Insights | Kelly Services United States

BPO Case Study: Unit-based billing model for cost clarity & efficiency

Written by Admin | Jul 22, 2025 4:17:42 PM

Managing a global workforce isn't easy, especially when visibility into productivity and costs is clouded by outdated billing models. One global supplier of motion technology for the automotive and industrial sectors found themselves at this very crossroads: struggling to see the full picture and seize every opportunity for efficiency. Facing rising uncertainty, the company partnered with Kelly to reimagine their approach to workforce management and unlock the clarity, control, and agility needed to grow.

Key takeaways

  • Gained cost clarity by aligning billing with actual output, enabling accurate forecasting and budgeting.
  • Drove operational efficiency by shifting focus from hours worked to measurable deliverables.
  • Elevated transparency through real-time performance tracking and regular, actionable reporting.
  • Improved scalability to confidently adjust workforce strategy in response to changing production needs.

Challenge

Overcoming visibility and cost barriers

Traditional per-hour billing models left the client with more questions than answers.

  • How could they be sure they were paying for true productivity?
  • Were operational costs aligned with outcomes, or just activity?
  • Most importantly, how could they confidently scale their operations as demand fluctuated, without risking unnecessary spend or inefficiency?

This lack of visibility made effective budget planning nearly impossible, and every staffing decision felt like a leap of faith rather than a strategic move.

Solution

Implementing a unit-based billing model

Kelly introduced a unit-based billing model designed to align cost with tangible outcomes instead of time input. Together, we defined what a “unit” meant within the client’s business, ensuring every deliverable was linked to a specific cost. By collaborating closely, we rolled out:

  • Performance tracking tools for real-time visibility into productivity.
  • Clear productivity metrics and unit definitions to unify teams and set expectations.
  • Workforce management realignment to optimize team structures for output—not just hours.
  • Regular, transparent reporting to keep all stakeholders informed and empowered.

This was more than process improvement; it was a seismic shift in mindset. The focus moved from inputs to outcomes, enabling both teams to manage with confidence and clarity.

Result

Achieving cost clarity and operational efficiency

The transformation was immediate and profound. The client could now pinpoint exactly what they were spending and what they were getting in return, unlocking new levels of budgeting accuracy and operational efficiency. Forecasts became reliable, planning became proactive, and the company was free to ramp production up or down with minimal risk and complete transparency.

With every unit tracked and every cost justified, HR leaders and hiring managers were empowered to make data-driven staffing decisions and focus resources where they mattered most.

Kelly BPO

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