Location selection has long been a vital business decision, but changing global forces are reshaping its strategic importance. Rising uncertainty, geopolitical shifts, and evolving workforce dynamics demand a more structured, forward-looking approach. Enterprises and service providers are migrating from a traditional, demand-driven location selection model to a proactive, programmatic model that ensures resilience and long-term operational continuity. While cost, talent, and government incentives remain key considerations, their relative influence is changing in defining the location strategy. Decision-makers must reassess priorities, integrate emerging trends, and adapt to regional developments to future-proof their location portfolios. A holistic, forward-looking approach is key to maximizing each location’s value within a broader portfolio. Digital infrastructure, ease of doing business, sustainability regulations, and the evolving role of AI and automation in service delivery are becoming increasingly relevant. Rapid changes in geopolitics, technology, regulations, and workforce dynamics demand decision-makers to think beyond traditional metrics. They must proactively adapt their location strategies to stay ahead. This Viewpoint examines how new operating models, technology, and evolving business priorities are redefining location strategy, helping organizations stay agile and competitive in an uncertain world. Scope All industries and geographies Contents In this report, we examine: Traditional location selection levers and their shortcomings Key themes shaping the location strategy’s future

Everest Group’s Location Spotlight reports provide a crisp, insightful assessment of established and emerging/next-wave global services delivery locations by country and city. The reports help global sourcing practitioners or location strategy professionals stay ahead of the competition in understanding key market dynamics and the related opportunities each location presents. Our report on Guatemala offers data-backed research to understand the market’s attractiveness in terms of: Key drivers, challenges, and untapped opportunities for the global sourcing industry Talent and skills availability (at both entry and experienced levels) Depth and maturity across functions Financial attractiveness (including wage inflation and attrition) Delivery presence of enterprises and providers Key languages supported Key environment risks (such as macroeconomic, geopolitical, infrastructure, safety and security, and legal and regulatory) Location Spotlight, combined with other reports in Everest Group’s Locations Insider™ subscription, makes for the industry’s most comprehensive resource on location trends and perspectives. The Locations Insider™ subscription provides up-to-date and actionable insights on which enterprises can base their location decisions and strategies. Membership(s) Locations Insider™ Sourcing and Vendor Management