What Functions Companies Commonly Outsource to the Philippines
The Philippines has become one of the most established destinations for offshore support — not just because of cost, but because of skill alignment, language fluency, and cultural compatibility.
Still, not every function is a good candidate for offshore. Knowing what companies commonly outsource — and why — helps avoid costly mismatches.
Why the Philippines Is a Common Choice
Companies outsource to the Philippines because of:
- Strong English proficiency
- Experience with Western business systems
- Large talent pool familiar with operational roles
- Cultural alignment with service-oriented work
This makes the Philippines especially suitable for operations and back-office functions.
Functions Commonly Outsourced
1. Sales Operations & CRM Support
This is one of the most common areas outsourced.
Typical tasks include:
- Lead intake and routing
- CRM data hygiene
- Reporting and pipeline tracking
- Follow-up coordination
These functions require accuracy, consistency, and ownership — all well suited to offshore teams.
2. Back-Office Operations
Companies often outsource:
- Invoicing and billing support
- Purchase order processing
- Documentation and compliance tracking
- Internal reporting
When centralized offshore, these functions reduce load on internal teams.
3. Project & Operations Coordination
Offshore teams frequently support:
- Project documentation
- Task tracking
- Status reporting
- Cross-team coordination
This works best when offshore teams are embedded into workflows rather than treated as external helpers.
When these functions lack continuity, the impact is rarely visible on a spreadsheet, but the hidden cost of offshore turnover shows up quickly in lost context and rework.
4. Administrative & Executive Support
This includes:
- Scheduling and calendar management
- Internal coordination
- Document preparation
These roles free senior staff from routine operational work. Many companies outsource the right functions but still struggle because they haven’t addressed the difference between hiring offshore and running offshore as part of operations.
5. Technical & Engineering Operations Support
This includes:
- AutoCAD production drafting
- Documentation updates
- Drawing coordination
This work supports licensed professionals rather than replacing them.
Functions That Are Often Poor Fits
Not everything should be outsourced.
Common poor fits include:
- Strategy development
- Roles requiring constant real-time local decision-making
- Work without defined processes or success criteria
Outsourcing works best when scope is intentional.
Why Some Outsourced Functions Fail
When outsourcing doesn’t work, it’s rarely because the function itself was wrong. It’s usually because the system around it was weak.
👉 This is a common pattern: The Difference Between Hiring Offshore and Running Offshore
Next Step
If you’re evaluating what to outsource, the most important question isn’t what tasks — it’s what functions should be owned centrally.
👉 Thinking this through? Start here: Thinking About Offshore? Start Here.
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