EUROPE
“ Whereas if you ’ re looking at an ADM partner , you ’ re looking for local capability but with global strength in some respects . Wipro and Infosys both fall into that category . They have both invested and setup local delivery centres and innovation centres , as a result of the operations with AIB , and they maintain those AIB staff who transferred locally .”
Fagan also explained the importance of cultural compatibility , and all AIB partners boast a strong track record and reputation with an eagerness to innovate and change with the times .
“ The other thing I ’ d add to that is their willingness to invest in the relationship because actually , we ’ re looking at long-term relationships , and because we are mutually beneficial to each other ,” says Thomas . “ Certainly , if you look at the likes of eir and Integrity 360 locally , outsourcing is relatively new to them . They are growing their businesses as a result of our partnership , so that ’ s beneficial to them and it ’ s also beneficial to us because if they grow , they provide us with better services .”
All the partners have also taken on AIB staff as part of the agreements , meaning they each have tailored knowledge of how the bank runs , and its exact requirements . This does not mean they are no longer part of the AIB fabric , however . “ Their local delivery centres are almost in walking distance of the key AIB buildings , so there ’ s people moving back and forth ,” Fagan explains . “ There ’ s space set aside in both buildings . They dine in our canteens and there ’ s still a very collegiate feel , even though they distinctly work for a different organisation now .
“ However , we can ’ t lose sight of that fact . We have done a lot to maintain the collaboration and the goodwill and that , in turn , plays into the knowledge share . You create the conditions for people to share knowledge and work together and that ’ s something a lot of thought has gone into .” Hynes adds : “ Building partnerships takes a desire , willingness and commitment from all parties to make it work ,
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