Practice Areas: Shared Services
Multi-function and Global Shared Services
The most challenging shared services startups are those that include multiple functions under the shared services umbrella. The net benefits of designing and implementing a multi-function shared services organization are greater than the sum of more decentralized efforts, due to lower total up-front costs and a more consistent approach to internal customers. The complexity increases, however, as more functions are included. Questions, such as which functions to include, how fast to ramp up, what information is needed on workload and costs, and how internal customers should be engaged are complex and defy "one size fits all" answers. Furthermore, the change management issues associated with multi-function shared services startups are challenging, to say the least.
ScottMadden can help you plan, organize, and launch multi-function shared services initiatives. Typical multi-function shared services initiatives include IT, HR, supply chain, real estate and facilities, and finance and accounting. Our experience, however, goes well beyond these typical shared services functions to include such non-traditional shared services as legal, environmental affairs, security, communications, and claims. We can help you answer key design and implementation questions, build your business case, help you develop multiple service centers if needed, and navigate the challenging change management issues.
Global Scale
More organizations are beginning to look at shared services on a global scale. In the past, each global region, or even individual country, was considered independent from a shared services perspective; this is no longer the case. Continuing pressures to obtain more cost savings from back-office operations are requiring companies to look for more economies of scale from multinational shared services. At the same time, improvements in technology have made it feasible to perform shared services functions centrally for global business units.
Although we are based in the United States, our shared services reach is global. We have worked with clients worldwide, including Canada, Mexico, Central America, South America, Asia, and Europe. We have established shared services centers in Europe, Asia, and Mexico and have helped design numerous global shared services delivery models for a variety of shared services functions. We are familiar with global shared services best practices and trends both from our consulting work and from participation in shared services conferences outside the United States.