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beyond delievery
podcast

Why your outsourcing strategy needs a service value mindset to succeed 

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Many organisations today find themselves stuck in a cycle of managing headcount rather than outcomes. While the traditional model of buying developer hours or counting FTEs was the industry standard for decades, it often fails to deliver the strategic impact that modern businesses require. To truly succeed in today’s landscape, there needs to be a fundamental shift in how we approach external partnerships. 

At Holisticon Connect, we see this pressure to innovate faster every day. It is exactly why we launched our new podcast, Beyond Delivery. We wanted to create a space to rethink how leaders in IT and operations scale their teams and adopt technologies like AI without losing sight of sustainable growth. In our inaugural episode, Maciej Reutt, Co-founder and CEO of Holisticon Connect and VP International at Nexer Group, joins the conversation to unpack why the transition from a simple effort-based approach to a service value mindset is the most critical step in this journey. 

Why is the traditional IT outsourcing model failing modern businesses? 

The traditional approach to outsourcing is often purely effort-based. In this model, conversations tend to revolve around the number of consultants, available capacity, and hourly rates. However, as Maciej points out in the episode, this focus on input rarely guarantees the desired business output. To move beyond this, companies must adopt a service value mindset. This requires a change in perspective where the goal is no longer just to “fill seats” or buy “hands on deck”, but to evaluate what a specific feature or product is actually worth to the business. It is a transition that moves the relationship from a simple transaction to a partnership focused on tangible results. 

How to bridge the knowledge gap in strategic tech partnerships? 

Despite the vast number of players in the B2B software services market, there is a distinct lack of high-quality, practical content focused on the strategic side of these partnerships. Most of the available information is either overly technical or purely promotional, leaving leaders with few resources to navigate complex delivery models. At Holisticon Connect, we wanted to change that by sharing the lessons we have learned over the last eight years. Building an entrepreneurial organisation that has achieved an average of 50% year-on-year growth has given us a unique perspective on what it takes to scale successfully. By combining this local agility with the global scale of the Nexer Group, we aim to provide a more nuanced view of how outsourcing and nearshoring can work when they are treated as a strategic asset. 

What is a service value mindset in IT delivery? 

Adopting a service value mindset changes the dynamic of the partnership. For a client, it requires the ability to evaluate the business worth of a delivery rather than just the cost of the talent. As Maciej points out, it is about moving beyond “hands on deck” and finding a partner who understands your business strategy as well as you do. 

This perspective is increasingly supported by global data. According to the Deloitte Global Outsourcing Survey 2024, there is a significant shift in the market as delivery models mature, with a growing emphasis on value-based relationships. The report highlights that outcome-based delivery models are seeing increased adoption in favour of results-driven partnerships, moving away from purely transactional, effort-based agreements. 

When a provider takes this entrepreneurial approach, they do not just execute tasks; they take ownership of the value they bring to the table. This shift is what separates a simple vendor from a strategic partner who can help navigate complex technical challenges. 

Practical insights for modern business leaders 

We designed the Beyond Delivery series specifically for those at the helm of innovation – whether you are a C-level executive, a VP, or a Senior Manager responsible for scaling operations. In the upcoming episodes, we will dive deep into the real-world challenges of tech strategy, from the complexities of cloud migration to the practicalities of AI adoption. To provide a truly diverse perspective, we have invited guest experts from across the globe, representing sectors such as biotech, telecom, automotive, and entertainment. Our goal is to move beyond theory and offer a roadmap for leaders who want to scale their organisations through smart, value-driven partnerships. 

Join the conversation about the future of delivery 

At its core, technology is a human business built on transparency, shared goals, and mutual trust. We created Beyond Delivery to be more than just a broadcast; it is a platform for tech leaders to exchange ideas, challenge the status quo, and find better ways to build software services. We invite you to listen to the inaugural episode and share your thoughts with us. Whether you have feedback on the service value mindset or ideas for future topics, we want to hear from you. You can find the podcast on all major platforms: Spotify, YouTube and Apple Podcasts – join us as we explore the intersection of technology and true business value. 

FAQ
What is a service value mindset in IT outsourcing?

A service value mindset is a strategic approach to outsourcing where the focus shifts from buying labor hours to evaluating the actual business value and outcomes delivered by a partner. It moves the relationship from a simple transactional “filling seats” model to a true partnership.

How do I move beyond effort-based models and measure outcome value?

To move beyond effort-based models, organizations must shift their perspective from managing headcount to prioritizing outcomes. Instead of counting FTEs, they should evaluate the tangible business worth of specific features or products delivered by their strategic partners.

Why is my traditional outsourcing strategy not delivering a strategic impact?

Traditional outsourcing strategies often fail to deliver a strategic impact because they focus on inputs, such as the number of consultants and hourly rates, rather than business outputs. This purely effort-based approach rarely guarantees the desired business outcomes that modern businesses require to innovate and succeed.

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At Holisticon Connect, our core values of Passion and Execution drive us toward a Promising Future. We are a hands-on tech company that places people at the centre of everything we do. Specializing in Custom Software Development, Cloud and Operations, Bespoke Data Visualisations, Engineering & Embedded services, we build trust through our promise to deliver and a no-drama approach. We are committed to delivering reliable and effective solutions, ensuring our clients can count on us to meet their needs with integrity and excellence.