Outsourcing Pioneer Kevin Parikh Makes a Global Impact
Kevin Parikh’s entry into outsourcing was inauspicious. As a young lawyer and former presidential appointment to Bill Clinton in the early 1990s, he was struggling to build a private litigation practice when a KPMG partner approached him to assist with offshore deals in India.
Despite his initial unfamiliarity with the then-novel concept, his unique blend of legal expertise and Indian heritage of the US-born and college-educated Parikh proved valuable to the project, setting the stage for his future success in the outsourcing industry.
From these modest beginnings, he would go on to leave an indelible mark on the outsourcing industry and society at large. His contributions, spanning over two decades, were instrumental in the industry's growth and development, leading to his well-deserved induction into the IAOP Leadership Hall of Fame at OWS24 in Chicago.
"I am immensely grateful and humbled to receive this prestigious honor from IAOP's Leadership Hall of Fame," Parikh said. "It is a testament to the collective efforts and shared vision of those who have supported and inspired me throughout my journey. This recognition reaffirms my commitment to fostering innovation, driving positive change, and championing societal impact."
During the ceremony, he shared his journey and thoughts on the industry's evolution after expressing his gratitude to IAOP CEO Debi Hamill.
"I think back to the early years when we were writing some of the first outsourcing contracts," he said. "They were one-page documents with no service levels or performance-based metrics. But it was an exciting time because we were preparing for what would come when we would see a tremendous explosion of globalization in our industry."
He recounted how the firm started with large-scale technology transactions that supported hundreds of thousands of jobs in India, leading to the formation of companies like Infosys and TCS. Over the years, as a leading advisor, Parikh has met with many of these companies’ CEOs and executives and is amazed by how much the world has changed since then.
Today, Parikh is the Chairman & CEO of Avasant, a leading global management consulting firm that negotiates over $28 billion annually in technology deals, representing buyers.
As a best-selling author and keynote speaker, Parikh is renowned for his profound insights and foresight on innovation and digital transformation. He explores how emerging technologies and new business models are transforming the world of work and creating new opportunities for growth and social impact. During the event, Parikh also gave a visionary address on the Rise of the Imagination Age.
Writing the Book on Impact Sourcing
Avasant made its mark on the industry by writing the first paper defining impact sourcing in Uganda, Ghana, and South Africa for the Rockefeller Foundation. The firm went on to explore the business practice in 32 countries, supported by the Rockefeller Foundation with IAOP’s guidance.
As a result of the engagement, the Avasant Foundation was launched and has since impacted 50,000 youth in developing countries, with an impressive 98 percent of them getting jobs.
"We're proud of what we've achieved, but we know that there's still much work to be done," said Parikh, who serves as the Chairman of the Avasant Foundation. "We're committed to continuing our efforts to promote digital equity and economic inclusion, and we're grateful for the support of IAOP and our partners in this journey."
In 2023, the Avasant Foundation was awarded IAOP’s Global Impact Sourcing Award for its continuous excellence in impact sourcing.
Through his work with the Avasant Foundation, Parikh has made significant contributions to social development, particularly in education, employment, and entrepreneurship. He has partnered with several organizations to support disadvantaged youth, women's empowerment, and global sustainable development.
Parikh also holds esteemed positions on several advisory boards, including the TiE Global Board of Trustees, the CEO Board of Advisors for UCLA-Innovate, and the USC Center for Political Future Board of Councilors.
Parikh closed his remarks by paying tribute to Joe Frampus, a partner who passed away in May before the event, who strongly supported the Avasant Foundation.