Founder Spotlight

“The region is full of smart, adaptable, English-speaking talent. Once remote work became mainstream, it clicked: this region isn’t just a backup plan, it’s the future of global hiring. “

Petrus Yen, Founder of Talent Outsource

Why Southeast Asia Is the Future of Global Talent 
An Interview with Petrus, Founder of TalentOutsource.xyz 

Q1: What inspired you to focus on Southeast Asia for building remote teams? 
I kept seeing a gap. Companies in the U.S., Australia, and Europe were desperate for reliable, affordable talent while Southeast Asia had millions of skilled professionals who were underutilized on the global stage. The region is full of smart, adaptable, English-speaking talent. Once remote work became mainstream, it clicked: this region isn’t just a backup plan, it’s the future of global hiring. 

Q2: What sets SEA talent apart from other outsourcing regions like Latin America or Eastern Europe?  
SEA talent is incredibly diverse, fast-learning, and culturally adaptable. Many are fluent in English especially in the Philippines and Malaysia and already familiar with global tools like Slack, Notion, and HubSpot. The work ethic here is strong: people show up, deliver, and grow with the company. And time zone-wise, SEA overlaps well with both Eastern and Western regions. 

Q3: How has remote work transformed the outsourcing landscape in this region?  
It’s made things more equal. Before, outsourcing was mostly transactional task-based roles through agencies. Now, businesses are building full remote teams directly in SEA. Professionals here are no longer just ‘assistants’; they’re digital marketers, designers, developers, and account managers. It’s a career path, not just a gig. And platforms like ours make it possible to find, vet, and hire in days not months. 

The rise of remote work has been massive. Since 2015, remote roles have grown by about 15% annually. That’s not a passing trend it’s a fundamental shift in how businesses operate. Offices are becoming optional. Teams are global by default. And Southeast Asia is at the center of this transformation. 

Q4: What are the biggest misconceptions businesses have about outsourcing to SEA? 

That you have to trade quality for cost. That’s outdated thinking. Yes, hiring in SEA can save you 40–60% compared to the West but the quality is often just as good, if not better, when supported by proper onboarding and communication. Another misconception is that time zone differences are a blocker when they can actually be a strategic advantage for 24/7 support or asynchronous collaboration. 

Q5: What advice would you give to a company hiring remotely from SEA for the first time? 

Treat remote hires as an extension of your core team not just freelancers. Set clear expectations, communicate frequently, and invest in onboarding. SEA professionals are loyal and eager to grow. If you give them clarity and trust, they’ll often exceed your expectations. Also, working with a partner who understands the local hiring landscape it’ll save you a lot of trial and error. 

Q6: Some say remote work is temporary or situational. What’s your take? 

I hear that a lot, but the data says otherwise. Remote work isn’t a short-term workaround it’s a long-term shift. Since 2015, remote job growth has been consistent around 15% each year. And today, about 35% of businesses in OECD countries already operate with remote teams in some form. It’s the new normal. Companies that embrace distributed teams now will have a massive advantage in the next decade. 

Q7: What types of roles are most in-demand from SEA today? 

We’re seeing high demand in tech (developers, QA testers), digital marketing, customer support, accounting, and creative roles like video editing and design. What’s exciting is that SEA professionals aren’t just filling junior or admin roles anymore their leading projects, managing client accounts, building strategy. That’s how far the region has evolved in just a few years. 

Q8: What’s your vision for TalentOutsource.xyz moving forward? 

We want to be the bridge between global ambition and SEA excellence. Our goal isn’t just to help companies save money it’s to build meaningful careers for talent here and help businesses grow faster with the right people. Long term, we’re building tools that make cross-border hiring effortless compliance, payroll, onboarding so companies can scale across borders with confidence.