A Taste of the Philippines 2025 – Melbourne CEO Roundtable: Offshoring with Intention, Culture, and Full-Stack Support

In the heart of Melbourne, KMC Solutions hosted an exclusive CEO roundtable at Askal, a modern Filipino bistro known for its minimalist elegance and globally inspired flavors. The setting was deliberate: intimate, thoughtful, and conducive to meaningful dialogue. It wasn’t a presentation or pitch. It was a table of decision-makers convened to talk candidly about the realities of building offshore teams in a new era of work.

Led by KMC’s General Manager for Australia, Ivan Trajkovski, and Senior Strategic Manager, Kristine Abella, the dinner brought together a select group of current clients, future partners, and business leaders—united by a shared interest in rethinking what it truly means to scale across borders.

This was part of KMC’s broader executive roundtable series across Asia-Pacific: a series designed not to showcase, but to listen, learn, and exchange perspectives in an increasingly complex hiring landscape.

Among those in the room were senior leaders from Mecca Brands, Idea Science, and Jim’s Cleaning Australia—alongside executives from high-growth companies across SaaS, fintech, and professional services. While the discussions took place under Chatham House Rule, key themes emerged that reflect how the most forward-thinking companies are approaching workforce strategy in 2025.

For many, offshoring was no longer seen as a stopgap solution—it had become a long-term strategy tied directly to performance, culture, and customer experience. The evening revealed that the most successful offshore operations are not just operationally sound—they are culturally aligned, talent-led, and deeply embedded into the DNA of the business.

What stood out across the evening was a clear pivot away from traditional outsourcing models. The language had changed—offshore teams were no longer being treated as external vendors, but as core contributors. And that shift, many agreed, requires more than contracts. It requires the right partner—one that understands how to bridge time zones, cultures, and compliance frameworks without sacrificing control.

This is where KMC’s positioning as a Human-First, Full-Stack Employer of Record resonated. Unlike platform-only solutions that stop at payroll processing or basic legal infrastructure, KMC Teams offers a comprehensive support ecosystem—recruitment, HR, compliance, workspace, IT, employee engagement, and even housing. It’s not just about managing offshore employment. It’s about building real, scalable infrastructure that helps companies grow intentionally.

One of the most powerful parts of the evening centered on retention. Executives were clear: in a tight labor market, keeping great talent is just as hard—and just as important—as finding it. Several attendees shared frustration with legacy BPO providers where turnover was high and engagement low. The group acknowledged that longevity, loyalty, and team consistency are now mission-critical.

KMC’s approach stood in contrast. From mental health initiatives and internal community-building (like KMC Smashers and KMC Runners) to thoughtfully designed office spaces and creative collaborations like Flex by KMC, guests saw first-hand how environment and experience play a direct role in keeping teams engaged and committed.

For many in the room, this human-first philosophy wasn’t just refreshing—it was essential. It brought to light the idea that the strongest offshore teams aren’t just hired well—they’re treated well.

Naturally, the conversation also surfaced practical concerns—from navigating foreign compliance and labor regulations to maintaining visibility across dispersed teams. Some guests had tested EOR platforms before, only to find themselves unsupported when issues became nuanced or country-specific.

KMC’s on-the-ground HR presence, localized legal counsel, and enterprise-grade office infrastructure provided reassurance that offshore execution doesn’t have to mean operational distance. If anything, the evening affirmed that proximity isn’t always about geography—it’s about responsiveness and expertise.

As one guest noted, “It’s not about having someone offshore—it’s about having someone accountable.”

What began as a dinner evolved into something deeper—a moment of clarity for leaders who’ve been tasked with doing more, with less, across multiple geographies. There was no single takeaway, no silver bullet. But there was alignment: that offshoring, when done with care and infrastructure, can become a powerful lever for building high-performing teams without compromising values.

The conversation was less about offloading and more about embedding. Less about short-term savings, and more about long-term systems. The quiet power of the evening wasn’t in what was promised—but in what was understood.

"A full-stack EOR isn’t just a structure—it’s a strategy for building the kind of teams that last.”

— KMC Teams

This dinner in Melbourne was one of many conversations KMC is leading across the Asia-Pacific region. As the pace of business accelerates and hiring becomes more complex, our goal remains the same: to help companies build with clarity, intention, and a human-first foundation.

If your company is ready to rethink offshore hiring, we’d love to continue the conversation. Let’s talk.