TIME OUT
A high standard of human resources and low costs lead many international firms to subcontract business to Colombia.

We are involved in business process outsourcing (BPO), including the outsourcing of logistic, administrative, retail, and commercial outsourcing processes. Another large area for us is BPO Voice, which basically involves a call center or contract center. We have two other areas of work, one of which is represented by our Avanza Institute. Here, we provide training for companies, including leadership coaching and specialized training for various clients. We also offer outsourcing services in the health sector, including in-call care for the elderly. We are set to end the year on €10 million in revenues. We already have 20% of the global employees here in Colombia. In our first year, we sold €200,000 and now we are going on for €10 million. In 2015 the figure should reach €50 million.

Thanks to government strategy, investments, and innovation in its systems, cities and education programs have demonstrated to other nations the potential and stability this country offers. In Colombia, more than 80% of new businesses disappear during the first five years and an average of 90% will not survive more than 10 years. This data clearly highlights a weakness in business management. We come in by offering products to help local businesses grow, while also fortifying our users' marketing efforts. We do this though events, courses, and content exclusive to all MyLocal users. We don't want to just sell, but also to guide and help sustain local businesses. We currently have over 75 employees worldwide, with monthly growth of around 10%. Talent is our most important consideration, right after our clients' needs.

We believe that our business model and development perfectly fit the ideas of innovation and creativity that the city heavily promotes. We have developed the e-office concept and through it, as well as our long list of alliances and partnerships, we have helped local companies to open premises in other areas, such as Europe, creating direct connections with almost 70 countries. We have clients from many different sectors: health, services, new technologies, and small entrepreneurs. We currently offer office spaces that go from 10 sqm to over 110 sqm, as well as all the services a company needs to start operating, even with an employee to undertake administrative tasks. We first started out with analog telephony services, delivered through IP systems, and have grown to have over 60 clients in our portfolio, including IBM and Accenture.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Inside Perspective
María Ángela Holguín Cuéllar, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Colombia
TBY talks to HE María Ángela Holguín Cuéllar, Colombia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, on the strengths of international alliances, trade relations with the US, and safeguarding the environment for future generations.
read articleInside Perspective
The Right Honorable Nicholas Clegg, Deputy Prime Minister, United Kingdom of Great Britain & Northern Ireland
The Right Honorable Nicholas Clegg, Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, on progress made in a growing bilateral relationship.
read articleFocus: The Valle del Cauca Department
Cali For Ya
The Valle del Cauca, or Cauca Valley, is the country's gateway to the Pacific, boasting the largest port, at Buenaventura. The region's capital, Cali, is also a heavyweight in terms of GDP, yet lingering problems with violence are holding back development
read articleInterview
Martha Juliana Silva Ricaurte, Founder & President, SILK Banca de Inversión
TBY talks to Martha Juliana Silva Ricaurte, Founder & President of SILK Banca de Inversión, on Bogotá's transportation infrastructure, foreign investment in Colombia, and the private equity industry.
read articleInterview
Rodolfo Ramírez, President and General Manager for Colombia & Ecuador, PPG Industries
TBY talks to Rodolfo Ramírez, President and General Manager for Colombia & Ecuador, PPG Industries, on management strategy, competition, and the legal and regulatory framework in Colombia.
read article