Mapping the Impact of Current Economics and Global Trends on the Local Business Services
28th September 2023
Timișoara Business Mixer is the event organized by ABSL to benefit the local business services community and the western region of Romania. The meeting aims to facilitate best practice sharing between local companies, acknowledge challenges and opportunities ahead, and help participants in finding solutions and embracing future changes.
As the global economy proves stagnant, its impact on businesses is vast and diverse. For some companies it brings reduced investment, projects on halt, even employees’ dismissal. At the same time many opportunities present themselves as costs optimization can be reached through outsourcing and the business service industry might finds itself increasingly in demand to take on more work.
The Business Services sector has continued to grow globally at an average of 6% over the past two years. After Asia, where approximately 45% of the total number of companies is concentrated, Central and Eastern Europe rank second in the world in terms of regions where this industry is developed, with approximately 31% of companies. Romania ranks 6th place worldwide among countries operating in this industry and 2nd place in Europe, after Poland. The centres of excellence developed in the last two years bring solid expertise in areas such as IT, finance and accounting, procurement, still making Romania a preferred destination for high-value-added services.
Our experts will share their know-how on the trends for 2023 in our sector, latest developments of the tax legislation, employees’ engagement, and wellbeing, as well as workplace transformations. Representatives of the business services community in Timisoara are invited to present case studies on Business, Technology and HR in a session dedicated to sharing best practices, while leaders of ABSL member companies will bring their stories and knowledge within a panel discussion on the current state of the local industry and its growth opportunities.
We invite you to join our specialists and your peers in discussing these topics in order to strengthen the local community and facilitate networking. The event is free of charge.
If you represent a local company/ office, you may be part of the event by presenting a study case on relevant themes in the fields of HR, Technology or Business. You are invited to share with the audience practical examples, successful stories, presentations of what works or not, regarding current interests.
- 9:00 – 9:30
Welcome coffee
- 9:30 – 9:40
Introductory Speech
Welcome from the event moderator Colin Lovering, Co-Founder at Lovering and Partners and Ciprian Dan, President of ABSL Board
- 9:40 – 10:00
- Oana Munteanu
- Monica Biota
- PwC
Labour Market Insights 2023 and Perspectives for 2024 – Navigating Uncertainty
We are exploring the prospects and challenges of the business services sector in Romania, with the main focus on the development of labour market, salaries/benefits, and the office market. We will also be looking at how the global trends will impact business models, people, processes, technology, and data.
- 10:00 – 10:20
- Mădălina Iconaru
- IO Partners
Global Trends in Real Estate
The impact of current economics and global trends is significant and multifaceted. Various economic and global factors can influence how local businesses operate, compete, and adapt to changing circumstances.
In response to these dynamics, local businesses need to stay agile and adaptable by closely monitoring economic and global trends, investing in technology and innovation, engaging with their local community, and finding ways to differentiate themselves to remain competitive in a rapidly changing landscape.
- 10:20 – 10:40
- Ana Giulusan
- Reteaua REGINA MARIA
A Health Benefits Journey in Romania – Focus on BPO, SSC and IT Industry (to be held in Romanian)
Health packages are in the top of most valued employee benefits, and employers are constantly adapting their health benefit offerings to meet the needs of employees and fulfill both the physical and mental health, key pillars for workers’ wellbeing. How the health benefits package has evolved and which are the trends in BPO & IT
- 10:40 – 11:00
- Marcela Antoniu
- ZRVP
Labor Market Revolution: Global Trends Reshaping Local Workforces
The global labor market has sent shockwaves through our local job scene. Get ready to explore these game-changing trends that have been imported from around the world and discover how they are reshaping the way we work. We’ll delve into global shifts, demonstrating how they’re making their mark on our local job market. From the unstoppable rise of artificial intelligence and its profound impact on the workforce (AI revolution born in the USA), to the four-day workweek revolutionizing work-life balance (inspired by Belgium), we’ll explore the challenges and benefits. We’ll uncover innovative wage structures, such as paying employees for preparation time (the Netherlands’ wage innovation), and discuss the new post-pandemic normal, where remote work has become the global standard. Join us as we dissect these global influences, their profound effects on our local workforce, and the strategies you need to navigate this ever-evolving landscape.
- 11:00 – 11:20
- Elena Ardelean
- Steelcase
Beyond Hybrid: The New Era of Work
As we enter the fourth year of adapting to life with COVID, Steelcase research shows work-life balance has dropped and people feel less connected to company culture. Productivity has also dropped, and leaders are worried. It’s time to move the conversation beyond hybrid. This course shares new global research from Steelcase that provides insight to where things are going now and where they might be going. Learn who is back in the office, the new patterns that have emerged and how organizations are responding now. It also explores how Gen Z is reshaping the workplace and why the workplace needs to draw inspiration from neighborhoods.
- 11:20 – 12:00
Coffee break
- 12:00 – 13:00
Panel discussion | Mapping the Business Services Industry of Timisoara: Where We Are & Where We’re Going
Leaders of ABSL member companies will bring their stories and knowledge within a panel discussion on the current state of the local industry and its growth opportunities.
Speakers:
Ciprian Dan, ABSL Romania & Location Head Wipro Technologies
Madalin Popescu, Director General DTSE Romania
Monica Biota, Partner PwC
- 13:00 – 13:20
Coffee break
- 13.20- 14.20
Knowledge Sharing Session
- Business Case
Complete Revamp of the Finance Function – from SOX Compliance Framework Design, Policies Upgrade, to Real-time Analytics.
Speakers:
Florina Pardut – Delivery Manager, Wipro Technologies
Denisa Mares – Solutions Architect Finance & Accounting, Wipro Technologies
- Workshop
Challenges and Opportunities in the Local Business Service Industry. How do we use them to reach success?
- 14:20 – 15:20
Lunch & Networking
