International Services Week: Celebrating the future of professional services in APAC
This article is written by Seleen McKinnies, Regional Vice President, APAC. Here, she shares insights on the critical role professional services play in driving economic growth and innovation in the APAC region, and previews an upcoming fireside chat during International Services Week.
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With International Services Week just around the corner, it’s timely to acknowledge the pivotal role that professional services play in driving both economic growth and business innovation. From Information Technology to Management Consulting and Financial Services, nearly every industry today is powered by the expertise and talent of service professionals.
According to the World Bank, 66% of global GDP comes from the services sector, making it clear that services organisations are no longer just a support function—they are key drivers of profitability and strategic growth.
The Global Service Dynamics Report, which surveyed over 1,000 professional services leaders worldwide earlier this year, reinforces this reality. 63% of companies now view their professional services teams as profit centres, underscoring the importance of operational efficiency and innovation in this sector.
In the APAC region, these trends are even more pronounced. 65% of APAC businesses have placed operational efficiency at the top of their 2024 agenda, and 49% are planning to implement professional services automation (PSA) solutions to streamline operations and stay competitive.
This shift toward automation and efficiency is critical. While technology will always be essential, it’s the time and talent of skilled professionals that increasingly is driving value creation and customer satisfaction. As we continue to see more complex market conditions and technological disruption, service organisations must be equipped to adapt quickly, balancing workloads and improving processes to fully capitalise in this environment.
Running from 21-25 October, International Services Week brings together industry professionals to share insights, explore emerging trends like AI and automation, and foster collaboration across the services sector. As much as it’s a celebration, it’s also a platform for education, appreciation, and thought leadership, designed to highlight the evolving impact of services on today’s global economy.
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One of the highlights of International Services Week will be a fireside chat that I recently filmed with Toby Wilcock, CEO of Cloudwerx. In this conversation, which will air via LinkedIn Live on Tuesday, October 22 at 4 PM AEDT, we explore some of the key trends impacting professional services in APAC, including the growing adoption of AI and the need for efficient workload management.
Our discussion draws directly from the findings in the Global Service Dynamics Report, which highlights AI’s role in increasing efficiency and driving operational improvements: 81% of businesses in the region expect AI to deliver significant value by automating processes and improving service quality. Toby and I will explore how Cloudwerx is putting this into practice, offering practical examples for businesses across the region.
This fireside chat is just one of many opportunities to engage with International Services Week. You can join the conversation by following #ServicesWeek on LinkedIn, attending virtual or in-person events worldwide, or reading perspectives from peers and industry leaders.
The Services Era is here. As we celebrate Services Week, I encourage you to not only reflect on the profound impact of services but to actively engage with the community—learn from others, share your own insights, and take part in shaping the future of our industry.
