Retired DHL CEO Speaks Up for Offshoring
A recent USAToday interview is
especially eye-catching. The subject is Uwe Doerken, retired CEO of DHL, who
firmly believes that offshore outsourcing primarily benefits the consumer.
The writer kicks off the article/interview transcript by pointing out that
while many CEOs "philosophically believe" in offshoring, to actually advocate
it is bound to be "radioactive."
Seasoned business manager Doerken shares valuable insights on the issue of
onshore job loss, as well as maximizing savings and service value by creating
jobs in developing nations. For example:
Q: To many, it doesn't seem to be working. Good-paying
technology jobs are moving to India. Exporting unskilled jobs was one thing.
What about offshoring skilled jobs?
A: Skilled and unskilled are not absolute. Economies move up the skill curve
continuously, and what was a high-skill job yesterday may have become a medium
skill today and low skill tomorrow. Sewing mass-market clothing was high-tech
in England in the 19th century and a major
industry in developed countries until the 1970s. It has migrated mostly to
India, China and other Asian economies. For the USA, it's about staying ahead
of the game by always adapting and keeping the highest value-added jobs in the
country.
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