Strategies of Local Outsourcing Companies to Attract and Retain Talent Amid Global Competition

With the intensifying competition between local and global outsourcing companies to attract top talent and expand their businesses, each party seeks to offer various incentives and benefits to attract employees.

While global companies rely on their reputation and competitive salaries, it is essential to explore the strategies that local firms adopt to enhance their attractiveness and retain their top talent, which we will review in the following report.

Magdy: Flexibility of Egyptian Firms Attracts and Retains Talent

Sadiq Magdy, General Manager of “TeleCommunicate Egypt” for outsourcing services, emphasized that local companies offer multiple benefits to their employees, making them a preferred choice for long-term employment compared to global outsourcing firms, while also helping attract new talent.

Magdy explained that although international outsourcing companies offer advantages such as attractive salaries, global reputation, and entertainment events, local firms compensate for this by providing greater flexibility in dealing with employees, particularly in areas like leave policies, training programs, and sometimes even higher salaries for specialized language roles.

He pointed out that local companies are strong competitors to their global counterparts, continuously working to reduce employee turnover by offering incentives and benefits that enhance job stability and ensure long-term employee loyalty.

Ahmed Allam: Octopus Offers Additional Benefits to Employees, Including Gym Memberships and Comprehensive Health Insurance

Ahmed Allam, Business Development Director at Octopus Outsourcing, stressed that his company is keen on hiring qualified personnel with competitive salaries comparable to those offered by international firms to ensure employee retention, especially as fresh graduates seek attractive job opportunities.

Allam stated that Octopus Outsourcing regularly conducts salary benchmarking studies within Egypt’s outsourcing industry to align its pay scales with market rates while also offering additional competitive advantages. These include designing an appealing workspace with recreational areas and ensuring proper ventilation within the premises.

Furthermore, Octopus Outsourcing provides employees with discounted gym memberships and comprehensive health insurance. The company has also partnered with clothing retailers to offer discounts for its staff.

Despite these benefits, Allam noted that the turnover rate in Egypt’s outsourcing industry remains high. To address this, the company offers performance-based incentives and promotions, rewarding employees based on their professional development and improvement in foreign language proficiency, particularly in English and Spanish, through the Octopus Language Skills Academy.

HR Director: Offering Part-Time Jobs and Expanding Recruitment Beyond Greater Cairo

An HR Director at a local outsourcing firm highlighted that the salary gap between local and international companies presents a challenge.

However, Egyptian companies compete for talent and retention through several strategies, primarily by targeting skilled professionals outside Greater Cairo and exploring talent in provinces with limited job opportunities.

He explained that Egyptian outsourcing companies also leverage remote work options to attract employees from various regions while offering flexible shift schedules, making them a viable alternative to global firms.

These companies provide working hours suitable for a wide range of employees, including mothers, students, and individuals with personal commitments. They also introduce part-time positions and temporary contracts to attract those seeking additional income.

Moreover, Egyptian firms are increasingly investing in talent development instead of solely relying on hiring experienced professionals.

They do this by launching internal internship programs targeting university students and recent graduates and establishing partnerships with universities and institutes to prepare students for immediate entry into the workforce.

Additionally, mentorship and upskilling programs are designed to help new employees develop quickly.

He emphasized the importance of creating a stable and comfortable work environment that values and appreciates employees while aligning with industry standards.