Vision

A mid-sized U.S. consumer insights company wanted to build an India team to strengthen its global delivery capability and analytics depth.

The leadership’s vision was clear: create a strategic back office for research, data operations, and client analytics, while keeping core consulting and commercial decisions in New York. They sought a partner who could help them hire fast, stay compliant, and manage assets and infrastructure with precision, so they could focus on data quality and client outcomes, not administrative complexity.

Challenge

The client wanted to start quickly but without the burden of establishing an entity. They needed a structure that would allow them to:

• Hire analysts and project managers within weeks,
• Maintain global HR and data-security standards, and
• Eventually convert the India operation into a fully owned subsidiary once scale and process maturity were proven.

At the same time, they were assigning a senior U.S. executive to lead the transition, which meant navigating visa compliance, FRRO formalities, and local expat management.

The challenge was to build a compliant, scalable foundation that could evolve into an owned centre without slowing down the business.

The OBOX Way: FLEXI Model in Action

• Phase 1: EOR Launch with Asset and Infra Readiness
  • OBOX initiated operations under the Employer of Record model, enabling the client to hire its first group of analysts and support staff within 75 days.
  • We handled contracts, payroll, and statutory compliance while the client retained complete control over work priorities and performance goals.
  • Simultaneously, OBOX set up infrastructure and asset management – from co-working arrangements and secure network access to device procurement, configuration, and inventory control.
  • We also hosted the client’s U.S. expat leader, managing visa processing, FRRO registration, and compliant local accommodation.
• Phase 2: Growth through FLEXI Operations
  • As the team expanded, OBOX took on full responsibility for backend administration.
  • We managed HR operations, payroll, accounting, vendor coordination, and implemented the client’s Strategic Performance Management System (PMS) in India, fully aligned with U.S. review cycles and performance norms.
  • OBOX introduced asset optimisation policies that improved cost efficiency and utilisation, standardising device leasing, renewal, and secure data disposal practices.
  • The India office grew into a hub for analytics, research support, and project coordination, operating on par with global standards.
• Phase 3: Transition to In-House with Managed Continuity
  • After 2 years, the client incorporated its own Indian subsidiary.
  • OBOX facilitated a seamless transition by transferring employees, assets, and vendor contracts to the new entity with zero disruption.
  • Even post-transition, OBOX continues to manage backend accounting, HR operations, and infrastructure support, ensuring the client retains operational efficiency while focusing on insight delivery and client strategy.

Business Impact

From Flexibility to Ownership

What the Client Says

The FLEXI model bridges the gap between entry and ownership. It lets global companies scale quickly, keep governance intact, and internalise when ready, all while retaining OBOX as a trusted operational partner.

With OBOX, global businesses evolve with structure, not risk.