A Traumatic Past Sets Medellin Ablaze with Global Ambitions
May 16th, 2012
By Kirk Laughlin
Seemingly out of nowhere, Medellin is sweeping onto Latin America outsourcing’s center stage in a dramatic flourish, winning deal after deal and – by beckoning to the world – totally reshaping what the city stands for by openly confronting the wreckage of its darkest days. Medellin’s dramatic transformation is easily one of the most captivating stories in all of Latin America IT.
By Filipe Pacheco
Buenos Aires is the most dangerous city when it comes to virtual threats in Latin America. Research done by the security company Symantec, in alliance with the research firm Sperling’s BestPlaces, shows that the capital of Argentina is the one with most users vulnerable to virtual attacks of many different kinds, ranging from thefts of passwords to social media threats. São Paulo appears in fourth place in the list, and Rio de Janeiro is fifth (see the whole list at the end of this post) — both are right after San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Bogotá, Colombia.
By Luke Bujarski
‘Green’ is something of a new paradigm in the global contact center industry, but its potential as a competitive differentiator has become unmistakable. This was a key takeaway during last week’s visit to Teleperformance Bogota, and their soon-to-be LEED Gold certified facility near the El Dorado International Airport. Aside from slashing operations costs, green building initiatives have potential to improve call center agent productivity, reduce turnover, and help operators align their overall business proposition with their clients’ values.
Seven Things You Won’t Like About Latin America
February 14th, 2012
By Kirk Laughlin
Latin America is not without its faults.
Annoyances, bewildering processes, and societal quirks are of course what make the world one very special – and colorful – place. But, depending on the personal background and adaptability of a North American outsourcing decision-maker or investor, the foreignness of Latin America can be a feature worth embracing or a concept that rattles visitors to the core.
Who is Maria Clara Choucair and How Did She Rock the World of Colombia IT?
February 7th, 2012
Choucair: People said software testing is something users do.
Testing firm’s founder overcomes skeptics and machismo with a ‘humanist’ operating philosophy
By James Bargent
When Maria Clara Choucair founded Choucair Testing in 1999, it was the first software testing company in Colombia and one of only a handful in Latin America. The company started with a workforce of one – Maria Clara Choucair. Thirteen years later, Choucair Testing has 450 employees, branches in Medellin and Bogota and Lima, Peru, and a host of big-name clients.
Colombian Students Vow to Strangle Bogota
November 9th, 2011Source: Colombia Reports
Students protesting higher education reform have announced plans to set up a permanent camp on Bogota’s central Plaza Bolivar, Caracol Radio reported Wednesday.
The camp will be set up in Plaza de Bolivar following a day of nationwide protest against the government’s proposed “Law 30″. At least 30,000 people are predicted to march in Bogota, where trade unions and other social organisations have pledged to join students on the streets – with some promising to help them “bring the city to a halt”.
More than buses full of activists will arrive in the capital tomorrow to join the encampment. They include members of the Confederation of Workers and workers from Pacific Rubiales, Colombia’s largest private oil company. Workshops and discussion groups are planned.
Sergio Tiempo, a spokesman for the Alternative National Education Board, which is leading the protest movement, told El Tiempo newspaper that if the government did …
The Rules According to Rudderham
October 17th, 2011Capgemini’s Steve Rudderham on why media has to be more proactive telling the real Latin America story.
Genpact will operate out of the popular FT zone "Zona Franca'
By Patrick Haller
After scouring Latin America for a new hub, the global BPO company Genpact has decided that Bogota is where its future lies. Citing an impressive improvement in security, political stability and a high-quality talent pool, Genpact announced yesterday at a special press conference in Bogota, that it is in the process of building-out 750 square meters in one of the city’s Zona Franca facilities. With a long-term vision that anticipates the hiring of up to 1,500 employees (95% of whom will be Colombian) and an investment of up to $10 million over the next three to five years, Genpact is angling to plant its footprint solidly on the Latin American landscape.
Seeking Opportunity Arbitrage in LatAm
August 10th, 2011
By Eric Simonson, Everest Group
I often hear organizations wanting to attain benefits but with a desire to “minimize” risk. Understandable, but what they don’t realize at the outset is that this is a limiting mindset, particularly when most also agree they prefer sustained benefits. My preferred definition of global sourcing is “attaining a different profile of benefits from successfully managing a different profile of risk.”
Instead of trying to follow what has already been proven “safe,” the innovators in global sourcing are intentional about what risks their organizations can take and successfully manage in order to achieve the desired benefits. These risks may be in overcoming infrastructure disadvantages, creating delivery models that can withstand more variability, or choosing to cultivate an underutilized talent pool.
The single largest and most enduring challenge in global services is getting the right talent. …
Colombia’s President Santos Wields Regional Influence
August 9th, 2011Source: Washington Post
PAIPA, Colombia – Juan Manuel Santos is burdened by thorny challenges aplenty as he marks a year in office: sophisticated drug traffickers, criminal gangs marauding in the provinces, hit-and-run attacks by Latin America’s last rebel army.
What Colombia’s president is relieved not to be facing is what his U.S. counterpart grapples with daily: a powerful opposition.
All but token opposition has melted away as Santos forged an agenda that aims to ease the very inequalities that Colombia’s leftist rebels cite as ideological justification for their half-century-old insurgency.
“Fortunately, I’m not in President Obama’s position. I’m fortunate to have 95 percent of the Congress with me,” Santos, his smile widening, said in an interview with The Associated Press.
Even the party of the candidate defeated by Santos last year, the Greens, has joined the governing coalition. The media is solidly behind him, his approval ratings consistently top 70 percent and …
