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Global Sourcing: Powerfully Creating Value and Driving Change in Publishing

Image of Rowan Foggitt

Author: Rowan Foggitt, Affiliate Analyst

Global sourcing is the procurement of business services, either internally from a shared service centre (SSC), externally from an outsourcing provider, or via hybrid variants and combinations of these. In itself, global sourcing is not a panacea for corporate underperformance or fractured business models, but when applied correctly it returns value to shareholders by reducing operating costs, optimizing capabilities, and providing innovation in technology and processes. This report conveys to the leaders of the information industry the sourcing options available, the challenges they may face in adopting sourcing solutions, how to make the first (or further) bold steps, implement effective governance processes, and achieve value. It contains:

- Analysis of the needs assessment process in five steps: from outcome thinking to strategic options;
- A detailed look at global sourcing options: outsourcing, shared service centers, and hybrid models;
- Tips on managing and measuring the return on sourcing engagements;
- Analysis of publishers’ outsourcing risks and possible mitigation strategies;
- Primary outsourcing and offshoring mistakes;
- A look at the future sourcing landscape;
- Essential actions for information providers and publishers.


Pub Date: September 3, 2009
Type: CEO Topic, Market Report
Segments: B2B ITTRRS MRRS NEWS STM SAS ALL CF E & T LTR T & C
Keywords: Strategy, Business Models
Pages: 31
Format: PDF Application_pdf

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Table of Contents

  • Why This Topic?
    1. Methodology
  • The Needs Assessment Process
    1. Outcome Thinking
    2. Rationalize
    3. Assessment Analysis
    4. Proving a Strong Business Case
  • Options on the Global Sourcing Table
    1. Outsourcing
    2. Shared Service Centres
    3. Hybrid Models
  • Publishing Outsourcing Providers: The Landscape
    1. Key Service Providers
    2. Advisors and Consultants
  • From Readiness to Contract
    1. Readiness
    2. RFP, Evaluation, and Selection Process
    3. Negotiation
    4. Contract Pricing
    5. Service Level Agreements
    6. Legal and Accounting
  • Managing the Engagement
    1. Governance
    2. Performance Metrics
    3. Benchmarking
    4. Technology
    5. Internal and External Communication
    6. Resources and Management
    7. Business Continuity Plan
  • Measuring the Value of the Engagement
  • Contract Renegotiation or Exit
    1. Negotiating the Renewal
    2. Managing the Move to a Different Service Provider
  • Risks and Their Mitigation
    1. Strategic Risk
    2. Operational Risk
    3. Events Risk
    4. Financial Risk
  • Essential Actions

    • Tables & Figures

  • Figure 1. From Outcome Thinking to Strategic Options
  • Figure 2. The Soft Centre of Publishers with Progressive Internal and External Partnerships
  • Figure 3. Stepping Stone Progression to High-Value Partnerships
  • Figure 4. The Evolutionary Path of a Shared Service Centre
  • Figure 5. The Competitive Advantages of a Shared Service Centre
  • Figure 6. The Competitive Disadvantages of a Shared Service Centre
  • Table 1. Ten Key Providers of Outsourcing Services – Company Information at a Glance
  • Figure 7. Service Provider Non-Cost Factors
  • Figure 8. Realizing Value Through Effective Governance
  • Figure 9. Publishers’ Outsourcing Risks