Praise for The Services Shift
"This is a must read guidebook for business leaders who want a global competitive advantage. The Services Shift not only maps the current terrain, but more importantly, provides where the world is headed and what it will take for businesses to win tomorrow by globalizing services. This is a well researched book with very practical lessons for winning the off-shoring battle."
Noel Tichy, Co-author (with Warren Bennis)
JUDGMENT: How Winning Leaders Make Great Calls
and Professor of Management and Organizations
Ross School Of Business, The University of Michigan
"Kennedy has artfully integrated the phenomenon of off shoring services in the global competitiveness agenda of firms. His insights on the key economic drivers and trends, paint a picture of the potential and the pitfalls of this phenomenon. No manager can afford to ignore this shift. All managers may want to read, understand and ride the competitive benefits of this shift."
C.K. Prahalad, Paul and Ruth McCracken
Distinguished University Professor
Ross School of Business, The University of Michigan
"The Services Shift makes a timely contribution to the offshoring debate. It is a wide ranging book that provides both historical context and a conceptual framework to understand how long-term structural changes are reshaping the global business environment. Most importantly, Kennedy and Sharma provide direct actionable inputs for the business manager on how to best leverage and benefit from the offshoring revolution."
N. Chandrasekaran, Chief Operating Officer
Tata Consultancy Services
"Kennedy excels in his ability to connect a huge macro global trend to the micro level of an organization and its processes. A must read for corporations dealing with global competition, as well as for seasoned practitioners and providers like Genpact. The chapter on shifting skill sets is one of its kind!!"
V.N. 'Tiger' Tyagarajan, Executive Vice President
Genpact
"The Services Shift tackles one of the most important trends in the global economy today—the globalization of services, and in particular, of offshore outsourcing. Public discussion of the phenomenon has been dominated by myths and misunderstandings. Kennedy and Sharma de-mystify offshoring. They explain: why this is happening; how it affects countries, industries, firms, and individuals; and how to respond. This book is both an excellent description of current events, and a roadmap that explains where it is going. A must read for both business executives and policymakers."
Alok Aggarwal, Founder & CEO
Evalueserve
"The global economy has changed immensely in the past decade, and the pace of change has recently accelerated. Leaders at multinational corporations have little time to stay on top of the opportunities and the challenges. The Services Shift provides a framework for understanding how globalization is affecting the services sector and a roadmap for firms that hope to sell and source abroad. The book also contains an explanation of the relevant policy challenges and pitfalls that arise in this new era. The book is essential reading for executives who look to capitalize on the continued promise of globalization."
Mike Johnston, Chairman
Visteon Corp
"With the air thick with debate about 'shipping jobs overseas', 'offshoring', 'race to the bottom', and 'outsourcing', The Services Shift could not come at a more propitious time. Bob Kennedy's book offers both a thoughtful and practical treatment of this critical phenomena, which will only accelerate in the coming years, especially in the services sector. Whether you are a corporate manager, a government policymaker, or a labor activist, you will find this book useful in making the globalization game pay off for all constituencies."
Stuart L. Hart
S.C. Johnson Chair in Sustainable Global Enterprise
Cornell University
"The Services Shift provides unique insights into the strategic drivers behind the outsourcing and offshoring of services, and an invaluable set of tools to help manage the decision-process. Business leaders of all types will benefit from understanding the potential value creation for their customers, employees and shareholders."
David F. Dougherty, President and CEO
Convergys
"The Services Shift offers Business Executives a practical, easy to understand framework for managing outsourcing and offshoring decisions. Kennedy does an outstanding job of weaving in the "soft skills" essential for success: management commitment, change management skills, and an end-to-end process understanding of the business. Executives in any business looking to outsource will rapidly appreciate the need to attract leaders that manage remote teams with personal connection and cultural sensitivity."
Sharon M. Garavel, VP Operations
GE Capital Solutions
"Global Sourcing of Services is a powerful source of competitive advantage as economic borders become thinner... Kennedy pulls up the curtain and explains the what, why and where of offshoring. His work with both providers and customers illuminates both the potential, and the challenges, of global sourcing. The Services Shift provides insights on the shifting business paradigms. This book cuts through the rhetoric and provides managers practical advice. A must read!!!"
Anurag Jain, Managing Director- Asia Pacific
President for Applications Solutions (AS) and
President of Insurance & Business, Process Solutions (IBPS)
Perot Systems
"Today, understanding the global trade in services is central to any competitive strategy. Whether you are a small company in Michigan, or a global bank, your cost base, capabilities, and competitive advantage will be influenced by how well you can tap into the global talent pool. Prof. Kennedy gives the most comprehensive and practical guide to finding value and managing risk. The Services Shift is must reading for anyone crafting a global competitive strategy.
Dr. John Sviokla, Vice Chairman
Diamond Management & Technology Consultants
"The Services Shift provides a practical framework for understanding how outsourcing and offshoring impact every manager in corporate America. If improving operations is important – and it always is – you need to read this book."
Vinay Gupta, Founder & CEO
Janeeva, Inc.
"If you found that Tom Friedman’s The World is Flat raised interesting issues, but didn’t connect them to your business, The Services Shift is for you. It appeals to both the strategist and the practitioner. It covers the range of key impacts when services shift offshore – economic, social, political, organizational and the human factor - talent. Kennedy [and Sharma] have written an excellent book, clearly written by practitioners and not academic theorists. It is also extremely practical, with penetrating insights into the firms leading this trend, and real tools to help you analyze your business processes. The Services Shift is a comprehensive, thoughtful and immensely readable book. I recommend it for every manager who faces global competition.
Mark Hodges, Chairman and Co-Founder
EquaTerra, Inc.
"Innovation will be driven by global teams. Winning companies will embrace globalization to create value and leapfrog competition."
Bharat Desai, Chairman & CEO
Syntel, Inc.