You only live once but if you do it right, once is enough

Building a Global Capability Center (GCC) is like running a high-performance engine. When it works well, it powers growth and innovation. When it stumbles, it becomes a costly burden.

To ensure your GCC is delivering real value, you need to track three simple, easy-to-remember metrics:

1. Spark – How quickly do ideas become reality?

2. Glow – Are you attracting and keeping top talent?

3. Muscle – Is your GCC driving meaningful business results?

Let’s break these down and explore how to transform your GCC using these practical measures.

1. Spark: How fast do you turn ideas into reality ?

Think of Spark as the time it takes for a concept to go from a brainstorming session to a working product or solution. Faster innovation means more competitive advantages and quicker results.

Signs of Strong Spark:

• Projects launch in half the usual time.

• Rapid testing and learning cycles are encouraged.

• Your GCC frequently outpaces other divisions or groups in new developments.

How to Boost It:

• Embrace agile methodologies for faster delivery.

• Reduce unnecessary approval layers.

• Foster a culture where experimentation is celebrated.

Example: A GCC accelerated their app development timeline from 12 weeks to 5 weeks by using streamlined workflows and empowering decision-makers.

2. Glow: Is your center a magnet to attract great people ?

A thriving GCC shines when its people feel valued and motivated. Glow refers to how attractive your workplace is to current and potential employees. High retention and engaged employees often lead to greater innovation and productivity.

Signs of Strong Glow:

• Low turnover rates.

• High employee satisfaction scores.

• Strong internal career growth opportunities.

How to Boost It:

• Create personalized growth paths for employees.

• Offer continuous learning programs and certifications.

• Build a people-first culture with competitive compensation and recognition.

Example: A GCC tripled its AI experiment output after creating an internal “AI Academy” to upskill employees, leading to exceptional retention and innovation.

3. Muscle: Are you driving real impact ?

Having Muscle means your GCC isn’t just a support function; it’s a revenue-generating, problem-solving powerhouse. If your GCC drives innovation, owns critical projects, and directly impacts the company’s success, that’s a sign of strong business muscle.

Signs of Strong Muscle:

• GCC-led initiatives contribute significantly to revenue.

• Your center leads key projects, not just supports them.

• Senior leadership sees the GCC as a strategic partner.

How to Build It:

• Align GCC goals with the company’s strategic objectives.

• Identify and own high-impact projects.

• Encourage your teams to think like business owners.

Example: A GCC developed AI-powered customer solutions that reduced response times by 40%, driving millions in cost savings and new revenue.

Spotting and fixing challenges early:

When things go wrong, it often happens quietly so keep a look out for these red flags:

• Higher-than-normal attrition rates.

• Increasing product defects and customer complaints.

• Your center works hard but delivers little value to the business.

To prevent these issues, leaders should regularly track these metrics and act quickly when signs of trouble appear.

Final Thoughts

A great GCC isn’t just a cheaper option, it’s a growth engine that brings speed, talent, and impact to your business. Ask yourself:

Is your GCC igniting sparks, glowing with talent, and flexing its business muscle — or is it just going through the motions?

By focusing on Spark, Glow, and Muscle, you can unlock your GCC’s full potential and make it a force to reckon with.