Just a month ago, your outsourcing partner sent you an email saying that the Philippines is having an additional 3-day holiday due to the Pope’s visit. And a few days ago, a reminder that today is another holiday celebrating the Chinese New Year. You personally love paid days off but as a company owner outsourcing in Manila, it feels like you are being shortchanged. After all, we are still catching up from the long Christmas break.
With over 20 2015 Public Holidays in the Philippines, how will companies who have opted to outsource cope with their project deadlines and requirements?
To the smart CEO and Finance Manager, planning around your outsourcing partner’s holidays can be an unlikely advantage; it can make your project more cost-effective and ensure that your offshore team in the Philippines are at their best and most creative.
Here are 3 tips to making the most out of your outsourcing engagement in lieu of national holidays:
1. Identify the Holidays in your country and your outsourcing partners' country.
While predominantly a Roman Catholic country, the Philippines also celebrates its other religious denominations and cultures; expect non-working days like Chinese New Year and Ramadan.
Apart from these, there are public holidays for historical events like the declaration of independence on July 12 and the commemoration of the life and works of its national hero on Rizal Day, right before New Year’s Eve.
Occasionally, the government also declares public holidays to manage traffic flow and crowds during the visit of famous figures like Pope Francis.
These holidays go beyond observances and you even join in the celebrations (from the very reverent to the very colorful) when you visit your team.
2. Discuss and agree on the Holiday arrangements.
Outsourcing companies have the flexibility to either follow your country's holidays to avoid work interruption or to go with their own, allowing you to save even more by not paying for holiday premiums.
Usually, outsourcing companies in the Philippines send a calendar of holidays periodically. You and your outsourcing partner can also agree on a protocol, which includes setting reminders for upcoming holidays, identifying project priorities and Points of Contact (POCs) during the holiday.
3. Create a project Gantt chart.
Whether your project is big or small, creating a Gantt that considers the holidays will give everyone a more realistic idea of their timelines and tasks. A Gantt chart is a project schedule that shows its start and finish dates. It also details the project’s elements including its dependencies and turnaround times. Having a project Gantt ensures that projects are delivered on time.
Remember that as long as there is clear communication and ample planning, holidays can go unnoticed and even work to your advantage -- helping you save on costs and giving your outsourcing partner enough time to complete tasks.
To know how competitive outsourcing is in the Philippines, get a copy of StraightArrow's Rate Card.
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