The best outsource partners are those who proactively identify problems and work with the client to provide long term solutions whilst continually improving current processes and workflows.
The digital age, partnered with the pandemic, has revolutionised traditional ways of working and has accelerated organisations’ strategies towards outsourcing key elements of business, such as Managed Print, Managed IT, or mailing services. Some of the key benefits already being recognised by outsourcing elements of an organisation include:
In the modern workplace, the possibilities are endless. However so, these may seem daunting to some organisations who have not yet started on their outsourcing journey. So here are some of the business challenges to consider if you are getting started:
Many businesses will have certain expectations of how they intend for things to work. By adding an outsource service provider, this can only help your company improve a function. Time is needed for both parties to adjust to each other and identify the best ways to work together. Collaboration is key here.
Typically organisations will have key decision makers within a business. When outsourcing it is important to transfer some of that authority over to the service provider as part of the outsourcing agreement. This way the collaboration is enhanced and are able to work together to create a more efficient outcome.
A company's brand is very sensitive. From its logo to products to the customer service, each touchpoint is an opportunity to create and maintain those foundations with clients.
If not handled correctly, however, these assets can be the cause of customer attrition. With this in mind, it’s not surprising that many businesses can be reluctant in handing over the reins of their brands to an outsourcing company.
To overcome any uncertainties when it comes to outsourcing, our top tip would be to ask detailed questions about the services the company provides and their abilities to meet your business specific needs.
Here are eight examples of questions that you should be asking:
Outsourcing may not be right for every organisations, but, given the potential benefits it can bring, leadership teams should be looking into digitising their workflows and working towards an outsourced working environment. In all likelihood, you'll find outsourcing will let you do more with less, freeing a substantial portion of your time and efforts to put to more productive use.
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Sarah has over 25 years experience in the MPS industry and brings a wealth of knowledge to the Apogee Executive Leadership Team. She’s been actively involved in a number of key acquisitions over the years, commanding her team and ensuring Apogee has continued to grow and develop.
Sarah has a strategic and operational responsibility for the key processes through which we secure and contract our customers. This includes product management and pricing, contract development, sales procedures, order processing, and the management of funders and vendor partners. Sarah and her team ensure that we always strike the right balance between Apogee’s financial objectives and Sales team success, without compromising our customer’s experience.
Sarah is without doubt a passionate and process driven leader, focusing on targets and KPIs in order to deliver a strong team result.
Aurelio is the Chief Executive Officer and has more than three decades of print industry experience. He is a seasoned leader driven by results, achieved through teamwork and empowerment.
Aurelio has been a senior HP Inc. executive for 18 years, most recently as the Global Head of Owned Channels and the General Manager of HP’s A3 Solutions Business. Earlier in his career at HP, Aurelio created from the inception the HP Graphics Page Wide Press business, taking it from initial idea to become a significant and profitable business for HP. Prior to HP, Aurelio led the Inkjet Printing Business for Olivetti before co-founding Yminds S.A. in Switzerland, an engineering firm specialising in advanced micromechanics and colour science.
Aurelio currently serves as a member of the International Board of Directors for Apogee Corporation Ltd and Simpress.
Julian has over 8 years of invaluable knowledge having joined Apogee in 2013 as a Pre-Sales Consultant, mirroring Apogee’s own journey of growth, Julian has developed from this role to join the Apogee ELT in 2021. He has extensive experience working with organisations from all sectors, helping to identify opportunities for growth and innovation through digital transformation.
Julian’s entrepreneurial mind-set and experience of creating solutions combined with being able to show clients the true value Professional Services can deliver has had a hugely successful impact on our clients in recent years. He is a well-respected figure both within Apogee and within our industry and in Julian we have the perfect role model of what can be achieved here at Apogee with the right dedication and determination to succeed.
Dan Taylor brings with him 25 years of invaluable industry expertise from technology conglomerates such as HP, Samsung EMEA and Xerox Global Services. Most recently, Dan has been instrumental at HP in successfully completing strategic projects for Apogee such as the service on dMPS, HP Public Sector, Apogee Professional Services Iberia (APSI) and HP3S. Dan’s international network and deep understanding of the global market place is a huge benefit to Apogee as we continue our expansion into new markets.
In his role of ‘Vice President of International Business’, Dan acts as the MD for both Apogee Germany and Apogee Ireland, as well as leading the new international strategic partnerships. He also leads Service Operations, which includes Service Delivery, PMO, Supply Chain, Logistics, Operational Excellence, and Customer Success & Experience.
Dan prides himself on being a highly driven and results-oriented person with expertise in both enterprise & channel sales, as well as broad experience from strategic planning to deployment into the field.
Carl has been in the technology and managed services industries for the majority of his professional life, and has extensive experience of leading direct and indirect sales teams in both B2B and B2C markets.
Carl is passionate about personal development, work-based learning and coaching, all of which are critical for Apogee as we invest in developing our skills and effectiveness in this area. He has a Master’s degree in leading sales transformation, and a track record of implementing and enhancing programmes that drive sales performance and ultimately growth in market share.
Prior to joining Apogee, Carl was Director of Client Development for Europe & Asia at ACA Europe, a leading provider of governance, risk, and compliance advisory services and technology solutions. Before then as a UK Board Director at Toshiba TEC, Carl was responsible for the indirect and direct sales channels for the UK and Ireland, and prior to joining Toshiba he held senior roles in marketing, IT development and sales management at Ricoh.
Dynamic and results oriented, Simon Green is MBA educated and takes a strategic approach to successful IS transformation, delivering ‘cost appropriate’ and ‘value creating’ ICT solutions.
Simon has helped transform businesses by building high-performance teams, managing people through change and making complex IT understandable and actionable.
Marion Brooks is an accomplished and adaptable HR leader whose HR career spans over 25 years. Having worked both in the UK and internationally, Marion has previously held senior HR roles within the retail, engineering, and technology sectors.
In her role leading the People & Culture function, Marion is responsible for developing and executing the human resource strategy that supports the overall company vision and strategy, specifically in the areas of succession planning, talent management, change management, organisational and performance management, training and development, and compensation.
Marion is also driving the organisational culture by cultivating and championing it, creating an environment that fosters integrity, diversity, inclusivity, agility, wellness and open communication.
When not at work, Marion spends most of her time with her family. She has also recently joined a local women’s cricket team and enjoys batting and wicket keeping.
With over 20 years of experience in finance, Sam is an accomplished, commercially astute member of the ELT. Well-accustomed to taking an active, hands-on approach, Sam will be managing all financial aspects of Apogee’s strategy to drive growth and increase profitability.
Following qualification from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Sam began in a management accounts role for sporting manufacturer Unicorn Products. After nine years, she then moved on to join OfficeTeam; a business consumable supplier, where she climbed the ranks from Senior Management Accountant all the way to Finance Director. Ten years on, and eager for a new challenge, Sam joined Apogee, soon entering the ELT as Chief Finance Officer.
Joining Apogee after the transition to an HP-owned company, Sam was responsible for updating many processes and policies to the standard we recognise today. She plans to provide support to the rest of the ELT by keeping communication around finances transparent, while also providing education around key drivers that will enhance profit.
