Last month, SSON ran one of their most successful Shared Services & Outsourcing Week Europe’s ever! Over 900 shared services and outsourcing professionals joined together in sunny Lisbon to discuss everything from Generative AI to change management to process intelligence. In order to give you a flavour of the trends discussed, we asked 10 speakers…

This week we spoke with Karan R Bhatia, Head of GBS Asia Hub, Sanofi Consumer Healthcare. Sanofi recently set up a global business service center in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, which was a great success and able to grow quickly. In this episode Karan talks us through why Sanofi chose to set up in Malaysia, the challenges they overcame and how Karan’s o…

There are hundreds of stories of the benefits and opportunities that lie within AI, but when it comes to practical, real-life use-cases, the list gets smaller very quickly. That’s why we were delighted to interview Jannette Perez, AVP Finance, L’Oréal and Nathanael L’Heureux, Chief Solutions Ambassador, Oversight, about L’Oréal’s recent AI implemen…

This week’s episode provides something a bit different, a glimpse into SSON’s largest event Shared Services & Outsourcing Week North America. The event, which ran at the end of March, attracted over 150 speakers and 1000 attendees. For those of you who weren’t able to make it, we wanted to provide a sneak peek and some of the key takeaways from ons…

Last month, at SSON’s flagship event in Orlando, Allianz Services received the award for the World’s Best GBS. The award, which is hosted by SSON Research & Analytics, aims to identify a Global Business Services that represents "the world's best" based on contributing core value to the business in terms of cash, impact on working capital, margin an…

Digital workflows are replacing paper-based processes, streamlining operations and improving efficiency. This trend is driving SSO/GBS to equip their workforce with the necessary digital skills to operate and excel in the new technology-driven ecosystem. As a result, talent capabilities are under the spotlight, with organizations focused on upskill…

In this episode, Sally Fletcher, Head of SSON Digital, speaks to Akhilesh Kohli, GBS APAC Head, Philips, about the pivotal role played by Global Capability Centers (GCCs) in nurturing talent and fostering future value creation. Upskilling and ongoing learning are areas that Philips GBS has long prioritized. They also aim to fuel innovation through …

Cost saving has always been an absolute fundamental for shared services, however in the last few years, cost as a theme has slipped into the background, being overshadowed by a drive for value. This is all about to change. Cost as a focus is back, in a big way. With an age-old topic such as cost-savings, it’s important to re-examine best practices …

In SSON’s most recent state of the industry report, we found that 63% of shared services are providing Order to Cash services to their enterprise! So we wanted to provide some advice and best practice in this area. That’s why this week on the podcast we invited Keith Cowart, from FIS to talk about what he sees as the trends set to transform AR. Som…

Welcome back to a brand-new season of SSO Next. This season we’re talking to GBS C-Suite and global leaders about topics dear to their heart. Opening the series is Eckard Eberle, CEO, Siemens Global Business Services. Consistently one of the most innovative GBS’s in the world, Siemens are known for being at the forefront of digitalization and are o…

So, we’ve reached the time of year where we start looking forward to 2024, and examining how we spend our time, where our priorities should lie and what we’re aiming to change and achieve for the year ahead. This can be in terms of career goals or goals for your business. In order to kick start that conversation and provide some inspiration we invi…

In this week’s episode we talk to Cristina Duta, Director Intelligent Automation, Global Business Services, Aecom, about the topic of How To Embrace A “We Are All Digital” Ethos Through Citizen Developers & Low-Code Solutions. We discuss how, in 2023, the boundaries between IT and the business are rapidly diminishing. The truth is that now “we are …

Each year SSON run our Shared Services and GBS State of the Industry Survey. The survey provides crucial benchmarks on everything from people strategy to intelligent automation to what's driving shared services today. In this episode, SSON Research & Analytics, Chief Analyst, Barbara Hodge sits down with Tom Bangemann, Head of Data Development and …

This week Phil Searle, CEO and Chief Transformation Officer, Chazey Partners returns to the podcast along with Neil Spiers, SVP Global Business Services, Herbalife. In this conversation, the two dive into their lengthy partnership shedding light on “the art of the possible” in GBS. This includes, how Herbalife are now playing an increasingly strate…

In this episode we'll be talking about introducing Artificial Intelligence into the audit function. And about how this concept is about enhancement of human skill not its displacement. Machine learning isn’t mimicry of human intelligence. It teaches machines to perform tasks and then to progressively improve their performance. When we use AI and ML…

This week we're delighted to bring you an exclusive look at one of our top sessions from last month's online event, the Intelligent Automation World Series. In the session we spoke to Shail Khiyara, CEO, VOCAL , Amol Rajamane, Global Digital Automation Technology Leader, DuPont and Melanie Dunbeck, Automation Strategy & Enablement Lead, Kelly Servi…

This week's episode sees the return of our popular GBS Careers Corner series, where Leigh Nicholson, Strategic Solutions Lead, Takeda Business Solutions, talks us through his career journey from consultancy to Global business services. We discuss the incredible possibilities that can be achieved within the GBS model, the skills new shared services …

In this week's episode I interview Harsh Vasavada, Operations Leader (Americas) at Corning. Harsh led the team which were responsible for winning the Award for Customer Centricity at the SSON Impact Awards this year in March. In this podcast, we talk through the project, how Harsh got the buy-in, tracked results and how a focus on CX ultimately ena…

Generative AI has been the buzzword on everyone’s lips for the last few months, but as with any new solution, the more it’s talked about the more the conversation is diluted and the more difficult it becomes to distinguish fact from fiction, marketing spiel from the reality and so on. In this discussion SSON talks to Phil Searle, CEO, Chazey Partne…

SUMMER BONUS EPISODE! We're delighted to be able to bring you a fabulous bonus episode of SSO Next with Precisely. In this episode I talk to Tim Fujita-Yuhas, VP Product Management at Precisely, about data integrity (and how to get the accurate, consistent and contextualized data you need to make confident business decisions). We discuss how to get…

Last episode we shared a number of interviews gathered onsite at SSO Week Europe in Lisbon. This week is part 2, and I'll be speaking with representatives from Apex Analytix, Infosys, Fresinius Kabi, Experian, SSON Research & Analytics, Datamatics and Kone. We discuss the commercialization of GBS, infusing purpose into the everyday, ERP transformat…

I was lucky enough to be onsite at SSOW Europe in Lisbon, Portugal last week. So I took the opportunity to speak to our sponsors, speakers and delegates about what they learnt. Key points discussed included: purpose, employee experience, digital business services, capabailities as a service and change management. This episode is part one and part t…

In this episode of GBS careers corner I talk to industry legend Deborah Kops. She's the founder or global business services consultancy Sourcing Change, an advisor in private equity the founder of the BPO Liberty Source and most recently she's focused on the crucial factor of talent. Deborah has a unique perspective on the global business, shared s…

SSON R&A reports that the three top priorities for shared services and GBS for impacting the overall workforce are driving headcount optimization, driving better integration and utilization of technology and driving enhanced performance. On today’s episode we’ll be looking at How Connected HR processes and Insights can be the key to talent strategy…

As shared services continue to expand their scope of work, we see tremendous opportunities for HR services to integrate activities like employee relations. SSON Research & Analytics data confirms 17% of shared services plan to bring ER into scope this year. To better understand the pros and cons, Barbara Hodge, Global Editor at SSON asks Simon Brow…

As the workforce evolves from a static, in-office, 9-5 placement to a more global, digitally enabled and flexible environment, the work done by humans isn’t defined by their location or physical presence in the office. Sponsored by Brickwork, this episode of SSONext discusses how human-driven administration has been a previously untapped well for t…

Hear from the Best GBS and The Best Service Provider Impact Award Winners SSON's Impact Awards represent the highest level of recognition for the impact shared services have on enterprise. The awards are open to shared services and GBS globally, with winners announced at SSON's flagship events. Impact Award winners represent shared services operati…

In a special episode of SSONext, we sit down with a few of the solutions providers of SSOW Orlando to discuss key insights from senior executives. Conversations covered some of the most pertinent topics of the event, including: Key takeaways from the Environmental Social Governance boardroom Top Insights into corporate spending trends and risk in 2…

Kai Eberhard Lueg is the Chief Operating Officer, Global Business Services, Siemens AG. He has vast international experience in the Siemens Shared Services environment in various leading positions such as Head of Business Process Shared Services and Finance Shared Services as well as CFO of Global Shared Services. Siemens Global. Prior to these eng…

SSON Research & Analytics reports that Order-to-Cash is the second most popular service provided by 66% of surveyed SSON members. With the present focus on process transformation and the rise in consideration for the customer – two topics that were certainly front and center at the recent SSOW Orlando event – O2C is posed to be the next site of cus…

It's been an exciting couple of days at SSOW Orlando 2023! I sat down with Barbara Hodge, Global Editor of SSON to discuss our key learnings onsite and the magic of a live event.

In this episode of GBS Careers Corner we talk to Edoardo Peniche, VP GBS at Aptiv. Edoardo is a master shared services leader with extensive global experience establishing world-class operations. He led critical initiatives that included design, implementation, development and transformation of multiple Global Shared Service Centers since 1996, est…

Christy has been with Mastercard for 7 years. In her current role as Director of Engagement and Communications for Mastercard’s shared services group, she leads a customized framework aimed to optimize the employee experience, and ultimately the customer experience. In the last year, phrases like quiet quitting, burnout and disengagement have becom…

In this episode of GBS Careers Corner we are joined by Dr Frank Schühler. Frank is the Managing Director for DHL Global Forwarding‘s, Global Service Center which was recently named one of the top 20 most admired SSOs by SSON Research and Analytics. The shared services organization operates with 4600 employees located in Bogota, Mumbai, Chennai, Che…

Egypt is a rapidly growing economy and labor market, with key skills in the IT and outsourcing industry. In this episode of SSONext we welcome to the podcast Ricardo Langwieder, the Regional Lead for Middle East and Africa at Alorica. Ricardo has over 20 years of international corporate and entrepreneurial experience. He’s lived and worked in Europ…

In this episode of GBS Careers Corner we welcome to the podcast Dennis Lui, Chief Executive of VITAL Shared Services. VITAL is the shared services arm of the Singapore Public Service. It serves over 100,000 public officers today across 100 Ministries, Departments, Organs of State and Statutory Boards in the areas of finance, human resources and pro…

In this episode of GBS Careers Corner, Sally Fletcher talks to Paul Bryanhill. Until recently Paul acted as the VP, Finance Operations at NBC Universal. He has over 30 years of experience in shared services and finance roles where he has been responsible for design, establishment and operating both captive and outsourced services. He now spends his…

In this episode of SSONext, host Barbara Hodge sits down with Jennifer Kelly Greene, Senior Director of Global Payroll at Otis. A business-oriented professional with hands-on experience in managing multi-location, multinational teams, Jennifer brings a history of success in leading teams in B2B and B2C environments. Highly effective at managing ven…

In this episode of GBS Careers Corner we're joined by Helen Emmett, CFO Global Finance Services at Experian. Helen is not only the first female CFO, but the first CFO outright of Global Finance Services reflecting the growth and transformation of the award winning GFS at Experian. During the podcast we discuss how Helen got ahead in her career by p…

In this episode of GBS Careers Corner we talk to Gary Critchley, Senior Vice President for Global Business Services at Qatar Airways which was recently named one of SSONs Top 20 Most-Admired GBS. During his career Gary has worked for a number of well-known brands, both in the UK and Middle-East, including Marks and Spencer, National Grid, Pepsi Co …

In this episode of SSONext, Sally Fletcher, SSON's Head of Online Events, sits down with George Connell, former VP Strategy and Finance at Shell GBS. The episode is a sneak peek into GBS Careers Corner where Sally will be exploring the multitude of different career paths available to you in the modern global business services space and how to get a…

In this episode of SSONext, host Barbara Hodge sits down with Charlie Chang, Global Talent Acquisition leader and Director at Page Outsourcing in Manila, Philippines. Charlie joins us to explain how outsourcing recruiting functions can provide GBS organizations with the agility they need today; and how to optimize the onboarding process. Charlie an…

In this episode of SSONext, host Barbara Hodge sits down with Simon Brown and Gerard Hussey. Simon is an experienced practitioner in HR transformation, as well as GBS and HR Shared Services leadership. And Gerard is a senior HR practitioner with extensive multifunctional, and multi-industry experience. His focus is on enabling organizations to impr…

In this episode of SSONext, host Barbara Hodge sits down with Emma Beaumont to talk about all things change management, and its pivotal importance for GBS leaders. A serial networker with a passion for brand messaging, communication and content that builds community, trust, and value, Emma is GBS Change Management & Communications Lead at JTI. She …

Welcome back to SSONext! This is part 2 of an in-depth mini-series where host Barbara Hodge sits down with Tom Bangemann, Head of Data Development & Research at SSON Research & Analytics. Tom brings profound experience in delivery, sales, and business development, with an impressive international career in Practice Management. Tom and Barbara offer…

In this episode of SSONext, host Barbara Hodge sits down with Tom Bangemann, an experienced manager, coach, mentor and board member with a proven content and executive track record. Tom is Head of Data Development & Research at SSON Research & Analytics. He brings profound experience in delivery, sales, and business development, with an impressive …

In this episode of SSONext, host Barbara Hodge sits down with David Hughes, Shared Services Director for Bidvest Noonan, a leading facilities management business in the UK, providing Finance and HR support across the board. David has over 20 years’ experience designing and operating world class Global Business Services operations. He has a passion …

In this episode of SSONext, host Barbara Hodge sits down with Joe Peri, Chief Automation Officer at Change Healthcare. Joe is a go-to expert for all things intelligent automation (IA) and RPA (robotic process automation). He leads teams that transform businesses using technology for reduced cost, increased revenue, and higher customer satisfaction.…

What Can Intelligent Automation do for GBS? Beyond Transactional Efficiency to Digital Transformation In this episode of SSONext, host Barbara Hodge sits down with Lee Coulter, a veteran of GBS and deeply versed in Intelligent Automation as an enabler of transformation. Lee’s background includes CIO, COO, CEO and he was an early adopter of RPA in a…

In this episode of SSONext, host Barbara Hodge sits down with Matt Wright, Senior Vice President, Customer Success, at AppZen Inc. Matt is a seasoned leader with over 26 years in the field of customer success management. Matt’s passion is working in organizations that are focussed on deriving as much value from technology platforms as possible to s…