More on the project

Perhaps I should say a little more about how this opportunity came about. ADP is scheduled the same way as for normal projects, that is, we should update our availability regularly and at the same time we are sent a list of projects that require people to start over the next few months. I had actually not been updating my availability and also not really checking the upcoming projects as I had a new "project" to deal with at home - a 24x7 project called Lucas! But one day I just happened to open the mail and saw this role that actually fit perfectly with the skills I had developed over the last 2 years in implementing regional shared services for multinational clients.

Also, my wife Yean had not yet started work (she's a freelancer, so it's up to her when to get back into the job market) and she was quite keen on the idea. It was only Lucas' grandparents who were not so happy as they would not see him for a few months. I thought I would take my chances and ask whether it's possible to bring my family along and when the answer came back positive that was the beginning of the story! I then checked with my boss and the current client whether they would support this, and they were both positive as well! So now things were really progressing - I just had to make sure my project team would be able to keep things going while I was away, and make sure that my bank account would be able to handle all the bills coming in over the next few months. We decided that since the duration is quite short, we would only pack the minimum (mostly Lucas' stuff) and we would just lock up the apartment and go. 4 months is a little short to rent out, and also we did not want to move all our things into storage.
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The project itself is to help World Vision in planning and implementing their Shared Services strategy. Basically, transactional functions such as IT support, Finance, HR etc. can be standardised and centralised, allowing for greater efficiencies and cost savings. If the Shared Services is located in a developing country, it also helps that country to develop a skill base and fosters longer term economic advancement. India is a good example of how this has changed the prospects for a country not so long ago written off as an economic basket case. At the same time, World Vision itself, as a charity organisation dedicated to improving the welfare of children worldwide, benefits from any savings that they make to their operating costs which can be used to fund more childrens education and healthcare programs.

For all these reasons, I feel that this is the perfect ADP project for me, and I believe I will learn a lot which can be of benefit even in a normal consulting project. At the same time, I look forward to experiencing the "LA lifestyle" with my family - note I did not say Beverly Hills or Hollywood lifestyle... not possible on half a salary unless Lucas becomes a child actor ;-)