petrochemical

A top five global energy and petrochemical company sought to optimize its global delivery location portfolio while building a more sustainable and scalable talent model. Operating in a highly competitive and cost-sensitive industry, the organization required greater visibility into its global footprint and workforce strategy to support long-term growth. 

Through Everest Group’s GBS membership, the client engaged us to conduct an in-depth assessment of 15+ global locations and benchmark its talent strategy against leading market practices. The engagement resulted in a more optimized locations portfolio, improved operational efficiency, and the foundation for a sustainable talent model aligned with future business objectives. 

Client Challenge

Optimizing a complex global footprint

As a global energy and petrochemical leader, the client operated across multiple geographies with a diverse set of functions housed in its Global Business Services (GBS) organization. Over time, its locations portfolio had evolved in response to growth, acquisitions, and shifting operational priorities. However, leadership recognized that the portfolio had not been systematically benchmarked against current market realities. 

The organization faced several critical questions: 

  • Were its locations aligned with global best practices for cost, scalability, and talent availability?
  • Did its existing footprint support future growth targets?
  • How could it strengthen talent acquisition, retention, and development across regions? 

Without clear answers, the company risked escalating operating costs, suboptimal talent deployment, and reduced agility in responding to market shifts. In an industry defined by margin pressures and operational complexity, inefficiencies in location strategy could translate into long-term structural disadvantages. 

Additionally, the absence of a differentiated talent value proposition limited the company’s ability to compete effectively in key markets. Leadership needed objective, data-driven insights to validate or redesign its locations portfolio and ensure its GBS model remained competitive, efficient, and sustainable. 

To address these challenges, the client turned to Everest Group for independent benchmarking and strategic guidance.

Everest Group Solution

Data-driven benchmarking and strategic portfolio redesign

Everest Group approached the engagement through a structured, multi-phase methodology designed to deliver both diagnostic clarity and actionable recommendations. 

First, we conducted a comprehensive assessment of 15 global locations across the client’s portfolio. This evaluation examined talent availability, scalability potential, cost structures, regulatory considerations, and operational maturity. Each location was benchmarked against peer organizations and global best practices to identify relative strengths and improvement areas. 

Next, we analyzed the client’s broader talent strategy, comparing its acquisition, retention, and development practices with leading global enterprises. This benchmarking exercise revealed specific gaps in workforce planning, employer positioning, and capability development. 

Using these insights, Everest Group worked closely with leadership to: 

  • Identify the most strategic locations for each function
  • Realign growth targets based on realistic talent supply and scalability factors
  • Strengthen the client’s talent value proposition in critical markets
  • Define improvements in talent management processes based on peer benchmarks 

The recommendations were not one-size-fits-all. Instead, they reflected the client’s industry context, long-term growth ambitions, and operational priorities. The resulting roadmap provided a clear path to optimize the portfolio while embedding sustainable talent practices into the organization’s GBS model. 

Throughout the engagement, strategic decisions were grounded in data transparency and market evidence, enabling executive stakeholders to align confidently around the proposed changes. 

Results

Optimized portfolio, stronger talent foundation

Everest Group’s insights provided the client with a competitive edge through a differentiated and more sustainable talent strategy. 

As a result of the engagement, the organization achieved: 

  • An optimized global locations portfolio aligned to function-specific strengths 
  • Greater operational efficiency through improved location-role alignment 
  • Corrected and validated growth targets based on talent availability 
  • Agreement across leadership on location priorities and talent strategy enhancements 
  • A sustainable talent model benchmarked against global best practices 

The clarity delivered through benchmarking enabled faster executive alignment and informed decision-making across regions. The organization emerged with a refined footprint designed to reduce inefficiencies, improve scalability, and enhance long-term competitiveness. 

“Everest Group’s unparalleled expertise in location assessment and talent benchmarking delivered a tangible impact across our organization.”

Why Everest Group?

The client selected Everest Group for its deep expertise in global location strategy and talent benchmarking. By combining rigorous market intelligence with tailored strategic guidance, Everest Group enabled the organization to redesign its locations portfolio with confidence. 

This engagement underscores Everest Group’s ability to help global enterprises translate complex location and workforce challenges into structured, data-backed decisions. Beyond optimizing the portfolio, the work strengthened the client’s overall GBS strategy, positioning it for sustainable growth, improved efficiency, and a resilient global talent model. 

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