have a family to support or are future-oriented. They want to feel secure in their job and know that they are valued by the company and won’t just be let-go anytime. If you give this sense of stability to them, in return they will give you their full attention and dedication.

Tip #5: Be hands-on, but not suffocating

Filipinos need someone to guide them, especially during the start. This is especially true for first-time virtual talent. Hop on calls with them often to check up on them and ask if they need help with anything. Keep tabs on how they’re performing and feeling, but do not micromanage as this will lead to possible burnout and will not cultivate an environment of trust. Whenever they have any questions or need guidance in anything, be there for them and be someone that they can rely on, regardless of how busy you are. 

If you haven’t tried managing Filipinos before, or didn’t have a pleasant experience working with them, we hope that these tips will help you alleviate any possible issues. If you need help finding the right Filipino virtual talent for your business, we’d love for you to contact us!