The Philippines is quickly becoming known for highly-skilled technical talent with strong English-language ability. It’s no wonder that customer service call centres are scattered all across the country, providing jobs for thousands of locals.

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Most recently, Zendesk has expanded their ‘Customer Experience Hub’ in Manila – launching a new office in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, providing capacity for over 200 people.

Zendesk first opened its offices in Manila in 2014 with a small team focused on sales, support, and pre-sales. Located in the heart of Southeast Asia, the Zendesk Manila office is now made up of a talented and skilled workforce that has expanded to five times the size since the initial launch.

Yet the best of this business is not about expansion or raking in more dollars. Our favourite part about attending the office opening was the launch of the Zendesk Neighbor Foundation.

Tiffany Apczynski, VP of Public Policy and Social Impact of Zendesk noted that “CSR [Corporate Social Responsibility] is a key part of Zendesk’s culture. The launch of the Manila chapter of the global Zendesk Neighbor Foundation continues our commitment to supporting the communities in which we operate.”

Zendesk chose to partner with Hands on Manila, an umbrella organization that works to connect volunteers with a variety of non-profit organizations. ZNF sponsors 15 students at a local school, and invited them to the launch where the kids sang songs in thanks and received care packages to take home with them. The goal to reach deeper into the communities is a long-term one: Once the students graduate, the Zendesk Neighbor Foundation will then help them with post-secondary studies – and perhaps further into the future.

Corporate Social Responsibility Is For All Businesses

“This year, the Zendesk Neighbor Foundation is planning to give approximately 4,000,000 PHP in grants in Manila, and the local team has committed to 1,000 volunteer hours to support local causes,” Tiffany added.

By hiring someone, you are not only gaining an employee but establishing a link to a specific family and community. This fact is applicable worldwide. Zendesk has made the connection: Where they have an office there is also a Zendesk Neighbor Foundation. They work to support communities in San Francisco, Madison, London, Melbourne, Dublin, Singapore, Sao Paulo, Copenhagen, Berlin, and Hamburg and Montpellier.

A Purpose-Driven Business

Here at Connected Women, we recognise the need for Corporate Social Responsibility; though we are small, we are mighty! We aim to create an impact at every level, from providing a platform for women entrepreneurs to share, connect, work, and learn – to offering flexible, work-from-home roles for our team of ladies behind the scenes.

For qualified women in the Philippines who struggle to find meaningful career opportunities due to location, family commitments, or lack of formal education, the Connected Women App will provide job matching with other women-led businesses and startups.

We are excited for Zendesk, and hope they will be a source of inspiration for entrepreneurs and larger businesses alike!

Now, the ball is in your court, How will you be socially responsible, and give back to the communities in which you work from?

Here are some tweets from the launch event:

Local touch at #zendesk #manila launch today 🙂 #breakfast pic.twitter.com/300UCiLxLU

— Gina Romero (@gina_romero)
February 20, 2017