This cover story is an HRO Today first, in three ways. No. 1, it features a multinational company which, like hundreds of others, has yet to embark on an HRO initiative, and may never do so. Second, you will never read a profile that more vividly contrasts attitudes on HRO among two direct competitors. And third, this story is an Internet-era chance to give your opinion on what you think our cover subject’s next HR transformation steps should be.

Employers are more willing than ever to outsource all recruitment functions, but only if a world-class recruitment organization comes with the deal. The era of $50 million deals has arrived.

Recruitment process outsourcing, or RPO, is the hottest segment of the HRO market. In talking with dozens of buyers and even more providers, here are four lessons for anyone who touches RPO.

As the ink dries on the contract, buyers must tackle the implementation of HRO and decide on what the retained HR organization will look like after transformation.

Ironies aside, will service quality ever cease to be a point of contention between HRO buyers and their providers?

Survey indicates that transformation is possible, but a gap exists between those who hope to achieve greater focus and those who actually achieve it.

Everyone strives to be a world-class organization, but only a minority achieve this goal. The secret, according to The Hackett Group, is in how organizations roll out shared services and whether their efforts are truly transformational or simply a gathering of warm bodies. Read on to find out the hallmarks of a highly effective shared-services business unit.

As Japan’s talent pool grows older, understanding the motivations of today’s workforce is a necessity in ensuring the most effective recruitment strategy.

Payroll outsourcing as we know it no longer exists, thanks to bundled offerings and smaller deals. The result is a market that is ever changing.

Confused about RPO? Don’t worry, you’ve got plenty of company. If only providers could tone down their marketing hype to truly define recruitment process outsourcing.