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| Sunday, 24 October 2004 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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Business Process Outsourcing - new career wave in Asia At a recent interview conducted as part of an investigation into emerging industries, Devapriya Perera, General Manager of Astron BPO, stressed on the potential for generating employment in Sri Lanka through the rapid development of the Business Process Outsourcing sector. Astron BPO, Asia's Pioneer in BPO, started more than two decades ago as 'Data Entry International' and was the first to offer an international call centre in Sri Lanka. As a result of a buyout, the company's name changed to 'Hays Asia' and as of last year it is part of the multinational Astron Group. Adding up to 21 years of experience and expertise, Astron BPO is the only company in Sri Lanka that provides wide-ranging all-inclusive services to its business partners. Sri Lanka is an offshore BPO base for many international companies and has around 15 players in the business. For young people looking for a dynamic, growth-oriented career on a secure, modern foundation, BPO offers excellent opportunities, especially for those who are computer literate, have a working knowledge of English, and an attitude that welcomes the challenges of constant change in a rapidly globalizing world. Careers are open to individuals from various backgrounds and diverse career opportunities are offered, extending from the core basic data entry to functions like Finance, Legal, Marketing, Administration, and HR. Most BPO companies offer a wide range of training including job related training as well as sessions dealing with personal development. Astron BPO even sends its employees abroad for training sessions. A career path in BPO is certainly worth looking at and the career prospects are promising as experts expect the sector to grow at 15% - 20% annually. Blue chip companies like Astron BPO place great importance on working ethics, even more so as ethics in outsourcing have become of public interest over the last years. These companies strictly adhere to international standards, codes of ethics and HR practices. Employee comfort is ensured through ergonomically designed working environments and health and safety are all factors given the highest priority because contented employees are a company's most valuable asset. Today there is a great demand for young people to join BPOs. BPO companies now employ thousands worldwide. Astron BPO is no exception with its cadre in Sri Lanka, which has now over 650 gainfully employed. Overall 2,500 people are employed in Sri Lanka's BPO sector. |
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