Outsourcing today has become a common business practice. While some businesses outsource an entire sector of their products and services, others outsource projects or entire departments as a means of concentrating on the more critical aspects of their business. Ready to respond to this demand are a multitude of companies able to supply the resources, workforce, and expertise. Clearly, there are various levels and degrees of outsourcing, including the potential offshore element. But what are the issues and thoughts of those involved within the outsourcing cycle?
Join us for a dynamic discussion amongst a group of experts representing the various points of outsourcing. Gain insight into the thoughts and processes of companies who outsource, provide outsourcing services, and the individuals who work with both. Following the panel discussion will be a Q&A session that will give the audience an opportunity to interact directly with the panelists.
Featured Speaker(s)
Moderator: Karen Muller, Cerius Consulting (http://ceriusconsulting.com/)
Karen Muller is Director of the Emerging Growth specialty practice group of Cerius Consulting and heads its business development activities. With over 15 years experience working in the investment banking and financial services industry, she has been involved in numerous corporate finance transactions including public offerings, mergers and acquisitions, leveraged acquisitions and corporate reorganizations totaling over $5 billion, as a company executive or counsel. She has years of operating experience in the technology, telecommunications and real estate industries, and has been actively involved in turn arounds in these industries. She has led business development efforts in the investment banking and not for profit sectors. In the not for profit sector, she has been heavily involved in marketing and program presentation. Karen is calm in a crisis and brings tremendous insight and organizational skills to challenging business situations. She is a natural leader and “people person” who knows how to deliver bottom line results.
Panelist: Christian Payne, Kellogg and Andelson (http://www.k-a.com/)
Mr. Payne is Chief Executive Officer of Kellogg & Andelson. Mr. Payne is a former investment banker, having worked for Citibank in London, Arnhold & S. Bleichroeder, Inc. and Cruttenden Roth, where he completed mergers and acquisitions, and public and private debt and equity offerings for middle market companies. In 2000, Mr. Payne co-founded Catalyst Business Systems, a provider of technology, strategic advisory and outsourcing services. Catalyst merged with Kellogg & Andelson and in April 2003, Mr. Payne became President and CEO of Kellogg & Andelson. Mr. Payne has raised over $300 million for public and private companies since 1999. He provides strategic advisory services to middle market businesses and advises companies as to mergers and acquisitions and capital market transactions.
Panelist: Neeti Khaitan, Aegis Communications Group (http://aegiscomgroup.com/)
Ms. Khaitan has worked and led a variety of international private organizations. The emphasis of her work has centered around Telecommunications, Customer Service, Call Center Services and BPO outsourcing. Prior to being the Vice President, New Market Strategy for Aegis Communications, Irving, Texas, Neeti was the Chief Executive Officer and President of e-Telequest, a call center company in Phoenix, Arizona. Her strong areas of focus have been business development, strategic planning and organizational effectiveness. She has advised India Securities Limited, a sub division of leading Indian conglomerate Essar, where she actively was involved with placing various financial products for the company. Ms. Khaitan also played a key role in assisting Qualcomm, a leading American telecommunications company into International waters in India. Ms. Khaitan also serves as the offshoring and outsourcing consultant to the China Call Center Committee and advises many governmental offices on the same. Ms. Khaitan has completed her B.S. in Business Administration from Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA, and is completing her Masters in Marketing and Communication from CSUSB, CA.
Panelist: Judy Johnson, Cerius Consulting (http://ceriusconsulting.com/)
Judy Key Johnson is known as “The Branding Queen” for her work creating strong, effective identities for companies and product lines. The result is premium valuation for products and services. She has extensive experience in all facets of marketing communications, including market research, advertising, public relations, and Web-based marketing at IBM corporate headquarters and in start-up and early-stage companies, and as an interim marketing executive. She has extensive international experience as a company spokesperson. Ms. Key Johnson has originated a “marketing roadmap” process that analyzes the business and market environment of a company and collaboratively develops a pro forma budget and timeline for marketing programs that a company can follow on its own. Judy has strong business operational experience, including initiating and leading IBM’s first four SAP R/3 software projects, running sales and financial operations for the $1.2 billion OEM disk drive business unit, and seven years as an IBM large systems sales representative. As the first full-time president of a growing technology company, she was responsible for developing the company business plan during four rounds of funding. Judy is a hands-on leader who writes press releases and white papers as well as supervises marketing professionals.
