Home-based call center plans to employ 1,000 in Oklahoma

Company plans to employ 1,000 in Oklahoma
Expansion Officials call state good match for clients
Oklahoman
DEBBIE BLOSSOM
October 15, 2008

A Denver-based company that provides home-based contact center workers for other companies is expanding into Oklahoma and plans to hire 1,000 people by the end of this year.

Alpine Access creates contact center programs for companies that need home-based workers to answer calls from retailers that sell through catalogs and Web sites, financial service businesses, and the Internal Revenue Service.

Demand for more employees is coming from Alpine’s growing client base, company spokeswoman Cori Pope said.

And since Alpine started 10 years ago, "we’ve been slowing expanding into more states, and one of the places where we’ve received a lot of interest for these jobs is Oklahoma,” Pope said.

Why come here?
Oklahoma also has a large pool of qualified people, Pope said, adding that was behind Alpine’s interest in recruiting in the state. So far, the company has received 830 applications and hired 20 people.
Alpine’s business model allows the company to match employees to the best client program for their skills and background. Alpine’s clients include Office Depot, J.Crew, ExpressJet and 1-800-Flowers.

"We are excited that so many companies are recognizing the quality and value that our home-based contract center model provides,” Christopher Carrington, Alpine’s chief executive officer, said in a statement.

"With reports of its strong economic health despite a declining national economy, Oklahoma and its residents are perfectly matched to meet the needs of our clients.”


How to apply
Potential employees for part-time and full-time positions can apply online at Alpine Access - Customer Care, Call Center, Work at Home.
Interviews and training are all completed online, Pope said. Employees must have a working computer, high-speed Internet access and a phone with a corded headset.

Starting pay for call center positions range from $8 to $14 an hour depending on the client program, she said.

All hires are considered employees of Alpine, not contract workers.

YAY! Another call center that pays $8-14/hr. We are really doing great now! Brad Henry is doing a great job as governor! LOL!

This would be nice if you could do it part time and make up your own schedule...nice for stay at home moms and such maybe...

It's amazing how people can take a 1,000 new jobs and make it a negative thing.

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Originally Posted by lasomeday

YAY! Another call center that pays $8-14/hr. We are really doing great now! Brad Henry is doing a great job as governor! LOL!

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You said it buddy.

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Originally Posted by grandshoemaster

It's amazing how people can take a 1,000 new jobs and make it a negative thing.

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Beat me to it.

It's not negative, but it is also not exactly the type of new business we want to add to this city. I've had worse jobs, and it's certainly better than working at McDonalds, but to really see this city become the place we all believe it can be, we need to add a different kind of job.

That said, for a stay-at-home mom who would like a little extra income, this might be perfect.

This is one of the many ways that the global village will benefit the midwest. Call Center jobs, while not great, are a sign of the bigger picture of things. Take for instance myself: I'm a systems admin who works virtually on servers all over the country from right here in OKC. My counterparts in LA make at least 35% more than I do performing the exact same job, but my quality of life is still better - a win-win for me and my employer. With the lower cost of wages, property, and power and affordable access to high-speed networks and associated technologies, businesses are discovering cost-savings in placing workers, data-centers and distribution centers out here(Think Google, Perimeter). And let's not forget the management structure and other higher-paid positions that come along with lower paid jobs such as customer service. Once these businesses get their feet wet and establish a presence, it makes it too easy for them to add different types of often higher paying jobs to the local workforce: see Dell, Farmers Insurance.

Further, we're at the point now where anyone with a PC and broadband connection can start a business with practically no capital. Would you rather do that from a $500/month apartment or a $2000 one? Surely we'll continue to reap the benefits of these trends going forward.

Am I missing something, or does this article not reference where in the state this business is locating? Oklahoma City? Tulsa? A rural area? This may not be such a big deal in OKC, but it could be a huge announcement for a place like Lawton or Enid.

I think it's clear it can be anywhere in the state, given the nature of it. Perhaps the only requirement is coming to OKC for training or something?

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Originally Posted by wsucougz

This is one of the many ways that the global village will benefit the midwest. Call Center jobs, while not great, are a sign of the bigger picture of things. Take for instance myself: I'm a systems admin who works virtually on servers all over the country from right here in OKC. My counterparts in LA make at least 35% more than I do performing the exact same job, but my quality of life is still better - a win-win for me and my employer. With the lower cost of wages, property, and power and affordable access to high-speed networks and associated technologies, businesses are discovering cost-savings in placing workers, data-centers and distribution centers out here(Think Google, Perimeter). And let's not forget the management structure and other higher-paid positions that come along with lower paid jobs such as customer service. Once these businesses get their feet wet and establish a presence, it makes it too easy for them to add different types of often higher paying jobs to the local workforce: see Dell, Farmers Insurance.

Further, we're at the point now where anyone with a PC and broadband connection can start a business with practically no capital. Would you rather do that from a $500/month apartment or a $2000 one? Surely we'll continue to reap the benefits of these trends going forward.

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So Oklahoma is the domestic version of India and Guatamala. I understand what you mean but when it comes down to it that is what is really being said. Keep in mind that people are not flocking to India to work in call-centers. Indian workers are flocking to America for higher paying jobs. Oklahoma in general has been pushing this "low cost of living" for long long time - it isn't working.

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Originally Posted by stlokc

Am I missing something, or does this article not reference where in the state this business is locating? Oklahoma City? Tulsa? A rural area? This may not be such a big deal in OKC, but it could be a huge announcement for a place like Lawton or Enid.

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HOME BASED Business. You operate out of your home so you can probably live anywhere in Oklahoma as long as you have high speed internet and a phone.

If you can live anywhere in Oklahoma, why can't you live anywhere in the country? if there is no HQ operation, then how is this different than any of a thousand other "Work From Home" opportunities that abound on-line? I'm always happy for people to have job opportunities, but this is hardly the exciting news it seemed at first blush - 1000 New Oklahoma Jobs. Sorry to be cynical.

I'm just guessing, but maybe there will be a training center or something in OKC.

Either that, or because of tax law, call center benefits (could be big since we have tons of them?), or other various reasons.

I hate to sound cynical as well, however, we really need more skilled, higher paying jobs. I just do not understand why OKC or Oklahoma for that matter cannot attract any Fortune 500 companies? I really belive a big part of the problem lies with the leadership and government of this State. I have discussed this issue in previous threads but I am not able to get any answers. Look what's happening to OKC oil companies. Did this State not learn from it's near catastrophic collapse back in the 80's? Is the problem lie that OKC is to close to Dallas and Kansas City which have a much higher concentration of HQ's. I never hear from executives that they wish to relocate to OKC its always Dallas, Houston and even KC. What gives?

Up until this past July, I worked as a home-agent for Convergys. It was basic call center type work, only from the comfort of my own home. All I had to provide was high speed internet. The calls were routed via VoIP and the company provided me with the computer.

Being at home while working is the only thing I miss working for that company. They care more about their client (in this case, DirecTV) than they did about their employees. I'm fortunate that I found a better paying job, with better hours and weekends off.

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Originally Posted by progressiveboy

Did this State not learn from it's near catastrophic collapse back in the 80's? Is the problem lie that OKC is to close to Dallas and Kansas City which have a much higher concentration of HQ's. I never hear from executives that they wish to relocate to OKC its always Dallas, Houston and even KC. What gives?

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We agree with you. Mayor Cornett agrees with you. Roy Williams agrees with you. Brad Henry agrees with you. That is why we are pushing biotech, just as one example. That's why we are pushing things like the NBA, an iconic park downtown, and mass transit. Those cities you mention are all bigger. Yes, companies would rather go there than OKC, Little Rock, or Wichita (in that order). We are working to be more attractive. No one is resting on their laurels.

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Originally Posted by Kerry

So Oklahoma is the domestic version of India and Guatamala. I understand what you mean but when it comes down to it that is what is really being said. Keep in mind that people are not flocking to India to work in call-centers. Indian workers are flocking to America for higher paying jobs. Oklahoma in general has been pushing this "low cost of living" for long long time - it isn't working.

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A lot of companies are just dipping their feet into the relatively new phenomenon of being able to conduct core business away from their HQ in real-time, from anywhere in the world.

My company is based out of Los Angeles. In about 2000, they began to entertain the idea of moving core portions of their business to other areas of the U.S. that make sense(financially, geographically, etc). What started out as a crappy call center in OKC has now ballooned into an office bursting at the seams with over 1200 employees of all types, several hundred of whom make over $50k/year. At this point, things are snowballing. The initial investment has paid off well and confidence in the ability to do significant portions of business from Oklahoma is strong. I can't say much more, but there are big things in the works.

That's just one example of what can happen when a company decides to dip their toes in the water. Dell is another and there will be more.

My company came here because of inexpensive land, salaries, power and the availability of a workforce with the needed skillsets. If you want to look at that as a negative, so be it, but it's actually a strength and it's an IN. Get enough of them here and some will plant roots. Others see what's happening and follow suit. Things get better from there.

Obviously, what I've stated above works in tandem with the push for homegrown companies and efforts to make this city world-class. It's just one of the many avenues we have to achieve the vision for OKC. Just sayin.

I still think the they need to update Quality Jobs. They need to add to it, so that more higher paying white color jobs can fit into it like engineers, accountants, computer progammers, etc. I don't see Governor Henry stepping to the plate.

I agree that you all are being very negative about this...Maybe the reason this type of business does well here is ability of people to work the job...and you know what? The people who work for these companies are not going to be working executive jobs anyway, so we aren't missing out, its just filling a niche - obviously these companies are finding people to employ here.

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Originally Posted by hipsterdoofus

I agree that you all are being very negative about this...Maybe the reason this type of business does well here is ability of people to work the job...and you know what? The people who work for these companies are not going to be working executive jobs anyway, so we aren't missing out, its just filling a niche - obviously these companies are finding people to employ here.

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I agree with the statement of filling a niche, however does OKC or Oklahoma for that matter want to "settle" for low paying low skilled jobs? I am interpreting that you have resigned and settled for the status quo? If this is the case, then OKC and the State has a "very long" way of being a "world class city". If we have higher skilled jobs that require degrees then just think about the positive aspects of having a higher disposable income, people supporting the arts, our restaurants, shops etc.. An affluent population brings added prosperity and a more sophistication. This state and city cannot afford to not be proactive in aggressively pursuing "high end jobs". As I mentioned earlier, we need Fortune 500 companies to move their headquarters to the State and/or city.

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Originally Posted by progressiveboy

As I mentioned earlier, we need Fortune 500 companies to move their headquarters to the State and/or city.

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Do you really think that's a realistic goal?

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Originally Posted by wsucougz

Do you really think that's a realistic goal?

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I think there is the potential for this to happen, however it comes down to how much the State/City wants this to happen? Do you think it is possible? It sounds like you have much doubt? When you say if it's a realistic goal it sounds like your saying it's just a pipe dream and you have doubts it will not happen? Do you not want this to happen?