My visit in the new Sykes Glorietta BPO 1 building

P8136106
I got a chance to check out the new building of Sykes in Glorietta mall building, the office building is not located at the center or inside the mall but it is located at the side of the mall. It’s a separate building that sits next to the new renovated Glorietta mall, and next to Holiday Inn hotel.

Sykes is a BPO company that started here in our country 16 years ago and considered as the pioneer in the BPO industry. The BPO industry continues to grow and give more push here in our country, as time flies, every company needs to convert and adapt to give a new working space and office culture to their employees, that's what Sykes is doing right now, they are shifting to a new direction with much better working space and also a high tech HQ in Makati City.


Did you know that there's an estimate of 926,000 full time employees working in different companies, that's according to the stats of the Business Process Association of the Philippines (BPAP) and according to them, the BPO industry will generate to $16 Billion in revenues by the end of 2013. There are more BPO companies are coming in, there’s no competition to it, but the most important here is that how a company can take care of their employees and how to consistently maintain a healthy business in the industry. For Sykes plan, it was the time to give back and also take care of their Sykes employees by introducing this new building.

The new building "Sykes Glorietta, is the future of BPO, the workplace is designed primarily to provide collaboration and comfort that enhances the workers productivity. There's an intelligent light that matches the sun's bright ambiance to the room, ergonomic chairs that is very comfy and adapt to all body types, rooms with vibrant colors, work stations designed for ease and accomplishment. A Huddle room also known as meeting room or collaboration room that gives good communication between employees and managers. A Mother's room for working moms who need to lactate, training room and application room to accommodate incoming new Sykes employees.

"The building is a major project by SYKES, because we believe that employees are our premium to our longevity - we want to give them the best. We also want to show that a career in the BPO is very progressive, especially since the industry has become a very significant part of the economic landscape. It's our contribution for the forward move of BPO," - Mr. Dean Van Ormer, Vice-President for Philippine Operations.

P8136108
When I saw the building, it reminds me of hotel that employees that can stay in and relax, but here in Sykes, working there gives the most comfortable experience to their employees. For old and new workers of Sykes, I’m sure they are excited to stay here.

My tour here started from 8th floor and 5th floor.

P8136110
at the 8th floor -- Employee’s working stations are located here

P8136131
Each office cubicle is posted according to color and the levels of the panel walls are just right for privacy to each employees. The vibrant and colorful spaces gives a relaxed work environment.

P8136111
The Huddle room
It’s a focus meeting room with glass white board, the room is where the people can collaborate as a team. The room has a built in wall socket with RGB and HDMI plugs that is connected to the flat screen monitor. This room helps the team communicate with each other.

P8136113
Countries posted in the lobby wall.

P8136114
Here’s the Women’s sleeping room

P8136116
Sykes provided a nice sleeping room for their employees. It’s a double deck bed, with foam bed and pillow. Its like a hotel when you see their room.


P8136118
Men’s sleeping room

P8136119
Men’s sleeping room are also located in the lobby, they are located at the other side of the female sleeping room.

P8136121
Lockers are located at the pantry area.

P8136122
The pantry room with a little Starbucks feeling to Sykes employees this give access to rest,eat and have time with other workers.

P8136125
Another view of the pantry area

P8136126
Floor of the pantry with a unique design, the other side of the pantry got a different floor design.

P8136127
It is spacious and with high ceiling format

P8136128
There’s a PC here for everyone’s free access to check email or communicate

P8136129
The other side of the pantry area


P8136130
Big sign that says “Trash” to remind everyone to practice – clean as you go.

P8136132
Let’s take a peak inside the training room

P8136134
Inside the training room – with PC and a touch screen board.

P8136135
View of a lobby inside Sykes Glorietta BPO 1

P8136136
Another version of the training room without PC


P8136137
The intelligent light
it works using 80% indirect light and 20% direct light. Means the light gives proper diffusion and removes glare inside the room. The intelligent lights operates when people walk in the room and automatically shuts off when there’s no one occupying the room.


P8136138
The conference room

P8136139
Here’s the conference room

P8136140
I tried the ergonomic chair and my experience tells me that this one very comfy chair


P8136141
The ergonomic chair


P8136142
Elevator at Sykes Glorietta BPO 1

P8136143
Elevator lobby


P8136145P8136146P8136147P8136148
Graphics with youthful appearance posted in the wall



P8136149
At the 5th floor is where the recruitment room is located.

P8136150
New applicants will read this motivational graphics posted at the 5th floor’s wall.


P8136151
Inside the mother’s room

P8136152
There are two mothers room, each room has its own refrigerator, wash area, and comfy chair. They can lactate their breast milk here and later on refrigerate the milk and they can bring it home for their baby.


P8136153
Inside the clinic

P8136154
When I entered this room, I felt that I was not inside Sykes anymore, its like a hospital inside, the smell is like inside the hospital.

P8136155
spotted 2 resident nurse available that day .

P8136156
Reception room for new applicants

P8136157
The lobby for new applicants


P8136158
small meeting room located at the 5th floor

P8136159
The lounge area with TV screens

P8136160
see through glass windows at the lounge area and lobby


P8136161
Application room
New applicants can log in here and answer some questions via PC

Here are some facts about this building

Formal name: Sykes Glorietta BPO 1

Size: 18,769.80 sq. meters

Capacity – 2500 employees

Start of build out – March 30, 2013

Phase 1 completion – 4 floors – July 1, 2013

Phase 2 and final completion – 2 floors – September 18, 2013

Architects: Gresham, Smith and Partners (USA) and Adrianse Group Philippines