The Secret Sauce of Outsourcing
By John Jonas
I do things differently. I don't hire "freelancers". I don't pay hourly.
Those are for the masses who are struggling to figure out how outsourcing works well.
Hundreds of thousands of employers have used what I do to find great outsourced workers and over 1.5 million Filipino resumes are in my database.
The Secret Sauce of OutsourcingFeb 23, 2024
Ep. 407: Abandoned at 9 to becoming a rockstar OFS
Filipinos are known for their resilience, and rightfully so.
Typhoons and earthquakes are not the only ones Filipinos power through. In so many ways, they also fight to overcome poverty.
In this episode, I share John Paul’s incredible story and how he is not letting history repeat itself.
Find an OFS like John Paul at OnlineJobs.ph.
You can watch John Paul's video here: https://youtu.be/YDrY9pB8nuc
Ep. 406: Can you find high end talent in the Philippines?
I’m asked repeatedly whether high-end talent can be found in the Philippines.
My answer: YES!
Let’s discuss how you can go about it on Onlinejobs.ph.
If you need more help, check out OneVAAway.com.
Ep. 405: How to find the best OFS
Is there such a thing as “the best OFS”?
No, there’s not.
OneVAAway.com is where I teach you how to find a great OFS for your business. You can start looking for that OFS at Onlinejobs.ph.
Let’s talk about what “the best OFS” really means.
Ep. 404: How to be a good boss to OFS
People don’t quit jobs; they quit bosses.
So, what does it take to be a good boss in a virtual workplace? Not much, actually. Let’s discuss that in this episode.
Ready to jump in? Check out OFSGuide.com for answers to the 9 biggest insourcing questions.
Ep. 403: The best gift for your loved ones
Gifts are not my strong suit.
What I’m good at is giving time, and as far as I know, time is the most precious gift you can give.
Want to know how I can afford to give my time to people? Let’s talk.
Hire an OFS and get more time today: Onlinejobs.ph
Ep. 402: Remember before you knew about OFS?
Having an OFS is like having a second you.
Having an OFS means having someone to share the load with, someone who works hard so your dreams can come true. Having an OFS gave me more time with my family and my hobbies.
Let’s talk about how I learned that life is better with OFS.
Want to know how an OFS can change your business? Go to OFSGuide.com.
Want to find amazing OFS for your business? Go to Onlinejobs.ph.
Ready to hire but not sure how to go about it? I cover my hiring steps at OneVAAway.com.
Ep. 401: Does your OFS work 24/7?
Your OFS is not a robot.
Your OFS is human. They have a life outside of work and hobbies they enjoy. They do not work 24/7.
Let’s talk about what an OFS’s life outside of work looks like.
You can check out Aron's video, the OFS we have featured in this episode:
https://youtu.be/HQOpzeEqziU?si=CI2YFB1IrDLqlxMg
Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/onlinejobs.ph!
Ep. 400: Let's talk about insourcing
Episode 400. Wow, that’s a feat!
To commemorate how far we’ve come, I think it’s time we use the more appropriate word for what we’re doing — insourcing.
I’ll tell you all about it, let’s talk.
Ep. 399: How Philippines holidays work
If you go to Onlinejobs.ph/holidays, you’ll find a calendar we maintain to keep track of the holidays in the Philippines. These holidays don’t affect you, but it's nice to be in the loop. Let’s talk about possible scenarios that could happen with your OFS.
You can also be updated with holidays in the Philippines when you follow our LinkedIn account: https://www.linkedin.com/company/onlinejobs-ph
Ep: 398: How to handle AI and GPT with OFS
I got duped. I hired someone who uses AI, and I don’t like AI.
Since then, I changed my hiring process to detect when applicants use AI.
In this episode, I'll share my steps to help you figure out if your applicants are using AI.
If you’re ready to hire but unsure how to proceed, I outline my process at OneVAAway.com.
Follow us at https://www.facebook.com/onlinejobs.ph and find out what other entrepreneurs are saying about us and what outsourcing does to Filipino VAs.
Ep. 397: How to move your OFS team from Upwork to Onlinejobs.ph
Can you move your OFS from Upwork to Onlinejobs.ph?
Yes, you can!
Can people from other countries join Onlinejobs.ph?
No. No, they can’t.
Let’s talk about Upwork vs Onlinejobs.ph and why we chose to connect the world to the Philippine workforce.
Ep. 396: A delight to work with
I received an email from Mike telling me that his OFS changed his life. Mike isn’t the only one.
Do you know what Mike and thousands of others have in common?
They are excited to work, knowing they have an OFS taking care of their business while they sleep.
If there’s still something holding you back, OFSGuide.com can put your worries to rest.
Ready to jump in but don’t know where or how to start? I’ll guide you at OneVAAway.com.
Ep. 395: Is it too late to send out the 13th month?
Ever heard of the 13th month? It's a big deal in the Philippines!
Not sure what it's all about? Don't worry—I've got you covered in this episode.
Got more questions? You can find answers at Onlinejobs.ph/13thMonth.
Ep. 394: This is about one person and it's not you
When people tell me why they’re not outsourcing yet, the reasons are all the same — they’re not sure.
Uncertainty is a waste of time. Don't hold back your business's growth because you're unsure. Outsourcing can change your business and your OFS life, too.
Not sure of what exactly? Whatever it is, I bet you'll find an answer at OFSGuide.com.
Ep: 393: What usually happens with natural disasters in the Philippines
Sometimes, I see news about natural disasters in the Philippines and don't hear about it from my OFS team. They're so used to it that they've learned to prepare for it and bounce back as soon as possible.
So, I asked my team what makes them so resilient and prepared for typhoons, earthquakes, etc. I'll share their response with you in this episode.
Ep: 392: Success that satisfies your soul
One way to make a positive change in the world is to help people become self-sufficient and give them the means to provide for themselves and their families.
That's what happens when you hire an Online Filipino Specialist.
To give you an idea of how much of an impact you make when you hire an OFS, let's listen to Jehan's story.
Want to hire a writer like Jehan? You can hire writers and other OFS like her at Onlinejobs.ph.
Ep: 391: What to prepare before hiring an OFS
What should you prepare before hiring an Online Filipino Specialist?
NOTHING!
I know this isn't what you want to hear, but there are many reasons why it'll be easier to hire an OFS first and do everything else later.
Let's talk about that.
Want to know how to find the best OFS for your business? Follow my hiring steps at OneVAAway.com.
Ep: 390: My 2nd best advice with OFS
My 2nd best advice in working with an Online Filipino Specialist is to start with one task.
It makes hiring, training, and managing an OFS easier.
I'll show you how to implement that in this episode.
Also, I'll show you how to make it easier to hire someone at OneVAAway.com.
Ep: 389: OFS without access to banks
Hershey comes from a small town in the Philippines. The interesting thing about their town is that it doesn't have banks. So her mom and their sari-sari store act like their community bank.
I'll let Hershey share her story in this episode.
Want to find Online Filipino Specialists like Hershey? Go to Onlinejobs.ph.
Ep. 388: How we give raises
In this episode, I'll explain how we give raises to our OFS team.
It's not the only way to do it, and my way might not work for your business.
I'm sharing this so you'll have at least one idea if you've thought of giving your OFS a raise.
Want to know where we get our Online Filipino Specialists? We find them at Onlinejobs.ph.
Ep: 387: Afraid of making mistakes hiring an OFS
I rarely get negative comments about hiring Online Filipino Specialists. But when I get them, I'm interested. I try to figure out what went wrong and what I often see is people making a bunch of hiring mistakes.
What mistakes do some people make when hiring an OFS? Let's talk about it.
Want to learn the right way to hire an OFS? Check out OneVAAway.com. Where do you find great OFS for your business? Go to Onlinejobs.ph.
Ep: 386: An online job made my dreams come true
Jay is an OFS.
Growing up, he didn’t have enough food to eat.
That’s not uncommon in the Philippines.
What’s uncommon is how he broke the cycle of poverty.
Ep: 385: Why you stopped using Upwork
I was surprised to see that I'm not the only one with strong feelings about Upwork. I actually got this email from Luca about this. I will share his comments about my previous newsletter about Upwork in this episode.
Ep: 384: Making change now and New Year's resolutions
We know that most New Year's resolutions don't work. There's nothing magical about January 1. Making a resolution doesn't change things, but doing something today does.
You can do something today to change your life and your business. Hire an OFS at Onlinejobs.ph.
Ep. 383: Changing your life with an OFS
When I built Onlinejobs.ph I knew it was something I wanted and other people wanted and it was making me money.
I never considered it would make a difference in my and your lives.
I got this message from Shiela, which reminded me that we don't need to be billionaires to make a difference in the world. I'll share her story with you today.
Ep. 382: Tips for working with OFS
Some things you need to know when working with OFS.
- the 13th month
- the Philippines has a bunch of holidays (onlinejobs.ph/holidays)
- family trumps job
- December is not a great time to hire
I'll explain these points and share more in this episode.
Ep. 381: Evaluating the effectiveness of your OFS tasks
Every year, I audit the tasks my OFS team is doing. I look at what's effective and what works. We get rid of the things that don't work.
Doing this audit isn't just about making my OFS more effective. Going through these things actually helps me also to evaluate the things that I do. Are there tasks that I should focus more of my time on? Are there things not worth my time that I can outsource to an OFS?
Let me talk you through my process in this episode.
If you want to know more about OFS and what they can do for your business, OFSGuide.com
Want to learn how to hire the best OFS for your business? OneVAAway.com
Are you ready to hire? Go to Onlinejobs.ph
Ep. 380: Earthquakes all over the Philippines
The Philippines experiences a lot of natural disasters. Typhoons, volcanoes, and earthquakes happen to them every year.
But the great thing about Filipinos is that they recover quickly. They're so used to natural disasters they adapt and find ways. This is what makes them resourceful and reliable workers.
Let's talk about that in this episode.
Ep. 379: My OFS doesn’t like going on vacation.
I've noticed over the years that my OFS "don't like" going on vacations.
They do go on vacations. They have unlimited vacation time. But they rarely ask for it. They even work on days they should be on vacation.
I think the best way to explain this would be to tell Julia's story and how she spent her non-vacation in this episode.
Ep. 378: The 13th month
Depending on when you hear this, this episode might be too late, too early, or just in time.
Regardless, the 13th month is a big deal in the Philippines. We don't have it here, so I understand why people have so many questions about it. Like when you should pay it, how much or should you even pay it?
I'll try to answer all of those questions in this episode.
Ep. 377: Comprehensive Guide To Pay Raises
I get a bunch of questions about giving raises, like:
- how much of a raise should you give?
- how often should you give?
- does it affect benefits?
I'll try to answer all of them and more in this episode.
Ep. 376: How hiring an OFS compares to hiring a VA agency
I created Onlinejobs.ph to solve the problems I have encountered when hiring a VA from an agency. The difference is just astounding.
When you hire directly, you have access to more talent, you have more freedom, you save money and your Online Filipino Specialist makes more money.
There are a bunch more pros to hiring directly through Onlinejobs.ph. Let's talk about that in this episode.
If you need help hiring a great OFS, I can help you with that at OneVAAway.com
Ep. 375: Pros and cons of virtual assistant agencies
When I was starting out, I hired from a VA agency because I didn't know what to do. I didn't know there were other options.
I know I'm biased because I own Onlinejobs.ph but I've hired enough people from agencies before to know they're not always the best option. Let's talk about that in this episode.
Ep. 374: My new OFS is perfect!
There's no such thing as perfection. But if you have a good hiring process (like the one I teach at OneVAAway.com) and find a great Online Filipino Specialist, it can feel like you found the perfect person for your business.
In this episode, let's listen to Laurie about her experience hiring at OFS from Onlinejobs.ph and how it has transformed her business.
Ep. 373: My personal feelings about Upwork
I'm gonna make some people uncomfortable here and will likely offend more with this episode.
Yes, UpWork is good, but I don't think it's good for business or the workers involved.
If it's great for workers and business, Onlinejobs.ph shouldn't exist.
Let's talk about it.
Ep. 372: Why your OFS calls you “Sir” (or “Sir-Ma’am”)
I remember being called "Sir" by my OFS for the first time. It was uncomfortable. But over the years, I have realized it's cultural. It's a sign of respect for them.
Now, some of my OFS team call me by my name, but most still call me "Sir."
Do you want to understand why Filipinos do it and what you should do about it? Let's talk about that in this episode.
Also, if you're looking to hire your Online Filipino Specialist, you can find them at Onlinejobs.ph.
Ep. 371: Our life is better because of you
When you hire an Online Filipino Specialist, you're changing their lives. You're giving them the opportunity to provide for their families without leaving the country.
When you hire an OFS, you're giving them hope for a better future.
If you have stories like the one Mark sent me, I'd love to hear them. Email me at john@onlinejobs.ph.
Ep. 370: A glimpse into an OFS vacation
Ever wonder how an OFS can keep working even when they're on vacation?
Find out how OFS balances work and fun while making sure they get things done wherever they are.
Need someone who can help you with your business? Check out OnlineJobs.ph now.
Ep. 369: 2024 Philippine Holiday Calendar now available
Don't let holiday changes disrupt your workflow with your OFS. Check out the 2024 Philippine Holiday Calendar!
Awareness of Philippine holidays is really important when you have OFS working for you. To stay informed, check out our holiday calendar at onlinejobs.ph/holidays. We keep this current and updated, including sudden changes done by the Philippine government.
Ep. 368: Integrity is important to your OFS
Meet Iryn, a Spanish-speaking OFS. Her story is like many others from the Philippines, but it's pretty amazing.
Irene stands out because she's all about doing the right thing, even when no one's watching. That's what makes OFS great!
So, if you're looking for a reliable Filipino worker like Irene, check out Onlinejobs.ph. There are plenty of great candidates waiting to help you succeed.
Ep. 367: Laying off an OFS
Letting go of an OFS. It's tough, but I'll give you simple advice.
First, tell them early, so they have time to find another job.
Second, if they did well, give them a positive review on OnlineJobs.ph.
Lastly, if possible, offer them some money when they leave.
It doesn't have to be hard. Just be honest and nice. By doing that, you're not just handling a situation; you're making things better.
Ep. 366: The disappearing Filipino jeepney
You've heard me talk about the disappearing Filipino. But this time, let's talk about another thing that might disappear in the Philippines in the future: the jeepney.
It's a cultural icon, but it's inefficient, it's not safe, and it's kinda crazy. Let's talk about the jeepney in this episode.
Ep. 365: When you’re overwhelmed, rely on your team.
Hiring an Online Filipino Specialist you can rely on is the first step to keeping yourself from being overwhelmed with work. Find someone you can trust and take a step back.
Stop doing everything yourself. Hire a great OFS from OnlineJobs.ph and make a change.
Ep. 364: Using VPNs and Remote Desktops for your OFS
Need to give your OFS access to country-restricted sites? Want to make sure sensitive information that your OFS is working on stays secure?
I had my team do the research on this. I'll share what they found in this episode.
Ep. 363: Maybe you didn’t give good instructions?
Ever feel like your team's not quite nailing it? Maybe, just maybe, it's the instructions.
Giving instructions is a significant part of hiring Online Filipino Specialists. When your instructions aren't clear or complete (even if you think they already are), that's when you don't get the results you expect.
Want to know how I give clear instructions that my OFS team can understand? Listen to this episode to find out!
Ep. 362: Several volcanoes active now in the Philippines
The Philippines has many volcanoes. They have volcanic eruptions yearly, so Filipinos are used to them and find ways to work through them.
This has made them resilient in the face of natural disasters. Even our own Filipino team. They thrive amidst the challenges and just keep working.
Want to find workers as dedicated as our team? Visit OnlineJobs.ph and change lives today!
Ep. 361: Barangay and SK Elections
This is a late episode about the Philippine elections, but I wanted to talk about it because there's something new to it. Like, did you know that Filipino teenagers can register to vote and run for local positions?
It's not something we have here in the US, but it's really interesting and gives you more insight into the culture of your OFS.
Ep. 360: Pictures of my OFS workspace
I'm sharing with you one of my OFS' workspace—expect cracks, surprises, and a lot of inspiration.
Be inspired, and ask your team for their workspace pics. Let's transform the way we work together!
Visit OnlineJobs.ph to find your perfect match.
Ep. 359: How to go out of town and not tell anyone
How do I go out of town and not tell anyone? While I'm away, my OFS team keeps my business running smoothly.
It took many years to get to this point. I started with outsourcing one task. Now, practically everything in my business is outsourced.
Want the same freedom? Hire an Online Filipino Specialist from Onlinejobs.ph.
Ep. 358: Sharing Happy Life Moments With Your OFS
One thing that makes my day is when I get emails or texts from my OFS team telling me about their day. From birthdays to business wins, your OFS is more than just a helper—they're a key part of your success story.
Let me guide you through my hiring steps at OneVAAway.com to find your OFS for your business at OnlineJobs.ph.