Hudson Highland / TMP.Worldwide
Transformation Consultant (February 2002 - July 2004)
Led a comprehensive 18-month project to re-insource outsourced systems and services with zero data loss and no business impact.
Role Overview
As a Transformation Consultant at Hudson Highland / TMP.Worldwide, I led one of the most challenging and successful re-insourcing projects in the company's history. The mission: bring back in-house all systems and services that had previously been outsourced to Harrison Willis Group PLC and iRevolution PLC - companies where I had previously worked and intimately understood their operations.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic planning and execution of complex re-insourcing project
- Systems migration and data transfer coordination
- Risk mitigation and business continuity management
- Vendor relationship management and contract transition
- Team leadership and change management
Business Context & Strategic Background
Corporate Restructuring Era
During this period, TMP.Worldwide was undergoing significant restructuring. The company spun off its eResourcing and Executive Search divisions on March 31, 2003, creating Hudson Highland Group as a separate entity, while TMP became Monster Worldwide.
Acquisition History
TMP.Worldwide had previously acquired HW Group PLC (Harrison Willis) in February 2000. This acquisition created the need for eventual systems integration and the re-insourcing project I would later lead.
Strategic Re-insourcing
The decision to re-insource systems from Harrison Willis and iRevolution was driven by the need for greater control, cost optimization, and operational efficiency following the corporate restructuring.
Unique Advantage
Having previously worked at both Harrison Willis Group PLC (1997-2001) and iRevolution PLC (2001-2002), I possessed intimate knowledge of their systems, processes, and technical architectures.
Project Achievements & Success Metrics
Perfect Execution Record
Zero Data Loss
Complete migration of all data systems with 100% data integrity maintained throughout the entire process.
Zero Downtime
Seamless transition with no service interruptions or system availability issues during the migration.
No Business Impact
Operations continued normally with no disruption to client services or internal business processes.
Cost Control
Completed the re-insourcing with no significant cost increase beyond budgeted projections.
18-Month Timeline
The project was completed within the planned 18-month timeline, demonstrating exceptional project management and execution capabilities in a complex enterprise environment.
Technical Innovation & Methodology
"My deep understanding of both Harrison Willis and iRevolution systems, gained from previous roles at both companies, proved invaluable in executing this complex re-insourcing project flawlessly."
Migration Strategy
- Phased Approach: Systematic migration of systems in carefully planned phases
- Parallel Operations: Running old and new systems simultaneously during transition
- Data Validation: Comprehensive testing and validation of all migrated data
- Rollback Planning: Complete contingency plans for any potential issues
Risk Management
Implemented comprehensive risk management protocols, leveraging my previous experience with the source systems to anticipate and mitigate potential issues before they could impact the project.
Team Leadership & Stakeholder Management
Cross-Organizational Coordination
- Managed relationships between Hudson Highland, Harrison Willis, and iRevolution teams
- Coordinated with legal and procurement departments for contract transitions
- Led technical teams from multiple organizations through complex migration process
- Maintained communication with C-level executives throughout the project
Project Success Factors
- Deep technical knowledge of source systems
- Strong relationships with key personnel at all organizations
- Comprehensive understanding of business processes
- Proven track record in complex systems integration
Technology Environment & Systems
Source Systems
- Harrison Willis Group PLC platforms
- iRevolution PLC infrastructure
- Recruitment and HR management systems
- Client data and relationship systems
Target Environment
- Hudson Highland internal infrastructure
- TMP.Worldwide integrated platforms
- Consolidated data management systems
- Enhanced security and governance
Impact & Legacy
This re-insourcing project became a benchmark for successful systems migration in the recruitment industry. The flawless execution demonstrated that complex enterprise migrations could be achieved without business disruption when properly planned and executed by experienced professionals.
Long-term Benefits
- Reduced operational costs through elimination of outsourcing fees
- Improved system performance and reliability
- Enhanced data security and governance
- Greater operational flexibility and control
- Successful foundation for future corporate restructuring