Brad DeMent, partner and finance and accounting practice area leader at ScottMadden, recently published an article on finding a strategic location for shared services operations. This report was featured in the April 2012 issue of the online Area Development Magazine.

In today’s tough economic times, companies considering operational innovations can reduce their uncertainty with a solid risk management strategy. Our team has been able to help companies through this methodology in as little as two to three months before final site selection. Meanwhile, the company can simultaneously engage in developing the shared services operations scope of services and design. We have found the number one killer of shared services projects is related to lengthy stalls and loss of momentum while sensitive issues are debated at the executive levels. A well thought out site location methodology that accounts for political sensitivity, hard city data, economic incentives, and face-to-face site visits will ensure that the implementation team can hit the ground running with a known location when the firing pistol sounds.