CEBU improved one notch in this year’s Top 100 Super Cities list released by global consulting firm Tholons.
From its 12th ranking in 2017, Cebu City rose to the 11th spot in the 2018 Tholons Services Globalization Index (TSGI) on Oct.1.
According to Cebu IT BPM (information technology-business process management) Organization (Cib.O) managing director Wilfredo Sa-a Jr., the recent visit of Tholons chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) Avinash Vashista to Cebu last May was a big factor in the city’s overall ranking, as he saw for himself the continuing digital transformation in Cebu’s IT-business process management industry as well as the huge improvements in the area of infrastructure and ecosystem.
During the Cebu Transformation Summit, Vashistha challenged Cebu to take advantage of the digital opportunities in the market and learn from the best practices of digital leaders.
“Don’t be afraid of the fact that if you will automate (processes), it will be taken away from your revenue base. That’s not what you should be thinking. This is absolutely what is happening--that if you don’t do it, you will lose out,” said Vashistha.
Tholons took into consideration talent skills and quality, business catalyst, cost, infrastructure, risk and quality of life, and digital innovation.
Cebu Business Club president Gordon Alan Joseph lauded Cebu’s rise in rank after that big downfall in 2017, where it landed 12th from its eighth spot in 2016.
“This is a good development. Hopefully, this rise will incentivize Cebu to work even harder to regain its original top 10 ranking,” he said.
Although she admits that the current peace and order situation might affect Cebu City’s rankings next year, City Government BPO program consultant Nanette Garong remains hopeful that the city will become number 1 in the Tholons List.
Garong said the City and officials of BPO companies are discussing security measures such as the establishment of a bus transport system for BPO workers and holding career orientations in schools.
The list also showed that Cebu City is ahead of Singapore, Seoul (South Korea) and even Tokyo. The criteria is anchored on the cities’ ability to do outsourced services combined with other criteria on digital adoption and the innovation ecosystem.
The Philippines also ranked second in terms of countrywide standing behind India.
Sa-a added that this improvement shows the industry is doing the right job in implementing programs necessary to recover Cebu’s lost glory of being in the top 10.
“We need to improve more on the innovation ecosystem and the digital transformation/and adoption of local government units (LGUs) and business community. We are doing improvements with more activities in the innovation space,” he said.
The improved ranking, according to Sa-a, is proof that Cebu was able to deliver what the global market demands from outsourcing destinations.
According to Tholons, digital is a critical element in disrupting and transforming industries globally.
It said that technology, business process management companies and multinational corporations need to align with the stark reality of digital innovation and transformation.
Tholons said most of the services will get commoditized for the biggest leaders in services globalization like United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Europe, India, Philippines, Eastern Europe and Latin America.
Sa-a expects a buildup in confidence among investors.
His optimism is anchored on the big-ticket infrastructure that will support Cebu’s growth such as the airport that will connect Cebu to more markets, strong support from the city government, and the support of government agencies such as the Philippine Economic Zone Authority and Department of Education.
“These will all make Cebu City a location of choice. The performance of our talents is also something that has made our locators very happy. Most of our locators always say that their Cebu operations is one of their best, if not their best, global location. We have very competitive talent here in Cebu,” said Sa-a.
Tholons continues to challenge Cebu as new trends arise and shape the industry in the area of artificial intelligence, robotic process automation (RPA), industrial internet-of-things, blockchain technology, cybersecurity, and big data analytics. (with RTF)