Relive the energy and inspiration from the premier gathering for the shared services and GBS community with the official Shared Services & Outsourcing Week (SSOW) Post-Show Report. Whether you were in the room in Orlando or watching from a distance, this report brings the standout moments and must-know insights from our biggest event to date directly to you.

Here’s What You’ll Discover:

• Empowering Women in Shared Services: At the SSOWomen’s Day Pre-Conference, 100+ women and advocates ignited meaningful conversations on inclusion, leadership, and building a future-forward workforce.
• An Electric Night to Remember: From neon lights to networking games, our inaugural Glow Party brought the energy and connection, fostering new friendships and professional bonds.
• Recognizing Industry Trailblazers: Get the inside scoop on the SSON North American Impact Awards, where we honored visionary leaders driving transformation in shared services and GBS.
• Real Stories, Real Impact: Explore first-hand insights from attendees who are taking home powerful strategies to elevate their operations and stay ahead of the curve.
• What’s Shaping the Future of Shared Services: Workshops, immersive site tours, and expert-led sessions showcased the latest trends in tech, talent, and customer experience - all paving the way for smarter service delivery.

Discover why SSOW is the definitive event shaping the shared services and GBS landscape. Claim your copy of the Post-Show Report now or click here to receive your copy directly.

The shared services community has spoken — these are the must-see presentations everyone’s still talking about from SSOW 2025!

Curated from hundreds of sessions at Shared Services & Outsourcing Week, these top-rated presentations — as voted by your peers — spotlight the real-world strategies driving transformation across GBS and shared services.

Inside, you’ll uncover:

• How Nokia turned its GBS function into a strategic value driver using AI, service design, and customer-first operating models — shared by Rod Lindsay, President, Nokia Business Services at Nokia.
• How UPS digitized its recruitment pipeline, automated onboarding, and accelerated hiring impact — led by Kelly Flaherty Parkinson, Vice President of HR Operations at UPS.
• Why sponsors are your secret weapon for career growth in shared services, and how to find them — from Mercedes Sullivan, Vice President of People Transformation at McKinley Companies.
• How to uncover hidden labor costs and workforce fragmentation to inform smarter org design and GBS strategy – with Christine Burrell & Rick Bridger at BrandSafway, and Molly Donofrio at ScottMadden

Whether you attended SSOW or are just catching up now, these peer-vetted insights will help you benchmark, evolve, and lead with confidence. Fill out the form to the right or click here to get your copy sent straight to your inbox.

The Most Prestigious Awards in Shared Services Are Back!

The 2025 North American SSON Impact Awards finalists have just been revealed! These trailblazers are setting new standards in excellence, innovation, and impact across shared services and GBS.

Who made the cut? Who’s leading the charge? Find out now! Get exclusive access to the full list of finalists and see who’s in the running for top honors.

• Click here to request a copy of the finalist.
• Don’t miss out—secure your spot today! Book online and add your SSON Impact Awards Gala Pass at checkout.

Check out the SSOW Agenda at a Glance! Discover the comprehensive guide to the upcoming Shared Services & Outsourcing Week (SSOW), designed to help you maximize your experience and stay ahead in the industry.

Inside, you'll find all you need to know about...

• Diverse Session Formats: Tailor your SSOW experience to suit your interests and professional needs through various session formats like Site Tours, Workshops, Case Studies, SSOWomen's Day, the SSON Impact Awards Gala, Track Sessions, Keynote Sessions, and more. 
• Talented Speakers & Key Themes: Discover the impressive lineup of industry leaders ready to take the stage at SSOW 2025. They’ll drive conversations on crucial topics like operational excellence, cutting-edge digital technologies, and strategies for building high-performing teams.
• Exciting Networking opportunities: Discover all the ways you can connect with over 1,000 SSO and GBS leaders from around the world to exchange ideas, forge new partnerships, and strengthen existing relationships.

Don't miss out! Grab your copy of the SSOW Agenda at a Glance today or click here to have your copy emailed to you.

SSOWomen’s Day isn’t just an event, it’s a movement. Hosted during Shared Services & Outsourcing Week (SSOW) in Orlando, this dynamic one-day forum unites powerful women and passionate allies in shared services, outsourcing, and GBS to celebrate leadership, spark bold conversations, and drive real progress.

Here’s what you’ll see in the video recap:

• Candid conversations and speaker moments that sparked reflection.
• Voices of attendees sharing personal takeaways and breakthroughs.
• An atmosphere charged with empowerment, connection, and inspiration.
• Real moments of community and recognition for women making waves in the industry.

If you're a female executive, emerging leader, ally, or anyone passionate about talent development and inclusive leadership, this is your space.

Step into an unforgettable night of recognition, energy, and celebration. The SSON North American Impact Awards, held during the Shared Services & Outsourcing Week (SSOW) conference in Orlando, shine a spotlight on the people and teams redefining what’s possible in shared services, outsourcing, and GBS.

Here’s what you’ll experience in the recap video:

• A front-row look at the awards ceremony and its electric atmosphere.
• Insights and reflections from winners and nominees.
• Unfiltered moments of joy, pride, and celebration.
• A behind-the-scenes glimpse at how we honor innovation and impact across the industry.

Whether you're a transformation leader, strategist, or rising talent, this is a chance to see what excellence looks like, and why it matters.

🎉 Shared Services & Outsourcing Week (SSOW) turns 30 in 2026!

Join us for the official SSOW 2026 Teaser Trailer—your sneak peek into the ultimate Shared Services & Global Business Services (GBS) conference experience.

What you’ll discover in this video:

• SSOWomen’s Pre-Conference Day: A full day dedicated to mentorship, leadership, and learning opportunities—designed for female leaders and their allies.
• Peer Testimonials: Hear why global shared services & GBS professionals return year after year.
• Future of Business Services Boardroom: Go inside the exclusive invite-only forum where GBS leaders share strategies and best practices.
• SSOW Glow Party: The biggest networking celebration with drinks, dancing, and memories made.
• SSON Impact Awards: A red-carpet gala recognizing excellence in shared services, complete with live entertainment.
• And so much more!

The 2025 North American Virtual Analytics Workbook by SSON Research & Analytics delivers actionable insights for Shared Services and GBS leaders. Using exclusive survey data, it explores trends like process optimization, digital transformation, and AI integration. This interactive report highlights the evolving role of shared services in creating strategic value.

Are you ready to uncover the strategies, challenges, and future priorities shaping today’s most successful shared services organizations? This exclusive report, offers rare, firsthand insights straight from the leaders who are transforming the industry.

Hear Directly from Industry Trailblazers:

• Steve Bandrowczak – CEO, Xerox
• Laura Kennedy – Head of Enterprise Business Services, Aon
• Karla Sanchez – R2R Global Process Owner, TE Connectivity
• Tom Sterling – Vice President, People Solutions Operations, Cox Automotive
• Cindy Gallagher – Senior Vice President & Controller, Gannett
• Nick Davis – Director of Shared Services, Cintas
• Tage Smith – Vice President – Technology Shared Services, Pacific Life
• Rolando Lopez – Global Finance Director – Shared Services, AstraZeneca
• John Transier – Former Senior Vice President, Finance Shared Services, Vericast
• Kenneth Newton – Director, Service Delivery, NASA Shared Services Center

These executives share candid, real-world insights on leadership, technology, talent management, digital transformation, and much more.

Want a copy emailed to you? Click here to get your report now.

Brush up on your knowledge with SSON's comprehensive guide to the most vital acronyms in shared services and Global Business Services (GBS). Whether you are a seasoned professional or a newcomer to the industry, this infographic is your passport to understanding the language of efficiency, collaboration, and innovation.

This article divies into the evolution of Shared Services, moving from traditional cost-efficiency to value creation through cutting-edge technology. Access a copy to explore the impact of generative AI and digital tools, offering insights that could shape your organization's future.

Explore how to create a shared services model that drives both efficiency and innovation in SSON's new article, featuring insights from Sumit Mitra, CEO of TESCO Business Solutions. Covering key areas like cost optimization, talent management, and business partnerships, this article provides practical strategies to help your GBS thrive.

Discover how the next generation of GBS leaders is transforming the landscape of shared services. In this article, Deborah Kops explores the unique traits and approaches of these innovative leaders, shedding light on how their fresh perspectives can shape the future of GBS and drive meaningful change within organizations.

This article delves into the unique career challenges facing GBS leaders, especially when it comes to moving into broader roles within their organizations. With candid insights, Deborah Kops explores the barriers to career mobility for GBS professionals and provides actionable strategies to help leaders navigate these roadblocks and unlock new career pathways. Access a copy!

88% of shared services professionals’ top strategic target in 2025 is optimizing cost and efficiency. But how are leading shared services centers (SSCs) getting there?

SSON Research & Analytics’ 2025 edition of The Handbook to Setting Up a Modern SSC is now available, offering valuable, peer-driven survey results and statistics that answer these critical questions.

Key Takeaways from the Report:

• Gain insights into the top strategic priorities for 2025 and how leading SSCs are addressing them.
• Compare your SSC’s performance with industry standards and identify areas for improvement.
• Learn how to align your SSC with broader enterprise goals through effective governance and communication.
• Consider your location strategy using a range of important factors from its infrastructure to its talent pool.
• Discover best practices with advice from leaders at Aon, Iron Mountain, Cox Automotive and more for selecting and standardizing high-impact processes to ensure global consistency and efficiency.
• Leverage the latest advancements in RPA, AI, and data analytics to enhance service delivery and operational efficiency.

Click here to have your copy emailed to you.

Explore North America's pivotal role in the GBS industry with our latest report, featuring insights on E2E process optimization through generative AI. Learn about the impact of MDM practices, AI, and RPA on data management and compliance. Discover how GPOs drive cost efficiency and customer-centricity, with a shift towards holistic service models. Produced by SSON Digital, this report provides essential insights for staying ahead in the evolving SSO and GBS landscape.

The 2024 Award Winners Compilation showcases the achievements of last year’s top SSON Impact Award winners, highlighting how each team tackled complex challenges and delivered standout results. Dive into these success stories to gain insights into innovative strategies and discover inspiration for your own organization’s path to excellence.

The brochure provides essential details, including eligibility criteria, submission guidelines, and important dates for SSON's 2025 Impact Awards ceremony, making it a must-read for all North American Shared Services practitioners seeking recognition and celebration of their successes.

About This Award: Automation has changed the nature of SSO/GBS work over the past decade plus. The impact of automation on service delivery can take many forms – workflow technology, self-service systems, Robotic Process Automation, and now also Artificial Intelligence. The options are endless and ever-expanding. This Automation Impact award is focused on the strategic automation methodology being implemented, its benefits, and the hard, quantifiable impact that the automation has brought to shared services.

Please return the completed application to will.thomae@ssonetwork.com 

About This Award: Traditional Business Continuity Plans have come under the spotlight since the pandemic caused major upheavals. Shared Services operating at the forefront of business support have had to reconsider their resilience strategies and double down on them to reassure the enterprise. This award category is focused on the crisis management, risk management, and business continuity strategies that are securing long-term stability in shared services and global business services, with a focus on long-term impact.

About This Award: Creative Talent Management can take many forms: long term leadership capability, building a strong talent pool, creating a culture in which managers are accountable for their talent, defining the right profile of people and skills, etc. Managing talent effectively is a major challenge. This award category is focused on the strategy, skill sets, improvement methodology, the rise of digital talent, benefits, and hard improvements that Shared Services have achieved in talent management.

About This Award: Customer Centricity in Shared Services can take many forms: understanding and meeting customers’ expectations, effective management of customer needs, designing the experience, complaints resolutions, developing metrics that matter, and encouraging feedback that drives continuous improvement. As customer expectations and behaviors have caused seismic shifts across business models, organizations have enhanced their focus on customer experience through front, middle and back office processes. This Award will focus on how business services are driving a consistent and seamless experience across all of customer touchpoints. This award category is focused on the strategy, methodology, benefits, and hard improvements Shared Services have made to improve the focus on their customers.

About This Award: Change Management & Business Transformation can take many forms: a different means of managing service delivery, increasing specialized knowledge, offering “expertise” services, accelerating digital transformation, embracing the workforce of the future, etc. Shared Services are the engines driving transformation, so how are they reflecting today’s enterprise priorities? Alongside any transformation, the ability to manage change as part of your day-to-day operations is crucial to ensure the cultural transformation required for execution and growth. This award is focused on the strategy, improvement methodology, benefits and impacts achieved by Shared Services along with their ability to navigate hyper-change.

About this Award: Finance Transformation can be measured in various ways. Cost cutting, of course, but also value-generation, faster cycle times, data standardization, or leveraging cognitive technology to improve decision-making – to name just a few. This application focuses on the results or outputs of a specific Finance Transformation, highlighting its impact in measurable terms compared to the initial baseline.

About This Award: HR Impact can take many forms: improving employee experience, becoming an employer of choice, elevating self-service capabilities, increasing personalization and customization, better business partnering, leveraging analytics to support HR processes, reducing cost, and fostering innovation through digitalization and new generation technologies. This award category is focused on HR transformation resulting in measurable “impact” such as cost, capability, workforce, talent, etc.

About This Award: Process improvement can take many forms: Eliminating waste in operations, eliminating friction points for customers, process redesign as part of continuous improvement, innovations in process outcomes or even training related processes. Value creation means delivering shareholder value in terms of either top-line growth, bottom-line improvements or even experience related value-add. This award category is focused on the strategy, improvement methodology and benefits/hard improvements in process improvement and value creation that have been made by a shared services organization.

About This Award: Service providers form an invaluable part of the service delivery ecosystem. For those SSO/GBS that elect to use a third party BPO (business process outsourcer), the resources they can tap, along with the expertise and technology thus offered, are core reasons for outsourcing. There are hundreds of service providers that Shared Services Organizations can utilize to help improve their processes, apply their technologies and achieve a higher level of service for internal customers. This award category is focused on singling out a service provider that has improved an SSO’s impact and efficiencies beyond the original scope – and which has, therefore, become an invaluable partner – not only to the SSO, but the business, as well.

About This Award: There are hundreds, if not thousands, of technologies that Shared Services can utilize to improve their performance and outputs. This award category is focused on singling out one technology solution that has significantly impacted a Shared Services’ performance to the extent that it has become invaluable. This application could relate to a new implementation, or expanded use of an existing technology.

Last March at Shared Services and Outsourcing Week, Directors, VPs and Heads of shared services came together to learn, network and search for solutions to optimize their global business processes. Download the Past Attendee Snapshot to see who attended including:

• VP, Service Excellence, Johnson & Johnson
• Director HR Process Delivery, Cox Automotive
• Vice President - Enterprise Business Services Strategy and Capabilities, Kaiser Permanente
• Global Head of People Services, Bristol Myers Squibb
• And More

Take a look at the 2026 Sponsorship Prospectus for information on the thought leadership and networking opportunities available at SSOW March 2025! Inside you can find:

• List of Our Current Sponsors,
• Unparalleled Networking Experiences
• Breakdown of Attendee Demographics
• Sponsorship Branding Opportunities
• And Much More!

Download the Floor Plan and see the full layout of our reimagined Expo Hall at Shared Services & Outsourcing Week including:

• Booth Locations
• Thought Leadership & Networking Pavilions
• Remaining Inventory
• And More
  

Rise. Lead. Transform. 💡 In this episode of GBS Leaders Unplugged, we sit down with Bianca Martinez, Executive Director, GBS Strategy & Transformation at Warner Bros. Discovery, one of the fastest-rising voices in Global Business Services (GBS), to explore how women can lead with impact and drive meaningful transformation in shared services.

Highlights Include:

• Bianca’s journey as a rising star in the GBS and shared services space.
• Unique opportunities for women to step into leadership and drive transformation.
• How to overcome dysfunction and resistance in change management.
• Actionable insights for positioning yourself to lead high-impact initiatives.
• Behind-the-scenes reflections on the SSOWomen’s Day experience and community.

Fill out the form to the right or click here and we’ll email it straight to you!

Lead. Evolve. Deliver. 🚀 In this episode of GBS Leaders Unplugged, we sit down with Steve Rudderham, Head of Global Business Services at Carrier and a global ambassador for SSON, to explore what it takes to drive lasting impact in today’s rapidly evolving GBS landscape.

Highlights Include:

• Steve’s top priorities for driving efficiency and measurable value in GBS.
• Critical standards and best practices every GBS leader should adopt to stay competitive.
• Essential leadership qualities and skills Steve has honed throughout his career.
• How to overcome transformation challenges as GBS organizations mature.
• Why SSOW's Future of Business Services Boardroom conversations stand out.
• What keeps Steve passionate about advocating for the SSON community worldwide.

Fill out the form to the right or click here and we’ll email it straight to you!

Innovate. Automate. Humanize. 🤝 In this episode of GBS Leaders Unplugged, we sit down with Jason Paradowski, Head of HR Service and Talent Acquisition for Bosch, Americas Region at Bosch, to explore how HR shared services can evolve to meet the needs of today’s dynamic and diverse workforce.

Highlights Include:

• How Bosch is evolving its HR Shared Services strategy to better serve a global workforce.
• Jason’s most impactful HR automation initiative, and the keys to its success.
• Balancing automation and personalization to create a world-class employee experience.
• Practical advice for organizations starting their automation journey (RPA, low-code, AI).
• Reflections on Bosch’s recognition at the SSON Impact Awards and Jason’s SSOW highlights.

Fill out the form to the right or click here and we’ll email it straight to you!

Innovate. Lead. Empower. 💻 In this episode of GBS Leaders Unplugged, we sit down with Tage Smith, Vice President of Technology Shared Services at Pacific Life, to explore what it takes to drive efficiency, innovation, and inclusive leadership in a rapidly evolving tech environment.

Highlights Include:

• What a typical day looks like for a leader in Technology Shared Services, and how to prioritize for maximum impact.
• The leadership qualities and skills that have fueled Tage’s success, and how she’s honed them over her career.
• Barriers and opportunities for women in technology and shared services, plus advice for those looking to lead.
• Reflections on SSOWomen’s Day and the personal and professional takeaways that stood out most.
• Tage’s SSOW highlights and insights from connecting with the global shared services community.

Fill out the form to the right or click here and we’ll email it straight to you!

Clarity. Alignment. Transformation. 🌍 In this episode of GBS Leaders Unplugged, we sit down with Adam Holmes, Senior Vice President of Business Services at Publicis Re:Sources, to explore how leaders can overcome organizational resistance and drive meaningful change in global shared services.

Highlights Include:

• Which change management dysfunction is most damaging, and how to overcome it.
• Building alignment and clarity across global teams during times of transformation.
• Proven strategies for reducing resistance and driving unified behaviors.
• Tailoring shared services to thrive in cultures built on flexibility and innovation.
• The critical mindset shift leaders need to truly transform how they operate today.
• Adam’s reflections on SSOW and the value of connecting with the global business services community.

Fill out the form to the right or click here and we’ll email it straight to you!

In this insightful interview, Turan Sahin, CEO of Allianz Services, discusses "Redefining GBS in the Next 10 Years" and shares his visions for value delivery. Sahin explores the evolving definition of value in GBS and its impact on future organizations. He also examines the role of GBS in driving innovation and suggests practical strategies for enhancing organizational value. Additionally, Sahin reflects on the significance of emerging technologies like AI and analytics in shaping the future of GBS.

Fill out the form to the right or click here and we’ll email it straight to you!

In this engaging interview from Shared Services & Outsourcing Week (SSOW), Candace Dingman, Senior Vice President of Global Shared Services at Davies, shares her insights on the successful implementation of SAP HANA across 72 countries. With a focus on the roadmap and strategies that contributed to one of the fastest implementations to date, Candace offers invaluable lessons for organizations looking to undertake similar transformation.

Fill out the form to the right or click here and we’ll email it straight to you!

In this exclusive interview from Shared Services & Outsourcing Week (SSOW) 2024, Sandeep Arora, Head of Global Business Services at The Clorox Company, delves into the transformative journey from SLAs (Service Level Agreements) to XLAs (Experience Level Agreements). Discover how focusing on XLAs can lead to outstanding customer satisfaction and service excellence.

Fill out the form to the right or click here and we’ll email it straight to you!

In this compelling Shared Services & Outsourcing Week (SSOW) interview, Fernando Hueglas, Head of Finance Business Services at Fortune Brand Innovations, dives into the strategies for proving the value of shared services to gain essential support for expansion. Fernando shares his perspective on how shared services can drive meaningful impact across an organization—even when cost savings aren’t immediately apparent.

Fill out the form to the right or click here and we’ll email it straight to you!

In this insightful interview from Shared Services & Outsourcing Week (SSOW), Julie Schwendimann, Vice President of Global Shared Services Operations at Stanley Black & Decker, shares her expertise on enhancing the Order-to-Cash (O2C) cycle to improve the customer journey. With years of experience optimizing finance and shared services processes, Julie provides actionable strategies for addressing key challenges in O2C.

Fill out the form to the right or click here and we’ll email it straight to you!