Rotterdam, the Netherlands and London aren’t far apart, but for two global companies with headquarters in these cities, their disparate approaches to HRO represent divergent philosophies. Whether you prefer best-of-breed or integrated service delivery, outsourcing has all the bases covered.

Trust but verify HRM BPO market research data. The devil, as the saying goes, is in the details of the study.

When we started HRO Today back in 2002, we knew that taking it to Europe meant a separate magazine—and that was how HRO Europe was started in 2003. Fast forward to 2007, and Europe is now 23 countries and 23 official languages. What does that mean for HRO Europe? Read on.

Getting a feel for the provider is not just recommended but strongly advised. In the first of four articles examining services globalization, the author explains why buying a seat for an overseas flight is a smart investment in offshoring.

Shedding superfluous talent is one benefit of HRO, but can you maintain a leaner organization? Measuring efficiencies before and after outsourcing HR will help ensure you avoid the pitfall of backsliding on productivity.

Technology is the engine that ensures successful engagement, so why aren’t more buyers focused on it during contract negotiation?

As another year comes to a close, we decided to take a pulse-check of the industry by inviting some of the most knowledgeable observers of HRO. Here’s what you can expect to see in the new year.

Expect more mega-deals in 2007 despite constrained supplier capacity. In addition, a more educated buyer community will consider expanding project scope, both geographically and by service.

Recruitment process outsourcing is one of the fastest-growing segments in HRO, but it’s also one of the most confusing and least mature. As buyers set out to engage outsourced recruitment services, here’s a guide on understanding the domain from one end to the other.

Shifts in outsourcing practices push pricing lower without sacrificing customer satisfaction. Buyers need to ensure they are driving the right behavior among participants and providers.