Thomas Keenan and Geofrey L. Master, Mayer Brown JSM
As a result of globalization and the ability of consumers to purchase products at the lowest cost, manufacturers in China have become an integral part of the supply chains of many consumer product companies. With the high level of integration of consumer product companies and their overseas manufacturers in China, there is an increasing reliance …
Outsourcing Center, Patti Putnicki, Business Writer
There’s a rumor circulating in Europe, igniting fear and paranoia among businesses and consumers alike: Big Brother is alive and well and living in a U.S.-based cloud. Allow us to explain. In November of 2011, two European companies announced the creation of the first fully European “Database-as-a-Service” cloud offering – one that provided a “safe …
Outsourcing Center, Patti Putnicki, Business Writer
The past few years have not been kind to retailers. Sluggish economies, shrinking margins and a more cost-conscious consumer have taken their proverbial toll. “We’ve seen retail sales increase by 5 percent to 6 percent, yet profits declined from 3.5 percent to 2 percent. So, even though stores are selling more, they’re making less,” explained …
Brad L. Peterson, Partner, Mayer Brown LLP
If you are an outsourcing customer, an outsourcing agreement is like a three-legged stool. Its value depends on what you agree to buy, what you agree to pay and the terms of the contract. Although the agreement and the other contract terms are often extensive, outsourcing customers often underestimate, or even overlook, the value in …
Outsourcing Center, Patti Putnicki, Business Writer
It’s not easy being an independent insurance agent these days. Margins are down, the market is soft and direct sellers are promoting a virtual, ‘click-and-pick’ approach to an industry traditionally built on personal relationships and trust. To increase profitability, these agencies have to run lean, automating as many processes as possible. However, even with the …
Linda Tuck Chapman, President, ONTALA Performance Solutions Ltd.
Behind each award-winning global outsourcing relationship is a fascinating story of extraordinary people, excellence in service delivery, lots of sweat equity, some painful bumps in the road, a mutual willingness to constructively solve problems, and trust earned. Contracts were awarded as a result of a competitive bid, so they started with a blank recipe card. …
Outsourcing Center, Kathleen Goolsby, Senior Writer
Outsourcing rookies, of course, face many challenges in achieving their desired return on investment because their deals often lack one or more elements that are foundational to success. And all outsourcing relationships encounter challenges that arise in unanticipated situations. But what about experienced buyers and relationships that are more mature? What issues arise in their …
Outsourcing Center, Kathleen Goolsby, Senior Writer
The bulk of most companies’ operational costs are in manpower, says Ragu Bhargava, CEO of Global Upside, Inc., a finance and accounting (F&A) service provider. That’s one of the reasons companies in all industries are increasingly bucking the long-held practice of retaining full-time F&A staff in house. Mountain View, Calif,-based Global Upside, Inc. provides services …
Outsourcing Center, Kathleen Goolsby, Senior Writer
Ask 10 buyers of outsourcing services for their keys to success in communicating with their service providers, and you’ll hear 10 different answers because, of course, the effectiveness of communication depends on the individuals involved. Some will also say it depends on whether they’re communicating about day-to-day operations, conflicts or opportunities. Others will comment that …
Outsourcing Center, Kathleen Goolsby, Senior Writer
At the point where outsourcing service providers or their customers have a conflict that will result in a monetary loss to either party, they’re walking a fine line. If they manage to resolve the issue with a mutually beneficial solution, their relationship will be even stronger than before the conflict. If not, the party that …
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