Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Executive Boutique's services cost? Do you accept campaigns on a performance basis fee structure? Do Executive Boutique's agents have an accent? Can I hear how the agents speak? Why is the Philippines a good locale for an outsourced call center and business support center? What is the quality of Executive Boutique's telephone lines? Will my customers know that calls are coming from or going to the Philippines? Will the agents working for me also be working for other clients at the same time? How does Executive Boutique ensure that it hires only the best-quality employees?

• Since Executive Boutique is located in the Philippines, what form of payment do you accept?
• Can I hear how my dedicated agents sound on the live calls?
• What types of reports does Executive Boutique provide?
• Is there a set-up fee involved?
• Can Executive Boutique provide me with references?
• Can I make adjustments to my program based on performance or market factors?
• What type of office support software do your virtual office assistants and business process outsourcing agents have access to?
• Do I get to interview my agent(s) before I make a decision?
• Can I change agents if I'm not happy with their performance?
• Can I set the working hours my agent works?
• Do you require a long-term contract?
• Who is managing my agent onsite?
• Can you hire someone with a specific skill set?
• How many days does it take to get started with a virtual office assistant?

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How much do Executive Boutique's services cost?

Executive Boutique's services cost less than what you may expect for top-quality business support. Our all-inclusive hourly prices start around $7.50 per hour and go up to about $12.00 per hour. The exact cost depends on factors such as the number of agents, the nature of the service we provide, and the technical skill requirement for each agent. Executive Boutique's all-inclusive price covers all labor, equipment, overhead, and faxing charges. We have no start-up fee or other hidden fees.

Do you accept campaigns on a performance basis fee structure?

We will consider accepting outbound telemarketing and inbound sales and up-selling campaigns on a base hourly pay plus performance basis. Pure performance pay will only be considered for campaigns with a verified track record or after a trial period with a base hourly payment component.

Do Executive Boutique's agents have an accent?

Executive Boutique agents are carefully screened for superior verbal and written communication skills, and have very little or no accent. We selected the Philippines as our outsourcing center because it is the third-largest English-speaking nation in the world. Schools and universities are taught in English with American pronunciation and usage. In addition, all Executive Boutique agents have completed call center training courses that include additional instruction on how to neutralize and smooth over any accent.

Can I hear how the agents speak?

Yes, we have sample voices that you can listen to on our Web site. We can also schedule a time for you to speak directly with some of our agents before you commit to work with us. In addition, you will be able to interview each of the agents assigned to you before they begin work to ensure your 100% satisfaction.

Why is the Philippines a good locale for an outsourced call center and business support center?

The Philippines is the third-largest English-speaking country in the world, has an excellent educational system, and produces more than 400,000 college graduates each year. Filipinos have a well-deserved reputation as hard workers and excellent employees with a positive attitude toward relationship building and customer focus. In addition, Filipinos have a strong cultural affinity with the United States and enjoy watching American television and listening to American music. Many major companies such as Microsoft, Dell, Sprint, Vonage, Verizon, T-Mobile, Time Warner, and AOL have outsourced some of their customer support services to the Philippines because of the availability of high-quality, college-educated workers.

What is the quality of Executive Boutique's telephone lines?

Executive Boutique's state-of-the-art VoIP telephone system has excellent sound quality and transmits at less than 200 ms so there is no noticeable delay. It sounds as good as traditional IPLC lines. You can arrange for a demonstration before you commit to work with us.

Will my customers know that calls are coming from or going to the Philippines?

Your customers, clients, and prospects should not be able to tell that the agents they are talking with are based in the Philippines. Your agents can be assigned area codes and telephone caller ID from any area that you choose. Our telephone lines transmit excellent quality -- as if the call was placed from next door. And our agents have little to no accent. Every aspect of Executive Boutique has been designed to meet the highest standards for American businesses but at much less cost.

Will the agents working for me also be working for other clients at the same time?

No, each agent is assigned to work exclusively for one client at a time. Our goal is for you to view our agents as a dedicated extension of your office staff. 

How does Executive Boutique ensure that it hires only the best-quality employees?

In the Philippines, call center jobs are highly sought after positions because they provide stable, high paying income relative to the other jobs available in the country. Our on-site Human Resource hiring managers have years of experience and an extensive candidate sourcing network within the Philippines. We are able to select the best candidates from many of the big call centers by offering employees an appealing work environment, the opportunity for professional growth, and a better pay scale.

Since Executive Boutique is located in the Philippines, what form of payment do you accept?

We offer our clients four payment options. Executive Boutique is a California LLC and has a US bank account for easy payments by (1) wire transfer, (2) personal check sent to our US office, (3) credit card through our secure online payment system, or (4) monthly bank debit directly from your account.

Can I hear how my dedicated agents sound on the live calls?

Executive Boutique gives you the option to listen to live or recorded calls. We can record each call and provide access to a Web site that allows you to download and listen to the recordings. In addition, our telephone system also allows you listen in on live calls.

What types of reports does Executive Boutique provide?

Executive Boutique's Web-based software allows our clients to view metrics on every detail of your queues, such as: abandoned calls, completed calls, hold time, average call length, and agent productivity. You can also view graphs of call volume and call completion by day, weekday, or even hourly averages. We can also customize our reports based on the specific information you need.

Is there a set-up fee involved?

At Executive Boutique, there is never a set-up fee or any hidden charges.

Can Executive Boutique provide me with references?

Upon request, Executive Boutique can provide references from existing clients.

Can I make adjustments to my program based on performance or market factors?

Yes, we can ramp up the number of agents working on your campaign after an initial trial period, or scale back if inbound call volume is lower than expected. We can also work with you to revise scripts or answering protocol, if necessary, to provide better service.

What type of office support software do your virtual office assistants and business process outsourcing agents have access to?

All of our agents have PCs that run on Window XP Professional and have Open Office software, which is compatible with Microsoft Office. Upon client request, we will install, at no additional charge, Microsoft Office 2007, which includes Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and Publisher. If your assignment requires additional software, we can arrange to have it installed for the cost of the software.

Do I get to interview my agent(s) before I make a decision?

Yes. After we determine the skill set that best suits your needs, we will select candidates for you to interview. You can choose the agent or agents who meet your needs and with whom you are most comfortable.

Can I change agents if I'm not happy with their performance?

Yes. Although this is a rare occurrence, if you feel that the agent you selected is not working out well for you, please let us know and we will select other agents for you to interview to replace your existing agent.

Can I set the working hours my agent works?

Yes, you choose the hours that suit you and your business.

Do you require a long-term contract?

No, our service is offered on a month-to-month basis and can be terminated with 10 days' notice after the first month. For clients with 5 or more agents, we require 30 days' notice.

Who is managing my agent onsite?

Your agent is managed in-house by an American management team. We have an online time clock system that allows you to verify that your agents have "punched in" at www.OnTheClock.com. We can also arrange for you to have full access to your agents' PCs through www.LogMeIn.com. This will allow you to view and even take full control of your agents' PCs.

Can you hire someone with a specific skill set?

Yes, we can hire doctors, nurses, lawyers, computer programmers, and other specialty professions. This requires a longer lead time for hiring and a higher salary for the agent, thus a higher monthly rate. Please feel free to call or email for a quote.

How many days does it take to get started with a virtual office assistant?

It generally takes 5 to 10 business days, depending on your requirements. After you have selected an agent, you can get started right away. We will work with you to make sure that any computer software, telephones, or other technical requirements are put in place as soon as possible.