Why BOT works for organisations that want GBS but aren’t ready for a full transformation
Many companies want the benefits of a Global Business Services model. Better controls. Standardised processes. Lower cost. A consistent experience for employees and business teams.
But getting there is tough.
The organisation isn’t always ready for a full transformation. Systems are scattered. Processes differ by location. Leaders are stretched. And the idea of a big-bang shift into GBS feels too heavy.
This is where the BOT model quietly becomes the bridge.
BOT reduces the risk that usually slows GBS programmes
In a full GBS transformation, everything changes at once: people, processes, tools, governance, and often the operating mindset. BOT breaks this down into manageable stages.
- Build gives companies a chance to set up the foundation without disrupting day-to-day work.
- Operate proves that the model works with real teams, real volumes and real performance.
- Transfer hands back a working GBS engine that is already stable and trusted.
Instead of asking the organisation to “transform,” BOT shows what good looks like before the final shift happens.
It creates capability while the business keeps running
Most organisations delay GBS because they don’t have internal bandwidth. The BOT model solves this by letting the partner run the heavy work: hiring, workflow design, training, documentation, governance setup and service delivery.
The internal teams can focus on business priorities while a parallel GBS capability is built and matured. When the transfer happens, the enterprise receives a fully functional operation with trained staff, mapped processes and defined KPIs.
It exposes process issues early—before scaling them
One of the biggest risks in GBS is scaling broken processes. BOT avoids this. In the Operate phase, every workflow is tested in real conditions. Bottlenecks appear clearly. Rework, handoffs, and exceptions become visible.
Fixing them early means the company doesn’t end up scaling inefficiencies and later paying the price.
It builds confidence across stakeholders
Leaders often hesitate because they fear loss of control. BOT helps them see the benefits through actual performance. Once they see service levels stabilising, cycle times improving and reporting becoming consistent, confidence increases.
This makes the final transition into GBS far smoother.
It creates a GBS-ready culture without forcing change
GBS isn’t just about structure; it’s a mindset of standardisation, shared accountability and data-driven decisions. BOT helps teams adopt this gradually. As they see how work is organised, how escalations run, and how governance works, the culture begins to shift naturally.
By the time the transfer happens, the business has already adapted to a shared-services way of working.
For many companies, BOT is not just a model—it’s a pathway
BOT is a practical, low-risk way to move toward GBS without the pressure of a full transformation programme. It builds capability, tests assumptions, and delivers a working engine that can scale.
Build Operate Transfer (BOT) model