This episode offers a candid look into the experiences of a Filipino e-commerce employee, Lara Guevara, shedding light on the unique challenges and opportunities within the global e-commerce landscape. It provides valuable insights for brands considering international hiring, particularly from regions like the Philippines, emphasizing cultural nuances, communication strategies, and building effective remote teams.
Key takeaways
Understand the cultural context and work ethic of Filipino e-commerce professionals to foster more effective collaborations.
Implement clear communication strategies, including defined daily reporting and weekly check-ins, to bridge geographical gaps and ensure alignment in remote teams.
Recognize the significant impact of employment opportunities in developing regions, as a single e-commerce role can support an entire family, creating a highly motivated and loyal workforce.
Be aware of the common perception in Western companies that hiring from the Philippines is solely about cost savings, and instead focus on the immense talent pool and strong work ethic available.
Explore strategies for building strong remote team cohesion, which can include leveraging digital tools and fostering a supportive, understanding environment.
When Gregg Carey hired Lara Guevara to lead operations and supply chain for his ecommerce brand, Section 119, it changed the trajectories of both of their careers.
That's because Lara is not only a killer ecom professional; it's also because she lives in the Philippines, and their partnership at Section 119 was a light bulb moment that led to the founding of More Staffing, a staffing agency that connects Filipino ecom talent like Lara with other ecom operators in the U.S. and elsewhere.
In fact, saying that this partnership changed their careers might be putting it lightly. Lara is now the CEO of More Staffing and credits her work as a remote employee with a U.S. based company as getting her and her family through her cancer diagnosis and treatments.
More Staffing is my current podcast sponsor, and this interview is sponsored. But don't let that stop you from listening: I only take sponsored interviews if I think the content can actually be good, and this did not disappoint.
We spent most of our time talking about what remote employment in the Philippines is like from the perspective of actual Filipinos. It was enlightening for me, and it will be for you too.
EPISODE SPONSOR
Virtual assistants can be helpful. Virtual professionals can transform your business. Get connected to incredible ecommerce talent from the Philippines with More Staffing by visiting www.morenow.co.
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS [00:02:46] Filipino employees have good English. [00:09:44] Outsourcing talent from the Philippines. [00:11:25] Higher pay attracts quality talent. [00:18:05] Remote work requires effective processes. [00:24:40] Outsourcing to Philippines for cost-effective growth. [00:28:05] Value in understanding client needs. [00:31:35] Expanding services to support clients. [00:36:49] Outsourcing e-commer
What does this episode say about founder & leadership?
Understand the cultural context and work ethic of Filipino e-commerce professionals to foster more effective collaborations.
What does this episode say about supply chain & operations?
Implement clear communication strategies, including defined daily reporting and weekly check-ins, to bridge geographical gaps and ensure alignment in remote teams.
What does this episode say about founder & leadership?
Recognize the significant impact of employment opportunities in developing regions, as a single e-commerce role can support an entire family, creating a highly motivated and loyal workforce.
What does this episode say about founder & leadership?
Be aware of the common perception in Western companies that hiring from the Philippines is solely about cost savings, and instead focus on the immense talent pool and strong work ethic available.
What does this episode say about founder & leadership?
Explore strategies for building strong remote team cohesion, which can include leveraging digital tools and fostering a supportive, understanding environment.
