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Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated

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FY2003 Annual Report · Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated
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The attached 2003 Annual Report of Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated for the year ended 
December 31, 2003 includes financial statements (and financial information based thereon) for 
the year ended December 31, 2003, which financial statements have been restated.  The reader’s 
attention is directed to the Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2004, filed with the 
Commission on December 22, 2005, which contains the restated financial statements (and 
financial information based thereon) for the year ended December 31, 2003.   

28243 Cover  4/21/04  10:15 AM  Page 1

SYKES(cid:1)

Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated, 400 North Ashley Drive, Suite 2800, Tampa, Florida 33602

www.sykes.com

annual 2003 report

28243 Cover  4/21/04  10:15 AM  Page 2

A b o u t   S y k e s   E n t e r p r i s e s ,   I n c o r p o r a t e d

C o r p o r a t e   I n f o r m a t i o n

SYKES is a global leader in providing outsourced customer contact management
solutions and services in the business process outsourcing (BPO) arena. SYKES
provides  an  array  of  sophisticated  customer  contact  management  solutions  to
Fortune 1000 companies around the world, primarily in the communications,
financial  services,  healthcare,  technology/consumer  and  transportation  and
leisure industries. SYKES specializes in providing flexible, high quality outsourced
customer  contact  management  solutions  and  services  with  an  emphasis  on
inbound  technical  support  and  customer  service.  Headquartered  in  Tampa,
Florida,  with  42  customer  contact  management  centers  throughout  the  world,
SYKES provides its services through multiple communication channels encompass-
ing phone, e-mail, Web and chat. Utilizing its integrated onshore/offshore global
delivery model, SYKES serves its clients through two geographic operating regions:
the Americas (United States, Canada, Latin America, India and the Asia Pacific
Rim) and EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa). SYKES also provides various
enterprise support services in the United States and fulfillment services, which
includes multilingual sales order processing, inventory control, product delivery
and product returns handling, in EMEA. For additional information please visit
www.sykes.com.

Technology
33%

Communications
43%

EMEA
24%

2003

Offshore
42%

Onshore
31%

Other
7% Transportation

5%

Healthcare
6%

Financial 
Services
6%

Near Shore
3%

Vertical Markets Mix-Shift  

Offshore Seat Mix-Shift

Technology
62%

Communications
20%

2000

EMEA
37%

Onshore
52%

Government, 
Retail & Other
8%

Dot coms
7%

Financial 
Services
3%

Offshore
8%

Near Shore
3%

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Board of Directors

Principal Officers

Corporate Information

John H. Sykes
Chairman of the Board 
and Chief Executive Officer 

W. Michael Kipphut
Group Executive, 
Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer

David P. Reule
President,
Sykes Realty, Inc. 
(a real estate subsidiary)

Charles E. Sykes
Chief Operating Officer

Gerry L. Rogers
Group Executive and
Senior Vice President,
Chief Information Officer

Jenna R. Nelson
Group Executive and 
Senior Vice President, 
Human Resources and Administration

James T. Holder
Vice President, General Counsel 
and Corporate Secretary

William N. Rocktoff
Vice President and Controller

Conway W. Jensen
Vice President, Marketing and 
Public Relations

James C. Hobby
Senior Vice President, The Americas

Daniel L. Hernandez
Senior Vice President, Global Strategy

John H. Sykes
Chairman of the Board 
and Chief Executive Officer
Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated

Furman P. Bodenheimer, Jr.
President and Chief Executive Officer
Nantahala Lumber Company and
Zickgraf Enterprises, Inc.

Mark C. Bozek
Chief Executive Officer
Halo Entertainment

Lt. Gen. Michael P. DeLong (Ret.)
Corporate Vice President of 
Strategic Planning and Operations 
The Shaw Group

H. Parks Helms, Esq.
Managing Partner for Helms, 
Henderson & Fulton, P.A.

Gordon H. Loetz
Vice Chairman of the Board
Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated

Linda F. McClintock-Greco M.D.
President and Chief Executive Officer
Greco & Associates Consulting
(Healthcare)

William J. Meurer
Managing Partner (retired) for Arthur
Andersen’s Central Florida operations
Director of Heritage Family of Funds

Ernest J. Milani
President (retired) of 
CDI Corporation Northeast and 
CDI Technical Services, Ltd.

Thomas F. Skelly
Senior Vice President of Finance and
Chief Financial Officer (retired)
The Gillette Company
Director of Signal Technology

Paul L. Whiting
Chief Executive Officer (retired)
Spalding and Evenflo

Corporate Headquarters:
400 North Ashley Drive
Suite 2800
Tampa, FL USA 33602
(813) 274-1000
Fax (813) 273-0148
www.sykes.com

Independent Auditors:
Deloitte & Touche LLP
201 E. Kennedy Boulevard
Suite 1200
Tampa, FL USA 33602

Registrar and Transfer Agent:
SunTrust Bank
Mail Code 258
P.O. Box 4625
Atlanta, GA 30302-4625
(800) 568-3476

Sykes’ shares trade on 
The Nasdaq Stock Market®
under the symbol “SYKE”

Annual Meeting:
Sykes’ annual meeting of shareholders 
will be held at 8:00 a.m. (EST) Friday, 
May 7, 2004. The meeting will be held at:
Tampa Marriott Waterside
700 South Florida Avenue
Tampa, FL USA 33602

Investor Information:
Quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and the
Form 10-K Annual Report filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission are
available on the Company’s website at
www.sykes.com/english/investors.asp under
the heading “Financial Reports—SEC
Filings,” or upon written request to Sykes’
Investor Relations department in Tampa,
Florida or by contacting:

Subhaash Kumar
Senior Director, Investor Relations
(813) 274-1000

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
T o   O u r   S h a r e h o l d e r s ,

For  SYKES,  2003  was  a  year  of  broad  based  achievements  with  a  focus  toward

building  long-term  shareholder  value.  We  delivered  solid  financial  results,

bolstered our financial position and enhanced our executive bench. As we assess

the  business  landscape,  the  customer  contact  management  industry  remains

highly-fragmented  and  significantly  under-penetrated,  creating  opportunities

for  SYKES.  And,  we  are  well  positioned  to  exploit  those  opportunities  and

the  resulting  client  demand  by  building  our  global  delivery  platform  and

broadening our vertical markets mix in 2004.

Recapping 2003 Highlights

In  the  face  of  economic  uncertainties  in  2003,  we  posted  revenue  growth, 

a term largely absent from the general U.S. economy and our industry, both

year-over-year  and  sequentially.  Growth  was  driven  by  volume  and  favorable

year-over-year foreign currency exchange benefits. Our earnings per share (EPS)

performance was equally solid. Even at our European operations, which were

beset by a weak economic environment, translating into weak call volumes, our

restructuring  efforts  began  to  yield  improving  results.  We  also  made  sales

inroads into new industry verticals, as highlighted by a leading consumer prod-

ucts  giant,  Proctor  &  Gamble,  sealing  a  five-year,  $70  million  global  customer

contact management contract.

These results were achieved without compromising our financial position, as we

remained steadfast in:

■ maintaining  our  debt  free  balance  sheet  with  a  solid  cash  position  of

$92.1 million at year-end 2003;

■ managing  assets  by  proactively  monetizing  underutilized  centers  and
realizing significant returns in the form of a pre-tax gain of $2.1 million;
■ delivering  on  our  share  buyback  program  by  purchasing  approximately
half-a-million shares since the program was implemented in August 2002;

sustaining working capital with DSOs of approximately 59 days; and

investing in our business with capital expenditures of $29.3 million.

The market rewarded SYKES’ shares with a 142% return, an appreciation from

$3.55 as of January 2, 2003 to $8.59 as of December 31, 2003. It is our assumption 

annual 2003 report

1

■
■
the  reversal  in  investor  psychology  and  our  fundamental  performance  con-

tributed to the share recovery. Most impressively, SYKES’ shares outperformed

their relevant indices.

80% of the customer contact management solutions market 

is still insourced, meaning it is still managed internally by 

corporations, creating tremendous opportunities for SYKES

We  made  key  strategic  management  appointments  to  ensure  that  we  execute

on our commitment to building long-term shareholder value. Chuck Sykes was

promoted  to  the  COO  position.  Chuck  has  over  16  years  of  experience  at

SYKES  in  all  facets  of  the  business,  including  operations  support,  sales  and

marketing.  He  has  been  instrumental  in  the  reorganization  of  the  Company’s

sales  and  client  services  operations  in  the  last  two  years,  leading  a  successful

effort of client growth and diversification. Separately, we added two outstanding

industry veterans who report into Chuck: Jim Hobby, Senior VP of the Americas,

overseeing  the  Americas  operations,  administration  and  development  of  its

customer  contact  and  enterprise  support  operations;  and  Dan  Hernandez,

Senior  VP  of  Global  Strategy,  who  is  responsible  for  marketing  and  vertical

markets development strategy worldwide.

On  the  corporate  governance  side,  we  enhanced  our  Board  of  Directors  with

the  appointment  of:  Mark  Bozek  (former  CEO  of  Home  Shopping  Network);

Lieutenant  General,  Michael  P.  DeLong  (Ret.)  (Corporate  Vice  President  of

Strategic  Planning  and  Operations  at  The  Shaw  Group);  and  Paul  L.  Whiting

(former CEO of Spalding & Evenflo Companies).

Industry Trends

The customer contact management solutions market is highly-fragmented and

relatively under-penetrated from an outsourcing standpoint. According to IDC,

the worldwide market for this industry is estimated at $61 billion in 2004. More

importantly, according to Wall Street research analysts, approximately 80% of the 

customer contact management solutions market is still insourced, meaning it is still man-

aged internally by corporations, creating tremendous opportunities for SYKES.

2

annual 2003 report

We  believe  that  the  customer  contact  management  industry  is  in  the  midst  of

adjusting its approach to outsourcing. Clients are putting a greater emphasis on

focusing  on  their  core  competency,  without  sacrificing  the  imperatives  of

quality and affordable customer care. With the pressure to focus on core com-

petencies greater than ever, irrespective of vertical, our clients are beginning to

increasingly  weigh  the  benefits  of  outsourcing  virtually  their  entire  customer

care infrastructure. The economics of offshore delivery, to some degree, is act-

ing as a further catalyst for our clients to rethink their customer care strategies.

All of this plays to SYKES’ strengths.

2004 Strategy Roadmap

With  a  customer  contact  management  delivery  platform  being  globally

augmented,  we  are  well  placed  to  address  acceleration  in  client  demand  and

build shareholder value.

■ Through the first half of 2004, we plan to add between 2,000 and 3,000
seats offshore, increasing our offshore operations to between 10,000 and

11,000  seats.  The  catalyst  for  these  seat  additions  is  a  combination  of

demand  from  both  new  and  existing  clients.  Furthermore,  expanding

operations offshore will solidify our competitive position and allow us to

take  advantage  of  additional  opportunities,  including  English  speaking

markets outside the U.S. as well as local in-country markets.

■ We continue to target verticals that can leverage our economies of scale
both in terms of our delivery capability and size as well as our technology

infrastructure. Therefore, in addition to increasing our client base within

the well-established technology and communications verticals, we plan to

continue  to  build  the  financial  services  and  transportation  and  leisure

verticals, both of which together are already greater than 10% of revenues.

■ We remain committed to returning capital to our shareholders through
our  share  buy-back  program.  Our  three  million-share  repurchase  pro-

gram, which was authorized in August 2002, will continue.

3

Factors for Success in 2004

Focus  and  execute.  While  the  road  ahead  for  SYKES  looks  better,  much  work

remains. We are taking steps to ensure that the building blocks are in place as

we enter 2004. We continue to make the right investments in sales, technology,

we have the management bench and the strong balance sheet

to help us excel in 2004

operations  and  finance.  SYKES’  world-class  network,  dynamic  call  routing

capabilities  and  business  intelligence  tools  are  all  examples  of  investments  in

technology,  which  have  allowed  the  Company  to  sustain  its  competitive

advantage  and  scale  in  offshore  markets.  We  are  serving  marquee  names

across all verticals, offering us the referenceable clients to further penetrate the

financial services and transportation & leisure verticals. In addition, we have the

management bench and the strong balance sheet to help us excel in 2004. The

customer contact management solutions industry is dynamic and will con-

tinue to test us, owing to on-going pricing pressures, fluctuating volumes and

an  evolving  competitive  landscape.  We  have  to  continue  to  increase  sales

through new services, increase efficiency through new business processes and

remain  focused  on  our  core  business.  With  the  support  of  our  employees,

shareholders  and  Board  of  Directors,  we  look  forward  to  capitalizing  on  the

business opportunities in 2004 and ahead.

Charles E. Sykes
Chief Operating Officer

John H. Sykes
Chairman and 
Chief Executive Officer

W. Michael Kipphut
Senior Vice President and 
Chief Financial Officer

4

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

[x] Annual Report Pursuant To Section 13 Or 15(d) Of The Securities Exchange Act Of 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003

Or

[  ] Transition Report Pursuant To Section 13 Or 15(d) Of The Securities Exchange Act Of 1934
For The Transition Period From _________ To _________

Commission File Number 0-28274

S y k e s   E n t e r p r i s e s ,   I n c o r p o ra t e d
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Florida
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

400 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa, Florida
(Address of principal executive offices)

56-1383460
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)

33602
(Zip Code)

(813) 274-1000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

Title of Each Class

Voting Common Stock $.01 Par Value

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the
Securities  Exchange  Act  of  1934  during  the  preceding  12  months  (or  for  such  shorter  period  that  the  registrant  was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [x] No [  ]

Indicate  by  check  mark  if  disclosure  of  delinquent  filers  pursuant  to  Item  405  of  Regulation  S-K  is  not  contained
herein,  and  will  not  be  contained,  to  the  best  of  registrant’s  knowledge,  in  definitive  proxy  or  information  statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [  ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes [x] No [  ]

The aggregate market value of the shares of voting common stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant computed by
reference to the closing sales price of such shares on the NASDAQ National Market on June 30, 2003, the last business
day of the Registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, was $204,251,152.

As of March 2, 2004, there were 40,231,071 outstanding shares of common stock.

Documents Incorporated by Reference:

Documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Portions of the Proxy Statement for the year 2004

Form 10-K Reference

Annual Meeting of Shareholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Part III Items 10–14

5

FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT
Table of Contents

Page No.

PART I
Item 1
Item 2
Item 3
Item 4

Business ............................................................................................................................................
Properties ..........................................................................................................................................
Legal Proceedings .............................................................................................................................
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders .........................................................................

PART II
Item 5 Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Shareholder Matters ...................................
Selected Financial Data.....................................................................................................................
Item 6
Item 7 Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations................
Item 7a Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk ............................................................
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data..................................................................................
Item 8
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosures ............
Item 9
Item 9a Controls and Procedures ...................................................................................................................

PART III
Item 10 Directors and Executive Officers .......................................................................................................
Item 11 Executive Compensation ...................................................................................................................
Item 12 Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and 

Related Shareholder Matters..........................................................................................................
Item 13 Certain Relationships and Related Transactions .................................................................................
Item 14 Principal Accountant Fees and Services ............................................................................................

PART IV
Item 15 Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedule, and Reports on Form 8-K ....................................................

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18
20
20

20
21
22
32
33
33
33

33
33

33
33
33

33

6

P A R T   I

I n d u s t r y   O v e r v i e w

Item 1. Business

G e n e r a l

Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated and consolidated sub-
sidiaries (“Sykes,” “our,” “us” or “we”) is a global leader in
providing  outsourced  customer  contact  management
solutions and services in the business process outsourcing
(“BPO”) arena. We provide an array of sophisticated cus-
tomer  contact  management  solutions  to  Fortune  1000
companies around the world primarily in the communi-
cations, technology/consumer, financial services, health-
care, and transportation and leisure industries. We serve
our clients through two geographic operating regions: the
Americas  (United  States,  Canada,  Latin  America,  India
and the Asia Pacific Rim) and EMEA (Europe, Middle East
and  Africa).  Our  Americas  and  EMEA  groups  primarily
provide  customer  contact  outsourcing  services  with  an
emphasis  on  inbound  technical  support  and  customer
service. These  services  are  delivered  through  multiple
communications  channels  encompassing  phone,  e-mail,
Web  and  chat.  We  also  provide  various  enterprise  sup-
port services in the United States that encompass services
for our client’s internal support operations, from technical
staffing services to outsourced corporate help desk serv-
ices.  In  Europe,  we  also  provide  fulfillment  services
including  multilingual  sales  order  processing  via  the
Internet  and  phone,  inventory  control,  product  delivery
and  product  returns  handling.  Our  complete  service
offering helps our clients acquire, serve, retain and grow
relationships  with  their  customers.  We  have  developed
an  extensive  global  reach  with  42  state-of-the-art  cus-
tomer contact management centers throughout the United
States, Canada, Europe, Latin America, Asia and Africa.

Sykes was founded in 1977 in North Carolina and we
moved  our  headquarters  to  Florida  in  1993.  In  March
1996, we changed our state of incorporation from North
Carolina  to  Florida.  Our  headquarters  are  located  at 
400  North  Ashley  Drive,  28th  Floor,  Tampa,  Florida
33602, and our telephone number is (813) 274-1000.

Our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on
Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments
to  those  reports,  as  well  as  our  proxy  statements  and
other  materials  which  are  filed  with  or  furnished  to 
the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  (“SEC”)  are
made available, free of charge, on our Internet website at
www.sykes.com/english/investors.asp  under  the  heading
“Financial  Reports—SEC  Filings,”  as  soon  as  reason-
ably  practicable  after  they  are  filed  with,  or  furnished 
to, the SEC.

According to International Data Corporation (“IDC”), a
market  research  firm,  the  outsourced  customer  contact
management solutions market worldwide is estimated to
be approximately $61 billion in 2004. Also, according to
IDC, the five primary verticals in which we participate—
communications, technology/consumer, financial services,
healthcare,  and  transportation  and  leisure—constitute
approximately  80%  of  the  total  worldwide  market.  We
believe  that  growth  for  outsourced  customer  contact
management solutions and services will be fueled by the
trend  of  global  Fortune  1000  companies  turning  to  out-
sourcers  to  provide  high  quality,  cost-effective  customer
contact  management  solutions.  We  also  anticipate  that
acceleration toward an offshore alternative, which can be
obtained  at  significantly  lower  operating  costs,  will  fur-
ther drive growth in the industry. Countries such as Costa
Rica,  India  and  the  Philippines  have  become  the  focus
for  providers  of  outsourced  customer  contact  manage-
ment  services  due  to  their  comparatively  lower  wage
rates and the large number of English-speaking residents.
In  today’s  ever-changing  marketplace,  companies
require  innovative  customer  contact  management  solu-
tions  that  allow  them  to  enhance  the  end  user’s  experi-
ence  with  their  products  and  services,  strengthen  and
enhance company brands, maximize the lifetime value of
customers, efficiently and effectively deliver human inter-
action when customers value it most, and deploy best-in-
class  customer  management  strategies,  processes  and
technologies.

Global  competition,  pricing  pressures,  softness  in  the
global  economy  and  rapid  changes  in  technology  are
making  it  increasingly  difficult  for  companies  to  cost-
effectively maintain the in-house personnel necessary to
handle all of their customer contact management needs.
As  a  result,  companies  are  increasingly  turning  to  out-
sourcers to perform specialized functions and services in
the customer contact management arena. By working in
a  partnership  with  outsourcers,  companies  can  insure
that  the  crucial  task  of  retaining  and  growing  their  cus-
tomer  base  is  addressed  without  detracting  from  their
competencies. Factors that are influencing companies to
outsource  customer  contact  management  solutions
include the following:
• Increasing  importance  for  companies  to  focus  on
customer-facing  activities  and  retain  and  grow
client relationships;

• Growing  capital  requirements  for  entrance  into  new
geographic markets offering a lower cost solution;
• Increasing need for companies to focus on core com-
petencies rather than non-revenue producing activities;
• Increasing  need  for  better  utilization  of  internal
customer  contact  management  assets  and  time-to-
market response;

7

• Rapid changes in technology requiring personnel with

specialized technical expertise;

• Growing capital requirements for sophisticated technol-
ogy needed to maintain the necessary infrastructure to
provide timely technical support and customer service;
• Increasing  need  to  integrate  and  continually  update
complex  systems  incorporating  a  variety  of  hardware
and software components spanning a number of tech-
nology generations; and

• Extensive and ongoing staff training and associated costs
required for maintaining responsive, up-to-date, in-house
technical support and customer service solutions.
To address these market factors, we offer a full, global
customer contact management solution with a dynamic,
secure communications infrastructure and a global pres-
ence that reaches across 17 countries. This global presence
includes  established  operations  in  highly  strategic  off-
shore geographic markets where companies have access
to  high  quality  customer  contact  management  solutions
at lower costs compared to other markets.

B u s i n e s s   S t r a t e g y

Our goal is to provide high quality, reliable and afford-
able outsourced customer contact management solutions
and  services.  Our  services  are  customized  to  address
each client’s unique needs and focused on improving the
quality  and  cost-effectiveness  of  the  support  our  clients
provide to their customers.

Our business strategy encompasses building long-term
client relationships, capitalizing on our offshore delivery
platform, leveraging our technology platform to differen-
tiate  our  value  proposition,  expanding  both  organically
and  through  acquisitions  and  diversifying  our  vertical
market  reach.  The  principles  of  this  strategy  include 
the following:

Build Long-term Client Relationships Through Service
Excellence. We  believe  that  providing  superior,  quality
service  is  critical  in  our  clients’  decisions  to  outsource
and  in  building  long-term  relationships  with  our  clients.
To ensure service excellence and continuity across each
of our centers globally, we implemented an internally
developed  quality  program  titled  Sykes  Standard  of
Excellence  (SSE). This  quality  certification  standard  is  a
compilation of more than twenty-five years of experience
and  best  practices  from  industry  standards  such  as  the
Malcom  Baldridge  National  Quality  Award  and  COPC
(Customer  Operations  Performance  Center  Inc.).  Every
customer contact management center is held accountable
to  meet  or  exceed  the  criteria  set  forth  by  SSE,  which
address leadership, hiring and training, performance man-
agement down to the agent level, forecasting and schedul-
ing, and the client relationship including disaster recovery
plans, feedback and corrective measures.

Capitalize  on  Global  Service  Offering  in  Offshore
Markets. Companies  are  demanding  a  customer  contact
management solution that is global in nature - one of our
key  strengths.  In  addition  to  our  network  of  customer
contact  management centers  throughout  North  America
and Europe, we continue to develop our offshore delivery
model  with  operations  in  the  Philippines, The  Peoples
Republic of China, India, Costa Rica and El Salvador
(expected  to  open  in  early  2004),  offering  our  clients  a
secure, high quality solution at a significant cost savings.
We  expanded  our  company-owned  offshore  operations
significantly in 2003, more than doubling the number of
customer contact management seats from the same period
a  year  ago  to  approximately  8,000. These  seats  were
added to support the increasing demand for our offshore
customer  contact  management  solutions  and  are  fully
integrated  through  our  internally  developed  digital  pri-
vate  Asynchronous Transfer  Mode  (“ATM”)  communica-
tions  network,  which  allows  for  effective  call  volume
management  and  disaster  recovery  backup.  Our  global
footprint  satisfies  key  client  imperatives  such  as  a  high-
quality  low-cost  solution,  financial  flexibility,  improved
market  response  times,  global  presence  and  improved
capacity utilization rates.

Maintain  a  Competitive Advantage Through  Leading
Edge Technology. We  seek  to  maintain  a  competitive
advantage and differentiation by continuing to capitalize
on  sophisticated  and  specialized  technological  capabili-
ties, including our current private ATM network between
North America, Latin America, the Philippines and India
that provides us the ability to manage call volumes more
efficiently  and  carry  voice  and  data  over  the  same  net-
work.  Our  flexible,  secure  and  scalable  network  infra-
structure allows us to rapidly respond to changes in client
voice and data traffic and quickly establish support oper-
ations  for  new  and  existing  clients. Through  strategic
technology  relationships,  we  are  able  to  provide  fully
integrated communication services encompassing e-mail,
chat  and Web  self-service  platforms. Additional  techno-
logical  capabilities  include  automatic  call  distributors,
intelligent call routing and workforce management capa-
bilities based on agent skill and availability, call tracking
software,  quality  management  systems  and  computer-
telephony integration (CTI) that enable our customer con-
tact management centers to serve as a transparent extension
for  our  clients,  receive  telephone  calls  and  data  directly
from our clients’ systems, and report detailed information
concerning the status and results of our services on a daily
basis.  In  addition,  the  European  deployment  of  Global
Direct, our customer relationship management (“CRM”)/
e-commerce  application  utilized  within  the  fulfillment
operations,  establishes  a  platform  whereby  our  clients
can manage all customer profile and contact information
from  every  communication  channel,  making  it  a  viable

8

customer-facing  infrastructure  solution  to  support  their
CRM initiatives.

Continue  to  Grow  Our  Business  Organically  and
through Acquisitions. We have grown our customer con-
tact management outsourcing operations utilizing a strategy
of  both  internal  growth  and  external  acquisitions. This
plan has resulted in an increase from three U.S. customer
contact  management  centers  in  1994  to  42  customer
contact management centers worldwide as of the end of
2003. Given the fragmented nature of the customer contact
management industry, there may be other companies that
would  bring  us  certain  complementary  competencies.
Acquisition candidates that can, among other competen-
cies, expand our service offerings, broaden our geographic
footprint,  allow  us  access  to  new  technology  and  are
synergistic  in  nature,  will  be  given  consideration.  We
have  and  will  continue  to  explore  these  options  upon
identification of strategic opportunities.

Diversify Our Vertical Market Reach. We market our
services on a worldwide basis to Fortune 1000 companies
primarily  in  the  communications,  technology/consumer,
financial  services,  healthcare,  and  transportation  and
leisure  industries.  We  built  our  industry  knowledge  by
initially  focusing  on  software  publishers,  personal  com-
puter  manufacturers  and  peripheral  hardware  manufac-
turers  within  the  technology/consumer  vertical  market,
providing  us  with  a  competitive  advantage  in  technical
support. In 2003, the technology/consumer vertical market
represented 33% of our consolidated revenues. Beginning
in 1999, our growth strategy targeted the communications
vertical market, where we leveraged our technical support
capabilities  to  capitalize  on  dial-up  Internet,  broadband
Internet,  wireless  services  and  related  opportunities.
Revenues from the communications vertical market rep-
resented 43% of our consolidated revenues in 2003, com-
pared  to  9%  in  1999.  In  2001,  we  began  targeting  the
financial  services  vertical  market  recognizing  the  poten-
tial growth this market offered and the added stability this
market would provide our revenue mix. We entered into
several new relationships with financial services compa-
nies  in  late  2001  and  2002,  for  which  we  provide  an
array  of  services  from  credit  card  inquiries  to  brokerage
account assistance. For 2003, revenues from this vertical
market represented 6% of our consolidated revenues, an
increase from 3% in 2002, and we expect this market to
continue to increase in the future. The healthcare vertical,
which  is  primarily  generated  from  our  Canadian  opera-
tions,  represented  6%  of  our  consolidated  revenues  in
2003 compared to 4% in 2002. We believe the diversifi-
cation  of  our  business  into  focused  vertical  markets
allows for a more predictable, steady revenue stream.

S e r v i c e s

We  specialize  in  providing  inbound  outsourced  cus-
tomer  contact  management  solutions  in  the  BPO  arena
on  a  global  basis.  Our  customer  contact  management
services are provided through two operating segments—
the Americas and EMEA. The Americas region, represent-
ing  66.9%  of  consolidated  revenues  in  2003,  includes
the  United  States,  Canada,  Latin America,  India  and  the
Asia  Pacific  Rim. The  sites  within  Latin  America,  India
and  the  Asia  Pacific  Rim  are  included  in  the  Americas
region as they provide a significant service delivery vehicle
for U.S. based companies that are utilizing our customer
contact management solutions in these locations to sup-
port their customer care needs. The EMEA region, repre-
senting 33.1% of consolidated revenues in 2003, includes
Europe,  the  Middle  East  and  Africa. The  following  is  a
description of our customer contact management solutions:
Outsourced Customer Contact Management Services.
Our  outsourced  customer  contact  management  services
represented  approximately  97.0%  of  total  2003  consoli-
dated revenues. We handle over 700,000 customer con-
tacts  including  phone,  e-mail, Web  and  chat  on  a  daily
basis  throughout  the  Americas  and  EMEA  regions.  We
provide these services utilizing our advanced technology
infrastructure,  human  resource  management  skills  and
industry experience. These services include:
• Customer  care—Customer  care  contacts  primarily
include product information requests, describing prod-
uct  features,  activating  customer  accounts,  resolving
complaints,  handling  billing  inquiries,  changing
addresses, claims handling, ordering/reservations, pre-
qualification and warranty management;

• Technical support—Technical support contacts prima-
rily  include  handling  inquiries  regarding  hardware,
software,  communications  services,  communications
equipment,  Internet  access  technology  and  Internet
portal usage; and

• Acquisition—Our  acquisition  services  are  primarily
focused  on  inbound  up-selling/cross-selling  of  our
client’s products and services.
We  provide  these  services  through  our  extensive
global network of customer contact management centers,
where  our  customer  contact  agents  provide  support  in
over  30  languages.  Our  technology  infrastructure  and
managed service solutions allow for effective distribution
of  calls  to  one  or  more  centers. These  technology  offer-
ings  provide  our  clients  and  us  with  the  leading  edge
tools needed to maximize quality and customer satisfac-
tion while controlling and minimizing costs.

Fulfillment  Services.

In  Europe,  we  offer  fulfillment
services  that  are  fully  integrated  with  our  customer  care
and  technical  support  services.  Our  fulfillment  solutions
include multilingual sales order processing via the Internet

9

and phone, payment processing, inventory control, prod-
uct delivery and product returns handling.

Enterprise Support Services.

In the United States, we
provide  a  range  of  enterprise  support  services  including
technical staffing services and outsourced corporate help
desk solutions.

O p e r a t i o n s

Customer Contact Management Centers. We operate
17 stand-alone customer contact management centers in
Europe, the Middle East and South Africa, 13 centers in the
United States, 3 centers in Canada and 9 centers offshore,
including The Peoples Republic of China, the Philippines,
India  and  Costa  Rica.  El  Salvador,  a  new  customer  con-
tact management center, is expected to open in the early
part of 2004.

New customer contact management centers are estab-
lished to accommodate anticipated growth in our business
or in response to a specific client need. In an effort to stay
ahead  of  industry  trends,  we  opened  our  first  customer
contact management centers in the Philippines and Costa
Rica  over  six  years  ago.  By  2003,  we  expanded  to  five
centers in the Philippines, two in Costa Rica, one in The
People’s  Republic  of  China  and  one  in  India  and  are
planning additional capacity expansion in the Philippines
throughout 2004.

Due to shifts in business demand for offshore customer
contact management centers, we decided to close several
under-utilized  customer  contact  management  centers  in
the United States in late 2003 and may close additional
centers  in  2004.  In  Europe,  we  have  also  taken  steps  to
close  certain  under-utilized  customer  contact  manage-
ment centers due to lower call volumes resulting from the
soft global economy.

We utilize a sophisticated workforce management sys-
tem  to  provide  efficient  scheduling  of  personnel.  Our
internally developed digital private communications net-
work—the aforementioned ATM—complements our work-
force  by  allowing  for  effective  call  volume  management
and disaster recovery backup. Through this network and
our dynamic intelligent call routing capabilities, we can
rapidly  respond  to  changes  in  client  call  volumes  and
move call volume traffic based on agent availability and
skill  throughout  our  network  of  centers,  improving  the
responsiveness  and  productivity  of  our  agents.  We  also
can offer cost competitive solutions for taking U.S. based
calls to our offshore locations.

We capture and download customer contact informa-
tion  for  reporting  on  a  daily  basis  and  this  information
can be viewed for any period of time, including on a real
time basis. This data provides our clients with direct visi-
bility  into  the  service  that  we  are  providing  for  them.  It
also  provides  our  management  with  the  information
required for effective management of our operations.

Our  customer  contact  management  centers  are  pro-
tected  by  a  fire  extinguishing  system,  backup  generators
and  short-term  battery  backups  in  the  event  of  a  power
outage,  reduced  voltage  or  a  power  surge.  Rerouting  of
call volumes to other customer contact management cen-
ters is also available in the event of a telecommunications
failure,  natural  disaster  or  other  emergency.  Security
measures  are  imposed  to  prevent  unauthorized  physical
access.  Software  and  related  data  files  are  backed  up
daily  and  stored  off  site  at  multiple  locations. We  carry
business  interruption  insurance  covering  interruptions
that might occur as a result of damage to our business.

Fulfillment Centers. We currently have four fulfillment
centers  located  in  Europe.  We  provide  our  fulfillment
services  primarily  to  certain  clients  operating  in  Europe
who  desire  this  complementary  service  in  connection
with outsourced customer contact management services.
Enterprise  Support  Services  Offices. Our  three  enter-
prise support services offices are located in metropolitan
areas  in  the  United  States  to  provide  a  strong  recruiting
platform  for  high-end  knowledge  workers  and  to  estab-
lish a local presence to service major accounts.

Q u a l i t y   A s s u r a n c e

We  believe  that  providing  superior,  quality  service  is
critical  in  our  clients’  decisions  to  outsource  and  in
building long-term relationships with our clients. It is also
our belief and commitment that quality is the responsibil-
ity  of  each  individual  at  every  level  of  the  organization.
To  ensure  service  excellence  and  continuity  across  our
organization,  we  have  developed  an  integrated  Quality
Assurance program consisting of three major components:
• The certification of client accounts and customer contact

management centers to the SSE program;

• The  application  of  continuous  improvement  to  all

business processes; and

• The application of process audits to all work procedures.
The SSE program is a quality certification standard that
was developed based on our more than twenty-five years
of experience, and best practices from industry standards
such as the COPC and Support Center Practices (SCP). It
defines the requirements across all aspects of the business,
and  has  a  well-defined  auditing  process  to  ensure  com-
pliance and to gain certification.

The  application  of  continuous  improvement  is  estab-
lished by SSE and is based upon the five-step Six Sigma
cycle of Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control.
All  managers  are  responsible  for  continuous  improve-
ment in their operations.

Process  audits  are  used  to  verify  that  client  processes
and procedures are consistently executed as required by
established documentation. Process audits are applicable
to  all  services  being  provided  for  the  client.  Quality
monitoring  and  coaching  are  also  core  components  of

1 0

our approach to quality. We utilize industry best practices
to  ensure  that  our  employees  handle  customer  interac-
tions with the care, accuracy and timeliness needed.

Two  of  our  customer  contact  management  centers  in
Europe  have  received  COPC  certification.  We  are  also
pursuing COPC certification for several additional centers
in Europe and our offshore markets. The COPC standard
was  first  developed  in  1996  by  representatives  from
American  Express,  Dell,  L.L.  Bean,  Microsoft,  Motorola,
Novell  and  other  customer-focused  companies  that
wanted  measurable  standards  to  improve  the  level  of
service  quality  their  customers  received  from  external
customer service providers.

S a l e s   a n d   M a r k e t i n g

Our  sales  and  marketing  objective  is  to  leverage  our
expertise and global presence to develop long-term rela-
tionships with existing and potential clients both domes-
tically and internationally. Our customer contact solutions
have been developed to help our clients acquire, retain,
and  increase  the  value  of  their  customer  relationships.
We  are  implementing  marketing  and  business  develop-
ment  plans  to  increase  visibility  of  our  solutions  in  the
vertical markets we serve. We believe that our client base
provides  excellent  opportunities  for  further  marketing
and cross selling of our complementary customer contact
management services. Our plans for increasing our visibility
include market focused advertising, consultative personal
visits  with  potential  and  existing  clients,  participation  in
market  specific  trade  shows  and  seminars,  speaking
engagements, articles and white papers and our website.
Our sales force is composed of business development
managers  that  pursue  new  business  opportunities  and
client  services  directors  that  manage  and  grow  relation-
ships  with  existing  accounts.  We  also  have  inside  cus-
tomer sales representatives who receive customer inquiries
and  provide  outbound  lead  generation  for  the  field 
sales force.

As  part  of  our  marketing  efforts,  we  invite  potential
and existing clients to visit our customer contact manage-
ment centers, where we can demonstrate our telecommuni-
cations  and  call  tracking  technology,  quality  procedures
and  our  customer  contact  agent  development  process.
During these visits, we demonstrate our ability to quickly
and  effectively  support  a  new  client  or  scale  business
from  an  existing  client  by  emphasizing  our  systematic
approach  to  implementing  customer  contact  solutions
throughout the world.

We  emphasize  account  development  to  strengthen
relationships with existing clients. Business development
managers or client service directors are generally assigned
to  vertical  markets  in  their  area  of  expertise  in  order  to
develop a complete understanding of each client’s particular
needs, to form strong client relationships and encourage

cross selling of our other service offerings. We utilize our
marketing  and  sales  visibility  in  the  vertical  markets  to
lead  our  product  development  efforts  to  further  meet
growing market needs.

C l i e n t s

In 2003, we provided service to hundreds of clients in
the United States, Canada, Latin America, Europe, the Phil-
ippines, The Peoples Republic of China, India and South
Africa. We market to Fortune 1000 corporations primarily
within the communications, technology/consumer, financial
services, healthcare, and transportation and leisure indus-
tries. Revenue by vertical market for 2003, as a percentage
of our consolidated revenues, was 43% for communica-
tions,  33%  for  technology/consumer,  6%  for  financial
services, 6% for health, 5% for transportation and leisure,
and  7%  for  all  other  vertical  markets,  including  retail,
government-related and utilities. We believe our globally
recognized  client  base  presents  opportunities  for  further
cross marketing of our services.

In 2003, we signed a multi-year contract with Accenture,
LLP,  a  leading  third-party  systems  integrator,  which  was
retained by our leading client, SBC Communications Inc.
and  affiliates  (“SBC”),  a  major  provider  of  communica-
tions services, to manage its customer contact management
services strategy. For the years ended December 31, 2003,
2002 and 2001, total revenues included $81.2 million, or
16.9% of consolidated revenues, $71.6 million, or 15.8%
of consolidated revenues, and $58.5 million, or 11.8% of
consolidated revenues, respectively, from SBC. 

In  addition,  for  the  years  ended  December  31,  2003,
2002 and 2001, total revenues included $58.5 million, or
12.2% of consolidated revenues, $54.6 million, or 12.1%
of consolidated revenues, and $46.2 million, or 9.3% of
consolidated  revenues,  respectively,  from  Microsoft
Corporation  (“Microsoft”),  a  major  provider  of  software
and related services. The loss of (or the failure to retain a
significant  amount  of  business  with)  SBC,  Microsoft  or
any of our other key clients could have a material adverse
effect on our performance. Our top ten clients accounted
for  approximately  59%  of  our  consolidated  revenues  in
2003.  Many  of  our  contracts  contain  penalty  provisions
for  failure  to  meet  minimum  service  levels  and  are  can-
celable by the client at any time or on short-term notice.
Also, clients may unilaterally reduce their use of our serv-
ices under our contracts without penalty.

C o m p e t i t i o n

The industry in which we operate is extremely compet-
itive and highly fragmented. While many companies pro-
vide customer contact management solutions and services,
we believe no one company is dominant in the industry.

1 1

In  most  cases,  our  principal  competition  stems  from
our existing and potential clients’ in-house customer con-
tact management operations. When it is not the in-house
operations  of  a  client,  our  direct  competition  includes
Teletech,  Sitel,  APAC  Customer  Services,  ICT  Group,
Client Logic, Convergys, West Corporation, Stream, EDS,
IBM and NCO Group as well as the customer care arm of
such companies as Accenture, WIPRO, 24/7, Infosys and
SR Teleperformance. There are other numerous and varied
providers of such services, including firms specializing in
various  CRM  consulting,  other  customer  management
solutions  providers—niche  or  large  market  companies,
as  well  as  product  distribution  companies  that  provide
fulfillment  services.  Some  of  these  companies  possess
substantially greater resources, greater name recognition
and a more established customer base than we.

We believe that the most significant competitive factors
in the sale of outsourced customer contact management
services include service quality, advanced technology capa-
bilities,  global  coverage,  reliability,  scalability,  security,
industry experience, price and tailored service offerings.
As  a  result  of  intense  competition,  outsourced  customer
contact  management  solutions  and  services  frequently
are  subject  to  pricing  pressure.  Clients  also  require  out-
sourcers to be able to provide services in multiple loca-
tions. Competition for contracts for many of our services
takes  the  form  of  competitive  bidding  in  response  to
requests for proposals.

I n t e l l e c t u a l   P r o p e r t y

We  rely  upon  a  combination  of  contract  provisions
and trade secret laws to protect the proprietary technology
we use at our customer contact management centers and
facilities.  We  also  rely  on  a  combination  of  copyright,
trademark and trade secret laws to protect our proprietary
software. We attempt to further protect our trade secrets
and  other  proprietary  information  through  agreements
with  employees  and  consultants.  We  do  not  hold  any
patents and do not have any patent applications pending.
There can be no assurance that the steps we have taken
to protect our proprietary technology will be adequate to
deter misappropriation of our proprietary rights or third-
party  development  of  similar  proprietary  software.
Sykes(cid:1),  REAL  PEOPLE.  REAL  SOLUTIONS.(cid:1) and  Sykes
Answerteam(cid:1) are our registered service marks. We hold 
a  number  of  registered  trademarks,  including  ETSC(cid:1), 
FS PRO(cid:1) and FS PRO MARKETPLACE(cid:1).

E m p l o y e e s

We have approximately 17,800 employees worldwide,
consisting  of  15,110  customer  contact  agents  handling
technical  and  customer  support  inquiries  at  our  centers,
2,400  in  management,  administration  and  finance,  130

in enterprise support services, 110 in fulfillment services and
50 in sales and marketing. Our employees, with the excep-
tion of approximately 400 employees in Europe, are not
represented by a labor union and we have never suffered
an interruption of business as a result of a labor dispute. We
consider our relations with our employees to be good.

We  employ  personnel  through  a  continually  updated
recruiting  network. This  network  includes  a  seasoned
team of recruiters, a company-wide candidate database,
Internet/newspaper  advertising,  candidate  referral  pro-
grams  and  job  fairs.  However,  demand  for  qualified 
professionals  with  the  required  language  and  technical
skills  may  exceed  supply,  as  new  skills  are  needed  to
keep  pace  with  the  requirements  of  customer  engage-
ments.  Competition  for  such  personnel  is  intense  and
employee turnover in this industry is high.

F a c t o r s   I n f l u e n c i n g   F u t u r e   R e s u l t s
a n d   A c c u r a c y   o f   F o r w a r d - L o o k i n g
S t a t e m e n t s

This report contains forward-looking statements (within
the  meaning  of  the  Private  Securities  Litigation  Reform
Act of 1995) that are based on current expectations, esti-
mates,  forecasts,  and  projections  about  us,  our  beliefs,
and assumptions made by us. In addition, we may make
other written or oral statements, which constitute forward-
looking statements, from time to time. Words such as “may,”
“expects,”  “projects,”  “anticipates,”  “intends,”  “plans,”
“believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” variations of such words,
and  similar  expressions  are  intended  to  identify  such
forward-looking  statements.  Similarly,  statements  that
describe  our  future  plans,  objectives,  or  goals  also  are
forward-looking  statements.  These  statements  are  not
guarantees  of  future  performance  and  are  subject  to  a
number  of  risks  and  uncertainties,  including  those  dis-
cussed  below  and  elsewhere  in  this  report.  Our  actual
results  may  differ  materially  from  what  is  expressed  or
forecasted in such forward-looking statements, and undue
reliance  should  not  be  placed  on  such  statements.  All
forward-looking  statements  are  made  as  of  the  date
hereof,  and  we  undertake  no  obligation  to  update  any
forward-looking  statements,  whether  as  a  result  of  new
information, future events or otherwise.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materi-
ally from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-
looking  statements  include,  but  are  not  limited  to:  the
marketplace’s continued receptivity to our terms and ele-
ments of services offered under our standardized contract
for  future  bundled  service  offerings;  our  ability  to  con-
tinue the growth of our service revenues through additional
customer contact management centers; our ability to further
penetrate into vertically integrated markets; our ability to
expand revenues within the global markets; our ability to
continue to  establish  a  competitive  advantage  through

1 2

sophisticated technological capabilities, and the following
risk factors:

Dependence on Key Clients

We  derive  a  substantial  portion  of  our  revenues  from 
a  few  key  clients.  In  2003,  we  signed  a  multi-year  con-
tract  with  Accenture,  LLP,  a  leading  third-party  systems
integrator, which was retained by our leading client, SBC
Communications Inc. and affiliates (“SBC”), a major provider
of communications services, to manage its customer con-
tact  management  services  strategy.  For  the  years  ended
December  31,  2003,  2002  and  2001,  total  revenues
included  $81.4  million,  or  16.9%  of  consolidated  rev-
enues, $71.6 million, or 15.8% of consolidated revenues,
and  $58.5  million,  or  11.8%  of  consolidated  revenues,
respectively, from SBC.

In  addition,  total  revenue  for  the  years  ended
December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, includes $58.5 mil-
lion, or  12.2%  of  consolidated  revenues,  $54.6  million,
or 12.1% of consolidated revenues and $46.2 million, or
9.3% of consolidated revenues, respectively, from Microsoft
Corporation  (“Microsoft”),  a  major  provider  of  software
and  related  services.  Our  top  ten  clients  accounted  for
approximately 59%, 60% and 57%, of consolidated rev-
enue for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002, and
2001, respectively. Our loss of, or the failure to retain a
significant amount of business with SBC, Microsoft or any
of  our  other  key  clients  could  have  a  material  adverse
effect on our business, financial condition and results of
operations. Many of our contracts contain penalty provi-
sions for failure to meet minimum service levels and are
cancelable  by  the  client  at  any  time  or  on  short-term
notice. Also, clients may unilaterally reduce their use of
our services under these contracts without penalty. Thus,
our contracts with our clients do not ensure that we will
generate a minimum level of revenues.

Risks Associated With International Operations 
and Expansion

We intend to continue to pursue growth opportunities
in  markets  outside  the  United  States.  At  December  31,
2003, our international operations were conducted from
24  customer  contact  management  centers  located  in
Sweden, the Netherlands, Finland, Germany, South Africa,
Scotland, India, Ireland, Italy, Hungary, Spain, Turkey, The
Peoples Republic of China and the Philippines. Revenues
from these operations for the years ended December 31,
2003, 2002, and 2001, were 44%, 39%, and 37%, of con-
solidated  revenues,  respectively.  We  also  conduct  busi-
ness in Canada and Costa Rica. International operations
are subject to certain risks common to international activ-
ities, such as changes in foreign governmental regulations,
tariffs and taxes, import/export license requirements, the
imposition  of  trade  barriers,  difficulties  in  staffing  and
managing foreign operations, political uncertainties, longer
payment cycles, foreign exchange restrictions that could

limit the repatriation of earnings, possible greater difficul-
ties in accounts receivable collection, potentially adverse
tax  consequences,  and  economic  instability.  As  of
December  31,  2003,  we  had  cash  balances  of  approxi-
mately  $67.5  million  held  in  international  operations
which may be subject to additional taxes if repatriated to
the United States.

We conduct business in various foreign currencies and
are therefore exposed to market risk from changes in for-
eign  currency  exchange  rates  and  interest  rates,  which
could impact our results of operations and financial con-
dition.  We  are  also  subject  to  certain  exposures  arising
from  the  translation  and  consolidation  of  the  financial
results of our foreign subsidiaries. We have, from time to
time, taken limited actions to attempt to mitigate our cur-
rency  exchange  exposure.  However,  there  can  be  no
assurance that we will take any actions to mitigate such
exposure in the future, and if taken, that such actions will
be successful or that future changes in currency exchange
rates will not have a material impact on our future oper-
ating results. A significant change in the value of the dol-
lar against the currency of one or more countries where
we  operate  may  have  a  material  adverse  effect  on  our
results. We have historically not entered into hedge con-
tracts for either translation risk or economic risk.

Fundamental Shift Towards Offshore Markets

We  intend  to  continue  to  expand  and  pursue  growth
opportunities in offshore markets. Our offshore locations
include The Peoples Republic of China, India, the Philip-
pines and Costa Rica, and while we have operated in off-
shore markets for several years, there can be no assurance
that we will be able to successfully conduct and expand
such  operations,  and  a  failure  to  do  so  could  have  a
material adverse effect on our business, financial condi-
tion, and results of operations. The continued expansion
offshore  to  meet  the  demand  of  new  clients  and  the
needs of certain of our U.S. clients that are migrating call
volumes  to  offshore  operations  could  result  in  excess
capacity in the United States. As a result of this migration
offshore,  we  have  and  expect  that  we  will  continue  to
experience  duplicative  operating  costs  and  site  closure
costs related to the ramp-down of certain U.S. customer
contact  management  centers  and  expect  this  trend  to
continue through 2004. To date, we have closed several
centers and expect to close additional centers as a result
of  this  shift  offshore. The  success  of  our  offshore  opera-
tions will be subject to numerous contingencies, some of
which  are  beyond  our  control,  including  general  and
regional  economic  conditions,  prices  for  our  services,
competition, changes in regulation and other risks. In addi-
tion, as  with  all  of  our  operations  outside  of  the  United
States, we are subject to various additional political, eco-
nomic,  and  market  uncertainties.  (See  “Risks Associated 

1 3

with International Operations and Expansion.”) Addition-
ally, a change in the political environment in the United
States or the adoption and enforcement of legislation and
regulations curbing the use of offshore customer contact
management  solutions  and  services  could  effectively
have a material adverse effect on our business, financial
condition and results of operations.

Existence of Substantial Competition

The markets for our services are highly competitive,
subject  to  rapid  change,  and  highly  fragmented.  While
many  companies  provide  outsourced  customer  contact
management  services,  we  believe  no  one  company  is
dominant in the industry. There are numerous and varied
providers of our services, including firms specializing in
call  center  operations,  temporary  staffing  and  personnel
placement  companies,  general  management  consulting
firms,  divisions  of  large  hardware  and  software  compa-
nies and niche providers of outsourced customer contact
management  services,  many  of  whom  compete  in  only
certain  markets.  Our  competitors  include  many  com-
panies  who  may  possess  substantially  greater  resources,
greater  name  recognition  and  a  more  established  cus-
tomer  base  than  we  do.  In  addition  to  our  competitors,
many  companies  who  might  utilize  our  services  or  the
services  of  one  of  our  competitors  may  utilize  in-house
personnel  to  perform  such  services.  Increased  competi-
tion,  our  failure  to  compete  successfully,  pricing  pres-
sures, loss of market share and loss of clients could have
a material adverse effect on our business, financial condi-
tion and results of operations.

Many  of  our  large  clients  purchase  outsourced  cus-
tomer contact management services primarily from a lim-
ited number of preferred vendors. We have experienced
and  continue  to  anticipate  significant  pricing  pressure
from these clients in order to remain a preferred vendor.
These companies also require vendors to be able to pro-
vide services in multiple locations. Although we believe
we can effectively meet our clients’ demands, there can
be  no  assurance  that  we  will  be  able  to  compete  effec-
tively  with  other  outsourced  customer  contact  manage-
ment  services  companies.  We  believe  that  the  most
significant competitive factors in the sale of our services
include quality, advanced technology capabilities, global
coverage, reliability, scalability, security, industry experi-
ence, price and tailored service offerings.

Inability to Attract and Retain Experienced Personnel
May Adversely Impact Our Business

Our  business  is  labor  intensive  and  places  significant
importance  on  our  ability  to  recruit,  train,  and  retain 
qualified technical and consultative professional personnel.
We generally experience high turnover of our personnel

and  are  continuously  required  to  recruit  and  train
replacement  personnel  as  a  result  of  a  changing 
and  expanding  work  force.  Additionally,  demand  for
qualified  technical  professionals  conversant  with  the
English language and/or certain technologies may exceed
supply, as new and additional skills are required to keep
pace  with  evolving  computer  technology.  Our  ability 
to  locate  and  train  employees  is  critical  to  achieving 
our  growth  objective.  Our  inability  to  attract  and  retain
qualified personnel or an increase in wages or other costs
of  attracting,  training,  or  retaining  qualified  personnel
could  have  a  material  adverse  effect  on  our  business,
financial condition and results of operations.

Dependence on Senior Management

Our  success  is  largely  dependent  upon  the  efforts,
direction  and  guidance  of  our  senior  management.  Our
growth and success also depend in part on our ability to
attract and retain skilled employees and managers and on
the ability of our executive officers and key employees to
manage  our  operations  successfully.  We  have  entered
into  employment  and  non-competition  agreements  with
our executive officers. The loss of any of our senior man-
agement or key personnel, or the inability to attract, retain
or  replace  key  management  personnel  in  the  future,
could  have  a  material  adverse  effect  on  our  business,
financial condition and results of operations.

Dependence on Trend Toward Outsourcing

Our business and growth depend in large part on the
industry trend toward outsourced customer contact man-
agement services. Outsourcing means that an entity con-
tracts with a third party, such as us, to provide customer
contact  services  rather  than  perform  such  services  in-
house. There can be no assurance that this trend will con-
tinue, as organizations may elect to perform such services
themselves. A significant change in this trend could have
a material adverse effect on our business, financial condi-
tion and results of operations. Additionally, there can be
no  assurance  that  our  cross-selling  efforts  will  cause
clients to purchase additional services from us or adopt a
single-source outsourcing approach.

Our Strategy of Growing Through Selective Acquisitions
and Mergers Involves Potential Risks

We evaluate opportunities to expand the scope of our
services  through  acquisitions  and  mergers.  We  may  be
unable to identify companies that complement our strate-
gies,  and  even  if  we  identify  a  company  that  comple-
ments our strategies, we may be unable to acquire or
merge  with  the  company.  In  addition,  a  decrease  in  the
price of our common stock could hinder our growth strat-
egy by limiting growth through stock acquisitions.

1 4

Our acquisition strategy involves other potential risks.

Reliance on Technology and Computer Systems

These risks include:
• The  inability  to  obtain  the  capital  required  to  finance

potential acquisitions on satisfactory terms;

• The diversion of our attention to the integration of the

businesses to be acquired;

• The  risk  that  the  acquired  businesses  will  fail  to
maintain  the  quality  of  services  that  we  have  histori-
cally provided;

• The  need  to  implement  financial  and  other  systems

and add management resources;

• The  risk  that  key  employees  of  the  acquired  business

will leave after the acquisition;

• Potential liabilities of the acquired business;
• Unforeseen difficulties in the acquired operations;
• Adverse short-term effects on our operating results;
• Lack of success in assimilating or integrating the oper-
ations of acquired businesses within our business;
• The dilutive effect of the issuance of additional equity

securities;

• The  impairment  of  goodwill  and  other  intangible

assets involved in any acquisitions;

• The businesses we acquire not proving profitable; and
• Potentially incurring additional indebtedness.

Uncertainties Relating to Litigation

We cannot predict whether any material suits, claims,
or investigations may arise in the future. Regardless of the
outcome  of  any  future  actions,  claims,  or  investigations
we may incur substantial defense costs and such actions
may  cause  a  diversion  of  management  time  and  atten-
tion. Also, it is possible that we may be required to pay
substantial damages or settlement costs which could have
a  material  adverse  effect  on  our  financial  condition  and
results of operations.

Rapid Technological Change

Rapid  technological  advances,  frequent  new  product
introductions  and  enhancements,  and  changes  in  client
requirements characterize the market for outsourced cus-
tomer  contact  management  services.  Our  future  success
will  depend  in  large  part  on  our  ability  to  service  new
products,  platforms  and  rapidly  changing  technology.
These  factors  will  require  us  to  provide  adequately
trained  personnel  to  address  the  increasingly  sophisti-
cated,  complex  and  evolving  needs  of  our  clients.  In
addition, our ability to capitalize on our acquisitions will
depend  on  our  ability  to  continually  enhance  software
and  services  and  adapt  such  software  to  new  hardware
and  operating  system  requirements. Any  failure  by  us  to
anticipate or respond rapidly to technological advances,
new  products  and  enhancements,  or  changes  in  client
requirements could have a material adverse effect on our
business, financial condition and results of operations.

We have invested significantly in sophisticated and spe-
cialized  communications  and  computer  technology  and
have focused on the application of this technology to meet
our clients’ needs. We anticipate that it will be necessary
to continue to invest in and develop new and enhanced
technology  on  a  timely  basis  to  maintain  our  competi-
tiveness. Significant capital expenditures may be required
to  keep  our  technology  up-to-date.  There  can  be  no
assurance  that  any  of  our  information  systems  will  be
adequate to meet our future needs or that we will be able
to  incorporate  new  technology  to  enhance  and  develop
our existing services. Moreover, investments in technology,
including  future  investments  in  upgrades  and  enhance-
ments  to  software,  may  not  necessarily  maintain  our
competitiveness.  Our  future  success  will  also  depend  in
part on our ability to anticipate and develop information
technology solutions that keep pace with evolving indus-
try standards and changing client demands.

Risk of Emergency Interruption of Customer Contact
Management Center Operations

Our operations are dependent upon our ability to pro-
tect  our  customer  contact  management  centers  and  our
information databases against damage that may be caused
by  fire  and  other  disasters,  power  failure,  telecommuni-
cations failures, unauthorized intrusion, computer viruses
and other emergencies. The temporary or permanent loss
of  such  systems  could  have  a  material  adverse  effect  on
our  business,  financial  condition  and  results  of  opera-
tions.  Notwithstanding  precautions  taken  to  protect  us
and our clients from events that could interrupt delivery
of services, there can be no assurance that a fire, natural
disaster,  human  error,  equipment  malfunction  or  inade-
quacy, or other event would not result in a prolonged inter-
ruption  in  our  ability  to  provide  services  to  our  clients.
Such an event could have a material adverse effect on our
business, financial condition and results of operations.

Control By Principal Shareholder and Anti-Takeover
Considerations

As of February 16, 2004, John H. Sykes, our Chairman
of  the  Board  and  Chief  Executive  Officer,  beneficially
owned approximately 36.2% of our outstanding common
stock. As a result, Mr. Sykes will have substantial influence
in  the  election  of  our  directors  and  in  determining  the
outcome of other matters requiring shareholder approval.
Our  Board  of  Directors  is  divided  into  three  classes
serving  staggered  three-year  terms. The  staggered  Board
of  Directors  and  the  anti-takeover  effects  of  certain  pro-
visions  contained  in  the  Florida  Business  Corporation 
Act  and  in  our  Articles  of  Incorporation  and  Bylaws,
including  the  ability  of  the  Board  of  Directors  to  issue

1 5

shares of preferred stock and to fix the rights and prefer-
ences of those shares without shareholder approval, may
have  the  effect  of  delaying,  deferring  or  preventing  an
unsolicited  change  in  control. This  may  adversely  affect
the  market  price  of  our  common  stock  or  the  ability  of
shareholders to participate in a transaction in which they
might otherwise receive a premium for their shares.

Volatility of Stock Price May Result in 
Loss of Investment

The trading price of our common stock has been and
may  continue  to  be  subject  to  wide  fluctuations  over
short  and  long  periods  of  time.  We  believe  that  market

prices of outsourced customer contact management serv-
ices stocks in general have experienced volatility, which
could affect the market price of our common stock regard-
less  of  our  financial  results  or  performance.  We  further
believe  that  various  factors  such  as  general  economic
conditions, changes or volatility in the financial markets,
changing  market  conditions  in  the  outsourced  customer
contact management services industry, quarterly variations
in our financial results, the announcement of acquisitions,
strategic  partnerships,  or  new  product  offerings,  and
changes  in  financial  estimates  and  recommendations  by
securities  analysts  could  cause  the  market  price  of  our
common stock to fluctuate substantially in the future.

E x e c u t i v e   O f f i c e r s

The following table provides the names and ages of our executive officers, and the positions and offices currently held

by each of them:

Name

Age

Principal Position

John H. Sykes
Charles E. Sykes
W. Michael Kipphut
Gerry L. Rogers
Jenna R. Nelson

James C. Hobby
Daniel L. Hernandez
James T. Holder
William N. Rocktoff

67
41
50
58
40

53
37
45
41

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Chief Operating Officer
Group Executive, Senior Vice President—Finance
Group Executive, Senior Vice President—Chief Information Officer
Group Executive, Senior Vice President—Human Resources
and Administration
Senior Vice President, the Americas
Senior Vice President, Global Strategy
Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
Vice President and Corporate Controller

1 6

John H. Sykes has held the titles and responsibilities of
Chairman  and  Chief  Executive  Officer  of  Sykes  since
December 1998. He was President of Sykes from inception
in  1977  until  December  1998.  Previously,  Mr.  Sykes  was
Senior Vice President of CDI Corporation, a publicly held
technical services firm.

Charles  E. Sykes joined Sykes in 1986 and was named
Chief Operating Officer in July 2003. From March 2000 to
June 2001, Mr. Sykes was Senior Vice President, Marketing
and in June 2001 he was appointed to the position of General
Manager,  Senior  Vice  President—the  Americas.  From
December 1996 to March 2000, he served as Vice President,
Sales  and  held  the  position  of  Regional  Manager  of  the
Midwest  Region  for  Professional  Services  from  1992  until
1996. Mr. Charles E. Sykes is the son of Mr. John H. Sykes.
W. Michael Kipphut, C.P.A., joined Sykes in March 2000
as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and was named
Group  Executive,  Senior Vice  President—Finance  in  June
2001.  From  September  1998  to  February  2000,  Mr.
Kipphut  held  the  position  of  Vice  President  and  Chief
Financial Officer for USA Floral Products, Inc., a publicly
held  worldwide  perishable  products  distributor.  From
September  1994  until  September  1998,  Mr.  Kipphut  held
the position of Vice President and Treasurer for Spalding &
Evenflo Companies, Inc., a global manufacturer of consumer
products.  Previously,  Mr.  Kipphut  held  various  financial
positions including Vice President and Treasurer in his 
17  years  at Tyler  Corporation,  a  publicly  held  diversified
holding company.

Gerry L. Rogers joined Sykes in February 1999 as Group
Vice  President,  North  America  and  was  named  Group
Executive, Senior Vice President—Chief Information Officer
in July 2000. From March 2000 until July 2000, Mr. Rogers
held  the  position  of  Senior Vice  President—the Americas.
From 1968 to 1999, Mr. Rogers held various management
positions with AT&T, a publicly held telecommunications
firm, most recently as General Manager for the Business
Growth Markets.

Jenna  R.  Nelson joined  Sykes  in August  1993  and  was
named  Group  Executive,  Senior Vice  President—Human
Resources  and Administration  in  July  2001.  From  January
2001 until July 2001, Ms. Nelson held the position of Group
Executive and Vice President, Human Resources. In August
1998,  Ms.  Nelson  was  appointed Vice  President,  Human
Resources  and  held  the  position  of  Director,  Human
Resources  and  Administration  from  August  1996  to  July
1998. From August 1993 until July 1996, Ms. Nelson served
in  various  management  positions  within  Sykes,  including
Director of Administration.

James C. Hobby joined Sykes in August 2003 as Senior
Vice  President,  the  Americas  overseeing  the  daily  opera-
tions, administration and development of Sykes’ customer
care  and  enterprise  support  operations  throughout  North
America,  Latin  America,  the  Asia  Pacific  Rim  and  India.
Prior  to  joining  Sykes,  Mr.  Hobby  held  several  positions 
at  Gateway,  Inc.,  most  recently  serving  as  President  of
Consumer Customer Care since August 1999. From January
1999 to August 1999, Mr. Hobby served as Vice President
of European Customer Care for Gateway, Inc. From January
1996  to  January  1999,  Mr.  Hobby  served  as  the Vice
President of European Customer Service Centers at American
Express.  Prior  to  January  1996,  Mr.  Hobby  held  various
senior  management  positions  in  customer  care  at  FedEx
Corporation since 1983, mostly recently serving as Managing
Director, European Customer Service Operations.

Daniel  L.  Hernandez joined  Sykes  in  October  2003  as
Senior Vice  President,  Global  Strategy  overseeing  market-
ing,  operations  strategy  and  client  relations  worldwide.
Prior to joining Sykes, Mr. Hernandez served as President
and CEO of SBC Internet Services, a division of SBC Com-
munications Inc., since March 2000. From February 1998
to  March  2000,  Mr.  Hernandez  held  the  position  of Vice
President/General Manager, Internet and System Operations
at  Ameritech  Interactive  Media  Services.  Prior  to  March
2000, Mr. Hernandez held various management positions
at U S West Communications since joining the telecommu-
nications provider in 1990.

James T. Holder, J.D., C.P.A., joined Sykes in December
2000  as  General  Counsel  and  was  named  Corporate
Secretary  in  January  2001  and Vice  President  in  January
2004.  From  November  1999  until  November  2000,  Mr.
Holder served in a consulting capacity as Special Counsel
to  Checkers  Drive-In  Restaurants,  Inc.,  a  publicly  held
restaurant  operator  and  franchisor.  From  November  1993
until November 1999, Mr. Holder served in various capac-
ities at Checkers including Corporate Secretary, Chief Finan-
cial Officer and Senior Vice President and General Counsel.
William N. Rocktoff, C.P.A., joined Sykes in August 1997
as Corporate Controller and was named Treasurer and Cor-
porate  Controller  in  December  1999  and Vice  President
and Corporate Controller in March 2002. From November
1989  to August  1997,  Mr.  Rocktoff  held  various  financial
positions,  including  Corporate  Controller  at  Kimmins
Corporation, a publicly held contracting company.

1 7

Item 2. Properties

Our  principal  executive  offices  are  located  in Tampa,  Florida. This  facility  currently  serves  as  the  headquarters  for 
senior management and the financial, information technology and administrative departments. We believe our existing
facilities are adequate to meet current requirements, and that suitable additional or substitute space will be available as
needed to accommodate any physical expansion. We operate from time to time in temporary facilities to accommodate
growth before new customer contact management centers are available. The following table sets forth additional infor-
mation concerning our facilities:

Properties

General Usage

Square
Feet

Lease Expiration

UNITED STATES LOCATIONS
Tampa, Florida

Corporate headquarters

67,645

June 2010

Ada, Oklahoma
Bismarck, North Dakota
Marianna, Florida
Palatka, Florida
Wise, Virginia
Greeley, Colorado
Hays, Kansas
Klamath Falls, Oregon
Manhattan, Kansas
Milton-Freewater, Oregon
Morganfield, Kentucky
Perry County, Kentucky
Minot, North Dakota
Pikesville, Kentucky
Ponca City, Oklahoma
Sterling, Colorado

Customer contact management center
Customer contact management center
Customer contact management center
Customer contact management center
Customer contact management center
Customer contact management center(1)
Customer contact management center
Customer contact management center(2)
Customer contact management center
Customer contact management center
Customer contact management center
Customer contact management center(3)
Customer contact management center
Customer contact management center
Customer contact management center
Customer contact management center

Cary, North Carolina
Poughkeepsie, New York
St. Louis, Missouri

Office
Office
Office

(1) Closed in connection with our 2001 restructuring plan.

(2) Closed and sold in January 2004.

(3) Closed in January 2004.

42,000
42,000
42,000
42,000
42,000
42,000
42,000
42,000
42,000
42,000
42,000
42,000
42,000
42,000
42,000
34,000

3,400
1,000
5,700

Company owned
Company owned
Company owned
Company owned
Company owned
Company owned
Company owned
Company owned
Company owned
Company owned
Company owned
Company owned
Company owned
Company owned
Company owned
Company owned

March 2006
January 2005
September 2004

1 8

Properties

General Usage

Square
Feet

Lease Expiration

INTERNATIONAL LOCATIONS
Amsterdam, The Netherlands

London, Ontario, Canada

Budapest, Hungary
Budapest, Hungary
Edinburgh, Scotland

LaAurora, Heredia, 
Costa Rica (two)

San Salvador, El Salvador
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
North Bay, Ontario, Canada
Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
Moncton, New Brunswick, 

Customer contact management center/
Headquarters
Customer contact management center/
Headquarters

70,500

July 2004

45,000

Company owned

Customer contact management center
Customer contact management center
Customer contact management center/
Office

23,960
15,700

August 2009
June 2005

55,000

September 2019

Customer contact management center
Customer contact management center(4)
Customer contact management center
Customer contact management center(5)
Customer contact management center(5)

131,890
32,600
14,600
5,371
2,048

8,200
12,500
49,083
37,780
41,900
36,800
94,727
90,300
136,858
50,500
66,521
12,500
127,400
70,700
44,000
35,100
20,700

33,000
32,300
66,000
27,703
32,290

126,700
23,498
2,787
1,700

September 2023
November 2023
December 2006
March 2004
December 2007

December 2006
February 2005
August 2004
July 2004
March 2007
March 2009
May 2008
December 2005
May 2023
March 2005
February 2023
February 2006
December 2023
May 2024
October 2009
July 2008
June 2004

October 2005
June 2004
April 2013
June 2005
December 2024

Company owned
October 2004
October 2004
September 2004

Canada
Turku, Finland

Customer contact management center
Customer contact management center/
Fulfillment center
Customer contact management center
Bochum, Germany
Pasewalk, Germany
Customer contact management center
Wilhelmshaven, Germany (two) Customer contact management centers
Customer contact management center
Bangalore, India
Customer contact management center
Makati City, The Philippines

Mandaluyong, The Philippines
Mandaue City, The Philippines
Johannesburg, South Africa
Pasig City, The Philippines
Quezon City, The Philippines
Ed, Sweden
Sveg, Sweden
Istanbul, Turkey
Shanghai, The Peoples 
Republic of China

Prato, Italy
Shannon, Ireland
Lugo, Spain
La Coruña, Spain

Customer contact management center
Customer contact management center
Customer contact management center
Customer contact management center
Customer contact management center
Customer contact management center
Customer contact management center
Customer contact management center

Customer contact management center
Customer contact management center
Customer contact management center
Customer contact management center
Customer contact management center

Galashiels, Scotland
Upplands Vasby, Sweden
Stockholm, Sweden
Frankfurt, Germany
Vancouver, British Columbia,

Canada

London, Ontario, Canada

Fulfillment center
Fulfillment center and Sales office
Fulfillment center/Office
Sales office

Sales office
Sales office

400
4,000

Monthly
October 2006

(4) Opening in the second quarter of 2004.
(5) Considered part of the Toronto, Ontario, Canada customer contact management center.

1 9

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

From time to time we are involved in legal actions aris-
ing  in  the  ordinary  course  of  business.  With  respect  to
these matters, we believe we have adequate legal defenses
and/or provided adequate accruals for related costs such
that  the  ultimate  outcome  will  not  have  a  material
adverse  effect  on  our  future  financial  position  or  results 
of operations.

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a

Vote of Security Holders

No matter was submitted to a vote of security holders
during  the  fourth  quarter  of  the  year  covered  by 
this report.

P A R T   I I

Item 5. Market for the Registrant’s

Common Equity and Related
Shareholder Matters

Our  common  stock  is  quoted  on  the  NASDAQ
National  Market  under  the  symbol  SYKE. The  following
table  sets  forth,  for  the  periods  indicated,  certain 
information as to the high and low sale prices per share
of  our  common  stock  as  quoted  on  the  NASDAQ
National Market.

High

Low

Year ended December 31, 2003:

Fourth Quarter ....................................
Third Quarter ......................................
Second Quarter ...................................
First Quarter........................................

Year ended December 31, 2002:

Fourth Quarter .....................................
Third Quarter .......................................
Second Quarter....................................
First Quarter.........................................

$10.50
8.29
5.30
4.34

$ 4.93
8.00
11.00
11.20

$6.70
4.57
3.75
2.85

$2.75
4.14
7.23
6.54

Holders  of  our  common  stock  are  entitled  to  receive
dividends  out  of  the  funds  legally  available  when  and  if
declared by the Board of Directors. We have not declared
or paid any cash dividends on our common stock in the
past and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in
the foreseeable future.

Information  concerning  securities  authorized  for  issu-
ance  under  equity  compensation  plans,  including  both
shareholder  and  non-shareholder  plans,  is  incorporated
by reference to our Proxy Statement for the 2004 Annual
Meeting of Shareholders in the section entitled “Executive
Compensation—Equity Compensation Plan Information.”
As  of  March  2,  2004,  there  were  approximately  165
holders of record of the common stock. We believe that
there were approximately 7,500 beneficial owners of our
common stock.

On December 2, 2003, John Sykes, our Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer, and his limited partnership, Jopar
Investments  L.P.,  entered  into  a  written  plan  in  accor-
dance  with  SEC  Rule  10b5-1  (the  “Plan”),  under  which
Jopar  Investments  will  gradually  sell  up  to  1.5  million
shares of its holdings in our common stock over the next
three  years  in  order  to  diversify  Mr.  Sykes’  investment
portfolio while avoiding conflicts of interest or the appear-
ance of any such conflict that might arise from his position
with  the  company.  In  accordance  with  the  Plan,  Jopar
Investments  sold  350  thousand  shares  of  our  common
stock  in  December  2003. The  Plan  contains  a  prepaid
forward  agreement  provision  (the  “Forward  Provision”)
between Jopar Investments and a counterparty relating to
the forward sale of up to 1.15 million shares of common
stock. As  disclosed  in  SEC  filings  on  January  12,  2004 
and January  26,  2004,  in  connection  with  the  Forward
Provision,  the  counterparty  paid  Jopar  Investments  cash
of $3.7 million and $1.4 million, respectively, related to
the  forward  sale  of  450  thousand  and  160  thousand
shares  of  common  stock. The  Forward  Provision  expires
on  December  9,  2004  at  which  time  Jopar  Investments
will  deliver  to  the  counterparty  a  specific  number  of
shares to be determined based on the market price of the
stock at the time of delivery.

2 0

Item 6. Selected Financial Data

S e l e c t e d   F i n a n c i a l   D a t a

The  following  selected  financial  data  has  been  derived  from  our  consolidated  financial  statements. The  information
below should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations,” and our Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes.

(In thousands, except per share data)

INCOME STATEMENT DATA(9):
Revenues ..................................................................
Income (loss) from operations(2,3,5,6,8)..........................
Net income (loss)(2,3,4,5,6,7,8) .........................................
Net income (loss) per basic share(2,3,4,5,6,7,8).................
Net income (loss) per diluted share(2,3,4,5,6,7,8) ..............
PRO FORMA INFORMATION ASSUMING 
ACCOUNTING CHANGE IS APPLIED 
RETROACTIVELY (1,9):
Revenues ..................................................................
Income (loss) from operations(2,3,5,6,8)..........................
Net income (loss)(2,3,4,5,6,7,8) .........................................
Net income (loss) per basic share(2,3,4,5,6,7,8).................
Net income (loss) per diluted share(2,3,4,5,6,7,8) ..............
BALANCE SHEET DATA(9):
Working capital ........................................................
Total assets ...............................................................
Long-term debt, less current installments..................
Shareholders’ equity .................................................

2003

$480,359
11,368
9,305
0.23
0.23

$480,359
11,368
9,305
0.23
0.23

$118,504
313,254
—
200,832

Years Ended December 31,
2001

2000

2002

1999

$452,737
(11,295)
(18,631)
(0.46)
(0.46)

$496,722
(360)
409
0.01
0.01

$603,606
(12,308)
46,787
1.13
1.13

$572,742
37,037
20,534
0.49
0.48

$452,737
(11,295)
(18,631)
(0.46)
(0.46)

$496,722
(360)
409
0.01
0.01

$603,606
(12,308)
47,706
1.15
1.15

$571,243
35,538
19,615
0.47
0.46

$101,115
296,841
—
182,345

$ 96,547
309,780
—
191,212

$ 92,964
357,954
8,759
195,892

$ 93,075
420,732
80,053
193,233

(1) Effective  January  1,  2000,  we  changed  our  policy  regarding  the  recognition  of  revenue  based  on  criteria  established  by  Staff

Accounting Bulletin No. 101, “Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements” (“SAB 101”).

(2) The amounts for 2003 include a $2.1 million net gain on the sale of facilities and a $0.6 million reversal of restructuring and other charges.

(3) The amounts for 2002 include $20.8 million of restructuring and other charges, $1.5 million of charges associated with the impair-

ment of long-lived assets and a $1.6 million net gain on the sale of facilities.

(4) The amounts for 2002 include $13.8 million of charges associated with the litigation settlement.

(5) The  amounts  for  2001  include  $14.6  million  of  restructuring  and  other  charges  and  $1.5  million  of  charges  associated  with  the

impairment of long-lived assets.

(6) The  amounts  for  2000  include  $7.8  million  of  compensation  expense  related  to  payments  made  to  certain  SHPS,  Incorporated
(“SHPS”) option holders as part of the sale of a 93.5% ownership interest in SHPS that occurred on June 30, 2000 and $30.5 million
of restructuring and other charges.

(7) The amounts for 2000 include an $84.0 million gain from the sale of a 93.5% ownership interest in SHPS that occurred on June 30,
2000  and  a  gain  of  $0.7  million  related  to  the  sale  of  a  small  Canadian  operation  that  sold  roadside  assistance  memberships  for
which we provide customer support.

(8) The amounts for 1999 include $6.0 million of charges associated with the impairment of long-lived assets.

(9) Certain amounts from prior years have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation.

2 1

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and

Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations

The following should be read in conjunction with the
Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto
that  appear  elsewhere  in  this  document. The  following
discussion  and  analysis  compares  the  year  ended
December  31,  2003  (“2003”)  to  the  year  ended
December  31,  2002  (“2002”),  and  2002  to  the  year
ended December 31, 2001 (“2001”).

The  following  discussion  and  analysis  and  other  sec-
tions  of  this  document  contain  forward-looking  state-
ments that involve risks and uncertainties. Words such as
“may,”  “expects,”  “projects,”  “anticipates,”  “intends,”
“plans,”  “believes,”  “seeks,”  “estimates,”  variations  of
such words, and similar expressions are intended to iden-
tify  such  forward-looking  statements.  Similarly,  state-
ments that describe our future plans, objectives, or goals
also  are  forward-looking  statements.  Future  events  and
actual  results  could  differ  materially  from  the  results
reflected in these forward-looking statements, as a result
of certain of the factors set forth below and elsewhere in
this  analysis  and  in  this  Form  10-K  for  the  year  ended
December  31,  2003  in  Item  1  in  the  section  entitled
“Factors  Influencing  Future  Results  and  Accuracy  of
Forward-Looking Statements.”

O v e r v i e w

We provide outsourced customer contact management
solutions  and  services  with  an  emphasis  on  inbound 
technical support and customer service, which represents
97.0%  of  consolidated  revenues  in  2003,  delivered
through multiple communication channels encompassing
phone,  e-mail,  Web  and  chat.  Revenue  from  technical
support and customer service, provided through our cus-
tomer  contact  management  centers,  is  recognized  as
services  are  rendered. These  services  are  billed  on  an
amount per e-mail, a fee per call, a rate per minute or on
a time and material basis. Revenue from fulfillment serv-
ices is generally billed on a per unit basis.

We also provide a range of enterprise support services
for our client’s internal support operations, from technical
staffing services to outsourced corporate help desk serv-
ices. Revenues usually are billed on a time and material
basis,  generally  by  the  minute  or  hour,  and  revenues
generally  are  recognized  as  the  services  are  provided.
Revenues  from  fixed  price  contracts,  generally  with 
terms  of  less  than  one  year,  are  recognized  using  the
percentage-of-completion method. A significant majority

of our revenue is derived from non-fixed price contracts.
We  have  not  experienced  material  losses  due  to  fixed
price contracts and do not anticipate a significant increase
in revenue derived from such contracts in the future.

Direct salaries and related costs include direct person-
nel compensation, statutory and other benefits associated
with  such  personnel  and  other  direct  costs  associated
with  providing  services  to  customers.  General  and
administrative expenses include administrative, sales and
marketing,  occupancy,  depreciation  and  amortization,
and other costs.

Recognition  of  income  associated  with  grants  from
local or state governments of land and the acquisition of
property, buildings and equipment is deferred and recog-
nized  as  a  reduction  of  depreciation  expense  included
within  general  and  administrative  costs  over  the  corre-
sponding  useful  lives  of  the  related  assets.  Amounts
received  in  excess  of  the  cost  of  the  building  are 
allocated  to  equipment  and,  only  after  the  grants  are
released  from  escrow,  recognized  as  a  reduction  of
depreciation  expense  over  the  weighted  average  useful
life  of  the  related  equipment,  which  approximates  five
years.  Deferred  property  and  equipment  grants,  net  of
amortization, totaled $27.4 million and $35.1 million at
December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

The net (gain) loss on disposal of property and equip-
ment includes the net gain on the sale of various facilities
in 2003 and 2002 offset by the net loss on the disposal of
property and equipment.

Restructuring  and  other  charges  (reversals)  consist  of
the  following:  2003  reversals  of  certain  accruals  related
to  the  2002,  2001  and  2000  restructuring  plans;  2002
charges of $20.8 million related to the closure and con-
solidation of two U.S. and three European customer con-
tact management centers, capacity reductions within the
European  fulfillment  operations,  the  write-off  of  certain
assets, lease termination and severance and related costs;
and 2001 charges of $14.6 million related to the closure
and consolidation of two U.S. customer contact manage-
ment centers, two U.S. technical staffing offices and one
European fulfillment center, the elimination of redundant
property,  leasehold  improvements  and  equipment  and
lease termination and severance and related costs.

Impairment of long-lived assets charges of $1.5 million
in each of 2002 and 2001 consist of the following: 2002
charges related to the write-off of certain intangible assets
associated  with  a  customer  contact  management  agree-
ment for which the level of call volumes fell below antic-
ipated levels and the 2001 charges related to the write-off
of certain non-performing assets, including software and
equipment no longer used by us.

2 2

Other  income  (expense)  consists  primarily  of  interest
income, net of interest expense, foreign currency transac-
tion gains and losses, and a $13.8 million charge for the
uninsured portion of a litigation settlement and associated
legal costs in September 2002. Foreign currency transac-
tion gains and losses generally result from exchange rate
fluctuations on intercompany transactions.

The  Company’s  effective  tax  rate  for  the  periods 
presented  reflects  the  effects  of  foreign  taxes,  net  of 
foreign  income  not  taxed  in  the  United  States  and  non-
deductible expenses for income tax purposes.

R e s u l t s   o f   O p e r a t i o n s

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated,
the  percentage  of  revenues  represented  by  certain  items
reflected in our Statements of Operations:

PERCENTAGES 
OF REVENUES:
Revenues .............................
Direct salaries and 

related costs.....................
General and administrative...
Net (gain) loss on disposal of
property and equipment...

Restructuring and 

Years Ended December 31,
2001
2002
2003

100.0% 100.0% 100.0%

64.4
33.7

63.4
34.4

63.4
33.3

(0.3)

(0.2)

other charges (reversals)...

(0.1)

Impairment of 

long-lived assets...............

—

Income (loss) from 

operations ........................
Other income (expense)(1) ....

Income (loss) before 
provision (benefit) 
for income taxes  .............

Provision (benefit) for 

income taxes....................

2.3
0.6

2.9

1.0

4.6

0.3

(2.5)
(2.9)

(5.4)

(1.3)

0.1

2.9

0.3

0.0
0.1

0.1

—

Net income (loss).........

1.9%

(4.1)%

0.1%

(1) Includes litigation settlement of 3.1% in 2002.

The  following  table  sets  forth,  for  the  periods  indi-
cated,  certain  data  derived  from  our  Consolidated
Statements of Operations (in thousands):

Years Ended December 31,
2002

2003

2001

Revenues ...................
Direct salaries and 

$480,359

$452,737

$496,722

related costs...........

309,489

287,141

315,118

General and 

administrative ........

161,743

155,547

165,389

Net (gain) loss on 

disposal of property 
and equipment.......
Restructuring and other 
charges (reversals) ..

Impairment of 

(1,595)

(945)

495

(646)

20,814

14,600

long-lived assets.....

—

1,475

1,480

Income (loss) 

from operations......

11,368

(11,295)

(360)

Other income 

(expense)(2)..............

2,588

(13,151)

546

Income (loss) before 
provision (benefit) 
for income taxes ....
Provision (benefit) for 
income taxes..........

Net income 

13,956

(24,446)

186

4,651

(5,815)

(223)

(loss) ..............

$ 9,305

$ (18,631)

$

409

(2) Includes litigation settlement of $13.8 million in 2002.

The  following  table  summarizes  our  revenues,  for  the

periods indicated, by geographic region (in thousands):

Years Ended December 31,
2002

2003

2001

Revenues:

Americas ..................
EMEA .......................

$321,195
159,164

$299,185
153,552

$328,207
168,515

Consolidated ........

$480,359

$452,737

$496,722

2 0 0 3   C o m p a r e d   t o   2 0 0 2

Revenues

During  2003,  we  recorded  consolidated  revenues  of
$480.4  million,  an  increase  of  $27.7  million  or  6.1%
from $452.7 million of consolidated revenues for 2002.

On  a  geographic  segmentation  basis,  revenues  from
the Americas region, including the United States, Canada,
Latin America, India and the Asia Pacific Rim, represented
66.9%, or $321.2 million for 2003 compared to 66.1%,
or  $299.2  million  for  2002.  Revenues  from  the  EMEA
region, including Europe, the Middle East and Africa, rep-
resented 33.1%, or $159.2 million for 2003 compared to
33.9% or $153.5 million for 2002.

2 3

The increase in Americas’ revenue of $22.0 million, or
7.4%, for 2003 was primarily attributable to an increase
in revenues from our offshore operations, including Latin
America,  India  and  the  Asia  Pacific  Rim,  resulting  from
the  continued  acceleration  in  demand  for  a  lower  cost
customer contact management solution as well as further
diversification  into  new  vertical  markets. These  offshore
operations  represented  16.9%  of  consolidated  revenues
for  2003  compared  to  9.7%  for  2002.  We  expect  this
trend  of  generating  more  of  our  revenues  from  offshore
operations  to  continue  into  2004. The  increase  in  the
Americas’  revenue  was  partially  offset  by  the  overall
reduction  in  customer  call  volumes  resulting  from  the
economic  downturn  and  the  phasing  out  of  two  U.S.
based original equipment manufacturer (“OEM”) technol-
ogy clients. We anticipate that as our offshore operations
grow and become a larger percentage of revenues, the total
revenue  and  revenue  growth  rate  may  decline  since  the
average revenue per seat generated offshore is less than it
is in North America and Europe. While the average offshore
revenue per seat is less, the operating margins generated
offshore are generally comparable or higher than those in
North America and Europe. However, our ability to main-
tain these offshore operating margins longer term is difficult
to predict due to potential increased competition for the
available workforce in offshore markets.

The increase in EMEA’s revenue of $5.7 million, or 3.7%,
for 2003 was primarily related to the strengthening Euro,
which positively impacted revenues for 2003 by approxi-
mately  $26.2  million  compared  to  the  Euro  in  2002.
Without  this  foreign  currency  benefit,  EMEA’s revenues
would  have  declined  $20.5  million  compared  with  last
year  due  to  the  continued  softness  in  customer  call  vol-
umes resulting from the weak European economy.

General and Administrative

General  and  administrative  expenses  increased  $6.2
million or 4.0% to $161.8 million for 2003, from $155.6
million  in  2002.  As  a  percentage  of  revenues,  general
and administrative expenses decreased to 33.7% in 2003
from 34.4% in 2002. This decrease was principally attribut-
able to lower depreciation and bad debt expense partially
offset by higher insurance and compliance costs as well
as higher lease, travel, training, utilities and maintenance
costs  associated  with  the  expansion  of  offshore  facilities
and certain duplicative operating costs related to the call
volumes migrating offshore. We expect that we will con-
tinue  to  experience  certain  duplicative  operating  costs
through  2004  associated  with  this  migration  offshore.
Similar  to  the  negative  effect  on  direct  salaries  and
related costs, the strengthening Euro also increased gen-
eral  and  administrative  expenses  for  2003  by  approxi-
mately $8.7 million compared to the Euro in 2002.

Net Gain on Disposal of Property and Equipment

The net gain on disposal of property and equipment of
$1.6 million for 2003 included a $1.9 million net gain on
the  sale  of  our  Scottsbluff,  Nebraska  facility  (which  was
closed  in  connection  with  the  2002  restructuring  plan)
and a $0.2 million portion of the net gain related to the
installment  sale  of  our  Eveleth,  Minnesota  facility  offset
by a $0.5 million loss on disposal of property and equip-
ment. This compares to a $1.0 million net gain on disposal
of  property  and  equipment  for  2002,  which  included  a
$1.8 million net gain on the sale of one of our Bismarck,
North Dakota facilities offset by a $0.2 million net loss on
the sale of certain assets of the print facility in Galashiels,
Scotland and a $0.6 million loss on disposal of property
and equipment.

Direct Salaries and Related Costs

Restructuring and Other Charges (Reversals)

Direct salaries and related costs increased $22.4 million
or 7.8% to $309.5 million for 2003, from $287.1 million
in 2002. As a percentage of revenues, direct salaries and
related costs increased to 64.4% in 2003 from 63.4% for
2002. This increase was primarily attributable to an increase
in staffing and training costs associated with the ramp-up
of  new  business  in  our  offshore  operations,  lower  call
volumes in the United States and Europe and lower mar-
gin European centers that were closed in the first quarter
of 2003 in connection with our 2002 restructuring plan.
We expect that we will continue to experience an increase
in  staffing  and  training  costs  through  2004  associated
with  this  migration  offshore. Although  the  strengthening
Euro  positively  impacted  revenues,  it  increased  direct
salaries  and  related  costs  for  2003  by  approximately
$17.1 million compared to the Euro in 2002.

In  2003,  restructuring  and  other  charges  included  a
$0.6  million  reversal  of  certain  charges  related  to  the
final termination settlements for the closure of two of our
European customer contact management centers and one
European  fulfillment  center,  the  remaining  site  closure
costs  for  our  Galashiels,  Scotland  print  facility  and  our
Scottsbluff,  Nebraska  facility,  which  were  both  sold  in
2003, offset by additional accruals related to the final set-
tlement of certain lease termination and site closure costs.
In  2002,  restructuring  and  other  charges  included  a
$20.8  million  charge  related  to  the  write-off  of  certain
assets, lease terminations and severance costs, related to
the  closure  and  consolidation  of  two  U.S.  and  three
European customer contact management centers, capacity
reductions  within  the  European  fulfillment  operations
and  the  elimination  of  specialized  e-commerce  assets
primarily in response to the October 2002 notification of
the  contractual  expiration  of  two  technology  client  pro-
grams in March 2003 with approximate annual revenues

2 4

of $25.0 million. The restructuring plan was designed to
reduce costs and bring our infrastructure in-line with the
current business environment.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

We  recorded  a  charge  for  impairment  of  long-lived
assets of $1.5 million during 2002 related to the write-off
of  certain  intangible  assets  associated  with  a  customer 
contact  management  agreement  for  which  the  level  of
call volumes fell below anticipated levels.

Other Income and Expense

Other income was $2.6 million for 2003, compared to
other expense of $13.2 million for 2002. This change of
$15.8 million was primarily attributable to a $13.8 million
charge for the uninsured portion of a class action settle-
ment in 2002, a $0.8 million increase in interest earned
on cash and cash equivalents net of interest expense and
a  $1.2  increase  in  foreign  currency  translation  gains  net
of losses and other miscellaneous income.

Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes

The  2003  tax  provision  of  $4.7  million  was  based
upon pre-tax book income of $14.0 million, whereas the
2002  tax  benefit  of  $5.8  million  was  based  upon  a  pre-
tax book loss of $24.4 million. The $10.5 million change
was primarily attributable to the $38.4 million change in
pre-tax  book  income. The  increase  in  the  effective  tax
rate for 2003 resulted from a shift in our mix of earnings
within tax jurisdictions and the related effects of perma-
nent  differences,  state  income  taxes,  varying  foreign
income tax rates (including tax holiday jurisdictions) and
requisite valuation allowances.

Net Income (Loss)

As  a  result  of  the  foregoing,  income  from  operations
for 2003 was $11.4 million, an increase of $22.6 million
from  2002.  As  previously  discussed,  this  increase  was
principally attributable to a $27.7 million increase in rev-
enues, a $0.6 million increase in net gain on disposal of
property  and  equipment,  a  $21.4  million  decrease  in
restructuring and other charges and a $1.5 million decrease
in impairment of long-lived assets offset by a $22.4 mil-
lion  increase  in  direct  salaries  and  related  costs  and  a
$6.2 million increase in general and administrative costs.
The  $22.6  million  increase  in  income  from  operations
and  an  increase  in  other  income  of  $15.8  million  were
offset by a $10.5 million higher tax provision resulting in
net income of $9.3 million for 2003, an increase of $27.9
million compared to 2002.

2 0 0 2   C o m p a r e d   t o   2 0 0 1

Revenues

During  2002,  we  recorded  consolidated  revenues  of
$452.7  million,  a  decrease  of  $44.0  million  or  8.9%,

from  $496.7  million  of  consolidated  revenues  for  2001.
Exclusive  of  the  remaining  results  of  operations  from
those businesses we exited in connection with the fourth
quarter 2000 restructuring, including U.S. fulfillment and
distribution  operations,  revenues  decreased  $43.3  mil-
lion or 8.7% for 2002 from $496.0 million for 2001.

On a geographic segmentation basis, revenues from the
Americas region, including the United States, Canada, Latin
America,  India  and  the  Asia  Pacific  Rim,  represented
66.1%, or $299.2 million for 2002 compared to 66.0%,
or $327.5 million, exclusive of U.S. fulfillment and distri-
bution  operations  for  2001.  Revenues  from  the  EMEA
region, including Europe, the Middle East and Africa, rep-
resented 33.9%, or $153.5 million for 2002 compared to
34.0%, or $168.5 million for 2001.

The decrease in Americas’ revenue of $28.3 million, or
8.6%,  for  2002  was  primarily  attributable  to  the  overall
reduction  in  customer  call  volumes  resulting  from  the
economic  downturn  and  the  phasing  out  of  an  original
equipment  manufacturer  (“OEM”)  technology  client  on
June  1,  2002. This  decrease  was  partially  offset  by  an
increase  in  our  revenues  from  our  offshore  operations,
including Latin America, India and the Asia Pacific Rim.
These offshore operations represented over 9.7% of con-
solidated revenues for 2002 compared to 4.9% for 2001,
exclusive of U.S. fulfillment and distribution operations. 
The  decrease  in  EMEA’s  revenue  of  $15.0  million,  or
8.9%,  for  2002  was  primarily  related  to  the  loss  of  a
dot.com  client  that  filed  for  bankruptcy  in  2001  as  well
as  a  decline  in  customer  call  volumes  affected  by  the
economic downturn in both outsourced customer contact
management solutions and services and fulfillment services.
This decrease was partially offset by the strengthening Euro,
which positively impacted revenues for 2002 by approx-
imately $7.8 million compared to the Euro in 2001.

Direct Salaries and Related Costs

Direct salaries and related costs decreased $28.0 mil-
lion  or  8.9%  to  $287.1  million  for  2002,  from  $315.1
million  in  2001.  As  a  percentage  of  revenues,  direct 
salaries and related costs remained unchanged at 63.4%
in  each  of  2002  and  2001.  Exclusive  of  U.S.  fulfillment
operations,  direct  salaries  and  related  costs,  as  a  per-
centage  of  revenues,  decreased  to  63.4%  in  2002  from
63.5%  for  2001.  Although  the  strengthening  Euro  posi-
tively impacted revenues, it increased direct salaries and
related  costs  for  2002  by  approximately  $5.0  million
compared to the Euro in 2001. 

General and Administrative

General  and  administrative  expenses  decreased  $9.8
million or 6.0% to $155.6 million for 2002, from $165.4
million  in  2001.  As  a  percentage  of  revenues,  general
and administrative expenses increased to 34.4% in 2002
from 33.3% for 2001. The decrease in the dollar amount

2 5

of  general  and  administrative  expenses  was  attributable
to a $4.9 million decrease in salaries and benefits related
to  reductions  in  certain  administrative  and  operating 
personnel, a $2.8 million decrease in telephone costs, a
$1.3 million decrease in consulting costs, a $0.7 million
decrease  in  legal  and  professional  fees,  $0.6  million
decrease in bad debt expense, a $0.6 million decrease in
net  depreciation  expense  related  principally  to  the
Company’s elimination of certain under-performing oper-
ations and goodwill amortization, a $0.4 million decrease
in  general  and  administrative  expenses  associated  with
U.S.  fulfillment  operations  eliminated  in  2001,  and  a
$4.6 million decrease in other general and administrative
expenses. These decreases were partially offset by a $6.1
million  increase  in  rent,  equipment  rental  and  utilities
costs,  principally  related  to  offshore  expansion  and 
new sites in India, Italy, Finland and Spain. Similar to the
negative  effect  on  direct  salaries  and  related  costs,  the
strengthening  Euro  increased  general  and  administrative
expenses  for  2002  by  approximately  $4.6  million  com-
pared to the Euro in 2001.

Net Gain on Disposal of Property and Equipment

The net gain on disposal of property and equipment of
$1.0 million for 2002 included a $1.8 million net gain on
the  sale  of  one  of  our  Bismarck,  North  Dakota  facilities
offset  by  a  $0.2  million  net  loss  on  the  sale  of  certain
assets  of  the  print  facility  in  Galashiels,  Scotland  and  a
$0.6 million loss on disposal of property and equipment.
This  compared  to  a  $0.5  million  net  loss  on  disposal  of
property and equipment in 2001.

Restructuring and Other Charges

We recorded restructuring and other charges of $20.8
million and $14.6 million during 2002 and 2001, respec-
tively. The 2002 charges included the write-off of certain
assets,  lease  terminations  and  severance  costs,  related 
to  the  closure  and  consolidation  of  two  U.S.  and  three
European customer contact management centers, capac-
ity reductions within the European fulfillment operations
and  the  elimination  of  specialized  e-commerce  assets
primarily in response to the October 2002 notification of
the  contractual  expiration  of  two  technology  client  pro-
grams in March 2003 with approximate annual revenues
of $25.0 million. The restructuring plan was designed to
reduce costs and bring the Company’s infrastructure in-line
with the current business environment. In connection with
the 2002 restructuring, we recorded additional deprecia-
tion expense of $1.2 million in 2002 related to a special-
ized technology platform which will no longer be utilized
upon  the  expiration  of  the  previously  mentioned  client
contracts in March 2003. We also reduced the number of
employees by 470 during 2002 and 330 during 2003. 

The  2001  charges  included  the  closure  and  consoli-
dation of two U.S. customer contact management centers,

two U.S. technical staffing offices and one European ful-
fillment  center;  the  elimination  of  redundant  property,
leasehold improvements and equipment; lease termination
costs associated with vacated properties and equipment;
and severance and related costs. In connection with the
2001 restructuring, we reduced the number of employees
by 230 during 2002.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

We  recorded  a  charge  for  impairment  of  long-lived
assets of $1.5 million during each of 2002 and 2001. The
2002 impairment charge related to the write-off of certain
intangible assets associated with a customer contact man-
agement agreement for which the level of call volumes fell
below  anticipated  levels. The  2001  impairment  charge
related  to  the  write-off  of  certain  non-performing  assets,
including software and equipment no longer used by us.

Other Income and Expense

Other expense was $13.2 million for 2002, compared
to other income of $0.5 million during 2001. The increase
of $13.7 million in other expense was primarily attributa-
ble to a $13.8 million charge for the uninsured portion of
a class action litigation settlement.

Benefit for Income Taxes

The benefit for income taxes increased $5.6 million to
$5.8  million  for  2002  from  $0.2  million  for  2001. This
increase was primarily attributable to the increase in the
pre-tax book loss for 2002 and a decrease in the effective
tax rate as the result of shifts in our mix of earnings within
tax jurisdictions and the tax benefits associated with the
implementation  of  findings  from  a  strategic  tax  review
initiated during 2001. The benefit for income taxes differs
from the expected benefit for income taxes, when applying
the statutory federal income tax rate, primarily due to the
beneficial effects of the disposition of a foreign subsidiary
in  2001,  the  effects  of  foreign,  state  and  local  income
taxes,  foreign  income  not  subject  to  federal  and  state
income  taxes,  valuations  on  net  operating  loss  carry-
forwards and foreign asset basis step up, non-deductible
intangibles and other permanent differences.

Net Income (Loss)

As  a  result  of  the  foregoing,  we  experienced  a  loss
from  operations  for  2002  of  $11.3  million  compared  to
$0.4 million for 2001, an increase of $10.9 million. This
increase  was  principally  attributable  to  a  $44.0  million
decrease in revenues, a $6.2 million increase in restructur-
ing and other charges offset by a $28.0 million decrease in
direct salaries and related costs, a $9.8 million decrease
in  general  and  administrative  costs,  and  a  $1.5  million
increase  in  net  gain  on  disposal  of  property  and  equip-
ment, as previously discussed. The $10.9 million increase
in loss from operations and the $13.7 million increase in

2 6

other expenses primarily related to a $13.8 million charge
for  the  uninsured  portion  of  a  class  action  litigation  set-
tlement offset by a $5.6 million increase in the benefit for

income  taxes  resulted  in  a  net  loss  of  $18.6  million  for
2002 compared to net income of $0.4 million 2001, an
increase in the net loss of $19.0 million.

Q u a r t e r l y   R e s u l t s

The following information presents our unaudited quarterly operating results for 2003 and 2002. The data has been
prepared  on  a  basis  consistent  with  the  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  included  elsewhere  in  this  Form  10-K,  and
include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals that we consider necessary for a fair presentation thereof.

(In thousands, except per share data)

12/31/03

9/30/03

6/30/03

3/31/03

12/31/02

9/30/02

6/30/02

3/31/02

Revenues...........................................................
Direct salaries and related costs ........................
General and administrative................................
Net (gain) loss on disposal of property 

and equipment(1)(6)..........................................
Restructuring and other charges (reversals)(2)......
Impairment of long-lived assets(3) .......................

Income (loss) from operations............................
Other income (expense)(4)(6)................................

Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for 

$124,212 $119,912 $118,949 $117,286 $113,507 $109,658 $112,829 $116,743
72,722
39,375

76,508
38,875

69,910
37,585

70,156
38,033

79,119
43,099

76,506
39,862

77,356
39,907

74,353
40,554

(47)
(446)
—

2,487
1,347

(1,736)
(200)
—

5,480
490

107
—
—

3,459
408

3,867
1,314

81
—
—

—
20,814
1,475

(1,197)
—
—

252
—
—

—
—
—

(58)
343

(23,689)
344

3,360
(13,466)

4,388
(117)

4,646
88

285
97

(23,345)
(5,441)

(10,106)
(3,436)

4,271
1,547

4,734
1,515

income taxes .................................................
Provision (benefit) for income taxes...................

3,834
1,201

5,970
2,039

Net income (loss) ..............................................

$ 2,633 $ 3,931 $ 2,553 $

188 $ (17,904) $ (6,670) $ 2,724 $ 3,219

Net income (loss) per basic share(5)....................

$

0.07 $

0.10 $

0.06 $

0.00 $

(0.44) $

(0.17) $

0.07 $

0.08

Total weighted average basic shares ..................

40,184

40,307

40,350

40,368

40,396

40,411

40,432

40,346

Net income (loss) per diluted share(5).................

$

0.07 $

0.10 $

0.06 $

0.00 $

(0.44) $

(0.17) $

0.07 $

0.08

Total weighted average diluted shares ...............

40,445

40,491

40,424

40,371

40,396

40,411

40,772

40,633

(1) The quarters ended December 31, 2003, September 30, 2003 and September 30, 2002 include a pre-tax gain of $0.2 million, $1.9 million and $1.8 mil-

lion related to the sale of the Eveleth, Minnesota, Scottsbluff, Nebraska and Bismarck, North Dakota facilities, respectively.

(2) The  quarter  ended  December  31,  2002  includes  restructuring  and  other  charges  of  $20.8  million  related  to  the  closure  and  consolidation  of  two 
U.S. and three European customer contact management centers, capacity reductions within the European fulfillment operations, the write-off of certain
assets, lease termination and severance and related costs.

(3) The quarter ended December 31, 2002 includes impairment of long-lived assets of $1.5 million for certain intangible assets associated with a customer

contact agreement for which the level of call volumes fell below anticipated levels.

(4) The quarter ended September 30, 2002 includes the $13.8 million charge for the uninsured portion of a class action litigation settlement.

(5) Net income (loss) per basic and diluted share are computed independently for each of the quarters presented and therefore may not sum to the total for

the year.

(6) The Net (gain) loss on disposal of property and equipment of $0.1 million, $0.1 million, ($1.2) million and $0.3 million were previously reported in
Other income (expense) in our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended June 30, 2003, March 31, 2003, September 30, 2002 and June 30,
2002, respectively. 

L i q u i d i t y   a n d   C a p i t a l   R e s o u r c e s

Our  primary  sources  of  liquidity  are  generally  cash
flows generated by operating activities and from available
borrowings under our revolving credit facilities. We have
utilized these capital resources to make capital expendi-
tures  associated  primarily  with  our  customer  contact
management  services,  invest  in  technology  applications
and tools to further develop our service offerings and for
working  capital  and  other  general  corporate  purposes,
including  repurchase  of  our  common  stock  in  the  open

market  and  to  fund  possible  acquisitions.  In  future  peri-
ods, we intend similar uses of these funds.

In 2003, we paid $7.7 million (which was accrued for
previously) in connection with the restructuring plans to
close  and  consolidate  several  customer  contact  man-
agement  centers  in  the  United  States  and  Europe.  On
August 5, 2002, we announced that our Board of Directors
authorized the repurchase of up to three million shares of
our  outstanding  common  stock. The  shares  of  common
stock  are  purchased,  from  time  to  time,  through  open
market  purchases  or  in  negotiated  private  transactions,

2 7

and the purchases are based on factors including, but not
limited to, the stock price and general market conditions.
In  2003,  we  repurchased  458  thousand  common  shares
under the 2002 repurchase program at prices ranging from
$3.11 to $9.55 per share for a total cost of $3.1 million.
In  2003,  we  generated  $34.2  million  in  cash  from
operating activities, $2.6 million in cash from the sale of
facilities,  property  and  equipment,  and  $1.2  million  in
cash from issuance of stock. Further, we used $29.3 million
in funds for investments in capital expenditures and $3.1
million to repurchase stock in the open market resulting
in  a  $12.6  million  increase  in  available  cash  (net  of  the
effects  of  international  currency  exchange  rates  on  cash
of $7.0 million). 

Net  cash  flows  provided  by  operating  activities  for
2003 declined $9.1 million compared to 2002. Although
net income increased $27.9 million, it was more than off-
set by a $34.0 million decrease in non-cash flow recon-
ciling items and a $3.0 million increase associated with
changes  in  assets  and  liabilities.  The  $34.0  million
decrease in non-cash flow reconciling items was primarily
due  to  several  2002  items  which  did  not  recur  in  2003
including a $13.8 million litigation settlement, restructur-
ing  and  other  charges  of  $20.8  million  and  an  impair-
ment  charge  of  $1.5  million. The  $3.0  million  increase
associated with changes in assets and liabilities was prin-
cipally a result of a $24.9 million increase in receivables
due  to  an  increase  in  revenues  and  slower  collections,
partially  offset  by  $21.9  million  in  cash  generated  from
net higher payables and accrued liabilities. 

Capital  expenditures,  which  are  generally  funded  by
cash  generated  from  operating  activities  and  borrowings
available  under  our  credit  facilities,  were  $29.3  million
for 2003 compared to $20.2 million for 2002, an increase
of $9.1 million. In 2003, approximately 90% of the capital
expenditures were the result of investing in new and exist-
ing customer contact management centers, primarily off-
shore, and 10% was expended primarily for maintenance
and  systems  infrastructure.  As  a  result  of  the  offshore
expansion, we anticipate capital expenditures in the first
quarter  of  2004  to  be  in  the  range  of  $14.0  million  to
$18.0 million, which is estimated to be higher than what
we expect for the full year. 

In 2003, the primary sources of cash flows from finan-
cing activities were from borrowings under our revolving
credit facility, which we elected to cancel effective as of
December 31, 2003. There were no outstanding balances
on  this  credit  facility  as  of  December  31,  2003. We  are
currently negotiating a new revolving credit facility with

a group of lenders, which we expect to close in the first
quarter  of  2004. At  December  31,  2003,  we  had  $92.1
million  in  cash,  of  which  approximately  $67.5  million
was held in international operations and may be subject
to additional taxes if repatriated to the United States.

We believe that our current cash levels and cash flows
from  future  operations  will  be  adequate  to  meet  antic-
ipated  working  capital  needs,  future  debt  repayment
requirements  (if  any),  continued  expansion  objectives,
anticipated  levels  of  capital  expenditures  for  the  fore-
seeable future and stock repurchases.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Other

At December 31, 2003, we did not have any material
commercial commitments, including guarantees or standby
repurchase obligations, or any relationships with uncon-
solidated entities or financial partnerships, including enti-
ties  often  referred  to  as  structured  finance  or  special
purpose entities or variable interest entities, which would
have  been  established  for  the  purpose  of  facilitating 
off-balance  sheet  arrangements  or  other  contractually
narrow or limited purposes.

From  time  to  time,  during  the  normal  course  of  busi-
ness,  we  may  make  certain  indemnities,  commitments
and guarantees under which we may be required to make
payments in relation to certain transactions. These include:
(i)  indemnities  to  vendors  and  service  providers  pertain-
ing to claims based on our negligence or willful miscon-
duct  and  (ii)  indemnities  involving  the  accuracy  of
representations  and  warranties  in  certain  contracts.  In
addition,  we  have  agreements  whereby  we  indemnify
certain officers and directors for certain events or occur-
rences while the officer or director is, or was, serving at
our request in such capacity. The indemnification period
covers  all  pertinent  events  and  occurrences  during  the
officer’s  or  director’s  lifetime. The  maximum  potential
amount of future payments we could be required to make
under  these  indemnification  agreements  is  unlimited;
however, we have director and officer insurance coverage
that limits our exposure and enables us to recover a por-
tion of any future amounts paid. We believe the applicable
insurance coverage is generally adequate to cover any esti-
mated potential liability under these indemnification agree-
ments. The  majority  of  these  indemnities,  commitments
and  guarantees  do  not  provide  for  any  limitation  of  the
maximum  potential  for  future  payments  we  could  be
obligated to make. We have not recorded any liability for
these indemnities, commitments and other guarantees in
the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.

2 8

Contractual Obligations

The following table summarizes our contractual cash obligations at December 31, 2003, and the effect these obliga-

tions are expected to have on liquidity and cash flow in future periods (in thousands):

Payments Due By Period

Total

Less Than 1 Year

1–3 Years

4–5 Years

After 5 Years

Capital lease obligations(1) .................................................... $
Operating leases(1).................................................................
Accrued restructuring charges(2) ............................................
Purchase obligations(3) ..........................................................
Other long-term liabilities(4) ..................................................

87
110,519
1,581
41,573
3

Total contractual cash obligations ....................................

$153,763

$

87
17,738
1,500
14,860
3

$34,188

$

—
22,824
81
26,713
—

$
—
12,790
—
—
—

$

—
57,167
—
—
—

$49,618

$12,790

$57,167

(1) Amounts represent the expected cash payments of our capital lease obligations and operating leases as discussed in Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial

Statements. 

(2) Amounts represent the expected cash payments in connection with the 2002 and 2000 restructuring plans as discussed in Note 12 to the Consolidated

Financial Statements.

(3) Purchase obligations include agreements to purchase goods or services that are enforceable and legally binding on us and that specify all significant
terms, including: fixed or minimum quantities to be purchased; fixed, minimum or variable price provisions; and the approximate timing of the transac-
tion. Purchase obligations exclude agreements that are cancelable without penalty. 

(4) Other long-term liabilities, which exclude deferred income taxes, represent the expected cash payments due minority shareholders of certain subsidiaries. 

C r i t i c a l   A c c o u n t i n g   P o l i c i e s  
a n d   E s t i m a t e s

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in
conformity with accounting principles generally accepted
in the United States requires estimations and assumptions
that  affect  the  reported  amounts  of  assets  and  liabilities
and  the  disclosure  of  contingent  assets  and  liabilities  at
the  date  of  the  financial  statements  and  the  reported
amounts  of  revenues  and  expenses  during  the  reporting
period. These  estimates  and  assumptions  are  based  on
historical  experience  and  various  other  factors  that  are
believed  to  be  reasonable  under  the  circumstances.
Actual results could differ from these estimates under dif-
ferent assumptions or conditions.

We  believe  the  following  accounting  policies  are  the
most critical since these policies require significant judg-
ment  or  involve  complex  estimations  that  are  impor-
tant  to  the  portrayal  of  our  financial  condition  and
operating results:
• We recognize revenue pursuant to applicable account-
ing standards, including SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin
(“SAB”) No. 101 (SAB 101), “Revenue Recognition in
Financial  Statements,”  SAB  104, “Revenue  Recog-
nition,” and  the  Emerging  Issues Task  Force  (“EITF”)
No. 00-21, “Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliv-
erables.” SAB 101, as amended, and SAB 104 summarize
certain  of  the  SEC  staff’s  views  in  applying  generally
accepted accounting principles to revenue recognition

in financial statements and provides guidance on rev-
enue recognition issues in the absence of authoritative
literature  addressing  a  specific  arrangement  or  a  spe-
cific industry. EITF No. 00-21 provides further guidance
on how to account for multiple element contracts.
• We recognize revenue from services as the services
are  performed  under  a  fully  executed  contractual
agreement and record estimated reductions to revenue
for  penalties  and  holdbacks  for  failure  to  meet  speci-
fied  minimum  service  levels  and  other  performance
based contingencies. Royalty revenue is recognized at
the  time  royalties  are  earned  and  the  remaining  rev-
enue  is  recognized  on  fixed  price  contracts  using  the
percentage-of-completion method of accounting, which
relies  on  estimates  of  total  expected  revenue  and
related costs. Revisions to these estimates, which could
result in adjustments to fixed price contracts and esti-
mated  losses,  are  recorded  in  the  period  when  such
adjustments or losses are known. Product sales are rec-
ognized upon shipment to the customer and satisfaction
of all obligations.

• We recognize revenue from licenses of our software
products and rights when the agreement has been exe-
cuted, the product or right has been delivered or pro-
vided, collectibility is probable and the software license
fees or rights are fixed and determinable. If any portion
of  the  license  fees  or  rights  is  subject  to  forfeiture,
refund or other contractual contingencies, we postpone

2 9

revenue  recognition  until  these  contingencies  have
been removed. Revenue from support and maintenance
activities  is  recognized  ratably  over  the  term  of  the
maintenance  period  and  the  unrecognized  portion  is
recorded as deferred revenue.

•

Certain  contracts  to  sell  our  products  and  services
contain  multiple  elements  or  non-standard  terms  and
conditions. As a result, we evaluate each contract and
a thorough contract interpretation is sometimes required
to  determine  the  appropriate  accounting,  including
whether the deliverables specified in a multiple element
arrangement  should  be  treated  as  separate  units  of
accounting  for  revenue  recognition  purposes,  and  if
so, how the price should be allocated among the deliver-
able elements and the timing of revenue recognition for
each element. We recognize revenue for delivered ele-
ments only when the fair values of undelivered elements
are  known,  uncertainties  regarding  client  acceptance
are resolved, and there are no client-negotiated refund
or  return  rights  affecting  the  revenue  recognized  for
delivered  elements.  Changes  in  the  allocation  of  the
sales price between deliverable elements might impact
the  timing  of  revenue  recognition,  but  would  not
change the total revenue recognized on the contract.
• We recognize revenue associated with the grants of
land and the cash grants for the acquisition of property,
buildings and equipment for customer contact manage-
ment centers over the corresponding useful lives of the
related  assets.  Should  the  useful  lives  of  these  assets
change for reasons such as the sale or disposal of the
property, the amount of revenue recognized would be
adjusted  accordingly.  Deferred  grants  totaled  $27.4
million as of December 31, 2003. Income from opera-
tions  included  amortization  of  the  deferred  grants  of
$2.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2003.
• We maintain allowances for doubtful accounts of $4.2
million  as  of  December  31,  2003,  or  5.5%  of  receiv-
ables, for estimated losses arising from the inability of
our customers to make required payments. If the finan-
cial  condition  of  our  customers  were  to  deteriorate,
resulting in a reduced ability to make payments, addi-
tional allowances may be required which would reduce
income from operations.

• As  of  December  31,  2003,  we  had  net  deferred  tax
assets  of  $16.9  million,  which  is  net  of  a  valuation
allowance  of  $30.6  million. We  maintain  a  valuation
allowance  to  reduce  our  deferred  tax  assets  to  the
amount  that  is  more  likely  than  not  to  be  realized.
Deferred  tax  assets  are  reduced  by  a  valuation
allowance  if,  based  on  the  weight  of  available  evi-
dence  for  each  respective  tax  jurisdiction,  it  is  more
likely than not that some portion or all of such deferred
tax  assets  will  not  be  realized.  Available  evidence 

which is considered in determining the amount of val-
uation allowance required includes, but is not limited
to,  our  estimate  of  future  taxable  income  and  any
applicable tax-planning strategies. As of December 31,
2003,  we  determined  the  valuation  allowance  of
$30.6  million  was  necessary  to  reduce  primarily  for-
eign deferred tax assets, where it was more likely than
not that some portion or all of such deferred tax assets
will not be realized. The recoverability of the remaining
net  deferred  tax  assets  of  $16.9  million  is  dependent
upon  future  profitability  within  each  tax  jurisdiction.
As of December 31, 2003, based on our estimates of
future taxable income and any applicable tax-planning
strategies within these tax jurisdictions, we believe that
it is more likely than not that all of these deferred tax
assets will be realized. (See Note 11 in the accompa-
nying Consolidated Financial Statements). 

• We  hold  a  minority  interest  in  SHPS,  Incorporated  as 
a  result  of  the  sale  of  a  93.5%  ownership  interest  in
June  2000.  We  account  for  the  remaining  interest  at
cost, which was $2.1 million as of December 31, 2003.
We  will  record  an  impairment  charge  or  loss  if  we
believe  the  investment  has  experienced  a  decline  in
value  that  is  other  than  temporary.  Future  adverse
changes in market conditions or poor operating results
of  the  underlying  investment  could  result  in  losses  or
an inability to recover the carrying value of the invest-
ment  and,  therefore,  might  require  an  impairment
charge in the future.

• We  review  long-lived  assets,  which  had  a  carrying
value  of  $112.3  million  as  of  December  31,  2003,
including  goodwill  and  property  and  equipment,  for
impairment  whenever  events  or  changes  in  circum-
stances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may
not  be  recoverable  and  at  least  annually  for  impair-
ment testing of goodwill. An asset is considered to be
impaired  when  the  carrying  amount  exceeds  the  fair
value. Upon  determination  that  the  carrying  value  of
the asset is impaired, we would record an impairment
charge or loss to reduce the asset to its fair value. Future
adverse changes in market conditions or poor operating
results of the underlying investment could result in losses
or an inability to recover the carrying value of the invest-
ment;  and,  therefore,  might  require  an  impairment
charge in the future.

• Self-insurance  related  liabilities  of  $1.7  million  as  of
December 31, 2003 include estimates for, among other
things,  projected  settlements  for  known  and  antici-
pated claims for worker’s compensation and employee
health insurance. Key variables in determining such esti-
mates include past claims history, number of covered
employees  and  projected  future  claims.  We  periodi-
cally  evaluate  and,  if  necessary,  adjust  the  estimates
based on information currently available. Revisions to

3 0

these  estimates,  which  could  result  in  adjustments  to
the liability and additional charges, would be recorded
in  the  period  when  such  adjustments  or  charges 
are known.

R e l a t e d   P a r t y   Tr a n s a c t i o n s

We paid the Chairman (and majority shareholder) $0.6
million, $0.6 million and $0.8 million for the use of his
private jet in 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively, which is
based  on  two  times  fuel  costs  and  actual  costs  incurred
for each trip.

In 2001, the Board of Directors determined that a note
receivable  of  $0.4  million  due  from  our  Chairman  (and
majority  shareholder)  was  a  corporate  expense  to  be 
forgiven and charged against income for the year ended
December 31, 2001.

During  2001,  we  terminated  an  arrangement  with  a
company,  in  which  the  Chairman  (and  majority  share-
holder)  has  an  80%  equity  interest.  For  the  year  ended
December 31, 2001, we paid this company $0.5 million
for management and site development services.

A  member  of  our  Board  of  Directors  received  broker
commissions  from  our  401(k)  investment  firm  of  $0.05
million and $0.03 million for the years ended December 31,
2002 and 2001, respectively, and insurance commissions
for the placement of various corporate insurance programs
of  approximately  $0.1  million  for  each  of  the  two  years
ended  December  31,  2002  and  2001,  respectively. This
arrangement  was  terminated  in  2002.  During  2003,  we
determined  that  the  payment  of  these  broker  commis-
sions was a prohibited transaction under Federal regula-
tions. As a result, during 2003, we reimbursed the 401(k)
plan $0.2 million for previously paid broker commissions
and will pay a penalty to the U.S. government of approx-
imately $0.1 million. 

R e c e n t   A c c o u n t i n g   P r o n o u n c e m e n t s

In  June  2001,  the  Financial  Accounting  Standards
Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards (“SFAS”) No. 143, “Accounting for Asset Retire-
ment Obligations,” which addresses financial accounting
and reporting for obligations associated with the retirement
of tangible long-lived assets and the associated asset retire-
ment  costs. This  statement  applies  to  legal  obligations
associated  with  the  retirement  of  long-lived  assets  that
result from the acquisition, construction, and development
and  (or)  normal  use  of  the  asset.  We  implemented  the
provisions of SFAS No. 143 effective January 1, 2003. The
impact of this adoption did not have a material effect on
our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.
In April 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 145, “Rescis-
sion of FASB Statements No. 4, 44, and 64, Amendment
of  FASB  Statement  No.  13,  and Technical  Corrections.”

Among  other  provisions,  SFAS  No.  145  rescinds  SFAS
No. 4, “Reporting Gains and Losses from Extinguishment
of  Debt.” Accordingly,  gains  or  losses  from  extinguish-
ment  of  debt  are  no  longer  reported  as  extraordinary
items unless the extinguishment qualifies as an extraordi-
nary  item  under  the  criteria  of  APB  No.  30,  “Reporting
the  Results  of  Operations—Reporting  the  Effects  of
Disposal  of  a  Segment  of  a  Business,  and  Extraordinary,
Unusual  and  Infrequently  Occurring  Events  and Trans-
actions.” Gains or losses from extinguishment of debt that
do not meet the criteria of APB No. 30 must be reclassified
to income from continuing operations in all prior periods
presented. We  implemented  the  provisions  of  SFAS  No.
145 effective January 1, 2003. The adoption of this state-
ment had no impact on our financial condition, results of
operations, or cash flows.

In July 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 146, “Account-
ing for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities,”
which changes the accounting for costs such as lease ter-
mination costs and certain employee severance costs that
are  associated  with  a  restructuring,  discontinued  opera-
tion,  facilities  closing,  or  other  exit  or  disposal  activity
initiated after December 31, 2002. The statement requires
companies to recognize the fair value of costs associated
with  exit  or  disposal  activities  when  they  are  incurred
rather than at the date of a commitment to an exit or dis-
posal plan. SFAS No. 146 is applicable to exit or disposal
activities initiated on or after January 1, 2003.

In  December  2002,  the  FASB  issued  SFAS  No.  148,
“Accounting  for  Stock-Based  Compensation—Transition
and  Disclosure—an  amendment  of  SFAS  No.  123.” This
statement provides alternative methods of transition for a
voluntary change to the fair value based method of
accounting for stock-based employee compensation. This
statement  also  amends  the  disclosure  requirements  of
SFAS  No.  123  and Accounting  Principles  Board  (“APB”)
Opinion No. 28, “Interim Financial Reporting,” to require
prominent disclosures in both annual and interim finan-
cial statements about the method of accounting for stock-
based  employee  compensation  and  the  effect  of  the
method used on reported results. We implemented SFAS
No.  148  effective  January  1,  2003  regarding  disclosure
requirements  for  condensed  financial  statements  for
interim  periods.  We  did  not  change  to  the  fair  value
based  method  of  accounting  for  stock-based  employee
compensation.

In April 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 149, “Amend-
ment  of  SFAS  No.  133  on  Derivative  Instruments  and
Hedging Activities.” SFAS  No.  149  amends  and  clarifies
the  accounting  for  derivative  instruments,  including  cer-
tain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts,
and for hedging activities under SFAS No. 133, “Accounting
for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.” SFAS
No. 149 is generally effective for contracts entered into or

3 1

modified after June 30, 2003 and for hedging relationships
designated  after  June  30,  2003. This  statement  did  not
have a material effect on our financial condition, results
of operations, or cash flows.

In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150, “Account-
ing for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics
of Both Liabilities and Equity.” SFAS No. 150 requires that 
certain financial instruments, which under previous guid-
ance were accounted for as equity, must now be accounted
for as liabilities. The financial instruments affected include
mandatorily redeemable stock, certain financial instruments
that require or may require the issuer to buy back some
of its shares in exchange for cash or other assets and cer-
tain  obligations  that  can  be  settled  with  shares  of  stock.
SFAS  No.  150  is  effective  for  all  financial  instruments
entered into or modified after May 31, 2003, and other-
wise  is  effective  at  the  beginning  of  the  first  interim
period beginning after June 15, 2003. This statement did
not  have  a  material  effect  on  our  financial  condition,
results of operations, or cash flows.

In  November  2002,  the  EITF  reached  a  consensus  on
EITF  No.  00-21,  “Revenue  Arrangements  with  Multiple
Deliverables,” providing  further  guidance  on  how  to
account  for  multiple  element  contracts. This  consensus
requires that revenue arrangements with multiple deliver-
ables  be  divided  into  separate  units  of  accounting  if  the
deliverables in the arrangement meet specific criteria. In
addition,  arrangement  consideration  must  be  allocated
among  the  separate  units  of  accounting  based  on  their
relative fair values, with certain limitations. EITF No. 00-21
is effective for all arrangements entered into after June 30,
2003. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material
impact  on  our  financial  condition,  results  of  operations,
or the cash flows.

In  August  2003,  the  EITF  reached  consensus  on  EITF
No.  03-5,  “Applicability  of AICPA  Statement  of  Position
97-2,  Software  Revenue  Recognition,  to Non-Software
Deliverables  in  an  Arrangement  Containing  More-than-
Incidental  Software.” EITF  No.  03-5,  which  became
effective on January 1, 2004, provides guidance on deter-
mining  whether  non-software  deliverables  are  included
within the scope of SOP 97-2 and, accordingly, whether
multiple element arrangements are to be accounted for in
accordance with EITF No. 00-21 or SOP 97-2. The adop-
tion of this guidance did not have a material impact on our
financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

In November 2002, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation
(“FIN”) No. 45, “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure
Requirements for Guarantees, Including Direct Guarantees
of Indebtedness of Others.” This interpretation requires us
to record, at the inception of a guarantee, the fair value of
the guarantee as a liability, with the offsetting entry being
recorded  based  on  the  circumstances  in  which  the
guarantee was issued. Funding under the guarantee is to

be recorded as a reduction of the liability. After funding has
ceased, the remaining liability is recognized in the income
statement on a straight-line basis over the remaining term
of the guarantee. We adopted the disclosure provisions of
FIN  No.  45  in  the  fourth  quarter  of  2002  and  the  initial
recognition and initial measurement provisions on a pros-
pective basis for all guarantees issued after December 31,
2002. This interpretation did not have a material effect on
our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.
In  January  2003,  the  FASB  issued  FIN  No.  46,
“Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities,” and a revised
interpretation of FIN No. 46 (FIN No. 46-r) in December
2003,  in  an  effort  to  expand  upon  existing  accounting
guidance that addresses when a company should consol-
idate  the  financial  results  of  another  entity.  FIN  No.  46
requires “variable interest entities,” as defined, to be con-
solidated  by  a  company  if  that  company  is  subject  to  a
majority of expected losses of the entity or is entitled to
receive  a  majority  of  expected  residual  returns  of  the
entity, or both. A company that is required to consolidate
a variable interest entity is referred to as the entity’s pri-
mary beneficiary. The interpretation also requires certain
disclosures  about  variable  interest  entities  that  a  com-
pany is not required to consolidate, but in which it has a
significant variable interest.

The  consolidation  and  disclosure  requirements  apply
immediately to variable interest entities created after
January 31, 2003. We are not the primary beneficiary of
any variable interest entity created after January 31, 2003
nor do we have a significant variable interest in a variable
interest entity created after January 31, 2003.

For  variable  interest  entities  that  existed  before
February 1, 2003, the consolidation requirements of FIN
No. 46-r are effective as of March 31, 2004. The adoption
of  FIN  No.  46-r  will  not  have  a  material  impact  on  our
financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Item 7a. Quantitative and 

Qualitative Disclosures 
About Market Risk

F o r e i g n   C u r r e n c y   a n d  
I n t e r e s t   R a t e   R i s k

Our earnings and cash flows are subject to fluctuations
due to changes in non-U.S. currency exchange rates. We
are exposed to non-U.S. exchange rate fluctuations as the
financial  results  of  non-U.S.  subsidiaries  are  translated
into U.S. dollars in consolidation. As exchange rates vary,
those  results,  when  translated,  may  vary  from  expecta-
tions and adversely impact overall expected profitability.
The  cumulative  translation  effects  for  subsidiaries  using
functional  currencies  other  than  the  U.S.  dollar  are
included  in  accumulated  other  comprehensive  loss  in

3 2

shareholders’  equity.  Movements  in  non-U.S.  currency
exchange  rates  may  affect  our  competitive  position,  as
exchange  rate  changes  may  affect  business  practices
and/or  pricing  strategies  of  non-U.S.  based  competitors.
Under our current policy, we do not use non-U.S. exchange
derivative instruments to manage exposure to changes in
non-U.S. currency exchange rates.

Our exposure to interest rate risk results from variable
debt  outstanding  under  our  revolving  credit  facility,
which we elected to cancel effective as of December 31,
2003. Based on our level of variable rate debt outstanding
during the year ended December 31, 2003, a one-point
increase in the weighted average interest rate, which gen-
erally  equals  the  LIBOR  rate  plus  an  applicable  margin,
would not have had a material impact on our annual
interest expense.

At  December  31,  2003,  we  had  no  debt  outstanding 
at  variable  interest  rates.  We  have  not  historically  used
derivative instruments to manage exposure to changes in
interest rates.

Item 8. Financial Statements and

Supplementary Data

The  financial  statements  and  supplementary  data
required  by  this  item  are  located  beginning  on  page  39
and page 27 of this report, respectively.

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements

with Accountants on
Accounting and Financial
Disclosures

There were no significant changes in our internal con-
trols  over  financial  reporting  during  the  quarter  ended
December 31, 2003 that have materially affected, or are
reasonably  likely  to  materially  affect,  our  internal  con-
trols over financial reporting.

P A R T   I I I

Items 10. through 14.

All information required by Items 10 through 14, with
the exception of information on Executive Officers which
appears  in  the  report  under  the  caption  “Executive
Officers,”  is  incorporated  by  reference  to  Sykes’  Proxy
Statement for the 2004 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

P A R T   I V

Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement

Schedule, and Reports on
Form 8-K

( a )   T h e   f o l l o w i n g   d o c u m e n t s   a r e

f i l e d   a s   p a r t   o f   t h i s   r e p o r t :

(1) Consolidated Financial Statements

The Index to Consolidated Financial Statements is set

forth on page 39 of this report.

(2) Financial Statement Schedule

Schedule II—Valuation and Qualifying Accounts is set

forth on page 64 of this report.

None.

(3) Exhibits

Item 9a. Controls and Procedures

As of December 31, 2003, under the direction of our
Chief  Executive  Officer  and  Chief  Financial  Officer,  we
evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of
our  disclosure  controls  and  procedures,  as  defined  in
Rules  13a–15(e)  and  15d–15(e)  under  the  Securities
Exchange Act  of  1934,  as  amended. We  concluded  that
our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as
of December 31, 2003, such that the information required
to be disclosed in our SEC reports is recorded, processed,
summarized and reported within the time periods specified
by the SEC’s rules and forms, and is accumulated and com-
municated  to  management,  including  our  Chief  Execu-
tive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to
allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Exhibit
No.

2.1

2.2

2.3

2.4

Exhibit Description

Articles  of  Merger  between  Sykes  Enterprises,
Incorporated, a North Carolina Corporation, and
Sykes  Enterprises, 
Incorporated,  a  Florida
Corporation, dated March 1, 1996.(1)
Articles  of  Merger  between  Sykes  Enterprises,
Incorporated and Sykes Realty, Inc.(1)
Stock  Purchase  Agreement  dated  July  1,  1996
among Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated and Johan
Holm, Arne Weinz and Norhold Invest AB.(2)
Stock  Purchase  Agreement  dated  August  30,
1996 among Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated and
Gordon H. Kraft.(3)

2.5 Merger Agreement dated as of January 10, 1997
among  Sykes  Enterprises,  Incorporated,  Info
Systems  of  North  Carolina,  Inc.  and  ISNC
Acquisition Co.(4)

3 3

2.6

2.7

2.8

2.9

Stock Purchase Agreement dated March 28, 1997
among  Sykes  Enterprises,  Incorporated,  Sykes
Holdings  of  Belgium,  B.V.B.A.,  Cycle  B.V.B.A.
and Michael McMahon.(5)
Joint  Integration,  Marketing  and  Distribution
Agreement  dated  April  30,  1997  by  and 
between  Sykes  Enterprises,  Incorporated  and
SystemSoft Corporation.(8)
Stock  Purchase  Agreement  dated  May  6,  1997
by and between Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated
and SystemSoft Corporation.(9)
Acquisition  Agreement,  dated  May  30,  1997, 
by  and  among  the  holders  of  all  of  the 
capital  interests  of Telcare  Gesellschaft  fur
Telekommunikations-Mehrwertdienste  mbH,
Sykes Enterprises GmbH, and Sykes Enterprises,
Incorporated.(6)

2.10 Acquisition  Agreement,  dated  September  19,
1997,  by  and  among  the  holders  of  all  of 
the  capital  interests  of  TAS  Telemarketing
Gesellschaft  fur  Kommunikation  und  Dialog
mbH,  Sykes  Enterprises,  GmbH,  and  Sykes
Enterprises, Incorporated.(7)

2.11 Acquisition  Agreement,  dated  September  25,
1997,  by  and  among  the  holders  of  all  of  the
capital  interests  of  TAS  Hedi  Fabinyi  GmbH,
Sykes Enterprises, GmbH, and Sykes Enterprises,
Incorporated.(10)

2.12 Shareholder  Agreement  dated  December  11,
1997,  by  and  among  Sykes  Enterprises,  Incor-
porated and HealthPlan Services Corporation.(12)
2.13 Acquisition  Agreement,  dated  December  31,
1997,  by  and  among  the  holders  of  all  of  the
capital  interests  of  McQueen  International
Limited and Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated.(11)

2.14 Stock  Purchase Agreement,  dated  September  1,
1998, between HealthPlan Services Corporation
and Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated.(16)

2.15 Acquisition  Agreement,  dated  November  23,
1998,  by  and  among  the  holders  of  all  of 
the  capital  interests  of  TAS  GmbH  Nord
Telemarketing  und  Vertriebsberatung,  Sykes
Enterprises,  GmbH,  and  Sykes  Enterprises,
Incorporated.(18)

2.16 Combination  Agreement,  dated  December  29,
1998,  by  and  among  the  holders  of  all 
of  the  capital  interests  of  Oracle  Service
Networks  Corporation  and  Sykes  Enterprises,
Incorporated.(17)

Sykes 

2.17 Merger  Agreement,  dated  as  of  June  9,  2000,
among 
Incorporated, 
SHPS,  Incorporated,  Welsh  Carson  Anderson
and  Stowe,  VIII,  LP  (“WCAS”)  and  Slugger
Acquisition Corp.(35)

Enterprises, 

3.1

3.2

3.3

4.1

10.1

10.2

10.3

10.4

10.5

10.6

10.7

10.8

10.9

Articles  of  Incorporation  of  Sykes  Enterprises,
Incorporated, as amended.(19)
Articles  of  Amendment  to  Articles  of  Incor-
poration  of  Sykes  Enterprises,  Incorporated, 
as amended.(20)
Bylaws  of  Sykes  Enterprises,  Incorporated,  as
amended.(21)
Specimen  certificate  for  the  Common  Stock  of
Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated.(1)
Credit  Agreement  between  NationsBank  N.A.
and  Sykes  Enterprises,  Incorporated  dated  as  of
February 17, 1998.(14)
Amendment No. 1 to Credit Agreement between
NationsBank  N.A.  and  Sykes  Enterprises,  Incor-
porated dated as of March 20, 1998.(15)
Amended  and  Restated  Credit  Agreement
among Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated and Bank
of America, NA, dated May 2, 2000.(21)
Amendment  No.  1  to  Amended  and  Restated
Credit  Agreement  among  Sykes  Enterprises,
Incorporated  and  Bank  of America,  N.A.,  dated
June 22, 2001.(38)
Amendment  No.  2  to  Amended  and  Restated
Credit  Agreement  among  Sykes  Enterprises,
Incorporated  and  Bank  of America,  N.A.,  dated
December 21, 2001.(42)
Credit  Agreement  among  Sykes  Enterprises,
Incorporated  and  Bank  of  America,  N.A.  (for-
merly  NationsBank,  N.A.)  dated  February  27,
1998,  as  amended  October  1998,  January  18,
2000, May 2, 2000 and June 22, 2001.(39)
Amendment  No.  5  to  Credit Agreement  among
Sykes  Enterprises,  Incorporated  and  Bank  of
America, N.A., dated December 21, 2001.(42)
Employment  Agreement  dated  as  of  March  6,
2000  between  James  E.  Lamar  and  Sykes
Enterprises, Incorporated.(23)*
Employment  Agreement  dated  as  of  January  1,
2004, between Charles E. Sykes and Sykes Enter-
prises, Incorporated.(47)*

10.10 Stock  Option  Agreement  between  Sykes
Enterprises,  Incorporated  and  David  E.  Garner
dated as of December 31, 1995.(41)*

10.11 Amended  and  Restated  1996  Employee  Stock

Option Plan.(36)*

10.12 Amended  and  Restated  1996  Non-Employee

Director Stock Option Plan.(36)*

10.13 1996 Non-Employee Directors’ Fee Plan.(1)*
10.14 Form of Split Dollar Plan Documents.(1)*
10.15 Form of Split Dollar Agreement.(1)*
10.16 Form of Indemnity Agreement between directors
and  executive  officers  and  Sykes  Enterprises,
Incorporated.(1)

3 4

10.17 Aircraft  Lease  Agreement  between  JHS  Leasing
of Tampa,  Inc.  as  lessor  and  Sykes  Enterprises,
Incorporated as lessee, dated December 1, 1995.(1)
10.18 Single  Tenant  Property  Lease  Agreement
between  Sykes  Investments  as  landlord  and
Sykes  Enterprises,  Incorporated  as  tenant  dated
October  31,  1989,  for  building  in  Charlotte,
North Carolina.(1)

10.19 Tax  Indemnification  Agreement  between  Sykes

Enterprises, Incorporated and John H. Sykes.(1)*

10.20 Consultant Agreement between Sykes Enterprises,
Incorporated  and  E.J.  Milani  Consulting  Corp.
dated April 1, 1996.(1)*

10.21 1997 Management Stock Incentive Plan.(13)*
10.22 1999 Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan.(22)*
10.23 2000 Stock Option Plan.(24)*
10.24 Employment  Agreement  dated  as  of  March  6,
2000  between  David  L.  Grimes  and  Sykes
Enterprises, Incorporated.(25)*

10.25 Termination  of  aircraft  Lease  Agreement
between  JHS  Leasing  of Tampa,  Inc.,  as  lessor
and  Sykes  Enterprises,  Incorporated  as  lessee
dated June 30, 2000.(29)

10.26 Employment  Agreement  dated  July  31,  2000
between  James  E.  Lamar  and  Sykes  Enterprises,
Incorporated.(30)*

10.27 Employment  Separation  Agreement  dated  as  of
September  20,  2000  between  Dale  W.  Saville
and Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated.(31)*
10.28 Employment  Separation  Agreement  dated  as  of
September  22,  2000  between  Scott  J.  Bendert
and Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated.(32)*
10.29 Employment  Separation  Agreement  dated
November  10,  2000  between  David  L.  Grimes
and Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated.(33)*
10.30 Employment  Agreement  dated  July  31,  2000
between Mitchell I. Nelson and Sykes Enterprises,
Incorporated.(34)*

10.31 Amended  and  Restated  Employment  Agree-
ment  dated  as  of  October  1,  2001,  between 
W.  Michael  Kipphut  and  Sykes  Enterprises,
Incorporated.(42)*

10.32 2001 Equity Incentive Plan.(37)*
10.33 Employment  Agreement  dated  as  of  March  6,
2000  between  Scott  J.  Bendert  and  Sykes
Enterprises, Incorporated.(26)*

10.34 Employment  Agreement  dated  as  of  March  6,
2000  between  Dale  W.  Saville  and  Sykes
Enterprises, Incorporated.(27)*

10.35 Employment Separation Agreement dated July 5,
2001  between  James  E.  Lamar  and  Sykes
Enterprises, Incorporated.(40)*

10.36 Employment  Agreement  dated  as  of  March  5,
2004, between Jenna R. Nelson and Sykes Enter-
prises, Incorporated.(47)*

10.37 Employment  Agreement  dated  as  of  March  5,
2004, between Gerry L. Rogers and Sykes Enter-
prises, Incorporated.(47)*

10.38 Amended  and  Restated  Executive  Employment
Agreement  dated  as  of  October  1,  2001
between  John  H.  Sykes  and  Sykes  Enterprises,
Incorporated.(42)*

10.39 Employment Agreement dated as of April 1, 2003,
between James T. Holder and Sykes Enterprises,
Incorporated.(47)*

10.40 Stock Option Agreement dated as of October 1,
2001,  between  Sykes  Enterprises,  Incorporated
and James T. Holder.(42)*

10.41 Stock Option Agreement dated as of October 1,
2001,  between  Sykes  Enterprises,  Incorporated
and W. Michael Kipphut.(42)*

10.42 Stock  Option Agreement  dated  as  of  January  8,
2002,  between  Sykes  Enterprises,  Incorporated
and John H. Sykes.(42)*

10.43 Amended and Restated Employment Agreement
dated as of March 6, 2002, between Sykes Enter-
prises, Incorporated and Harry A. Jackson, Jr.(42)*
10.44 Employment Agreement dated as of April 1, 2003,
between  Sykes  Enterprises,  Incorporated  and
William N. Rocktoff.(47)*

10.45 Employment  Separation  Agreement  dated  as  of
November  5,  2001,  between  Mitchell  Nelson
and Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated.(42)*
10.46 Senior  Revolving  Credit  Facility  between
SunTrust, Wachovia and BNP Paribas and Sykes
Enterprises,  Incorporated  dated  as  of  April  5,
2002 and Schedule I-1.(43)

10.47 Stock Option Agreement dated as of March 11,
2002  between  Sykes  Enterprises,  Incorporated
and Jenna R. Nelson.(43)*

10.48 Stock Option Agreement dated as of March 11,
2002  between  Sykes  Enterprises,  Incorporated
and Gerry Rogers.(43)*

10.49 Stock Option Agreement dated as of March 15,
2002  between  Sykes  Enterprises,  Incorporated
and Charles E. Sykes.(43)*

10.50 Stock Option Agreement dated as of March 15,
2002  between  Sykes  Enterprises,  Incorporated
and Charles E. Sykes.(43)*

10.51 Stock Option Agreement dated as of March 18,
2002  between  Sykes  Enterprises,  Incorporated
and William Rocktoff.(43)*

10.52 Stock Option Agreement dated as of March 18,
2002  between  Sykes  Enterprises,  Incorporated
and William Rocktoff.(43)*

3 5

10.53 Stock  Option  Agreement  dated  as  of  March  6,
2002  between  Sykes  Enterprises,  Incorporated
and Harry A. Jackson, Jr.(43)*

10.54 Amendment No. 1 to Revolving Credit Agreement
without  exhibits  between  Sun Trust,  Wachovia
and BNP Paribas and Sykes Enterprises, Incorpo-
rated dated as of September 30, 2002.(44)
10.55 Stock Option Agreement dated as of December 23,
2002  between  Sykes  Enterprises,  Incorporated
and Harry A. Jackson, Jr.(45)*

10.56 Employment Separation Agreement, Waiver and
Release  dated  as  of  June  9,  2003  between 
Harry A. Jackson, Jr. and Sykes Enterprises,
Incorporated.(46)*

10.57 Amendment  No.  2  to  Revolving  Credit  Agree-
ment  between  SunTrust  Bank,  Wachovia  Bank
and  BNP  Paribas  and  Sykes  Enterprises,  Incor-
porated dated as of June 30, 2003.(46)

10.58 Employment Agreement dated as of September 2,
2003,  between  Sykes  Enterprises,  Incorporated
and James C. Hobby.(47)*

14.
21.1

23.1
24.1

10.59 Employment Agreement  dated  as  of  October  6,
2003,  between  Sykes  Enterprises,  Incorporated
and Daniel L. Hernandez.(47)*
Code of Ethics(48)
List  of  subsidiaries  of  Sykes  Enterprises,
Incorporated.
Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
Power  of  Attorney  relating  to  subsequent 
amendments (included on the signature page of
this report).
Certification of Chief Executive Officer, pursuant
to 15 U.S.C. §7241.
Certification of Chief Financial Officer, pursuant
to 15 U.S.C. §7241.
Certification of Chief Executive Officer, pursuant
to 18 U.S.C. §1350.
Certification of Chief Financial Officer, pursuant
to 18 U.S.C. §1350.

32.1

31.2

32.2

31.1

*

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

Indicates  management  contract  or  compensatory  plan  or
arrangement
Filed as an Exhibit to the Registrant’s Registration Statement
on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-2324) and incorporated
herein by reference.
Filed  as  Exhibit  2.1  to  the  Registrant’s  Form  8-K  dated 
July 31, 1996, and incorporated herein by reference.
Filed  as  Exhibit  2.1  to  the  Registrant’s  Form  8-K  dated
September 16, 1996, and incorporated herein by reference.
Included as Appendix A to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus
contained  in  the  Registrant’s  Registration  Statement  on
Form  S-4  (Registration  No.  333-20465)  filed  with  the
Commission on January 27, 1997, and incorporated herein
by reference.

3 6

(5)

(6)

(7)

(8)

(9)

Filed as Exhibit 2.6 to the Registrant’s Form 10-Q filed with
the Commission on May 8, 1997, and incorporated herein
by reference.
Filed  as  Exhibit  2.2  to  the  Registrant’s  Current  Report  on
Form 8-K filed with the Commission on October 21, 1997,
and incorporated herein by reference.
Filed  as  Exhibit  2.1  to  the  Registrant’s  Current  Report  on
Form 8-K filed with the Commission on February 13, 1998,
and incorporated herein by reference.
Filed as Exhibit 2.8 to the Registrant’s Form 10-Q filed with
the  Commission  on  August  18,  1997,  and  incorporated
herein by reference.
Filed as Exhibit 2.7 to the Registrant’s Form 10-Q filed with
the  Commission  on  August  18,  1997,  and  incorporated
herein by reference.

(10) Filed  as  Exhibit  2.2  to  the  Registrant’s  Current  Report  on
Form 8-K filed with the Commission on February 13, 1998,
and incorporated herein by reference.

(11) Filed  as  Exhibit  2.1  to  the  Registrant’s  Current  Report  on
Form 8-K filed with the Commission on dated January 15,
1998, and incorporated herein by reference.

(12) Filed as Exhibit 2.12 to the Registrant’s Form 10-K filed with
the  Commission  on  March  16,  1998,  and  incorporated
herein by reference.

(13) Filed as Exhibit 10 to the Registrant’s Form 10-Q filed with
the Commission on July 28, 1998, and incorporated herein
by reference.

(14) Filed  as  Exhibit  10.1  to  the  Registrant’s  Form  10-Q  filed
with the Commission on April 28, 1998, and incorporated
herein by reference.

(15) Filed  as  Exhibit  10.2  to  the  Registrant’s  Form  10-Q  filed
with the Commission on April 28, 1998, and incorporated
herein by reference.

(16) Filed  as  Exhibit  2.1  to  the  Registrant’s  Current  Report  on
Form  8-K  filed  with  the  Commission  on  September  25,
1998, and incorporated herein by reference.

(17) Filed  as  an  Exhibit  to  the  Registrant’s  Current  Report  on
Form  8-K  dated  December  29,  1998,  and  incorporated
herein by reference.

(18) Filed as Exhibit 2.15 to the Registrant’s Form 10-K filed with
the  Commission  on  March  29,  1999,  and  incorporated
herein by reference.

(19) Filed  as  Exhibit  3.1  to  the  Registrant’s  Registration  State-
ment on Form S-3 filed with the Commission on October 23,
1997, and incorporated herein by reference.

(20) Filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant’s Form 10-K filed with
the  Commission  on  March  29,  1999,  and  incorporated
herein by reference.

(21) Filed  as  Exhibit  3.2  to  the  Registrant’s  Registration  State-
ment on Form S-3 filed with the Commission on October 23,
1997, and incorporated herein by reference.

(22) Filed  as  Exhibit  10.19  to  the  Registrant’s  Form  10-K  filed
with the Commission on March 29, 1999, and incorporated
herein by reference.

(23) Filed as Exhibit 10.8 to the Registrant’s Form 10-K filed with
the  Commission  on  March  29,  2000,  and  incorporated
herein by reference.

(43) Filed as an Exhibit to Registrant’s Form 10-Q filed with the
Commission  on  May  9,  2002,  and  incorporated  herein  by
reference.

(44) Filed as an Exhibit to Registrant’s Form 10-Q filed with the
Commission  on  November  14,  2002,  and  incorporated
herein by reference.

(45) Filed as an Exhibit to Registrant’s Form 10-K filed with the
Commission on March 24, 2003, and incorporated herein
by reference.

(46) Filed as an Exhibit to Registrant’s Form 10-Q filed with the
Commission on August 11, 2003, and incorporated herein
by reference.

(47) Filed as an Exhibit to Registrant’s Form 10-K filed with the
Commission on March 10, 2004, and incorporated herein
by reference.

(48) To be filed as Exhibit 1 to Registrant’s Proxy Statement for
the  2004  annual  meeting  of  shareholders  to  be  filed  with
the Commission on or before April 29, 2004.

( b )   R e p o r t s   o n   F o r m   8 - K

We filed the following reports on Form 8-K during the

quarter ended December 31, 2003:

We  filed  a  current  report  on  Form  8-K,  dated
October 27, 2003, with the Securities and Exchange Com-
mission  on  October  27,  2003,  reporting  under  Item  12,
the  filing  of  a  press  release  announcing  our  financial
results for the quarter ended September 30, 2003.

We  filed  a  current  report  on  Form  8-K,  dated
December 2, 2003, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on December 3, 2003, reporting under 
Item 5, the filing of a press release regarding the adoption
of  a  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  Rule  10b5-1
trading  plan  by  Chairman  and  Chief  Executive  Officer,
John Sykes.

(24) Filed  as  Exhibit  10.23  to  the  Registrant’s  Form  10-K  filed
with the Commission on March 29, 2000, and incorporated
herein by reference.

(25) Filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Form 10-K filed with
the  Commission  on  March  29,  2000,  and  incorporated
herein by reference.

(26) Filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant’s Form 10-K filed with
the  Commission  on  March  29,  2000,  and  incorporated
herein by reference.

(27) Filed as Exhibit 10.6 to the Registrant’s Form 10-K filed with
the  Commission  on  March  29,  2000,  and  incorporated
herein by reference.

(28) Filed  as  Exhibit  10.24  to  the  Registrant’s  Form  10-Q  filed
with  the  Commission  on  August  14,  2000,  and  incorpo-
rated herein by reference.

(29) Filed  as  Exhibit  10.25  to  the  Registrant’s  Form  10-Q  filed
with  the  Commission  on  August  14,  2000,  and  incorpo-
rated herein by reference.

(30) Filed  as  Exhibit  10.26  to  the  Registrant’s  Form  10-Q  filed
with the Commission on November 20, 2000, and incorpo-
rated herein by reference.

(31) Filed  as  Exhibit  10.27  to  the  Registrant’s  Form  10-Q  filed
with the Commission on November 20, 2000, and incorpo-
rated herein by reference.

(32) Filed  as  Exhibit  10.28  to  the  Registrant’s  Form  10-Q  filed
with the Commission on November 20, 2000, and incorpo-
rated herein by reference.

(33) Filed  as  Exhibit  10.29  to  the  Registrant’s  Form  10-K  filed
with the Commission on March 27, 2001, and incorporated
herein by reference.

(34) Filed  as  Exhibit  10.30  to  the  Registrant’s  Form  10-K  filed
with the Commission on March 27, 2001, and incorporated
herein by reference.

(35) Filed  as  Exhibit  2.1  to  the  Registrant’s  Current  Report  on
Form 8-K filed with the Commission on July 17, 2000, and
incorporated herein by reference.

(36) Filed as Exhibit 10.12 to Registrant’s Form 10-Q filed with
the Commission on May 7, 2001, and incorporated herein
by reference.

(37) Filed as Exhibit 10.32 to Registrant’s Form 10-Q filed with
the Commission on May 7, 2001, and incorporated herein
by reference.

(38) Filed as Exhibit 10.33 to Registrant’s Form 10-Q filed with
the  Commission  on  August  14,  2001,  and  incorporated
herein by reference.

(39) Filed as Exhibit 10.34 to Registrant’s Form 10-Q filed with
the  Commission  on  August  14,  2001,  and  incorporated
herein by reference.

(40) Filed as Exhibit 10.35 to Registrant’s Form 10-Q filed with
the  Commission  on  August  14,  2001,  and  incorporated
herein by reference.

(41) Filed as Exhibit 10.9 to the Registrant’s Form 10-K filed with
the  Commission  on  March  29,  2000,  and  incorporated
herein by reference.

(42) Filed as an Exhibit to Registrant’s Form 10-K filed with the
Commission on March 15, 2002, and incorporated herein
by reference.

3 7

Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly
caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Tampa, and
State of Florida, on this 10th day of March 2004.

SYKES ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED
(Registrant)

By: /s/ W. Michael Kipphut

W. Michael Kipphut,
Group Executive, Senior Vice President—Finance

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the follow-
ing  persons  in  the  capacities  and  on  the  dates  indicated.  Each  person  whose  signature  appears  below  constitutes  and
appoints W. Michael Kipphut his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and revoca-
tion, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this report
and  to  file  the  same,  with  all  exhibits  thereto,  and  other  documents  in  connection  therewith,  with  the  Securities  and
Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do
and  perform  each  and  every  act  and  thing  requisite  and  necessary  to  be  done  in  connection  therewith,  as  fully  to  all
intents and purposes as he might or should do in person, thereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact
and agents, or either of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Title

Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer 
(Principal Executive Officer)

Date

March 10, 2004

Vice Chairman of the Board and Director

March 10, 2004

Signature

/s/ John H. Sykes

John H. Sykes

/s/ Gordon H. Loetz

Gordon H. Loetz

/s/ Mark C. Bozek

Mark C. Bozek

Director

/s/ Furman P. Bodenheimer, Jr.

Director

Furman P. Bodenheimer, Jr.

/s/ Lt. Gen. Michael P. Delong (Ret.)

Director

Lt. Gen. Michael P. Delong (Ret.)

/s/ H. Parks Helms

H. Parks Helms

Director

/s/ Linda F. McClintock-Greco, M.D.

Director

Linda F. McClintock-Greco, M.D.

/s/ William J. Meurer

William J. Meurer

/s/ Ernest J. Milani

Ernest J. Milani

/s/ Thomas F. Skelly

Thomas F. Skelly

/s/ Paul L. Whiting

Paul L. Whiting

3 8

Director

Director

Director

Director

March 10, 2004

March 10, 2004

March 10, 2004

March 10, 2004

March 10, 2004

March 10, 2004

March 10, 2004

March 10, 2004

March 10, 2004

Table of Contents

Independent Auditors’ Report—Deloitte & Touche LLP ...................................................................................

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2003 and 2002 .................................................................

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001 .................

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the years ended 

December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001..........................................................................................................

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001.................

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements....................................................................................................

Page No.

40

41

42

43

44

45

3 9

Independent Auditors’ Report

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of 

Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance
sheets of Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated and subsidiaries
(the “Company”) as of December 31, 2003 and 2002 and
the  related  consolidated  statements  of  operations,
changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each
of  the  three  years  in  the  period  ended  December  31,
2003.  Our  audits  also  included  the  financial  statement
schedules, listed in the Index at Item 15. These financial
statements  and  financial  statement  schedules  are  the
responsibility of the Company’s management. Our respon-
sibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements
and financial statement schedules based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing stan-
dards generally accepted in the United States of America.
Those  standards  require  that  we  plan  and  perform  the
audit  to  obtain  reasonable  assurance  about  whether  the
financial statements are free of material misstatement. An
audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence sup-
porting  the  amounts  and  disclosures  in  the  financial
statements. An audit also includes assessing the account-
ing  principles  used  and  significant  estimates  made  by
management,  as  well  as  evaluating  the  overall  financial
statement  presentation.  We  believe  that  our  audits  pro-
vide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In  our  opinion,  the  consolidated  financial  statements
referred  to  above  present  fairly,  in  all  material  respects,
the  financial  position  of  Sykes  Enterprises,  Incorporated
and subsidiaries at December 31, 2003 and 2002 and the
results of their operations and their cash flows for each of
the three years in the period ended December 31, 2003, in
conformity with accounting principles generally accepted
in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, such
financial statement schedules as of and for the three years
in the period ended December 31, 2003, when considered
in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements
taken  as  a  whole,  present  fairly  in  all  material  respects
the information set forth therein.

Certified Public Accountants

March 10, 2004
Tampa, Florida

4 0

SYKES ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except per share data)

ASSETS
Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents ...........................................................................................
Receivables, net ...........................................................................................................
Prepaid expenses and other current assets....................................................................

Total current assets ...............................................................................................
Property and equipment, net ............................................................................................
Goodwill, net ...................................................................................................................
Deferred charges and other assets ....................................................................................

December 31,

2003

2002

$ 92,085
77,494
11,813

181,392
107,194
5,085
19,583

$ 79,480
74,303
9,724

163,507
109,618
4,834
18,882

$313,254

$296,841

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:

Current installments of long-term debt .........................................................................
Accounts payable .........................................................................................................
Accrued employee compensation and benefits ............................................................
Other accrued expenses and current liabilities.............................................................

Total current liabilities ..........................................................................................
Deferred grants.................................................................................................................
Deferred revenue .............................................................................................................
Other long-term liabilities ................................................................................................

$

87
17,706
30,869
14,226

62,888
27,369
19,835
2,330

$

52
12,200
33,792
16,348

62,392
35,067
15,739
1,298

Total liabilities ......................................................................................................

112,422

114,496

Commitments and contingencies (Note 14)
Shareholders’ equity:

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 10,000 shares authorized; 

no shares issued and outstanding .............................................................................

—

—

Common stock, $0.01 par value; 200,000 shares authorized; 

43,771 and 43,491 issued........................................................................................
Additional paid-in capital.............................................................................................
Retained earnings.........................................................................................................
Accumulated other comprehensive loss .......................................................................

Treasury stock at cost: 3,557 shares and 3,099 shares ..................................................

438
163,511
81,513
(208)

245,254
(44,422)

Total shareholders’ equity.....................................................................................

200,832

435
162,117
72,208
(11,101)

223,659
(41,314)

182,345

$313,254

$296,841

See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

41

SYKES ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Operations

(In thousands, except per share data)

Years Ended December 31,
2002

2001

2003

Revenues ........................................................................................................

$480,359

$452,737

$496,722

Operating expenses:

Direct salaries and related costs .................................................................
General and administrative.........................................................................
Net (gain) loss on disposal of property and equipment ...............................
Restructuring and other charges (reversals) .................................................
Impairment of long-lived assets ..................................................................

309,489
161,743
(1,595)
(646)
—

287,141
155,547
(945)
20,814
1,475

315,118
165,389
495
14,600
1,480

Total operating expenses ........................................................................

468,991

464,032

497,082

Income (loss) from operations.........................................................................

11,368

(11,295)

(360)

Other income (expense):

Litigation settlement ...................................................................................
Interest, net.................................................................................................
Other..........................................................................................................

Total other income (expense)..................................................................

—
1,266
1,322

2,588

Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes ...............................

13,956

Provision (benefit) for income taxes:

Current .......................................................................................................
Deferred .....................................................................................................

Total provision (benefit) for income taxes ...............................................

5,707
(1,056)

4,651

(13,800)
517
132

(13,151)

(24,446)

2,790
(8,605)

(5,815)

Net income (loss)  ..........................................................................................

$ 9,305

$ (18,631)

Net income (loss) per share:

Basic ..........................................................................................................

Diluted .......................................................................................................

$

$

0.23

0.23

$

$

(0.46)

(0.46)

—
408
138

546

186

(4,873)
4,650

(223)

409

0.01

0.01

$

$

$

Weighted average shares:

Basic ..........................................................................................................

Diluted .......................................................................................................

40,300

40,441

40,405

40,183

40,405

40,468

See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

42

SYKES ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

(In thousands)

Balance at January 1, 2001...............
Issuance of common stock................
Tax benefit of exercise of 

non-qualified stock options ..........
Purchase of treasury stock ................
Comprehensive loss..........................

Balance at December 31, 2001 ........
Issuance of common stock................
Tax benefit of exercise of 

non-qualified stock options ..........
Purchase of treasury stock ................
Comprehensive loss..........................

Balance at December 31, 2002 ........
Issuance of common stock................
Tax benefit of exercise of 

non-qualified stock options ..........
Purchase of treasury stock ................
Comprehensive income ....................

Common Stock

Shares

Amount

Additional
Paid-In
Capital

Accumulated
Other

Retained Comprehensive
Earnings

Loss

Treasury
Stock

Total

43,084
216

$431
2

$159,696
973

$ 90,430
—

$(14,082)
—

$(40,583)
—

$195,892
975

—
—
—

43,300
191

—
—
—

43,491
280

—
—
—

—
—
—

433
2

—
—
—

435
3

—
—
—

238
—
—

—
—
409

160,907
984

90,839
—

—
226
—
—
— (18,631)

—
—
(6,130)

(20,212)
—

—
—
9,111

—
(172)
—

238
(172)
(5,721)

(40,755)
—

191,212
986

—
(559)
—

226
(559)
(9,520)

162,117
1,166

72,208
—

(11,101)
—

(41,314)
—

182,345
1,169

228
—
—

—
—
9,305

—
—
10,893

—
(3,108)
—

228
(3,108)
20,198

Balance at December 31, 2003........

43,771

$438

$163,511

$ 81,513

$

(208)

$(44,422)

$200,832

See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

43

SYKES ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income (loss) ...........................................................................................
Depreciation and amortization .......................................................................
Impairment of long-lived assets ......................................................................
Restructuring and other charges (reversals) .....................................................
Litigation settlement, including cash paid of $13.4 million ............................
Deferred income tax (benefit) provision..........................................................
Tax benefit from stock options ........................................................................
Net (gain) loss on disposal of property and equipment ...................................
Changes in assets and liabilities:

Receivables ................................................................................................
Prepaid expenses and other current assets..................................................
Deferred charges and other assets ..............................................................
Accounts payable .......................................................................................
Income taxes receivable/payable ................................................................
Accrued employee compensation and benefits...........................................
Other accrued expenses and current liabilities ...........................................
Deferred revenue........................................................................................
Other long-term liabilities ..........................................................................

Years Ended December 31,
2002

2001

2003

$ 9,305
30,125
—
(646)
—
(1,056)
228
(1,595)

(2,498)
(1,520)
(729)
1,940
9,057
(5,141)
(3,113)
(136)
3

$(18,631)
34,338
1,475
20,814
13,800
(8,605)
226
(945)

$

409
34,937
1,480
14,600
—
4,650
238
495

22,363
2,758
(113)
(2,134)
2,122
(2,038)
(18,052)
(3,946)
(121)

46,708
1,759
5,520
(15,459)
(14,328)
(3,490)
(9,711)
(6,750)
(358)

Net cash provided by operating activities ...............................................

34,224

43,311

60,700

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital expenditures.......................................................................................
Acquisition of intangible assets.......................................................................
Proceeds from sale of facilities .......................................................................
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment ..............................................

(29,273)
—
2,411
212

(20,203)
(1,901)
2,000
244

(39,058)
—
—
682

Net cash used for investing activities ......................................................

(26,650)

(19,860)

(38,376)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Paydowns under revolving line of credit agreements ......................................
Borrowings under revolving line of credit agreements ....................................
Payments of long-term debt ............................................................................
Borrowings under long-term debt ...................................................................
Proceeds from issuance of stock .....................................................................
Proceeds from grants ......................................................................................
Purchase of treasury stock ..............................................................................

Net cash (used for) provided by financing activities................................

Effects of exchange rates on cash...................................................................

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents .....................................................
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS—BEGINNING .........................................

(1,600)
1,600
(45)
71
1,169
—
(3,108)

(1,913)

6,944

12,605
79,480

—
—
(42)
—
986
—
(559)

385

(13,363)
13,336
(8,430)
106
975
9,156
(172)

1,608

5,642

(4,071)

29,478
50,002

19,861
30,141

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS—ENDING................................................

$ 92,085

$ 79,480

$ 50,002

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

Cash paid during the year for:

Interest ...................................................................................................
Income taxes ..........................................................................................

$
460
$ 9,708

$ 1,155
$ 10,531

$
896
$ 8,461

See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

44

SYKES ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated and consolidated sub-
sidiaries (“Sykes” or the “Company”) provides outsourced
customer  contact  management  solutions  and  services  in
the business process outsourcing (“BPO”) arena to com-
panies, primarily within the communications, technology/
consumer, financial services, healthcare, and transportation
and leisure industries. Sykes provides flexible, high quality
outsourced  customer  contact  management  services  with
an emphasis on inbound technical support and customer
service.  Utilizing  Sykes’  integrated  onshore/offshore
global delivery model, Sykes provides its services through
multiple communications channels encompassing phone,
e-mail, Web and chat. Sykes complements its outsourced
customer contact management services with various enter-
prise support  services  in  the  United  States  that  encom-
pass services for a company’s internal support operations,
from  technical  staffing  services  to  outsourced  corporate
help desk services. In Europe, Sykes also provides fulfill-
ment services including multilingual sales order process-
ing via the Internet and phone, inventory control, product
delivery and product returns handling. The Company has
operations  in  two  geographic  regions  entitled  (1)  the
Americas, which includes the United States, Canada, Latin
America, India and the Asia Pacific Rim, in which the client
base is primarily companies in the United States that are
using  the  Company’s  services  to  support  their  customer
management  needs;  and  (2)  EMEA,  which  includes
Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

N o t e   1 .   S u m m a r y   o f   A c c o u n t i n g

P o l i c i e s

Principles of Consolidation—The consolidated financial
statements include the accounts of Sykes and its wholly-
owned  subsidiaries  and  controlled  majority-owned  sub-
sidiaries.  All  significant  intercompany  transactions  and
balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use  of  Estimates—The  preparation  of  consolidated
financial statements in conformity with accounting prin-
ciples  generally  accepted  in  the  United  States  requires
the  Company  to  make  estimates  and  assumptions  that
affect  the  reported  amounts  of  assets  and  liabilities  and
disclosure  of  contingent  assets  and  liabilities  at  the  date
of  the  financial  statements  and  the  reported  amounts  of
revenues  and  expenses  during  the  reporting  period.
Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Recognition of Revenue—Revenue is recognized pur-
suant to applicable accounting standards, including Secu-
rities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Staff Accounting
Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 101 (SAB 101), “Revenue Recognition

in Financial Statements,” SAB 104, “Revenue Recognition”
and  the  Emerging  Issues Task  Force  (“EITF”)  No.  00-21,
“Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables.” SAB
101, as amended, and SAB 104 summarize certain of the
SEC staff’s views in applying generally accepted account-
ing  principles  to  revenue  recognition  in  financial  state-
ments  and  provides  guidance  on  revenue  recognition
issues in the absence of authoritative literature addressing
a  specific  arrangement  or  a  specific  industry.  EITF  No.
00-21  provides  further  guidance  on  how  to  account  for
multiple element contracts.

The  Company  primarily  recognizes  its  revenue  from
services  as  those  services  are  performed  under  a  fully
executed  contractual  agreement  and  records  estimated
reductions  to  revenue  for  penalties  and  holdbacks  for
failure  to  meet  specified  minimum  service  levels  and
other performance based contingencies. Royalty revenue
is  recognized  at  the  time  royalties  are  earned  and  the
remaining revenue is recognized on fixed price contracts
using  the  percentage-of-completion  method  of  account-
ing.  Adjustments  to  fixed  price  contracts  and  estimated
losses,  if  any,  are  recorded  in  the  period  when  such
adjustments or losses are known. Product sales are recog-
nized upon shipment to the customer and satisfaction of
all obligations.

The  Company  recognizes  revenue  from  software  and
contractually  provided  rights  in  accordance  with  the
American  Institute  of  Certified  Public  Accountants
(“AICPA”) Statement of Position 97-2, “Software Revenue
Recognition” (“SOP 97-2”), as amended by Statement of
Position 98-4, “Deferral of the Effective Date of a Provision
of  SOP  97-2” (“SOP  98-4”),  Statement  of  Position  98-9,
“Modification of SOP 97-2, Software Revenue Recog-
nition, With Respect to Certain Transactions” (“SOP 98-9”),
SAB 101, SAB 104 and EITF No. 00-21. Revenue is recog-
nized  from  licenses  of  the  Company’s  software  products
and  rights  when  the  agreement  has  been  executed,  the
product or right has been delivered or provided, collecti-
bility  is  probable  and  the  software  license  fees  or  rights
are fixed and determinable. If any portion of the license
fees or rights is subject to forfeiture, refund or other con-
tractual  contingencies,  the  Company  postpones  revenue
recognition until these contingencies have been removed.
Sykes generally accounts for consulting services separate
from software license fees for those multi-element arrange-
ments  where  consulting  services  are  a  separate  element
and  are  not  essential  to  the  customer’s  functionality
requirements  and  there  is  vendor-specific  objective  evi-
dence of fair value for these services. Revenue from support
and maintenance activities is recognized ratably over the
term  of  the  maintenance  period  and  the  unrecognized
portion is recorded as deferred revenue.

45

Revenue  from  contracts  with  multiple-deliverables  to
include hardware, software, consulting and other services,
or related contracts with the same client, are allocated to
separate  units  of  accounting  based  on  their  relative  fair
value, if the deliverables in the contract(s) meet the criteria
for such treatment. Fair value is the price of a deliverable
when  it  is  regularly  sold  on  a  standalone  basis,  which
generally  consists  of  vendor-specific  objective  evidence
of fair value. If there is no evidence of the fair value for a
delivered product or service, revenue is allocated first to
the  fair  value  of  the  undelivered  product  or  service  and
then  the  residual  revenue  is  allocated  to  the  delivered
product or service. If there is no evidence of the fair value
for  an  undelivered  product  or  service,  the  contract(s)  is
accounted for as a single unit of accounting, resulting in
delay of revenue recognition for the delivered product or
service until the undelivered product or service portion of
the contract is complete. Revenue recognition is limited
to the amount that is not contingent upon delivery of any
future product or service or meeting other specified per-
formance conditions.

Cash and Cash Equivalents—Cash and cash equivalents
consist  of  highly  liquid  short-term  investments  classified
as available for sale as defined under Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 115, “Accounting for
Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities.” Cash
in  the  amount  of  $82.6  million  and  $73.1  million  at
December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively, was held in
taxable interest bearing investments, which are classified
as  available  for  sale  and  have  an  average  maturity  of
approximately  30  days.  Cash  and  cash  equivalents  of
$67.5  million  and  $64.4  million  at  December  31,  2003
and 2002, respectively, were held in international opera-
tions and may be subject to additional taxes if repatriated
to the United States.

Property  and  Equipment—Property  and  equipment  is
recorded  at  cost  and  depreciated  using  the  straight-line
method  over  the  estimated  useful  lives  of  the  respective
assets.  Improvements  to  leased  premises  are  amortized
over the shorter of the related lease term or the estimated
useful lives of the improvements. Cost and related accu-
mulated  depreciation  on  assets  retired  or  disposed  of 
are  removed  from  the  accounts  and  any  gains  or  losses
resulting  therefrom  are  credited  or  charged  to  income.
Depreciation  expense  was  $33.0  million,  $36.8  million
and  $36.0  million  for  the  years  ended  December  31,
2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. Property and equip-
ment includes $3.5 million and $0.7 million of additions
included in accounts payable at December 31, 2003 and 
2002, respectively. Accordingly, these non-cash transactions
have  been  excluded  from  the  accompanying  Consoli-

dated  Statements  of  Cash  Flows  for  the  years  ended
December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

The  Company  capitalizes  certain  costs  incurred  to
internally  develop  software  upon  the  establishment  of
technological feasibility. Costs incurred prior to the estab-
lishment  of  technological  feasibility  were  expensed 
as  incurred.  Capitalized  internally  developed  software
costs,  net  of  accumulated  amortization,  were  $0.6  mil-
lion and $0.6 million at December 31, 2003 and 2002,
respectively.

Land received from various local and state governmental
agencies under grants is recorded at fair value at the date
of grant. During the year ended December 31, 2001, the
Company recorded $1.0 million in land acquisitions as a
result of such grants (none for 2003 and 2002). Accord-
ingly,  these  non-cash  transactions  have  been  excluded
from the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Cash
Flows for the year ended December 31, 2001.

The carrying value of long-lived assets to be held and
used,  including  property  and  equipment,  are  evaluated
for  impairment  whenever  events  or  changes  in  circum-
stances  indicate  that  the  carrying  amount  may  not  be
recoverable in accordance with SFAS No. 144, “Account-
ing for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.”
An  asset  is  considered  to  be  impaired  when  the  sum  of
the undiscounted future net cash flows expected to result
from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition does
not exceed its carrying amount. The amount of the impair-
ment loss, if any, is measured as the difference between
the  net  book  value  of  the  asset  and  its  estimated  fair
value,  which  is  generally  determined  based  on  dis-
counted cash flows, appraisals or net sales prices of com-
parable assets.

The  Company  has  closed  several  customer  contact
management centers and expects it may close additional
centers in 2004 as a result of client migration offshore to
Latin America, India and the Asia Pacific Rim as well as
the  overall  reduction  in  customer  call  volumes  in  the
United States and Europe. As of December 31, 2003, the
Company determined that its long-lived assets, including
those  at  the  aforementioned  customer  contact  manage-
ment centers, are not impaired. Additionally, there were
no assets that met the criteria to be classified as held for
sale as of December 31, 2003. Long-lived assets are clas-
sified as held for sale in the period in which management
commits to a plan to sell the asset, the asset is available
for immediate sale in its present condition, an active pro-
gram  to  locate  a  buyer  and  other  actions  required  to
complete  the  plan  to  sell  the  asset  have  been  initiated,
the asset is being actively marketed for sale at a price that
is  reasonable  in  relation  to  its  current  fair  value,  it  is

46

probable  that  the  asset  will  be  sold  in  a  reasonable
period of time, and it is unlikely that significant changes
to the plan to sell the asset will be made or that the plan
will be withdrawn.

Investment in SHPS—The Company has a 6.5% remain-
ing  ownership  interest  in  SHPS,  Incorporated  (“SHPS”)
that is accounted for at cost. At December 31, 2003 and
2002, the carrying value of this investment was $2.1 mil-
lion,  which  approximates  the  Company’s  pro  rata  share
of  the  underlying  value,  and  is  included  in  “Deferred
charges and other assets” in the accompanying Consoli-
dated Balance Sheets. (See Note 6.)

Goodwill—On January 1, 2002, the Company adopted
SFAS  No.  142,  “Goodwill  and  Other  Intangible Assets.”
According to this statement, goodwill and other intangi-
ble  assets  with  indefinite  lives  are  no  longer  subject  to
amortization, but instead must be reviewed at least annu-
ally,  and  more  frequently  in  the  presence  of  certain  cir-
cumstances,  for  impairment  by  applying  a  fair  value
based test. Fair value for goodwill is based on discounted
cash  flows,  market  multiples  and/or  appraised  values  as
appropriate.  Under  SFAS  No.  142,  the  carrying  value  of
assets  is  calculated  at  the  lowest  levels  for  which  there
are  identifiable  cash  flows  (the  “reporting  unit”).  SFAS
No. 142 requires the Company to compare the fair value
of the reporting unit to its carrying amount to determine if 
there  is  potential  impairment.  If  the  fair  value  of  the
reporting unit is less than its carrying value, an impairment
loss  is  recorded  to  the  extent  that  the  fair  value  of  the
goodwill within the reporting unit is less than its carrying
value. Based on the results of the Company’s initial transi-
tion impairment review as of January 1, 2002 and annual
impairment  reviews  in  the  third  quarter  of  each  year  in
accordance with SFAS No. 142, the Company determined
that there was no impairment of goodwill. The Company
expects to receive future benefits from previously acquired
goodwill  over  an  indefinite  period  of  time. Accordingly,
beginning January 1, 2002, the Company has foregone all
related amortization expense. Prior to the adoption of this
statement, the amortization of goodwill as it was reported
on  December  31,  2001  would  have  reduced  the  2003
net income and increased the 2002 net loss by approxi-
mately  $0.4  million,  or  $0.01  per  diluted  share,  respec-
tively. Prior to January 1, 2002, the Company amortized
goodwill  over  an  estimated  useful  life  of  10  to  20  years
using  the  straight-line  method.  Amortization  expense
related  to  goodwill  totaled  $1.2  million  for  the  year
ended December 31, 2001. Accumulated amortization of
goodwill was $3.2 million as of December 31, 2001.

For the three years ended December 31, 2003, the rec-
onciliation of reported net income (loss) and net income
(loss) per share to adjusted net income (loss) and adjusted 
net  income  (loss)  per  share  reflecting  the  elimination  of
goodwill amortization is as follows (in thousands, except
per share data):

Net income (loss):

Reported net income (loss) .....
Elimination of goodwill

December 31,
2002

2003

2001

$9,305

$(18,631)

$ 409

amortization, net of taxes ....

—

—

782

Adjusted net income (loss)......

$9,305

$(18,631)

$1,191

Net income (loss) per 

basic share:
Reported net income (loss) .....
Elimination of goodwill

$ 0.23

$ (0.46)

$  0.01

amortization, net of taxes ....

—

—

0.02

Adjusted net income (loss)......

$ 0.23

$ (0.46)

$ 0.03

Net income (loss) per 

diluted share:
Reported net income (loss) .....
Elimination of goodwill

$ 0.23

$ (0.46)

$  0.01

amortization, net of taxes ....

—

—

0.02

Adjusted net income (loss)......

$ 0.23

$ (0.46)

$ 0.03

Intangible Assets—Intangible assets, primarily exist-
ing  technologies  and  covenants  not  to  compete,  are
amortized  using  the  straight-line  method  over  their  esti-
mated  period  of  benefit,  generally  ranging  from  two  to
five years. The Company periodically evaluates the recov-
erability  of  intangible  assets  and  takes  into  account
events  or  changes  in  circumstances  that  warrant  revised
estimates  of  useful  lives  or  that  indicate  that  an  impair-
ment exists. Amortization expense related to these intan-
gible  assets  was  $0.5  million  and  $0.1  million  for  the
years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively.
As of December 31, 2003 and 2002, the intangible assets
were fully amortized and had a carrying value of zero.

Income Taxes—The  Company  accounts  for  income
taxes under SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.”
Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are provided to
reflect  tax  consequences  of  differences  between  the  tax
bases of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts
in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements.
Self-Insurance  Programs—The  Company  self-insures
for certain levels of workers’ compensation and employee
health  insurance.  Estimated  costs  of  these  self-insurance
programs  are  accrued  at  the  projected  settlements  for
known and anticipated claims. Self-insurance liabilities of
the Company amounted to $1.7 million and $2.2 million
at December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively.

47

Deferred  Grants—Recognition  of  income  associated
with grants of land and the acquisition of property, build-
ings and equipment is deferred until after the completion
and occupancy of the building and title has passed to the
Company, and the funds have been released from escrow.
The  deferred  amounts  for  both  land  and  building  are
amortized and recognized as a reduction of depreciation
expense included within general and administrative costs
over the corresponding useful lives of the related assets.
Amounts  received  in  excess  of  the  cost  of  the  building
are allocated to the cost of equipment and, only after the
grants  are  released  from  escrow,  recognized  as  a  reduc-
tion  of  depreciation  expense  over  the  weighted  average
useful life of the related equipment, which approximates
five  years.  Amortization  of  the  deferred  grants  that 
is  included  in  income  was  approximately  $2.9  million,
$3.0  million  and  $2.3  million  for  the  years  ended
December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

Deferred  Revenue—The  Company  invoices  certain
contracts in advance. The deferred revenue is earned over
the  lives  of  the  respective  contracts,  which  range  from 
six months to five years. Deferred revenue also includes
estimated  penalties  and  holdbacks  for  failure  to  meet
specified minimum service levels in certain contracts and
other performance based contingencies.

Stock-Based  Compensation—The  Company  has
adopted the disclosure only provisions of SFAS No. 123,
“Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.” Under SFAS
No.  123,  companies  have  the  option  to  measure  com-
pensation costs for stock options using the intrinsic value
method prescribed by Accounting Principles Board Opinion
No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” (“APB
No.  25”).  Under APB  No.  25,  compensation  expense  is
generally  not  recognized  when  both  the  exercise  price 
is the same as the market price and the number of shares
to be issued is set on the date the employee stock option
is granted. Since employee stock options are granted on
this basis and the Company has chosen to use the intrinsic
value  method,  no  compensation  expense  is  recognized
for stock option grants. 

If  the  Company  had  elected  to  recognize  compensa-
tion expense for the issuance of options to employees of
the Company based on the fair value method of account-
ing  prescribed  by  SFAS  No.  123,  net  income  (loss)  and 

earnings (loss) per share would have been reduced to the
pro  forma  amounts  as  follows  (in  thousands  except  per
share amounts):

Years Ended December 31,
2001
2002

2003

Net income (loss) 

as reported ......................

$ 9,305

$(18,631)

$ 409

Pro forma compensation 

expense, net of tax ..........

(1,887)

(11,163)

(3,594)

Pro forma net income 

(loss)................................

$ 7,418

$(29,794)

$(3,185)

Net income (loss) per 

basic share as reported ....

$ 0.23

$ (0.46)

$ 0.01

Pro forma net income 

(loss) per basic share .......

$ 0.18

$ (0.74)

$ (0.08)

Net income (loss) per

diluted share 
as reported ......................

Pro forma net income 

$ 0.23

$ (0.46)

$ 0.01

(loss) per diluted share ....

$ 0.18

$ (0.74)

$ (0.08)

The  pro  forma  amounts  were  determined  using  the
Black-Scholes  valuation  model  with  the  following  key
assumptions: (i) a discount rate of 2.0% for 2003, discount
rates  ranging  from  3.0%  to  3.82%  for  2002,  and  a  dis-
count  rate  of  6.0%  for  2001;  (ii)  a  volatility  factor  of 
83.91%  for  2003  and  85.1%  for  2002  and  2001  based
upon the average trading price of the Company’s common
stock  since  it  began  trading  on  the  NASDAQ National
Market;  (iii)  no  dividend  yield;  and  (iv)  an  average
expected option life of three years in 2003 and five years
in  2002  and  2001  (three  years  for  the  Employee  Stock
Purchase  Plan).  In  addition,  the  pro  forma  amount  for
2003,  2002  and  2001  includes  approximately  $0.1  mil-
lion, $0.2 million and $0.2 million, respectively, related
to purchase discounts offered under the Employee Stock
Purchase Plan.

Fair Value  of  Financial  Instruments—The  following
methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair
value of each class of financial instruments for which it is
practicable to estimate that value:
• Cash,  Accounts  Receivable  and  Accounts  Payable.
The  carrying  amount  reported  in  the  balance  sheet
for  cash,  accounts  receivable  and  accounts  payable
approximates their fair value.

• Long-Term Debt. The fair value of the Company’s
long-term  debt,  including  the  current  portion  thereof,
is estimated based on the quoted market price for the
same or similar types of borrowing arrangements. The
carrying value of the Company’s long-term debt approx-
imates fair value.

48

Foreign Currency Translation—The assets and liabilities
of  the  Company’s  foreign  subsidiaries,  whose  functional
currency  is  other  than  the  U.S.  Dollar,  are  translated  at
the  exchange  rates  in  effect  on  the  reporting  date,  and
income and expenses are translated at the weighted aver-
age  exchange  rate  during  the  period. The  net  effect  of
translation gains and losses is not included in determin-
ing  net  income,  but  is  included  in  accumulated  other
comprehensive  income  (loss),  which  is  reflected  as  a 
separate  component  of  shareholders’  equity.  Foreign 
currency  transactional  gains  and  losses  are  included  in
determining  net  income.  Such  gains  and  losses  are
included in other income (expense) in the accompanying
Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Recent Accounting  Pronouncements—In  June  2001,
the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued
SFAS No. 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obliga-
tions,” which addresses financial accounting and reporting
for obligations associated with the retirement of tangible
long-lived assets and the associated asset retirement costs.
This  statement  applies  to  legal  obligations  associated
with the retirement of long-lived assets that result from the
acquisition, construction, and development and (or) nor-
mal use of the asset. The Company implemented the provi-
sions of SFAS No. 143 effective January 1, 2003. The impact
of  this  adoption  did  not  have  a  material  effect  on  the
financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows of
the Company.

In April 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 145, “Rescis-
sion of FASB Statements No. 4, 44, and 64, Amendment
of  FASB  Statement  No.  13,  and Technical  Corrections.”
Among  other  provisions,  SFAS  No.  145  rescinds  SFAS
No. 4, “Reporting Gains and Losses from Extinguishment
of Debt.” Accordingly, gains or losses from extinguishment
of  debt  are  no  longer  reported  as  extraordinary  items
unless  the  extinguishment  qualifies  as  an  extraordinary
item  under  the  criteria  of  APB  No.  30,  “Reporting  the
Results  of  Operations—Reporting  the  Effects  of  Disposal
of  a  Segment  of  a  Business,  and  Extraordinary,  Unusual
and  Infrequently  Occurring  Events  and Transactions.”
Gains or losses from extinguishment of debt that do not
meet  the  criteria  of APB  No.  30  must  be  reclassified  to
income  from  continuing  operations  in  all  prior  periods
presented. The  Company  implemented  the  provisions  of
SFAS No. 145 effective January 1, 2003. The adoption of
this statement had no impact on the financial condition,
results of operations, or cash flows of the Company.

In July 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 146, “Account-
ing for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities,”
which changes the accounting for costs such as lease ter-
mination costs and certain employee severance costs that
are  associated  with  a  restructuring,  discontinued  opera-
tion,  facilities  closing,  or  other  exit  or  disposal  activity 

initiated after December 31, 2002. The statement requires
companies to recognize the fair value of costs associated
with  exit  or  disposal  activities  when  they  are  incurred
rather  than  at  the  date  of  a  commitment  to  an  exit  or
disposal plan. SFAS No. 146 is applicable to exit or dis-
posal activities initiated on or after January 1, 2003.

In  December  2002,  the  FASB  issued  SFAS  No.  148,
“Accounting  for  Stock-Based  Compensation—Transition
and  Disclosure—an  amendment  of  SFAS  No.  123.” This
statement provides alternative methods of transition for a
voluntary  change  to  the  fair  value  based  method  of
accounting for stock-based employee compensation. This
statement  also  amends  the  disclosure  requirements  of
SFAS  No.  123  and Accounting  Principles  Board  (“APB”)
Opinion No. 28, “Interim Financial Reporting,” to require
prominent disclosures in both annual and interim financial
statements about the method of accounting for stock-based
employee  compensation  and  the  effect  of  the  method
used  on  reported  results. The  Company  implemented
SFAS No. 148 effective January 1, 2003 regarding disclo-
sure  requirements  for  condensed  financial  statements 
for interim periods. The Company did not change to the
fair  value  based  method  of  accounting  for  stock-based
employee compensation.

In April 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 149, “Amend-
ment  of  SFAS  No.  133  on  Derivative  Instruments  and
Hedging Activities.” SFAS  No.  149  amends  and  clarifies
the  accounting  for  derivative  instruments,  including  cer-
tain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts,
and for hedging activities under SFAS No. 133, “Account-
ing  for  Derivative  Instruments  and  Hedging  Activities.”
SFAS No. 149 is generally effective for contracts entered
into or modified after June 30, 2003 and for hedging rela-
tionships  designated  after  June  30,  2003. This  statement
did not have a material effect on the financial condition,
results of operations, or cash flows of the Company.

In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150, “Account-
ing for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics
of  Both  Liabilities  and  Equity.” SFAS  No.  150  requires 
that  certain  financial  instruments,  which  under  previous
guidance  were  accounted  for  as  equity,  must  now  be
accounted  for  as  liabilities.  The  financial  instruments
affected  include  mandatorily  redeemable  stock,  certain
financial  instruments  that  require  or  may  require  the
issuer to buy back some of its shares in exchange for cash
or other assets and certain obligations that can be settled
with shares of stock. SFAS No. 150 is effective for all finan-
cial  instruments  entered  into  or  modified  after  May  31,
2003,  and  otherwise  is  effective  at  the  beginning  of  the
first interim period beginning after June 15, 2003. This state-
ment did not have a material effect on the financial con-
dition, results of operations, or cash flows of the Company.
In  November  2002,  the  EITF  reached  a  consensus  on
EITF  No.  00-21,  “Revenue  Arrangements  with  Multiple

49

Deliverables,” providing  further  guidance  on  how  to
account  for  multiple  element  contracts. This  consensus
requires that revenue arrangements with multiple deliver-
ables  be  divided  into  separate  units  of  accounting  if  the
deliverables in the arrangement meet specific criteria. In
addition,  arrangement  consideration  must  be  allocated
among  the  separate  units  of  accounting  based  on  their
relative fair values, with certain limitations. EITF No. 00-21
is effective for all arrangements entered into after June 30,
2003. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material
impact  on  the  financial  condition,  results  of  operations,
or the cash flows of the Company.

In  August  2003,  the  EITF  reached  consensus  on  EITF
No.  03-5,  “Applicability  of AICPA  Statement  of  Position
97-2,  Software  Revenue  Recognition,  to  Non-Software
Deliverables  in  an  Arrangement  Containing  More-than-
Incidental  Software.” EITF  No.  03-5,  which  became
effective on January 1, 2004, provides guidance on deter-
mining  whether  non-software  deliverables  are  included
within the scope of SOP 97-2 and, accordingly, whether
multiple element arrangements are to be accounted for in
accordance with EITF No. 00-21 or SOP 97-2. The adop-
tion  of  this  guidance  did  not  have  a  material  impact  on
the financial condition, results of operations or cash flows
of the Company.

In November 2002, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation
(“FIN”) No. 45, “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure
Requirements for Guarantees, Including Direct Guarantees
of  Indebtedness  of  Others.” This  interpretation  requires
the Company to record, at the inception of a guarantee,
the fair value of the guarantee as a liability, with the off-
setting entry being recorded based on the circumstances
in  which  the  guarantee  was  issued.  Funding  under  the
guarantee is to be recorded as a reduction of the liability.
After funding has ceased, the remaining liability is recog-
nized  in  the  income  statement  on  a  straight-line  basis
over the remaining term of the guarantee. The Company
adopted  the  disclosure  provisions  of  FIN  No.  45  in  the
fourth quarter of 2002 and the initial recognition and ini-
tial measurement provisions on a prospective basis for all
guarantees issued after December 31, 2002. This interpre-
tation did not have a material effect on the financial condi-
tion, results of operations, or cash flows of the Company.
In  January  2003,  the  FASB  issued  FIN  No.  46,  “Con-
solidation  of Variable  Interest  Entities,” and  a  revised
interpretation of FIN No. 46 (FIN No. 46-r) in December
2003,  in  an  effort  to  expand  upon  existing  accounting
guidance that addresses when a company should consol-
idate  the  financial  results  of  another  entity.  FIN  No.  46
requires “variable interest entities,” as defined, to be con-
solidated  by  a  company  if  that  company  is  subject  to  a
majority of expected losses of the entity or is entitled to
receive  a  majority  of  expected  residual  returns  of  the

entity, or both. A company that is required to consolidate
a variable interest entity is referred to as the entity’s pri-
mary beneficiary. The interpretation also requires certain
disclosures  about  variable  interest  entities  that  a  com-
pany is not required to consolidate, but in which it has a
significant variable interest.

The  consolidation  and  disclosure  requirements  apply
immediately  to  variable  interest  entities  created  after
January  31,  2003. The  Company  is  not  the  primary
beneficiary  of  any  variable  interest  entity  created  after
January  31,  2003  nor  does  the  Company  have  a  signifi-
cant variable interest in a variable interest entity created
after January 31, 2003.

For  variable  interest  entities  that  existed  before
February 1, 2003, the consolidation requirements of FIN
No. 46-r are effective as of March 31, 2004. The adoption
of  FIN  No.  46-r  will  not  have  a  material  impact  on  the
financial condition, results of operations or cash flows of
the Company.

Reclassifications—Certain amounts from prior years
have  been  reclassified  to  conform  to  the  current  year’s
presentation.

N o t e   2 .   A c q u i s i t i o n s   a n d

D i s p o s i t i o n s

In  April  2002,  the  Company  acquired  the  rights  to  a
multi-year customer service and technical support agree-
ment  and  the  net  assets  of  a  call  center  in  Bocholt,
Germany for $1.9 million in cash. In connection with the
purchase, the Company recognized identifiable intangible
assets of $1.8 million related to the underlying customer
support agreement and recorded net assets of $0.1 million.
During the fourth quarter of 2002, call volumes fell below
anticipated  levels  and,  after  the  Company  evaluated  the
Bocholt  assets  for  recoverability,  the  remaining  balance
of the intangible asset was written off and a $1.5 million
impairment charge was recorded in 2002.

On  July  1,  2002,  the  Company  sold  the  land  and
building  related  to  one  of  its  Bismarck,  North  Dakota
facilities for $2.0 million cash, resulting in a pre-tax gain
of  $1.8  million. The  net  book  value  of  the  facilities  of
$1.7  million  was  offset  by  the  related  deferred  grants  of
$1.5  million.  In  addition,  on  September  30,  2002,  the
Company  sold  certain  assets  of  its  print  facilities  in
Galashiels, Scotland having a net book value of $1.1 mil-
lion  for  $0.9  million  for  which  the  Company  received
$0.2 million cash and a $0.7 million note receivable. The
balance  due  under  the  note  is  due  in  varying  monthly
installments over a two-year period.

The net pre-tax gain on the sale of the Bismarck facility
of $1.8 million less the net pre-tax loss on the sale of the
print  facilities  in  Galashiels  of  $0.2  million  is  included 

50

N o t e   4 .   R e c e i v a b l e s

Receivables consist of the following (in thousands):

December 31,

2003

2002

Trade accounts receivable ................... $ 77,190
1,475
Income taxes receivable ......................
3,071
Other...................................................

$ 69,000
7,205
3,200

Less allowance for 

doubtful accounts ............................

4,242

5,102

81,736

79,405

$ 77,494

$ 74,303

N o t e   5 .   P r o p e r t y   a n d   E q u i p m e n t

Property  and  equipment  consist  of  the  following  (in

thousands):

Land .................................................
Buildings and leasehold 

improvements ...............................
Equipment, furniture and fixtures......
Capitalized software 

development costs ........................
Transportation equipment .................
Construction in progress ...................

Less accumulated depreciation .........

December 31,

2003

2002

$ 6,244

$ 6,875

59,901
186,625

59,363
164,955

1,028
365
737

5,260
176
475

254,900
147,706

237,104
127,486

$107,194

$109,618

N o t e   6 .   D e f e r r e d   C h a r g e s   a n d   O t h e r

A s s e t s

Deferred  charges  and  other  assets  consist  of  the

following (in thousands):

December 31,

2003

2002

Non-current deferred tax asset

(see Note 11).................................

$ 14,949

$ 15,060

Investment in SHPS, Incorporated, 

at cost ...........................................
Other.................................................

2,089
2,545

2,089
1,733

$ 19,583

$ 18,882

in  “Net  (gain)  loss  on  disposal  of  property  and  equip-
ment”  in  the  accompanying  2002  Consolidated  State-
ments of Operations.

On  September  30,  2003,  the  Company  sold  the  land
and  building  related  to  its  Scottsbluff,  Nebraska  facility,
which  was  closed  in  connection  with  the  2002  restruc-
turing  plan,  for  $2.0  million  cash,  resulting  in  a  pre-tax
gain of $1.9 million. The net book value of the facilities
of $1.9 million was offset by the related deferred grants of
$1.8  million. The  net  pre-tax  gain  on  the  sale  of  the
Scottsbluff facility of $1.9 million is included in “Net (gain)
loss on disposal of property and equipment” in the accom-
panying 2003 Consolidated Statements of Operations.

On  December  31,  2003,  the  Company  sold  the  land
and building related to its Eveleth, Minnesota facility for
$2.3 million, for which the Company received $0.3 mil-
lion cash and a $2.0 million note receivable, resulting in
a  net  pre-tax  gain  of  $1.7  million  which  will  be  recog-
nized over the term of the note using the installment sales
method of accounting. The net book value of the facilities
of $3.5 million was offset by the related deferred grants of
$2.9 million. The note receivable, which earns interest at
7% per annum, is due in five monthly installments of $16
thousand beginning on February 1, 2004 with the remain-
ing unpaid balance due on July 1, 2004. Approximately
$0.2  million  of  the  $1.7  million  net  pre-tax  gain  on  the
sale of the Eveleth facility is included in “Net (gain) loss
on  disposal  of  property  and  equipment”  in  the  accom-
panying  2003  Consolidated  Statements  of  Operations
with  the  remaining  $1.5  million  offset  against  the  note
receivable  which  is  included  in  “Receivables,  net”  in 
the  accompanying  Consolidated  Balance  Sheet  as  of
December 31, 2003. 

On January 15, 2004, the Company sold the land, build-
ing and  its  contents  related  to  its  Klamath  Falls,  Oregon
facility for $4.0 million in cash, resulting in a net pre-tax
gain of $2.7 million in the first quarter of 2004. The net
book value of the facilities of $2.3 million was offset by
the related deferred grants of $1.0 million. During the year
ended  December  31,  2003,  the  assets  of  the  Klamath
Falls  facility  did  not  meet  the  criteria  to  be  classified  as
held for sale.

N o t e   3 .   C o n c e n t r a t i o n s   o f  
C r e d i t   R i s k

Financial  instruments  that  potentially  subject  the
Company  to  concentrations  of  credit  risk  consist  princi-
pally of trade receivables. The Company’s credit concen-
trations are limited due to the wide variety of customers
and  markets  in  which  the  Company’s  services  are  sold,
with the exception of two major customers as discussed
in Note 17.

51

N o t e   7 .   A c c r u e d   E m p l o y e e

N o t e   9 .   L o n g - Te r m   D e b t

Long-term debt consists of the following (in thousands):

C o m p e n s a t i o n   a n d   B e n e f i t s

Accrued employee compensation and benefits consist

of the following (in thousands):

Accrued compensation .........................
Accrued employment taxes ...................
Accrued vacation ..................................
Other ....................................................

December 31,

2003

2002

$12,768
5,874
7,676
4,551

$19,018
5,724
5,897
3,153

$30,869

$33,792

Notes payable and capital leases, 
principal and interest payable in 
monthly installments through 
December 2004, interest at varying
rates up to 19.0%, collateralized 
by certain equipment ........................

Total debt ..............................................
Less current portion...............................

December 31,
2002
2003

$87

$52

87
87

52
52

N o t e   8 .   O t h e r   A c c r u e d   E x p e n s e s   a n d

Long-term debt......................................

$— $ —

C u r r e n t   L i a b i l i t i e s

Other accrued expenses and current liabilities consist

of the following (in thousands):

Accrued restructuring charges 

(see Note 12).....................................
Deferred revenue, current .....................
Accrued roadside assistance 

claim costs ........................................
Accrued telephone charges ...................
Accrued legal and professional fees ......
Accrued rent .........................................
Accrued property taxes .........................
Accrued marketing ................................
Other ....................................................

December 31,

2003

2002

$

887
4,508

$ 4,506
4,699

1,182
721
2,307
501
552
377
3,191

924
794
1,877
479
716
300
2,053

$14,226

$16,348

Principal  maturities  of  total  debt  as  of  December  31,

2003 are as follows (in thousands):

Year

2004 .........................................................................
2005 .........................................................................

Total
Amount

$87
—

$87

The  Company  elected  to  cancel  its  revolving  credit
facility effective as of December 31, 2003. As a result, in
2003,  the  Company  charged  off  the  remaining  deferred
loan costs of $0.2 million, which is included as a reduction
to other income (expense) in the accompanying Consoli-
dated Statements of Operations. There were no outstanding
balances on this credit facility as of December 31, 2003.
The  Company  is  currently  negotiating  a  new  revolving
credit facility with a group of lenders, which is expected
to close in the first quarter of 2004.

52

N o t e   1 0 .   A c c u m u l a t e d   O t h e r
C o m p r e h e n s i v e   L o s s

Provision  (benefit)  for  income  taxes  consists  of  the 

following (in thousands):

The  Company  presents  data  in  the  Consolidated
Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity in accord-
ance  with  SFAS  No.  130,  “Reporting  Comprehensive
Income.” SFAS No. 130 establishes rules for the reporting 
of comprehensive income (loss) and its components. The 
components  of  other  accumulated  comprehensive  loss
include  foreign  currency  translation  adjustments  as 
follows (in thousands):

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss

Balance at January 1, 2001 ...........................
Foreign currency translation adjustment........

$(14,082)
(6,130)

Balance at December 31, 2001 ....................
Foreign currency translation adjustment........

Balance at December 31, 2002 ....................
Foreign currency translation adjustment........

(20,212)
9,111

(11,101)
10,893

Balance at December 31, 2003 ....................

$

(208)

Earnings associated with the Company’s investments in
its foreign subsidiaries are considered to be permanently
invested  and  no  provision  for  United  States  federal  and
state  income  taxes  on  those  earnings  or  translation
adjustments has been provided.

N o t e   1 1 .   I n c o m e   Ta x e s

The  components  of  income  (loss)  before  provision

(benefit) for income taxes are as follows (in thousands):

Years Ended December 31,
2002
2003

2001

United States.....................
Foreign ..............................

$(14,013) $(35,662) $(21,553)
21,739
11,216

27,969

Total income (loss) 
before provision 
(benefit) for 
income taxes.............

$ 13,956

$(24,446) $

186

Years Ended December 31,
2001
2002
2003

Current:

Federal and state............
Foreign...........................

$(1,491)
7,198

$(5,197)
7,987

$(6,735)
1,862

Total current provision 
(benefit) for income 
taxes ..........................

Deferred:

5,707

2,790

(4,873)

Federal and state............
Foreign...........................

(2,224)
1,168

(5,578)
(3,027)

(283)
4,933

Total deferred provision 
(benefit) for income 
taxes ..........................

Total provision 
(benefit) for 
income taxes......

(1,056)

(8,605)

4,650

$ 4,651

$(5,815)

$ (223)

The reconciliation of income tax computed at the U.S.
federal  statutory  tax  rate  to  the  Company’s  effective
income tax provision is as follows (in thousands):

Years Ended December 31,
2002

2003

2001

Statutory tax.......................
State income taxes, net of 
federal tax benefit ..........

Effect of foreign income 
not subject to federal 
and state income tax......

Effect of foreign income 
subject to federal and 
state income tax net of 
foreign tax credits ..........
Effect of loss on disposition 
of domestic investment ..

Effect of disposition of 

foreign subsidiary...........

Change in valuation 
allowance, net of 
related adjustments ........

Non-deductible 

amortization...................
Foreign taxes, net of foreign 
income not taxed in the 
United States..................
Permanent differences........
Income tax credits..............
Foreign withholding and

other taxes .....................
Other .................................

Total provision (benefit) 
for income taxes ........

$ 4,885

$(8,556)

$

65

(438)

(980)

(448)

(2,763)

(1,393)

(2,708)

—

—

—

—

—

—

340

(3,307)

(917)

5,595

4,615

5,555

—

—

262

(995)
(1,391)
(391)

520
(371)

(181)
680
—

—
—

774
161
—

—
—

$ 4,651

$(5,815)

$ (223)

53

Deferred  income  taxes  reflect  the  net  tax  effects  of
temporary  differences  between  the  carrying  amount  of
assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and
the amounts used for income taxes. A provision for income
taxes has not been made for the undistributed earnings of
foreign  subsidiaries  of  approximately  $116.0  million  at
December  31,  2003,  that  are  permanently  reinvested  in
foreign business operations. Determination of any unrec-
ognized  deferred  tax  liability  for  temporary  differences
related  to  investments  in  foreign  subsidiaries  that  are
essentially permanent in nature is not practicable.

The  Company  has  been  granted  tax  holidays  in  the
Philippines, El Salvador, India and Costa Rica. These hol-
idays have various expiration dates, exclusive of renewal
periods, through 2013.

The  temporary  differences  that  give  rise  to  significant
portions  of  the  deferred  tax  assets  and  liabilities  as  of
December  31,  2003  and  2002,  respectively,  are  pre-
sented below (in thousands):

Years Ended 
December 31,

2003

2002

Deferred tax assets:

Accrued expenses ...........................
Net operating loss and 

$ 4,393

$ 4,875

tax credit carryforwards...............

35,692

26,927

Amortization of intangibles 

and fixed assets ...........................
Deferred revenue ............................
Valuation allowance........................
Other ..............................................

Deferred tax liabilities:

Accrued liabilities ...........................
Amortization of intangibles 

19,471
1,561
(30,582)
2,932

6,888
3,503
(19,914) 

—

33,467

22,279

(1,445)

(2,051)

and fixed assets ...........................
Other ..............................................

(12,745)
(2,361)

(1,937)
(407)

Net deferred tax assets ................

$ 16,916

$ 17,884

(16,551)

(4,395)

Classified as follows:
Current assets 

(Prepaid expenses and other) ..........

$ 4,312

$ 4,121

Non-current assets 

(Deferred charges and other) 

(Note 6).......................................

14,949

15,060

Current liabilities 

(Other accrued expenses)................

(18)

—

Non-current liabilities 

(Other long-term liabilities) .............

(2,327)

(1,297)

Net deferred tax assets ................

$ 16,916

$ 17,884

SFAS No. 109 requires a valuation allowance to reduce
the deferred tax assets reported if, based on the weight of
the available evidence for each respective tax jurisdiction,
it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the

deferred tax assets will not be realized. At December 31,
2003,  management  has  determined  that  a  valuation
allowance of approximately $30.6 million is necessary to
reduce primarily foreign deferred tax assets.

Approximately  $41.0  million  of  the  income  tax  loss
carryforward  at  December  31,  2003  relates  to  foreign
entities with various expiration dates. For U.S. purposes,
a net operating loss carryforward of approximately $40.0
million  and  $3.4  million  of  tax  credits  are  available 
for  carryforward  expiring  through  the  year  ending
December 31, 2023. Of this $40.0 million U.S. net oper-
ating loss carryforward, $10.1 million can only be offset
against the future earnings of an acquired subsidiary.

The  Company  is  currently  under  examination  in  the
U.S. by several states for periods covering 1999 through
2003. The  U.S.  Internal  Revenue  Service  has  completed
audits of the Company’s U.S. tax returns through July 31,
1999.  Certain  German  subsidiaries  of  the  Company  are
under  examination  by  the  German  tax  authorities  for
periods  covering  1997  through  2000.  In  the  opinion  of
management,  any  liability  that  may  arise  from  the  prior
periods as a result of these examinations is not expected
to have a material effect on the Company’s financial con-
dition, results of operations or cash flows.

N o t e   1 2 .   R e s t r u c t u r i n g   a n d  

O t h e r   C h a r g e s

2002 Charges

In October 2002, the Company approved a restructur-
ing  plan  to  close  and  consolidate  two  U.S.  and  three
European customer contact management centers, to reduce
capacity  within  the  European  fulfillment  operations  and
to write-off certain specialized e-commerce assets primarily
in response to the October 2002 notification of the con-
tractual  expiration  of  two  technology  client  programs  in
March 2003 with approximate annual revenues of $25.0
million. The  restructuring  plan  was  designed  to  reduce
costs and bring the Company’s infrastructure in-line with
the  current  business  environment.  Related  to  these
actions,  the  Company  recorded  restructuring  and  other
charges in the fourth quarter of 2002 of $20.8 million pri-
marily for the write-off of certain assets, lease termination
and severance costs. In connection with the 2002 restruc-
turing,  the  Company  reduced  the  number  of  employees
by 470 during 2002 and 330 during 2003. The plan was
substantially completed by the end of 2003.

In  connection  with  the  contractual  expiration  of  the
two technology client contracts previously mentioned, the
Company also recorded additional depreciation expense
of  $1.2  million  in  the  fourth  quarter  of  2002  and  $1.3
million in the first quarter of 2003 primarily related to a
specialized  technology  platform,  which  was  no  longer
utilized upon the expiration of the contracts in March 2003.

54

The following tables summarize the 2002 plan accrued liability for restructuring and other charges and related activity

in 2003 and 2002 (in thousands):

Severance and related costs .................................................................
Lease termination costs ........................................................................
Other restructuring costs ......................................................................

Balance at
January 1,
2003

$ 4,696
1,827
1,852

Cash
Outlays

$(3,816)
(1,585)
(1,512)

Other
Non-Cash
Changes

$

(774)(2)
100(3)
205(4)

$ 8,375

$(6,913)

$

(469)

Balance at
December 31,
2003(1)

$ 106
342
545

$ 993

(1) Included in “Other accrued expenses and current liabilities” in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets, except $0.1 million of severance and

related costs which is included in “Accrued employee compensation and benefits.”

(2) During  2003,  the  Company  reversed  $0.8  million  of  the  severance  accrual  related  to  the  final  termination  settlement  for  the  closure  of  two  of  its

European customer contact management centers and one European fulfillment center.

(3) During 2003, the Company recorded $0.1 million in additional lease termination costs primarily related to the final settlement of the lease for one of its

European customer contact management centers.

(4) During 2003, the Company recorded $0.3 million in additional site closure costs related to one of its European customer contact management centers
offset by $0.1 million for the reversal of the remaining site closure costs for its Galashiels, Scotland print facility and its Scottsbluff, Nebraska facility,
which were both sold in 2003. 

Severance and related costs ........................................
Lease termination costs ...............................................
Write-down of property, equipment, 

and capitalized costs...............................................
Other restructuring costs .............................................

Balance at
January 1,
2002

$ —
—

—
—

$ —

2002
Charges

$ 5,012
1,827

12,017
1,958

Cash
Outlays

$ (316)
—

(106)

Other
Non-Cash
Changes

$

— 
— 

(12,017)
—

$20,814

$ (422)

$(12,017)

Balance at
December 31,
2002(1)

$4,696
1,827

—
1,852

$8,375

(1) Included in “Other accrued expenses and current liabilities” in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets, except $4.2 million of severance and

related costs which is included in “Accrued employee compensation and benefits.”

2001 Charges

In December 2001, in response to the economic slow-
down and increasing demand for the Company’s offshore
capabilities,  the  Company  approved  a  cost  reduction
plan designed to improve efficiencies in its core business.
As  a  result  of  the  Company’s  cost  reduction  plan,  the
Company  recorded  $16.1  million  in  restructuring,  other
and  impairment  charges  during  the  fourth  quarter  of
2001. This  included  $14.6  million  in  charges  related  to
the closure and consolidation of two U.S. customer con-
tact  management  centers,  two  U.S.  technical  staffing
offices,  one  European  fulfillment  center;  the  elimination

of redundant property, leasehold improvements and equip-
ment;  lease  termination  costs  associated  with  vacated
properties  and  equipment  and  severance  and  related
costs. In connection with the fourth quarter 2001 restruc-
turing,  the  Company  reduced  the  number  of  employees
by 230 during the first quarter of 2002. The restructuring
charge also included $1.4 million for future lease obliga-
tions  related  to  closed  facilities.  In  connection  with  this
restructuring, the Company also recorded a $1.5 million
impairment charge related to the write-off of certain non-
performing assets, including software and equipment no
longer used by the Company.

The  following  tables  summarize  the  2001  plan  accrued  liability  for  restructuring  and  other  charges  and  related

activity in 2003, 2002 and 2001 (in thousands):

Severance and related costs ................................................................
Lease termination costs.......................................................................
Other restructuring costs.....................................................................

Total............................................................................................

Balance at
January 1,
2003

$153
161
32

$346

Cash
Outlays

$(153)
(121)
(15)

$(289)

Other
Non-Cash
Changes(1)

$ —
(40)
(17)

$

(57)

Balance at
December 31,
2003

$ —
—
—

$ —

(1) During 2003, the Company reversed accurals related to the final settlement of lease termination and other costs.

55

Severance and related costs ................................................................
Lease termination costs.......................................................................
Write-down of property, equipment, 

and capitalized costs ......................................................................
Other restructuring costs.....................................................................

Balance at
January 1,
2002

$1,423
1,355

3,220
292

Cash
Outlays

$(1,270)
(1,397)

Other
Non-Cash
Changes

$ —

203(2)

—
(260)

(3,220)
—

Total............................................................................................

$6,290

$(2,927)

$(3,017)

Balance at
December 31,
2002(1)

$153
161

—
32

$346

(1) Included  in  “Other  accrued  expenses  and  current  liabilities”  in  the  accompanying  Consolidated  Balance  Sheets,  except  severance  and  related  costs

which is included in “Accrued employee compensation and benefits.”

(2) During 2002, the Company recorded $0.2 million in additional lease termination costs related to one of the European customer contact management centers.

Severance and related costs ...................................
Lease termination costs ..........................................
Write-down of property, equipment, 

and capitalized costs..........................................
Write-down of intangible assets .............................
Other restructuring costs ........................................

Impairment of software and equipment ..................

Balance at
January 1,
2001

$ —
—

—
—
—

—
—

2001
Charges

$ 1,456
1,426

8,826
2,600
292

14,600
1,480

Cash
Outlays

$ (33)
(71)

—
—
—

(104)
—

Other
Non-Cash
Changes

$ —
—

(5,606)
(2,600)
—

(8,206)
(1,480)

Balance at
December 31,
2001

$1,423
1,355

3,220
—
292

6,290
—

Total ...............................................................

$ —

$16,080

$(104)

$(9,686)

$6,290

2000 Charges

The Company recorded restructuring and other charges
during  the  second  and  fourth  quarters  of  2000  approxi-
mating  $30.5  million. The  second  quarter  restructuring
and  other  charges  approximating  $9.6  million  resulted
from  the  Company’s  consolidation  of  several  European
and one U.S. fulfillment center and the closing or consol-
idation  of  six  technical  staffing  offices.  Included  in  the
second  quarter  2000  restructuring  and  other  charges 
was  a  $3.5  million  lease  termination  payment  to  the
Company’s  Chairman  (and  majority  shareholder)  related
to  the  termination  of  a  ten-year  operating  lease  agree-
ment for the corporate aircraft. As a result of the second
quarter  2000  restructuring,  the  Company  reduced  the
number  of  employees  by  157  during  2000  and  satisfied
the  remaining  lease  obligations  related  to  the  closed
facilities during 2001.

The Company also announced, after a comprehensive
review of operations, its decision to exit certain non-core,
lower margin businesses to reduce costs, improve operat-
ing  efficiencies  and  focus  on  its  core  competencies  of
technical support, customer service and consulting solu-
tions. As a result, the Company recorded $20.9 million in
restructuring and other charges during the fourth quarter
of 2000 related to the closure of its U.S. fulfillment opera-
tions,  the  consolidation  of  its Tampa,  Florida  technical 
support center and the exit of its worldwide localization
operations.  Included  in  the  fourth  quarter  2000  restruc-
turing and other charges is a $2.4 million severance pay-
ment related to the employment contract of the Company’s
former  President.  In  connection  with  the  fourth  quarter
2000  restructuring,  the  Company  reduced  the  number 
of  employees  by  245  during  the  first  half  of  2001  and
satisfied  a  significant  portion  of  the  remaining  lease
obligations related to the closed facilities during 2001.

56

The following tables summarize the 2000 plan accrued liability for restructuring and other charges and related activity

in 2003, 2002, 2001 and 2000 (in thousands):

Severance and related costs..............................................................
Lease termination costs.....................................................................

$ 1,053
120

Balance at
January 1,
2003

Cash
Outlays

$ (465)
—

Other
Non-Cash
Changes

$

—
(120)(2)

Total .............................................................................................

$ 1,173

$ (465)

$

(120)

Balance at
January 1,
2002

Severance and related costs..............................................................
Lease termination costs.....................................................................

$ 1,485
143

Total .............................................................................................

$ 1,628

Severance and related costs..............................................................
Lease termination costs.....................................................................
Other restructuring costs...................................................................

Balance at
January 1,
2001

$ 3,062
1,288
718

Cash
Outlays

$ (646)
(23)

$ (669)

Cash
Outlays

$(1,288)
(1,145)
(718)

Other
Non-Cash
Changes

$

$

214(3)
—

214

Other
Non-Cash
Changes

$

(289)(4)
—
—

Total .............................................................................................

$ 5,068

$(3,151)

$

(289)

Balance at
January 1,
2000

Severance and related costs .....................................
Lease termination costs ............................................
Write-down of property and equipment ...................
Write-down of intangible assets ...............................
Other restructuring costs ..........................................

Total .....................................................................

$ —
—
—
—
—

$ —

2000
Charges

$ 3,974
5,404
14,191
6,086
813

$30,468

Cash
Outlays

$ (912)
(4,116)
—
—
(95)

Other
Non-Cash
Changes

$

—
—
(14,191)
(6,086)
—

$(5,123)

$(20,277)

Balance at
December 31,
2003(1)

$ 588
—

$ 588

Balance at
December 31,
2002(1)

$1,053
120

$1,173

Balance at
December 31,
2001

$1,485
143
—

$1,628

Balance at
December 31,
2000

$3,062
1,288
—
—
718

$5,068

(1) Included in “Other accrued expenses and current liabilities” in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets, except for severance and related costs

which is included in “Accrued employee compensation and benefits.”

(2) During 2003, the Company reversed accruals related to the final settlement of lease termination costs.

(3) During 2002, the Company recorded $0.2 million in additional severance and related costs primarily due to delays in closing its U.S. fulfillment center,

which increased the cash outlay requirements for severance.

(4) During 2001, the Company reduced the original severance accrual by $0.3 million for severance payments due to the Company’s former president.

N o t e   1 3 .   E a r n i n g s   P e r   S h a r e

The  number  of  shares  used  in  the  earnings  per  share

Basic  earnings  per  share  are  based  on  the  weighted
average number of common shares outstanding during the
periods. Diluted earnings per share includes the weighted
average  number  of  common  shares  outstanding  during
the  respective  periods  and  the  further  dilutive  effect,  if
any, from stock options using the treasury stock method.
For the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001,
options to purchase shares of common stock of 2.9 million,
3.2 million and 2.9 million, respectively, at various prices
were antidilutive and were excluded from the calculation
of diluted earnings per share. 

computation are as follows (in thousands):

Years Ended December 31,
2001
2002
2003

Basic:

Weighted average common 

shares outstanding ............... 40,300

40,405

40,183

Diluted:

Dilutive effect of 

stock options .......................

141

—

285

Total weighted average 

diluted shares 
outstanding.................. 40,441

40,405

40,468

57

On August 5, 2002, the Company’s Board of Directors
authorized the purchase of up to an additional three mil-
lion  shares  of  its  outstanding  common  stock. The  shares
are  purchased,  from  time  to  time,  through  open  market
purchases  or  in  negotiated  private  transactions,  and  the
purchases are based on factors such as, including but not
limited to, the stock price and general market conditions.
As  of  December  31,  2003,  the  Company  had  repur-
chased  458  thousand  common  shares  under  the  2002
repurchase  program  at  prices  ranging  between  $3.11  to
$9.55 per share for a total cost of $3.1 million.

N o t e   1 4 .   C o m m i t m e n t s   a n d

C o n t i n g e n c i e s

The Company leases certain equipment and buildings
under operating leases having original terms ranging from
one to twenty-two years. The building leases contain up
to  two  five-year  renewal  options.  Rental  expense  under
operating leases for the years ended December 31, 2003,
2002 and 2001 was approximately $13.4 million, $13.7
million, and $12.1 million, respectively.

The following is a schedule of future minimum rental
payments  under  operating  leases  having  a  remaining 
non-cancelable term in excess of one year subsequent to
December 31, 2003 (in thousands):

Year

Total
Amount

2004........................................................................ $ 17,738
14,107
2005........................................................................
8,717
2006........................................................................
6,670
2007........................................................................
6,120
2008........................................................................
57,167
Thereafter ................................................................

Total minimum payments required ...................... $110,519

A lease agreement, relating to the Company’s customer
contact management center in Ireland, contains a cancel-
lation clause which requires the Company, in the event of
cancellation, to restore the facility to its original state at
an  estimated  cost  of  $0.6  million  as  of  December  31,
2003  and  pay  a  cancellation  fee  of  $0.5  million,  which
approximates the annual rental payments under the lease
agreement.  In  addition,  under  certain  circumstances
(including cancellation of the lease and cessation of the
center’s operations in the facility), the Company is contin-
gently  liable  until  June  16,  2005  to  repay  any  proceeds
received  in  association  with  the  facility’s  grant  agree-
ment. As of December 31, 2003, the grant proceeds sub-
ject  to  repayment  approximated  $1.0  million.  As  of
December 31, 2003, the Company had no plans to can-
cel this lease agreement.

The  Company  enters  into  agreements  with  third-party
vendors  in  the  ordinary  course  of  business  whereby  the
Company commits to purchase goods and services used

in its normal operations. These agreements, which are not
cancelable, generally range from one to five year periods
and  contain  fixed  or  minimum  annual  commitments.
Certain of these agreements allow for renegotiation of the
minimum annual commitments based on certain conditions.
The following is a schedule of future minimum purchases
remaining  under  the  agreements  as  of  December  31,
2003 (in thousands):

Year

Total 
Amount

2004 .......................................................................... $14,860
14,212
2005 ..........................................................................
12,501
2006 ..........................................................................

Total minimum payments required............................. $41,573

From  time  to  time,  during  the  normal  course  of  busi-
ness, the Company may make certain indemnities, com-
mitments and guarantees under which it may be required
to  make  payments  in  relation  to  certain  transactions.
These  include:  (i)  indemnities  to  vendors  and  service
providers  pertaining  to  claims  based  on  negligence  or
willful  misconduct  of  the  Company  and  (ii)  indemnities
involving the accuracy of representations and warranties
of  the  Company  in  certain  contracts.  In  addition,  the
Company has agreements whereby it will indemnify cer-
tain  officers  and  directors  for  certain  events  or  occur-
rences while the officer or director is, or was, serving at
the Company’s request in such capacity. The indemnifica-
tion  period  covers  all  pertinent  events  and  occurrences
during  the  officer’s  or  director’s  lifetime. The  maximum
potential amount of future payments the Company could
be  required  to  make  under  these  indemnification  agree-
ments  is  unlimited;  however,  the  Company  has  director
and  officer  insurance  coverage  that  limits  its  exposure
and enables it to recover a portion of any future amounts
paid. The  Company  believes  the  applicable  insurance
coverage  is  generally  adequate  to  cover  any  estimated
potential  liability  under  these  indemnification  agree-
ments. The  majority  of  these  indemnities,  commitments
and  guarantees  do  not  provide  for  any  limitation  of  the
maximum  potential  for  future  payments  the  Company
could  be  obligated  to  make.  The  Company  has  not
recorded any liability for these indemnities, commitments
and other guarantees in the accompanying Consolidated
Balance Sheets.

During  2002,  a  consolidated  class  action  lawsuit
against  the  Company  was  pending  in  the  United  States
District  Court  for  the  Middle  District  of  Florida, Tampa
Division,  captioned:  In  re  Sykes  Enterprises,  Inc.  Securi-
ties  Litigation  (hereinafter  the  “Class  Action  Litigation”).
The  plaintiffs  purported  to  assert  claims  on  behalf  of  a
class of purchasers of the Company’s common stock dur-
ing the period from July 27, 1998 through September 18,
2000. The  consolidated  action  claimed  violations  of

58

Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934  and  Rule  10b-5  promulgated  thereunder.  Among
other things, the consolidated action alleged that during
2000,  1999  and  1998,  the  Company  and  certain  of  its
officers  made  materially  false  statements  concerning  the
Company’s  financial  condition  and  its  future  prospects.
The  consolidated  complaint  also  claimed  that  certain  of
the  Company’s  quarterly  financial  statements  during
1999  and  1998  were  not  prepared  in  accordance  with
accounting  principles  generally  accepted  in  the  United
States  of  America.  The  consolidated  action  sought
compensatory and other damages, and costs and expenses
associated  with  the  litigation.  Although  the  Company
denied the plaintiff’s allegations and defended the action
vigorously,  due  to  the  extremely  high  costs  and  risks  of
litigation, as well as the drain on management time and
attention,  the  Company  agreed  to  a  settlement  of  the
Class Action Litigation with the plaintiffs. The settlement
resulted  in  a  cash  payment  of  $30.0  million.  Insurance
amounts,  after  payment  of  litigation  expenses,  covered
$16.6  million  of  the  settlement  and  the  Company  paid
the  remaining  amount  of  $13.4  million. The  Company
recorded a $13.8 million charge for the uninsured portion
of  the  Class  Action  Litigation  settlement  and  associated
legal  costs  during  the  third  quarter  of  2002. The  settle-
ment  was  approved  by  the  court  and  the  Class  Action
Litigation was dismissed March 7, 2003.

During 2002, two shareholder derivative lawsuits were
pending  in  the  Hillsborough  County,  Florida,  Circuit
Court against certain current and former members of the
Company’s  Board  of  Directors  and  Officers. These  suits 
were captioned Clarence S. Gurerra v. Sykes Enterprises,
Incorporated,  et.  al., and  James  Bunde  v.  Sykes  Enter-
prises,  Incorporated,  et.  al. While  the  Company  was  a
nominal defendant in these suits, both were purportedly
instituted  by  shareholders  of  the  Company  on  the
Company’s  behalf,  and  no  damages  or  other  relief  were
sought  from  the  Company.  Both  suits  alleged  breach  of
fiduciary  duties and  mismanagement  by  the  defendant
directors and officers arising out of the facts and circum-
stances alleged in the Class Action Litigation. The Bunde
lawsuit  also  named Ernst  & Young  LLP,  the  Company’s 
former accountants, as a defendant and alleged breach of

contract and negligence by Ernst & Young LLP arising out
of the facts and circumstances alleged in the Class Action
Litigation. The  suits  sought,  on  behalf  of  the  Company,
disgorgement of profits allegedly made by certain officers
and directors through the sale of Company stock while in
possession  of  inside  information  and  other  unspecified
damages  and  relief. The  plaintiffs  voluntarily  dismissed
the  Bunde  case  on  February  11,  2003  and  the  Gurerra
case was dismissed by the court on April 22, 2003.

The  Company  from  time  to  time  is  involved  in  other
legal  actions  arising  in  the  ordinary  course  of  business.
With respect to these matters, management believes that
it has adequate legal defenses and/or provided adequate
accruals for related costs such that the ultimate outcome
will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s
financial position or results of operations.

N o t e   1 5 .   E m p l o y e e   B e n e f i t   P l a n

The Company maintains a 401(k) plan covering defined
employees who meet established eligibility requirements.
Under  the  plan  provisions,  the  Company  matched  50%
of  participant  contributions  to  a  maximum  matching
amount of 2% of participant compensation. The Company
contribution  was  $0.8  million  including  $0.2  million  to
reimburse  the  401(k)  plan  for  commissions  previously
paid to a member of the Company’s Board of Directors as
discussed  in  Note  18,  $0.8  million  and  $1.0  million  for
the  years  ended  December  31,  2003,  2002  and  2001,
respectively.

N o t e   1 6 .   S t o c k   O p t i o n s

The  Company  maintains  various  stock  option  plans 
for  its  employees.  Options  to  employees  are  granted  at
not  less  than  fair  market  value  on  the  date  of  the  grant
and  generally  vest  over  one  to  four  years.  All  options
granted to employees under the Company’s stock option
plans  expire  if  not  exercised  by  the  tenth  anniversary  of
their grant date.

The Company also maintains a stock option plan that
provides  the  automatic  grant  of  non-qualified  stock
options  to  members  of  the  Board  of  Directors  who  are
not employees of the Company. Under the plan, each new

59

non-employee  director  is  granted  an  option  to  purchase
25  thousand  shares  of  common  stock  upon  his  or  her
election  to  the  Board.  Each  continuing  non-employee
director  is  granted  an  option  to  purchase  an  additional 
10  thousand  shares  of  common  stock  on  the  day  after
each  annual  shareholders’  meeting.  All  of  the  options
have an exercise price equal to the fair market value on
the  date  of  grant,  and  become  exercisable  ratably  over
three  years.  All  options  granted  to  non-employee  direc-
tors  expire  if  not  exercised  by  the  tenth  anniversary  of
their grant date.

At December 31, 2003, there were 7.0 million shares
of  common  stock  reserved  for  issuance  under  all  of  the
Company’s  stock  option  plans.  For  all  plans,  options  of
2.4 million, 2.3 million, and 1.6 million were exercisable
at December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001 with a weighted
average  exercise  price  of  $11.50,  $11.39  and  $14.70,
respectively.  There  were  4.5  million,  4.4  million  and 
6.6  million  shares  available  for  grant  under  the  plans  at
December 31, 2003, 2002, and 2001, respectively.

The  following  table  summarizes  stock  option  activity

for each of the three years ended December 31:

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

Shares
(In thousands)

Outstanding at January 1, 2001 ............
Granted.............................................
Exercised...........................................
Expired or terminated........................

Outstanding at December 31, 2001......
Granted.............................................
Exercised...........................................
Expired or terminated........................

Outstanding at December 31, 2002......
Granted.............................................
Exercised...........................................
Expired or terminated........................

3,474
496
(116)
(1,114)

2,740
2,052
(124)
(1,168)

3,500
163
(195)
(307)

$16.25
$ 7.67
$ 4.05
$18.38

$14.35
$ 8.76
$ 4.15
$17.57

$10.39
$ 5.80
$ 4.23
$10.40

Outstanding at December 31, 2003 .....

3,161

$10.54

The following table further summarizes significant ranges of outstanding and exercisable options at December 31, 2003:

Range of
Exercise Prices

Number
Outstanding at
Dec. 31, 2003
(In thousands)

Weighted Weighted
Average
Average
Exercise
Remaining
Price
Life (Years)

Number
Exercisable at
Dec. 31, 2003
(In thousands)

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

under $4.00 ........................................................................
$ 4.01 to $ 6.00 ................................................................
$ 6.01 to $ 9.00 ................................................................
$ 9.01 to $13.00 ................................................................
$13.01 to $19.00 ................................................................
$19.01 to $28.00 ................................................................
over $28.00 ........................................................................

Total................................................................................

86
497
378
1,643
236
246
75

3,161

8.9
7.7
8.0
8.0
6.1
4.3
5.1

7.5

$ 3.20
$ 4.92
$ 8.47
$ 9.32
$16.39
$24.04
$30.76

$10.54

21
305
82
1,427
236
246
75

2,392

$ 3.16
$ 4.75
$ 8.44
$ 9.25
$16.39
$24.04
$30.76

$11.50

60

Employee  Stock  Purchase  Plan—The  Company’s
Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”), which qualifies
under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
allowed  eligible  employees  to  purchase  the  Company’s
common  stock  through  payroll  deductions  at  87.5%  of
the  market  price  on  the  last  day  of  the  offering  period,
subject to certain maximum limitations. Effective June 30,
2003,  the  Company’s  Board  of  Directors  decided  to  ter-
minate  the  ESPP  due  to  limited  employee  participation
and  costs  associated  with  administrating  it. Accordingly,
the remaining 0.8 million shares of the Company’s com-
mon stock previously reserved are no longer available for
future issuance under the ESPP as of June 30, 2003, the
termination date.

The weighted average fair value share price of the pur-
chase  rights  granted  under  the  ESPP  during  the  years
ended December 31, 2003 (before the termination date),
2002 and 2001 were $3.80, $5.35 and $6.34, respectively.
For the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001,
0.03 million, 0.07 million and 0.06 million, respectively,
of such shares were purchased by eligible employees.

N o t e   1 7 .   S e g m e n t s   a n d   G e o g r a p h i c

I n f o r m a t i o n

The  Company  operates  within  two  regions,  the
“Americas”  and  “EMEA”  which  represented  66.9%  and 
33.1%,  respectively,  of  consolidated  revenues  for  2003.
The Americas and EMEA regions represented 66.1% and
33.9%,  respectively,  of  consolidated  revenues  for  2002,
and 66.1% and 33.9%, respectively, of consolidated rev-
enues for 2001. Each region represents a reportable segment

comprised  of  aggregated  regional  operating  segments,
which  portray  similar  economic  characteristics.  The
Company aligned its business into these two segments to
more  effectively  manage  the  business  and  support  the
customer care needs of every client and to respond to the
changing  demands  of  the  Company’s  global  customers
and  the  implementation  of  the  customer  centric  model.
The  customer  centric  model  reflects  the  philosophy
throughout  the  organization  and  was  formally  imple-
mented  in  connection  with  the  Company’s  continued
efforts to concentrate resources on its core competencies
and focus on the needs of its clients. In the first quarter of
2003,  the  Company  began  to  evaluate  the  performance
of its reportable segments before allocation of corporate
resources,  primarily  its  corporate  headquarters  costs.
Accordingly, effective January 1, 2003, these costs are no
longer included in the income (loss) from operations for
each of the reportable segments. The reportable segments
consist  of  (1)  the  Americas,  which  includes  the  United
States, Canada, Latin America, India and the Asia Pacific
Rim, and provides outsourced customer contact manage-
ment  solutions  (with  an  emphasis  on  technical  support
and customer service) and technical staffing and (2) EMEA,
which  includes  Europe,  the  Middle  East  and Africa,  and
provides outsourced customer contact management solu-
tions (with an emphasis on technical support and customer
service)  and  fulfillment  services. The  sites  within  Latin
America, India and the Asia Pacific Rim are included in the
Americas region given the nature of the business and client
profile, which is primarily made up of U.S. based compa-
nies that are using the Company’s services in these locations
to support their customer contact management needs.

61

Information  about  the  Company’s  reportable  segments  for  the  years  ended  December  31,  2003,  2002  and  2001,  as
revised to reflect the change in segments to exclude corporate resources no longer allocated to the segments, is as follows
(in thousands):

Americas

EMEA

Other(1)

For the Year Ended December 31, 2003:
Revenues .................................................................................................
Depreciation and amortization ................................................................
Income (loss) from operations before reversal of 

restructuring and other charges  ..........................................................
Reversal of restructuring and other charges .............................................

Income from operations...........................................................................
Other income ..........................................................................................
Provision for income taxes ......................................................................

Net income .............................................................................................

For the Year Ended December 31, 2002:
Revenues .................................................................................................
Depreciation and amortization ................................................................
Income (loss) from operations before restructuring and 

other charges and impairment of long-lived assets...............................
Restructuring and other charges...............................................................
Impairment of long-lived assets ...............................................................

Loss from operations................................................................................
Other expense .........................................................................................
Benefit for income taxes ..........................................................................

Net loss ...................................................................................................

For the Year Ended December 31, 2001:
Revenues .................................................................................................
Depreciation and amortization ................................................................
Income (loss) from operations before restructuring and 

other charges and impairment of long-lived assets...............................
Restructuring and other charges...............................................................
Impairment of long-lived assets ...............................................................

Loss from operations................................................................................
Other income ..........................................................................................
Benefit for income taxes ..........................................................................

Net income..............................................................................................

$321,195
21,184

$159,164
8,941

$ 31,636

$ 2,468

$299,185
23,145

$153,552
11,193

$ 29,627

$

2,401

$328,207(2)
26,337

$168,515
8,600

$ 41,189(2)

$ 8,204

Consolidated
Total

$480,359
30,125

$(23,382)
646

$ 10,722
646

2,588
(4,651)

$(21,034)
(20,814)
(1,475)

(13,151)
5,815

$(33,673)
(14,600)
(1,480)

546
223

11,368
2,588
(4,651)

$ 9,305

$452,737
34,338

$ 10,994
(20,814)
(1,475)

(11,295)
(13,151)
5,815

$ (18,631)

$496,722
34,937

$ 15,720
(14,600)
(1,480)

(360)
546
223

$

409

(1) Other items (including corporate costs, restructuring and impairment costs, other income and expense, and income taxes) are shown for purposes of
reconciling to the Company’s consolidated totals as shown in the table above for the three years ended December 31, 2003. The accounting policies of
the reportable segments are the same as those described in Note 1, Summary of Accounting Policies, to the accompanying consolidated financial state-
ments. Inter-segment revenues are not material to the Americas and EMEA segment results. The Company evaluates the performance of its geographic
segments based on revenue and income (loss) from operations, and does not include segment assets or other income and expense items for manage-
ment reporting purposes.

(2) The Americas’ revenue includes $0.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2001 from U.S. fulfillment, a business which the Company exited in con-
nection with the fourth quarter 2000 restructuring. The Company continues to operate its European fulfillment business. Additionally, income (loss) from
operations includes income of $0.1 million for the year ended December 2001 from U.S. fulfillment.

62

The Americas’ revenues included $81.2 million, or 16.9%
of  consolidated  revenues  for  the  year  ended  December
31,  2003,  from  a  leading  systems  integrator  (“Systems
Integrator”) that represents a major provider of communi-
cation  services  to  whom  the  Company  provides various
outsourced  customer  contact  management  services.
Effective May 1, 2003, the Company entered into a sub-
contractor services agreement (the “Agreement”) with the
Systems  Integrator  following  the  execution  of  a  primary
services agreement between the major provider of com-
munication services and the Systems Integrator. The rev-
enues  for  comparable  periods  as  it  relates  to  this
relationship  were  $71.6  million,  or  15.8%  of  consoli-
dated revenues, and $58.5 million, or 11.8% of consoli-
dated revenues, for the years ended December 31, 2002
and 2001, respectively. Under the terms of this three-year
Agreement, which contains penalty provisions for failure
to meet minimum service levels and is cancelable with 6
months  written  notice,  the  Company  will  continue  to
provide  the  products  and  services  necessary  to  support
and assist the Systems Integrator in the management and
performance of its primary services agreement.

In addition, revenues include $58.5 million, or 12.2%
of  consolidated  revenues,  $54.6  million,  or  12.1%  of 
consolidated  revenues,  and  $46.2  million,  or  9.3%  of
consolidated revenues, for the years ended December 31,
2003,  2002  and  2001,  respectively,  from  a  leading  soft-
ware  and  services  provider. This  includes  $58.0  million,
$52.3  million  and  $43.8  million  in  revenue  from  the
Americas for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002
and  2001,  respectively,  and  $0.5  million,  $2.3  million
and  $2.4  million  in  revenue  from  EMEA  for  the  years
ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

Information  about  the  Company’s  operations  by  geo-

graphic location is as follows (in thousands):

Years Ended December 31,
2002

2001

2003

Revenues(1):

United States ...............
Canada........................
Costa Rica ...................
Philippines ..................
Other...........................

$173,984
66,147
28,017
45,550
7,497

$197,914
57,297
19,992
21,534
2,448

$250,285
51,229
11,131
14,606
956

Total Americas.........

321,195

299,185

328,207

Germany .....................
United Kingdom..........
Sweden .......................
The Netherlands ..........
Hungary ......................
Other...........................

59,706
40,500
23,814
10,683
7,469
16,992

57,191
48,976
24,682
9,089
4,340
9,274

68,856
57,690
19,927
14,928
2,393
4,721

Total EMEA..............

159,164

153,552

168,515

Total ....................

$480,359

$452,737

$496,722

Long-lived assets(2):

United States ................
Canada .........................
Costa Rica ....................
Philippines....................
Other ............................

$ 56,172
10,340
6,813
13,181
4,776

$ 71,667
8,831
3,966
4,857
1,716

$100,125
9,791
3,361
1,975
473

Total Americas ..........

91,282

91,037

115,725

Germany.......................
United Kingdom ...........
Sweden.........................
The Netherlands ..........
Hungary ......................
Other ............................

6,119
7,767
1,112
602
2,310
3,087

6,604
9,537
1,428
1,671
1,039
3,136

Total EMEA ...............

20,997

23,415

7,572
15,553
1,606
2,861
486
1,564

29,642

Total .....................

$112,279

$114,452

$145,367

(1) Revenues  are  attributed  to  countries  based  on  location  of  customer,
except for Costa Rica, Philippines, China and India which is primarily
based on customers located in the U.S.

(2) Long-lived assets include property and equipment, net and goodwill, net.

Revenues for the Company’s products and services are

as follows (in thousands):

Years Ended December 31,
2002

2003

2001

Technical support and
customer service 
and fulfillment ................

Technical staffing 

and consultative 
professional services .......

$465,678

$428,081

$460,142

14,681

24,656

36,580

Total............................

$480,359

$452,737

$496,722

63

N o t e   1 8 .   R e l a t e d   P a r t y  Tr a n s a c t i o n s

The Company paid the Chairman (and majority share-
holder) $0.6 million, $0.6 million and $0.8 million for the
use of his private jet in 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively,
which was based on two times fuel costs and actual costs
incurred for each trip.

The Board of Directors determined that a note receiv-
able  of  $0.4  million  due  from  the  Company’s  Chairman
(and majority shareholder) was a corporate expense to be
forgiven and charged against income for the year ended
December 31, 2001.

During  2001,  we  terminated  an  arrangement  with  a
company,  in  which  the  Chairman  (and  majority  share-
holder)  has  an  80%  equity  interest.  For  the  year  ended
December 31, 2001, we paid this company $0.5 million
for management and site development services.

A  member  of  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Company
received broker commissions from the Company’s 401(k)
investment  firm  of  $0.05  million  and  $0.03  million  for
the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001, respec-
tively,  and  insurance  commissions  for  the  placement  of
the  Company’s  various  corporate  insurance  programs  of
approximately $0.1 million for each of the two years ended
December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively. This arrange-
ment was terminated in 2002. During 2003, the Company
determined that the payment of broker commissions was
a  prohibited  transaction  under  Federal  regulations. As  a
result, during 2003, the Company reimbursed the 401(k)
plan $0.2 million for previously paid broker commissions
and will pay a penalty to the U.S. government of approx-
imately $0.1 million. 

End of notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Schedule II—Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001

(In thousands)

Allowance for doubtful accounts:

Balance at
Beginning
of Period

Additions
Charged to
Costs and
Expenses

Balance at
End of
Period

Deductions (1)

Year ended December 31, 2003 ....................
Year ended December 31, 2002 .....................
Year ended December 31, 2001 .....................

$ 5,102
4,183
7,260

$ 441
1,472
2,575

Valuation allowance for net deferred tax assets:

Year ended December 31, 2003 ....................
Year ended December 31, 2002 .....................
Year ended December 31, 2001 .....................

(1) Write-offs and recoveries.

$19,914
15,302
3,982

$10,668
4,612
11,320

$1,301
553
5,652

$ —
—
—

$ 4,242
5,102
4,183

$30,582
19,914
15,302

64

28243 Cover  4/21/04  10:15 AM  Page 2

A b o u t   S y k e s   E n t e r p r i s e s ,   I n c o r p o r a t e d

C o r p o r a t e   I n f o r m a t i o n

SYKES is a global leader in providing outsourced customer contact management
solutions and services in the business process outsourcing (BPO) arena. SYKES
provides  an  array  of  sophisticated  customer  contact  management  solutions  to
Fortune 1000 companies around the world, primarily in the communications,
financial  services,  healthcare,  technology/consumer  and  transportation  and
leisure industries. SYKES specializes in providing flexible, high quality outsourced
customer  contact  management  solutions  and  services  with  an  emphasis  on
inbound  technical  support  and  customer  service.  Headquartered  in  Tampa,
Florida,  with  42  customer  contact  management  centers  throughout  the  world,
SYKES provides its services through multiple communication channels encompass-
ing phone, e-mail, Web and chat. Utilizing its integrated onshore/offshore global
delivery model, SYKES serves its clients through two geographic operating regions:
the Americas (United States, Canada, Latin America, India and the Asia Pacific
Rim) and EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa). SYKES also provides various
enterprise support services in the United States and fulfillment services, which
includes multilingual sales order processing, inventory control, product delivery
and product returns handling, in EMEA. For additional information please visit
www.sykes.com.

Technology
33%

Communications
43%

EMEA
24%

2003

Offshore
42%

Onshore
31%

Other
7% Transportation

5%

Healthcare
6%

Financial 
Services
6%

Near Shore
3%

Vertical Markets Mix-Shift  

Offshore Seat Mix-Shift

Technology
62%

Communications
20%

2000

EMEA
37%

Onshore
52%

Government, 
Retail & Other
8%

Dot coms
7%

Financial 
Services
3%

Offshore
8%

Near Shore
3%

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D

Board of Directors

Principal Officers

Corporate Information

John H. Sykes
Chairman of the Board 
and Chief Executive Officer 

W. Michael Kipphut
Group Executive, 
Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer

David P. Reule
President,
Sykes Realty, Inc. 
(a real estate subsidiary)

Charles E. Sykes
Chief Operating Officer

Gerry L. Rogers
Group Executive and
Senior Vice President,
Chief Information Officer

Jenna R. Nelson
Group Executive and 
Senior Vice President, 
Human Resources and Administration

James T. Holder
Vice President, General Counsel 
and Corporate Secretary

William N. Rocktoff
Vice President and Controller

Conway W. Jensen
Vice President, Marketing and 
Public Relations

James C. Hobby
Senior Vice President, The Americas

Daniel L. Hernandez
Senior Vice President, Global Strategy

John H. Sykes
Chairman of the Board 
and Chief Executive Officer
Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated

Furman P. Bodenheimer, Jr.
President and Chief Executive Officer
Nantahala Lumber Company and
Zickgraf Enterprises, Inc.

Mark C. Bozek
Chief Executive Officer
Halo Entertainment

Lt. Gen. Michael P. DeLong (Ret.)
Corporate Vice President of 
Strategic Planning and Operations 
The Shaw Group

H. Parks Helms, Esq.
Managing Partner for Helms, 
Henderson & Fulton, P.A.

Gordon H. Loetz
Vice Chairman of the Board
Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated

Linda F. McClintock-Greco M.D.
President and Chief Executive Officer
Greco & Associates Consulting
(Healthcare)

William J. Meurer
Managing Partner (retired) for Arthur
Andersen’s Central Florida operations
Director of Heritage Family of Funds

Ernest J. Milani
President (retired) of 
CDI Corporation Northeast and 
CDI Technical Services, Ltd.

Thomas F. Skelly
Senior Vice President of Finance and
Chief Financial Officer (retired)
The Gillette Company
Director of Signal Technology

Paul L. Whiting
Chief Executive Officer (retired)
Spalding and Evenflo

Corporate Headquarters:
400 North Ashley Drive
Suite 2800
Tampa, FL USA 33602
(813) 274-1000
Fax (813) 273-0148
www.sykes.com

Independent Auditors:
Deloitte & Touche LLP
201 E. Kennedy Boulevard
Suite 1200
Tampa, FL USA 33602

Registrar and Transfer Agent:
SunTrust Bank
Mail Code 258
P.O. Box 4625
Atlanta, GA 30302-4625
(800) 568-3476

Sykes’ shares trade on 
The Nasdaq Stock Market®
under the symbol “SYKE”

Annual Meeting:
Sykes’ annual meeting of shareholders 
will be held at 8:00 a.m. (EST) Friday, 
May 7, 2004. The meeting will be held at:
Tampa Marriott Waterside
700 South Florida Avenue
Tampa, FL USA 33602

Investor Information:
Quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and the
Form 10-K Annual Report filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission are
available on the Company’s website at
www.sykes.com/english/investors.asp under
the heading “Financial Reports—SEC
Filings,” or upon written request to Sykes’
Investor Relations department in Tampa,
Florida or by contacting:

Subhaash Kumar
Senior Director, Investor Relations
(813) 274-1000

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
28243 Cover  4/21/04  10:15 AM  Page 1

SYKES(cid:1)

Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated, 400 North Ashley Drive, Suite 2800, Tampa, Florida 33602

www.sykes.com

annual 2003 report