15 Years On: Shared Services Endures

The more things change the more they stay the same. I was reminded of that when I got a call from my old friend, Ira Fialkow (now at Peeriosity), earlier this week. He had been clearing out files and came across the brochure for SSON’s very first shared services event that we ran in Boston, in July of 1997. The conference was chaired by Leland Forst of Amherst and widely hailed as a new strategy for business success. What I found interesting was that, from the start, we were promoting "business services". The idea then, as now, was to leverage people, process, and technology. In fact, "cost effectiveness and service excellence" were the tagline for that event. Not much change there. However, over the next few years, as companies realized that they had probably bitten off more than they could chew with "business services", the concept of "shared services" emerged. Fast forward nearly 2 decades, and what are we talking about today? Yes, indeed: business services – as mature SSOs realize they can now take on the broader scope thereby implied. Another thing I noticed is that, of the companies presenting in 1997, many have since vanished. While shared services may not have been able to save them all [wherever did Houston Industries go?], the concept has certainly outlived many of its early enthusiasts. More significantly perhaps, is the fact that, as Digital transitioned to HP, as AlliedSignal turned into Honeywell, and as CSR America morphed through Rinker Group into CEMEX … the shared services model has endured. It survived all these corporate transitions. Ira, in fact, spoke at that first event representing what was then CSR America’s newly branded business services group. "What's obvious to me, looking at what’s happened since, is that we built a good foundation in the early days." says Ira. "And what's heartening is to see that the shared services group went from strength to strength in supporting the business through its many transitions." In 1997, the event brochure was more of a magazine and we offered audiocassettes of all presentations to anyone who could not attend in person. There were about 30 delegates in the room, and many of them presented on stage. Today, as we prepare for what is North America’s biggest shared services event, Shared Services & Outsourcing Week 2013 [attracting 800+ delegates – and it’s spawned parallel events across the world], you can download our digital schedule, interact with speakers online, follow our updates on twitter, ... and we haven't finished evolving yet! SSON is delighted to hail all veterans and new recruits to shared services/business services. We hope to welcome you to our next shared services event, whether in North America, Europe, Australia, Africa, Latin America or Asia. We also run events in China, Germany, and Malaysia – and the list grows (check back with our events for India, later in the year). P.S. Incidentally, I also recently caught up with Leland Forst – currently consulting in China (of which more at a later stage). It's like a high school reunion! P.P.S. If you were at our first conference, or even have a "veteran" story to share, or any photos (!) – do so! Email me [inlinead]

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