Outsourcing conference highlights future of remote work, global employment
LISBON, PORTUGAL — The future of remote work and global employment were the central themes at a recent outsourcing conference hosted by Running Remote.
Titled The Genesis Of Remote Work: An Insider’s View On Its Evolution And Future, the event saw industry leaders highlighting the growing importance of outsourcing, specifically in the Philippines and India.
Derek Gallimore, the founder and CEO of outsourcing marketplace Outsource Accelerator, set the stage for the discussions by introducing his organization’s role in connecting businesses with professionalized outsourcing firms.
He emphasized the distinction between Outsource Accelerator and platforms like Upwork, highlighting their focus on connecting businesses to dedicated outsourcing firms and their contribution to the $250 billion outsourcing industry.
The panel discussion delved into the definition and significance of outsourcing in the global work environment. Edward Dalton, CEO of outsourcing provider Noon Dalton, said that COVID-19 accelerated the adoption of remote work and outsourcing globally.
“Once COVID happened and lockdowns happened globally, everyone realized that they had to adapt. They had to do something different. So I think it honestly fast forward the whole industry by five, maybe 10 years, which has been great,” he stated.
The discussion also focused on the role of outsourcing intermediaries like Noon Dalton.
Noon Dalton Partner Matthew Ragland said that most clients want “reliability, consistency, and productivity with very clear communication.”
He also highlighted the need for dedicated staff and a management layer to ensure productivity and maintain trust in remote teams. By partnering with outsourcing firms, businesses can focus on their core activities and leverage the expertise and infrastructure provided by experienced partners.
As the conference closed, attendees gained valuable insights into the outsourcing industry’s trajectory and its impact on global employment.
Gallimore said that the African region is mobilizing its citizens to catch up with the Philippines and India in the global outsourcing market.
“Ethiopia [is] reaching out to us, Kenya reaching out to us, a lot of the emerging markets in Africa are reaching out to us. They are all desperately eager to jump into the economic miracle that is outsourcing….”
But he also added that these countries would have to undergo a “growth and maturity curve” in the industry before matching the prominence of Filipino and Indian outsourced workers.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) was also briefly discussed, with Jehan Noon, Co-founder and CEO of Noon Dalton, acknowledging its transformational role in the industry.
He also affirmed that his firm is “embracing [it] as quickly as humanly possible.”
