While many people are aware that big companies like Hewlett Packard, IBM, Proctor & Gamble, Western Union and Fujitsu have ?call centers? in Costa Rica that provide everything from technical support and customer service to sales, few people are aware that smaller companies are also finding their way here. Once blemished by the unfair associations in the minds of many that a call center means a gambling ?boiler room,? or some other nefarious operation, that is far from the intent of mainstay businesses in the US looking to save money on marking costs by coming to Costa Rica. And, with good reason.
For about half of what it would take to operate a qualified operation in the United States, a small business can set up a satellite marketing office in Costa Rica ? an important financial savings, especially in the present state of the world?s economy. One such company is Dixon Group Services, an Atlanta based home improvement company specializing in roofing, decks, insulation, painting and energy efficient window installations.
Jairo and Melissa reviewing sales figures for the month.
A family centered business began when Costa Rican born Jairo Murillo moved to Atlanta, Georgia 15 years ago and started a painting company called ?Dixon Painting?. There he met and married Melissa and together they worked to build a family business with sales over $5,000,000 a year. After the 2008 recession, they needed to find a way to cut costs so they moved some of their departments to Costa Rica including the call center based marketing arm. This has resulted in a significant cost savings for the company which has allowed them to remain completive during the ongoing recession. Jairo?s partner now is also his brother, Bicet, which runs the crews on the jobs in Georgia.
Dixon Office and Call Center in the Hills of Atenas
?When I came back to Costa Rica, I didn?t want to put the business call center in San Jose, and so choose Atenas to live in and to set up our satellite marketing office here,? explained Jairo. ?After first setting up the call center in rented facilities in downtown Atenas, I realized not only the ongoing cost of rent was too high, but the closed in atmosphere of being downtown was not what I wanted for my wife and me, or for my employees. So, I bought this land 10 kilometers from town and built our ?country marketing center?!?
A better work environment makes for a better employee
Every office and cubicle has a view to the beautiful hills, plants and trees surrounding the building ? a much better work environment. We have an outside eating area, and I even built two attached apartments for employees with a swimming pool. You can?t get this kind of work environment in downtown Atenas, and certainly, not Atlanta!?
2 appartments and swimming pool for employees
Outside, looking across the driveway to the hills, I could see cows and bulls meandering through the pasture land with a warm breeze blowing gently.
Jairo and Melissa have 2 children, and their nine year old daughter recently hand painted a Dixon sign which proudly hangs in Melissa?s office with the caption, ?When houses need repair, we are there to help.?
Jairo discusses website changes with Adriana of marketing department
To co-ordinate activities with Bicet, they sometimes divide their time between the US and Costa Rica.
?This is the best of both worlds type of situation,? says Jairo with a smile. ?We get to operate a successful business in Atlanta, I get to be back in my native Costa Rica, and all while saving money for the company.?
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