John Jonas

The Secret Sauce of Outsourcing

Business EN ↓ 473 episodes

Dedicated to making you better at outsourcing. Tips, tricks, advice, and stories on how to get work off your plate and be more efficient. I do things differently. I don't hire "freelancers". I don't pay hourly. Those are for the masses who are struggling to figure out how outsourcing works well. Hundreds of thousands of employers have used what I do to find great outsourced workers and over 1.5 million Filipino resumes are in my database.

Author

John Jonas

Category

Business

Podcast website

johnjonas.com

Latest episode

Jun 3, 2026

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Episodes

Why the Philippines Is the Global Outsourcing Giant 16.04.2025

There’s always a gorilla in the room when it comes to outsourcing—and right now? It’s the Philippines. Everybody’s been talking about India for decades—but the truth is, the Philippines has quietly become the real heavyweight champ of outsourcing. I started hiring from the Philippines back in 2005, when nobody was doing it. Today? It’s the world’s go-to spot for everything from animation to engine...

34 Tasks You Can Outsource to Virtual Assistants 24.03.2025

The Philippines isn’t just any outsourcing destination—the culture, the education, the work ethic, it all comes together in a way that makes them crazy good at stuff you wouldn’t expect. I’ll show you exactly what they’re good at and why.  In this episode, I’m breaking down 34 roles (not just tasks) that Filipinos are REALLY good at. You’ll hear about the obvious stuff—admin, customer support, lea...

I’ve Been Hiring in the Philippines for 20 Years… And Still Am! 21.03.2025

Outsourcing to the Philippines has exploded over the last 15 years. Businesses are shifting from India to the Philippines for one reason—it works. Filipino workers are skilled, reliable, and cost-effective. But here’s the thing: outsourcing isn’t perfect. If you don’t know what you’re doing, you might run into challenges that cost you time and money. In this episode, I break down the six biggest a...

OnlineJobs.ph Reviews—Paid For, Pissed Off, or Real? 12.03.2025

Not all online reviews are fake—but way more than you think. I’ve been running OnlineJobs.ph for nearly two decades, and I’ve seen every trick in the book. The review industry is a billion-dollar game, filled with fake five-star ratings, pissed-off scammers leaving one-stars, and “experts” pushing reviews just to earn affiliate commissions. If you don’t know how this system works, you’re getting p...

Why Filipino Workers Go Above & Beyond (Not Just Pay) 28.02.2025

Think you can get impressive results by cracking the whip or micromanaging your team?  I’ve been working with Filipino OFS since 2005. My team consistently delivers high-quality work while I work 17 hours a week—but it’s not because I’m watching their every move. I’ve unlocked the real secret to getting impressive results: trust. In this episode, I explain why trust—not strict oversight or paychec...

Will AI Replace Filipino Virtual Assistants? 26.02.2025

AI is evolving fast—but are Filipino VAs on the way out? I’ve been hiring Filipino workers since 2005. My team of Online Filipino Specialists runs my 8-figure business while I work just 17 hours a week—and I’ve tested AI to see if it can do what they do. Spoiler: It can’t. Not yet. But it is changing the game. In this episode, I break down how AI is impacting outsourcing and why human connection s...

Progress drives perfection with OFS 25.02.2025

Feeling overwhelmed trying to do it all yourself? In this episode, I’m talking about how focusing on progress—not perfection—has completely changed how I work with my Online Filipino Specialists (OFS). From refining Apply Points on OnlineJobs.ph to improving video editing and creating standout content, you’ll hear real examples of how small, consistent improvements lead to big results.  If you’re...

Filipinos are resilient 25.02.2025

In this episode of The Secret Sauce of Outsourcing Podcast, we’re talking about the amazing resilience of your OFS—something deeply rooted in Filipino culture—and how it helps your business thrive when things get tough. I’ll share an inspiring story about one of my OFS who found ways to stay connected and help out, even after facing the aftermath of two typhoons in a single week.  You’ll also pick...

Why You’ll NEVER Get Rich Selling Your Time 31.01.2025

Most people think working harder leads to success, but that’s exactly what keeps them stuck. Even if you’re making good money, if your income depends on you showing up, you’re still trapped in the time-for-money cycle. True freedom isn’t about earning more—it’s about owning your time. In this episode, I break down why even high-income professionals—doctors, realtors, consultants—struggle to escape...

Why Filipino Workers Prefer Foreign Bosses Over Local Ones 27.01.2025

For many Filipinos, working for a foreign boss starts with culture shock—but it quickly becomes a refreshing and rewarding experience. Why? The reasons might surprise you. In this episode, I’m breaking it all down. You’ll discover why Filipino workers value straightforward communication, how cultural differences shape their workplace experience, and why working for foreign employers often feels li...

Why Online Work Is Now the Filipino Dream Job 24.01.2025

Think working as an Online Filipino Specialist (OFS) was always the dream job? It wasn’t. Fifteen years ago, being an OFS was misunderstood, and many workers faced stigma from their families and communities. Today, it’s The New Filipino Dream Job. In this episode, I’m breaking it all down. We’ll talk about how online work in the Philippines went from being looked down on to becoming a respected ca...

Ep. 437: It all starts with one OFS 06.12.2024

Feeling stuck doing it all in your business? In this episode, I’ll share how hiring your first Online Filipino Specialist (OFS) can be a total game-changer. You’ll hear how Liz, Nicole, and Duncan started with just one OFS and transformed their businesses. If you’ve been thinking about outsourcing but don’t know where to start, this episode is for you. 🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a comment...

Ep. 436: Hiring OFS with multiple jobs 04.12.2024

We've been encountering more Filipinos with multiple jobs lately, and I agree that it's frustrating. We want to do something about it. We can't stop Filipinos from having multiple jobs because some need to do it to make ends meet. What we're trying to do is to make the situation more transparent.  You need to know when you're hiring someone who already has another job, and the worker needs to know...

Ep. 435: Are you exploiting your OFS? 02.12.2024

Are you exploiting a Filipino worker when you hire them? There are many people out there who will tell you that hiring from the Philippines is exploitation. But what those people don't know and understand is that nothing can be further from the truth. When you bring an Online Filipino Specialist into your business and pay them fairly, it's a win-win-win situation. I'll explain how that works in th...

Ep. 434: A bookkeeper, accountant and a marketing director 29.11.2024

Two questions I get a lot about hiring an OFS are: 1. How can you trust them, especially with personal or confidential information? 2. Can you find someone super skilled? Someone who can work the night shift? I'll answer those questions by sharing Dei's and Dej's stories. You can listen to them in this episode or watch their stories on YouTube: - Dei's story:  https://youtu.be/JbVdCTCS_k8 - Dej's...

Ep. 433: Should you have your OFS recruit for you? 27.11.2024

You already have an Online Filipino Specialist, and you're looking to hire more. Should you let your OFS hire for you? Yes!  Well, it depends. Let's talk about it.

Ep. 432: Removing complexity when hiring OFS 25.11.2024

We tend to overcomplicate things, especially hiring. The reasons people have why they're not hiring yet, even though they need to, is the same. It hasn't changed over the years. At the end of the day, they're all rooted in fear. It's fear that you need to overcome if you want to change your life. Let's talk about that in this episode.

Ep. 431: Should you hire family members of OFS? 01.11.2024

I actually hire family members of my OFS team. I don't always do it. They go through my hiring steps like anybody else. If they're not good enough, I don't hire them. Also, your OFS won't want to recommend a family member who might be bad for the business. They know they'll lose face if that person doesn't do well. Let's talk more about it in this episode.

Ep. 430: Don't prepay for work 30.10.2024

There's a reason why I often remind people NOT to pre-pay for work. You should pay for a test task, but once you hire someone, don't pre-pay for the work they'll do. If they ask you to pre-pay for work, that's usually a red flag. Instead, you should pay them every week, at least at the beginning. This allows you to build trust without having to pay them in advance. Let's talk more about this in th...

Ep. 429: Should you pay in PHP or in your currency? 28.10.2024

Should you pay your OFS in Philippine peso or your currency? It depends. No matter what happens, your OFS will receive their salary in pesos. We actually had an interesting conversation with our team about that. It turns out the amount they receive will fluctuate when we send them their salary in USD.  How much is this going to affect your OFS? Let's talk about that.

Ep. 428: Hollywood hires OFS too! 25.10.2024

This video is going to be intesresting and different. Well, maybe not that different because we all know about the amazing things an Online Filipino Specialist can do for your business. What's interesting about this OFS is she works for a talent agency in Hollywood. She talked about the work she does from them and it's pretty cool.

Ep. 427: How I handle poor work 18.10.2024

Recently, I received lousy work from one of my Online Filipino Specialists. It was not my best moment. I got frustrated. I scolded that person. Despite that, he didn't disappear. This wasn't the first time I had to deal with bad work. I have scolded my team before. But we have reached this level of trust where I don't have to worry about them disappearing whenever that happens. I know this is diff...

Ep. 426: Increasing your chances of hiring a great VA 23.09.2024

Everybody wants someone great to work for them, but not everybody wants to do the work. To some, referrals are the only way to get someone great. In this episode, I will advise you on how to find somebody great. Plus, some tips on how to screen and find the best candidates from Onlinejobs.ph .

Ep. 425: Buying a computer for your VA 20.09.2024

Should you buy your VA a computer? If your VA is a new hire, has worked less than a year, or you don't trust them yet, you shouldn't. If they ask for a computer too soon, that's a red flag. If your VA has been working for you for a long time and you trust them, you should get them a computer. If an upgrade will make them more productive, it will also help your business. BUT getting you...

Ep. 424: Why I don't do social media or phone calls or coaching 18.09.2024

I know I'd make more money if I worked on social media more, or mentorships, or phone calls, but I don't do it. I don't believe in trading time for money. It doesn't scale well for me, and I'd miss out on many things. I don't like anything that sucks my time. My time is better spent with my family and my business. So, I hired someone to do the work for me. What in your life...

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