Author Archives: Larry Janis

We Need to Re-think the IT Function

written by Bob Liley

In my judgment, our thinking around the nature and structure of the IT function in most organizations is woefully out-of-date and we need to radically revise this if the function is going to survive the next ten years. What leads me to this conclusion? Information technologies and related tools are now ubiquitous and are increasingly imbedded in goods that, only a few years ago, would have been unimaginable (the ‘Internet of things’). Information is now a commodity in the hands of consumers (smart phones). Social networking media have redefined the landscape for inter-personal and even business interactions. Developments in mobile information tools and technologies are changing the fundamental nature of many business operations. The ability to ‘print’ three-dimensional objects could revolutionize some industries. Data and data sources are exploding, overwhelming the ability of many organizations to cope. And changes in the information environment continue to come at us at Warp speed. In fact, the pace of change is accelerating, if that’s at all possible, and I believe that is because (as the first George Bush stated some years ago now) there are now thousands more ‘points of light’ that are driving this change. But, before we explore this further, it might be useful to briefly examine where we have been with IT. (more…)

BPO Practice Head – Retail Banking – US


Role and Responsibilities: The BPO Practice Head is a P&L role and has overall responsibility for managing and growing the practice. Responsibilities include driving sales, solutions, operations delivery, client relationship management, people management, risk and governance.

Qualifications: Significant experience required; must have a proven track record of running a large scale BPO portfolio in Retail Banking with P&L responsibilities. Background must include demonstrated ability to manage sales, grow revenue, and build a business practice.  Prior experience must include operational responsibility for and understanding of retail banking BPO product offerings. (more…)

Fast-track onboarding – engaging employees before they begin

Jane Sunley - Purplecubed This article was written by Jane Sunley, CEO of Purplecubed.

Most of us have been there – a job offer is made, accepted and notice period worked. During this time the new employer sends a contract and details of where the new starter should go on day one. Then silence… very little, or no contact, is made until the new recruit turns up at 9am on their official start date.

Notice periods tend to be at least a couple of weeks; 14 days or more of the new employee steadily moving backwards down the excitement scale – from elation after accepting an amazing job, to interest upon reading the contract, wonder; what might the job entail until the nerves kick in, fear around the first day – where to go, who to ask for, will they like me, will I like them? (more…)

BPO Insurance Practice Head – US

 

Qualifications: Significant experience required; must have a proven track record of running a large scale BPO portfolio in insurance with P&L responsibilities. Background must include demonstrated ability to manage sales, grow revenue, and build a business practice.  Prior experience must include operational responsibility for and understanding of personal lines BPO product offerings, with a focus on life and annuity products. (more…)

Has HR rushed too quickly to the service center?

by Gareth Cartman

Once upon a time, HR were viewed as fluffy people, or at worst, pen-pushers who took your holiday forms. Today, apparently, they’re a faceless department, a phone number, a web portal… HR as we knew it has been killed off by the service center, and the only people to blame are… HR.

The attractions of the shared service center are manifold. IDC recently underlined the massive rush towards HR outsourcing in its shared service form, with the benefits of centralized data, actionable metrics and cloud technology all to the fore. HR is, so they say, clamoring for help, and outsourcing is the answer to all of their problems. (more…)