The CBI IT and Business Process Outsourcing (ITO & BPO) programs

In the period 2005 – 2009 CBI offers ITO and BPO support programs in selected low cost countries. The two programs have similar structures but different target countries and target groups. It is IMPORTANT to emphasize that the ITO and BPO are TWO SEPARATE PROGRAMS with, as mentioned above, similarities in their structure and general criteria for participation.

Downloadable documents:

Program description (BPO and ITO program)

Outsourcing Audit form (same for both ITO and BPO service providers)

Rating sheet for ITO service providers

Rating sheet for BPO service providers

The objectives of the programs

Assist service providers in low cost countries to build (and improve) their marketable capabilities, services and European market knowledge;

Provide knowledge transfer and business information on offshore outsourcing (training, information on markets, marketing, technology trends, processes, project management, competition, etc.)

Identify and benchmark strong services providers in the target countries and introduce them on the European market

Establish an integrated European marketing program for ITO and BPO service providers from the selected low cost countries

Provide matchmaking and promotion opportunities

Assist European service buyers in their offshore outsourcing buying decision and guide them through the whole outsourcing process from strategy formulation to finilising a deal.

Target groups

Selected service providers in the target countries

Business support organisations, industry associations in the target countries

Service buyers in selected European countries and territories (UK, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium and Scandinavian countries)

Target countries ITO Program: Jordan, Egypt, South Africa, Macedonia

Target countries BPO program: South Africa, India, Philippines

What do we offer to service providers?

Before you move on to read about our offerengs to service providers please read the general conditions to participate in the program.

Technical assistance, outsourcing audit and training

EU market information, on outsourcing and EuroITX.com registration (company profile, visibility, logo)

A set of material

EXPRO seminar participation in Rotterdam

Co-financing quality certification

Marketing activities in Europe

Event participation (short workshop, conference, etc.)

Selected companies are, however, requested to:

participate actively in the program

pay Euro 1000,- commitment fee. The fee is due after the first Technical Assistance mission (beginning ofPhase 2.) and only if the company decides to further participate in the program.

link to the EuroITX.com web site

Provide material to the EuroITX.com web site

Counterparts

In each and every low cost country, participating in the programs, we work together with one or more counterparts. Our counterparts are usually industry associations, government institutions or chamber of commerce. In any case an organisation which has very good relationship and insight of the sectors and they also play an important role in the sector development. We encourage cooperation among all local stakeholders of sector development in order to maximise the impact of our programs. During the programs we also build a map of local initiatives which support the ITO and BPO sectors locally.

The characteristics of our counterparts

has broad industry knowledge and contacts

accepted by the companies within the sector

plays an active role in the sector development

has good contacts with other industry stakeholders (government, industry associations, donors, etc.)

What do we offer to our counterparts?

Seminars and training in Rotterdam (depending on availability, see www.cbi.nl)

Capacity building and consultancy on-site

Market and business information

What is the role of our counterparts?

This is a very common question. Our counterparts implements and monitors the program, companies and sector development locally.

coordinate and support activities

pre-select companies to be visited by the CBI consultant (and make appointments for the company visit)

organise logistics (make hotel reservations for CBI consultants, provide local transport)

Organise training programs. When CBI delivers a training program locally, we ask our counterparts to organise it: provide venue, training equipment, publicity for the training and invite participants.

follow-up on progress with the selected companies

regularly contact companies

promote the CBI ICT/BPO Program (web site, press coverage, articles, etc.)

provide material to EuroITX.com

What do we offer to service buyers in Europe?

Consulting services

Outsourcing and market information

Custom market research

Matchmaking services

Country information on our target countries

The structure of the Programs

Phase 1. Identification (January – June 2005)

During the identification phase CBI consultants will visit each countries and assess a number of companies. We ask our counterparts to recommend companies to be visited as well as pre-select companies for assessment. During the introductory workshop companies can also make site visit appointments with our counterpart.

Activities during Phase 1:

Counterpart selection

Needs assessment

Short workshop is organised on the latest market trends and the CBI sector support program

Company visit and pre-selection

Meeting with industry stakeholders

It is important to emphasize that the introductory workshop is open to any interested company or individuals! Any company that feels to meet the general CBI selection criteria can send their intake forms (see bellow) to either our counterpart in the country or directly to euroitx@euroitx.com Companies that would like to be considered to participate in the program(s) must submit the following documents (before a company visit takes place):

Outsourcing audit form (provided by CBI)

Self-rating sheet (provided by CBI)

The above forms are downloadable from this page (see the top of the page), can be requested from CBI or from our local counterpart. Based on the submitted information (and the recommendation of our counterpart) decision is made if the CBI consultant will visit the company or not. During the company visit key issues are discussed briefly. Before the company visit takes place CBI provides guidelines on preparing for the company visit.

As a result of the submitted information and the company visit CBI decides if the company will be invited to participate in the program or not. In either case the company will be notified.

Before a CBI consultant visits a country our counterpart should organise the workshop, pre-select companies to be visited as well as make appointments with companies and industry stakeholders.

Phase 2. Technical Assistance (September 2005 – March 2006)

If a company was visited during Phase 1. and CBI invites the company to participate in the program (and the company accepts the invitation);

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is signed

commitment fee must be paid by the company (after the first TA mission)

link to EuroITX.com must be established

the company profile is made available at EuroITX.com

During Phase 2. CBI will also deliver a few training programs. These training programs are open for any interested parties but the selected companies (Phase 1.) must participate.

The CBI consultant will also visit the selected companies and company audit will be carried out. The basis of the company audit are the documents submitted by the company in Phase 1. (pre-selection checklist, self-rating sheet) and the report on the first company visit.

As a result of the company audit:

the company will receive the consultant’s report

the consultant and the company will agree on possible follow-up activities and deadlines

the company will prepare a detailed Action Plan

Phase 3. Preparation (November 2005 – December 2006)

Selected companies only enter this phase if;

Action Plan was submitted and finalised. The AP evaluation result is positive and the company shows strong commitment.

The overall CBI evaluation of the company is positive

During this phase selected companies carry out their Action Plan (finalised in Phase 2.) and prepare a draft European Market Entry Strategy document.

The CBI consultant will visit the selected companies and further audit will take place. CBI (and our local counterpart) will also monitor progress regarding the execution of the Action Plan and the preparation of the MES document.

CBI provides assistance to companies as needed. During the country visits CBI will deliver shorter workshops which are open to any interested company but selected companies must participate.

In the 3rd quarter of 2006 an EXPRO seminar will be offered to participating companies in Rotterdam. The majority of the costs will be born by CBI. However, the conditions for participation are;

Action Plan is ready and implementation progress evaluation is positive

Draft MES document is submitted before deadline and evaluation is positive

CBI evaluates the company and the participation of the company positive

At the end of Phase 3. CBI will evaluate the participation and progress made of each company and will decide if the company continues to Phase 4. or not.

Phase 4. European marketing (October 2006 – September 2008)

Various activities will take place in the Marketing phase.

Throughout the whole program (every year) various IT and BPO events will be visited by CBI consultants. This might also include event sponsorship. Seminars and trade fairs proved to be excellent opportunities for promotion.

Phase 4. will include the following activities;

Promotion via EuroITX.com

Attending seminars and events by participants – with CBI support (entry criteria: active participation, positive CBI evaluation)

Event sponsorship by CBI

Advertisements

Direct mailing and press releases

Beside promotion activities CBI will co-finance quality certification as well (entry criteria: active participation, positive CBI evaluation).