The traditional BPO model, built on high-density call centres in crowded commercial districts, is facing a critical challenge. In an industry with historically high attrition rates, burnout is a real threat, and the soulless office environment is a major contributor. As the global war for talent intensifies, BPO leaders are recognising that a positive work environment is not a perk; it’s the engine for high performance.
Workshop17 noticed this shift away from the traditional model and, as a result, created its BPO solution in a lifestyle area like Ballito. This choice was strategic, recognising that to attract and retain the best talent, a company needs to offer an environment that supports well-being and a balanced lifestyle, in an affordable price range. Hubs like this provide not just a place to work but an all-inclusive ecosystem designed for human performance.
"We believe the future of BPO is about creating a home for talent, not a place where one feels like a cog in a machine," says Paul Keursten, CEO of Workshop17. "By embedding BPO operations in vibrant, purpose-built spaces, we’re helping companies’ lower attrition and build stronger, more resilient teams. Our locations provide the all-inclusive infrastructure and professional ecosystem so companies can focus on their people, while we handle the rest."
This sentiment is echoed across the industry. Business Process Enabling South Africa (BPESA), through its leadership, has consistently championed a strategic vision to build South Africa as a premier BPO destination. It emphasises that this growth must be achieved not through scale, but through the creation of sustainable, meaningful careers that require investing in environments that support our people's well-being and professional growth.
This trend is a key reason why international companies are moving to South Africa at an unprecedented rate. The country's diverse, highly skilled, and bilingual talent pool is a major draw. South Africa's strong BPO ecosystem, championed by BPESA, provides a stable and supportive environment. This, combined with the lifestyle advantage offered by locations like those in Ballito, Cape Town and Johannesburg, creates a compelling value proposition.
By choosing lifestyle nodes, BPOs are not renting space; they're making a strategic investment in their people and thus their business success. This new approach fosters a culture of collaboration and well-being, leading to increased productivity and a competitive edge in a market where talent is everything. The next frontier for BPOs is not new technology; it is a new environment. DM
Contact our sales team to get your BPO launched.
Antonette Benting
+27 82 414 8191
antonette@workshop17.com
Michelle Thorn
+27 63 217 7046
michelle@workshop17.com