Editor’s Note



It’s evident that the movers and shakers of the Global Business Services sphere have their eyes on raising the stakes and accelerating industry growth. This is as clear indication as any of a well lit path, moving forward.


As of now, the GBS landscape as we know it is changing, and disruptive technologies are accelerating this. Gone are the days of traditional outsourcing, and enter the era of Big Data Analytics, Internet of Things, Machine Learning, Robotic Process Automation, Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain.


Adoption of these new technologies and the internal restructuring of strategies to tackle this new market remain the key deciding factors in an organisation’s success. Additionally, acquiring and nurturing the right talent to match these new technologies is proving to be a challenge in this day and age as well.


GBSN is proud to bring you the 51st issue of the Global Business Services Magazine. Flip to our cover story “Technology And The Talent Gap” by David Hand, which explores how business leaders and organisations navigate the digitalised workplace by addressing talent shortages and implementing strategic planning. The article looks at how organisations need to match the right talents to the right technologies, whilst taking the initiative to equip employees with the right skills.


In the article “Battles for Talent” by Foong Heng Huo, it digs deep into the nature of talent progression in GBS centres, and how it differs from traditional career paths. Companies need to understand the challenges that come with setting up a GBS centre so that they are prepared to weather the storms that might hit. Besides that, graduates and prospective employees need to be equipped with the skills and knowledge of the GBS industry.


I am also excited to announce that the GBS Forum is back once more, carrying on the role of being the coveted platform for the business community to come together and share valuable insights and updates in the GBS sphere.


The theme for the upcoming forum is “An ASEAN Perspective On The Burgeoning GBS Landscape”, and will be held on October 18th at the heart of Kuala Lumpur.


I am also excited to announce that our media partner, Wordlabs Global, will also be organising an upcoming new segment comprising both a forum and magazine under the banner of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.


Entering the second half of the year, there's no doubt that things will kick into high gear. Stay tuned and keep updated on all the exciting plans we have in store for the remainder of 2018.


Sritharan Vellasamy
(sri@wordlabs.com.my)