Our philosophy - business intimacy

Hundreds of millions are spent enabling large organisations to run. Vast sums spread across hundreds of categories from IT to marketing to facilities to professional services – spanning all corners of an organisation. But this money is rarely invested in a way that maximises its potential. Not even close. 

Instead, responsibility is fractured. No-one sees the bigger picture. Outlook is local and short-term. Many organisations aren’t even aware of how much they spend, let alone where. There’s no accountability. Resources and time are not available, and so the seller, not the buyer, holds most of the cards. The result? Money is not spent with the core strategic aims of the organisation at heart. Performance is not what it could be. Nor control. Nor profits.

In fact even when intelligent management of these costs is considered, the conclusion is that the headcount and investment needed to fund the expertise required to deliver effective change is simply too expensive. Only a tiny percentage of companies worldwide successfully address it. But so overlooked is this fundamental element of an organisation’s operation that both the cost itself and its management lack clear and understandable names. Some call it ‘indirect procurement’, others refer to, ‘overheads’, ‘goods not for resale’, or ‘non-core goods and services’.

Enabling spend
 

Really, it is none of the above. The millions you invest to empower your business to function is your ‘enabling spend’ – we call it this as it’s the phrase we consider best articulates the true essence of these very diverse costs.  We believe that to really make a difference management of your enabling spend must be placed in the fullest and broadest contexts of behaviour, geography and practices, and be viewed holistically.

Our approach goes far beyond driving down the prices of goods and services, though of course we do that too.  We look at business practices, behaviours and culture.  We look at control.  We look at both operational and financial performance, and then we identify where we can make an impact.

Key to our approach – and a major strength – is the way in which we take great care to foster deep connections with our clients, gaining an acute understanding of their needs. This ‘intimacy’ is fundamental to delivering extraordinary results. It’s a quality that’s reinforced by our name ‘Proxima’, which literally means ‘closest or nearest’ (click here to find out more information on client intimacy).

When we talk about extraordinary results, we’re talking about something very different from a traditional BPO arrangement or ‘one size fits all’ approach. We’re different because we deliver success by evaluating and reshaping your processes and behaviours, to match your specific needs and goals.

A fitter, leaner, stronger business.