Schedule mock interviews on the Meeting Board, join the latest community discussions in our Consulting Q&A and find like-minded Interview Partners to connect and practice with!
Back to overview

Offshore vs. onshore decision case: what framework to use?

What framework should be used to tackle cases requiring to assess whether a client should offshore part of its production, i.e. what factors he should consider to decide whether to offshre part of its production or not, where to offshore and what percent of the product line should be offshored?

Thanks!

3 Answers
3.4k Views
20
Be the first to answer!
Nobody has responded to this question yet.
Top answer
Serhat
Coach
on May 31, 2019
BCG | Kellogg MBA |82% Success rate| 450+ case interview| 5+ year consulting | 30+ projects in ~10 countries

These are the high-level topics you should cover. I can share a great article about this. Please let me know.


Differences in the Operating Model and Capabilities

Differences in the Financial Model

Differences in Risk Profiles

Cheers

Serhat

on Jun 01, 2019
Hi Serhat, may I ask you to send me the article you are mentioning?
Deleted user
edited on May 25, 2019

Decision to offshore and onshore ( make or buy ) is governed by the basic principle of business economics across (a) Transaction/Agency Cost  ( what's the cost arbtitrage ) and (b) Asset Specifivity ( how important is the function/asset to the business operations)

Keeping this princinple in mind one can develope a simple framework comprising of : 

1. Cost Arbitrage : The cost benefits across offshore and onshore - Salary , Benefits, Taxes, Real Estate, etc. Calculate the cost benefits across offshore and onshore. Also take into account the expenese that would be incurred while closing/reducing operations inhouse or with the vendor.

2. Operations  : (a) Activity Type : Core (high Skilled . - High Asset Specificity) / Transactional                              (Commoditized)  - Asset is a commodity can be outsourced. This determines                                what % of activities can be outsourced.

                           (b) Governance : How and what will the governance model if operations                                                                    are offshored. What will be the quality of services and                                                                      support and how the parent compnay manage it.

3. Risks . : (a) Human Resources - Are required skill resources available in the outsourced                                                                   geography and vendor

                   (b) Business Continutiy -    You may include a PEST analysis of the destination                                                              country or financial and operatioanl competencies of the                                                                  vendor 

                   (c) Public Relations / Brand - Outsourcing may lead to firing of emplyees. What                                                               will  be it's impact  interms of brand image and public affairs. 

2
Vlad
Coach
on May 26, 2019
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School

Hi,

And what's the objective of the client and how he will measure success? That's the fundamental question and you can't build a structure without answering it

Best

on May 26, 2019
Hi Vlad, the client would like to assess whether offshoring might be an option to reduce costs and competitive pressure. Increased profitability and qualitative factors like volatility of demand, quality, lead time and cost of capital should be taken into consideration
Similar Questions
Consulting
solve – McKinney's assessment game excel templet
on Mar 05, 2024
Global
6 Answers
3.3k Views
Top answer by
Ex-McKinsey Partner | Most experienced coach (15 years exp, +2.000 real interviews) | 95% success rate
132
6 Answers
3.3k Views
+3
Consulting
When should I expect to hear back from BCG London?
on Mar 05, 2024
Global
7 Answers
3.6k Views
Top answer by
Roland Berger|Project Manager and Recruiter|7+ years of consulting experience in USA and Europe
148
7 Answers
3.6k Views
+4
Consulting
Anybody familiar with the Whiteshield hiring process?
on Mar 05, 2024
Global
5 Answers
3.3k Views
Top answer by
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate
133
5 Answers
3.3k Views
+2
How likely are you to recommend us to a friend or fellow student?
0 = Not likely
10 = Very likely
You are a true consultant! Thank you for consulting us on how to make PrepLounge even better!