Shared Services

Perspectives

Sustainable shared services location strategy

Key considerations for selecting GBS locations

In today’s shared services and global business services (GBS) landscape, organizations can’t afford to invest in locations that only meet strategic talent and cost objectives in the short term. Learn how to assess and select sustainable GBS locations for future scope and scale, expansion optionality, and balanced competitive dynamics in the longer term.

Shared services and GBS locations: A strategic outlook

Location selection for GBS organizations is not a one-time decision. According to Deloitte’s 2023 Shared Services and Outsourcing Survey, three-quarters of GBS leaders are planning to refine their global footprint now or in the near future. The survey respondents are primarily seeking greater cost savings and expanded access to talent, as competition in many GBS markets has put increasing pressure on both factors.

As GBS leaders develop their footprint or reassess their existing sites, which locations will best support these objectives and offer a more attractive competitive environment within the GBS sector? After decades of sustained GBS growth around the globe, there are no simple answers to the question. Few markets have been left wholly untouched by GBS deployments.

The best approach today is to target a location that will be sustainable for the GBS organization over the longer-term time horizon. In addition to the core location factors that we assess in our business doing location strategy work—such as talent, risk, and cost—we have observed three strategic considerations for selecting a sustainable GBS location in recent years.

Selecting sustainable GBS locations

Global business services (GBS) Strategic location considerations

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Capability expansion

The ability to deliver potential future capabilities in addition to current scope—especially more advanced or value-add services.

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Market expansion

The proximity to tier II or tier III GBS markets—which offers expanded access to talent within the current GBS structure.

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Market dynamics

The GBS sector trends around growth, attrition and wage escalation rates, and talent attraction—which serve as indicators of the market’s future trajectory.

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Learn more about each GBS location consideration below

Get in touch

Principal, Enterprise Services & Location Strategy

Deloitte Consulting LLP

tnicholson@deloitte.com

+1 206 930 2726

Managing Director, Enterprise Services & Location Strategy

Deloitte Consulting LLP

mahighfield@deloitte.com

+1 612 308 5765

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