Alan Graham, chief commercial officer, Mindpearl
Reap the benefits of a developing country
UNDERDEVELOPED countries welcome the financial support and overall investment and are more willing to accommodate companies. Reasons for going offshore are complex and vary from availability of infrastructure, supportive governing laws, availability of multiple languages and high service standards. South Africa is perceived to be offering these to firms who need to outsource and is viewed as a sensible base for call centres.
South Africa’s time zone accommodates most countries and in spite of its current status as a developing country, its infrastructure is being adapted to match the needs of external investors.
South Africa is known to have high unemployment combined with good literacy levels, and the potential to develop an outstanding infrastructure supports its attractiveness.
The advantage of an underdeveloped infrastructure is that it offers investors the opportunity to create an office to suit their requirements. With the 2010 Soccer World Cup advancing, the South African government is supportive of foreign investment.
South Africa’s cultural diversity enables it to provide the call centre industry with a wide spectrum of agents from varying backgrounds. Studies have shown that customers prefer to speak to an agent who can relate to their cultural background and who can form a better perception of their needs.