• 2006 Press • 2005 Press • 2004 Press Economic Development Entrepreneur Sparks High Hopes for Virtual Sourcing of NZ IT Services University of Otago School of Business Distinguished Speaker University of Otago August 4, 2006 Download PDF New Zealand is well positioned to take advantage of virtual sourcing of IT services, according to a leading advocate of economic development from the United States. Kathy Brittain White, entrepreneur and founder of Information and Communications Technology solutions company Rural Sourcing, will speak at the University of Otago as the 2006 School of Business Distinguished Business Speaker on Tuesday 8 August. Dr White gained public attention after being named in Forbes magazine's as one "America's Top 25 Businesswomen" for her work with economic development in the Arkansas Delta region. She has received accolades in IT circles being named Computerworld magazine's "25 IT People to Watch", PC Week's "Top 10 CIOs in America", Information Week's "Top 10 CIOs in the United States" and Open Computing's "Top 100 Women in Computing". And with good reason, Kathy B. White has revolutionised the way many US companies are doing business. While working as Chief Information Officer and Executive Vice President at Cardinal Health, a global Fortune 500 healthcare company based in Ohio, Dr White established a 'virtual' internship programme offering students at Arkansas State University work for the Chicago office. The students were provided with IT equipment and able to work remotely from Jonesboro, a university town with a population of around 55,000. "The idea was the interns would then go and work in the Chicago office upon graduating. What we realised though was that most former interns didn't really want to leave Jonesboro, if they could find meaningful work there," says Dr White. Seeing a unique opportunity, Dr White established Rural Sourcing Incorporated, creating IT service centres near universities in smaller communities. After just three years Rural Sourcing Inc has established branches in five university towns and has a client base ranging from small businesses to multinational Fortune 500 companies including toy giant Mattel and healthcare company Baxter International. Rural Sourcing Inc offers IT solution packages – often outsourced by companies to India and Asia – marketing and content creation and project management services. "We're hiring talented people and sell IT services. The twist is we're doing it in areas where others are not. We're going into areas where there's a strong university and good quality of life, where most people would have stayed if they could find a job," says Dr White. "We've found an innovative way to provide graduate employment and develop local economies. It's been a win-win scenario." At the University of Otago public lecture Dr White will discuss how the virtual sourcing scenario can be replicated in New Zealand, in particular Otago/Southland. Prior to the public lecture Dr White will meet with Cardrona Valley business community to share ideas about regional and economic development. "New Zealand is uniquely positioned to take advantage of virtual sourcing, particularly in a university city such as Dunedin with its relatively small population and proximity to Central Otago towns. There are worthwhile opportunities for our students with internships in businesses," says Professor Alan MacGregor, Dean of the School of Business. "We are fortunate to have Dr White present and provide insights into how universities and businesses can work together to boost our regional economy." The Workforce of the Future: the Case for Virtual Sourcing Kathy Brittain White, School of Business Distinguished Business Speaker 2006 Tuesday 8 August, 6.30pm St David Lecture Theatre University of Otago For More Information Professor Alan MacGregor Dean - School of Business University of Otago Tel 64 3 479 8115, Cell 021 659 948 Email dean@business.otago.ac.nz Dr Graham McGregor Research Development Coordinator School of Business University of Otago Tel 64 3 479 8034 Email gmcgregor@business.otago.ac.nz Kirsten Rose Marketing and Communications Coordinator School of Business University of Otago Tel 64 3 479 8696 Email krose@business.otago.ac.nz home - about us - services - solutions - press - employment - contact us (c) rural sourcing, inc. All Rights Reserved. Site design by Nevermore Studios