Shane Mayes, CEO, Onshore Outsourcing discusses the low-cost, domestic alternative to offshore outsourcing and its unique approach to workforce development.
ATLANTA, GA – May 6, 2019
Onshore Outsourcing, the market leader in providing rural information technology services and solutions to Fortune 2000 companies, hosted a special panel event, part of the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s Power Breakfast Series, held recently at the Grand Hyatt Atlanta in Buckhead.
The lively panel themed “Rural IT Outsourcing,” featured Bert Brantley, COO, Georgia Department of Economic Development, Joe Drouin, CIO, Pulte Group, Anita Klopfenstein, CIO, Little Caesars Pizza, Shane Mayes, CEO, Onshore Outsourcing and was moderated by David Rubinger, Market President and Publisher, Atlanta Business Chronicle.
Historically, Atlanta companies had little choice but to outsource a majority of their IT services overseas, often times sacrificing quality and convenience. More recently, however, many businesses have found an attractive local alternative in rural sourcing. The discussion explored the evolution of rural outsourcing, how companies have successfully taken advantage of it, and how state and local governments see it as a key solution to providing economic growth for some of Georgia’s rural communities.
Shane Mayes, CEO, Onshore, the event’s sponsor, comments, “I am extremely delighted by the great turn out at the event. I was pleased to share Onshore’s low-cost, domestic alternative to offshore outsourcing and our unique approach to workforce development with our attendees from the Georgia business community. We strive to deliver to our customers cost-effective solutions to provide enhanced business performance, accelerated time-to-market, increased productivity and improved customer service.”
Onshore’s current client portfolio includes such leading global enterprises as Pulte Group, AARP, Schneider, Nike, Siemens, Jones Lang Lasalle, Parker Hannifin, Panera Bread, Centene Heatlthcare Corporation, and many fast-growing mid-tier businesses, including Mercy Home and Harris Govern.
Bert Brantley noted the consensus was that providing better, more interesting jobs, will inspire people to stay and work successfully in their home towns, while enjoying a better quality of life.
Mayes offered an alternative, but slowing changing view, on the importance of a four-year college education. He comments, “I believe in training people for the job to be done as quick as possible, and then creating opportunities for them to learn while earning an income.” He also noted that a person pursuing a long-term career with Onshore can earn quite a good income.
On the topic of aversion to ‘call center jobs,’ he adds, “Jobs help people get by. Careers help people live and experience life. We create careers, not jobs.”
Joe Drouin drew attention to the stigma in American society towards vocational training, and reported that some employees, who started as interns or were recruited from Onshore, “have evolved into some of the sharpest and brightest minds that we have on the team.”
Anita Klopfenstein adds, “Attitude, aptitude and the ability to write code” is preferred over a four-year degree holder, “who might not have the ability to think for themselves.” They may not have the same eagerness, and stressed she prefers “someone who has a passion and aptitude.”
The final questions were about obstacles for Onshore in the state and “How big can this get?” Mayes advised to address the symptoms of generational poverty and its associated social consequences, as well as the challenge to attract qualified leaders to rural areas to shepherd the entry-level recruits.
Everyone in attendance agreed that Georgia’s approach to workforce development is world-class and the state continues to be one of the best places to do business in the country, and particularly, in its rural areas.
