Outsourcing: good or bad? It is a question that has entertained the internet ever since Sir Timothy John Berners-Lee invented this digital world and the reason for that is simple: there are pros and cons, benefits and risk. As frustrating as this can be, it is something that you absolutely need to accept. Don’t give it the time and consideration it needs and you could see your business go pear-shaped.
We’re not saying you should avoid outsourcing at all costs. Absolutely not. The benefits are just too obvious to not throw the dice. What we are saying, however, is act with caution, which is easily done by taking certain steps that will ensure a smooth handover of certain responsibilities.
1. Only Outsource The Right Things
This is essentially the hardest part of the outsourcing question. The important thing to remember (so write these down on sticky notes) is not to outsource any tasks that give you a competitive advantage, to keep control of anything that makes your unique, anything that counts as a core function and not to outsource anything where you are already a leader in your industry.
2. Know All The Costs Involved
Most of the time, a company decides to outsource based on one overriding factor: cost. They believe it is a way to save money. But this isn’t always the case, as https://www.theatlantic.com suggests. It isn’t just their price you need to consider, it is the selection process, the transition period, the legal costs that may arise, network costs, travel implications and whatever else. Make sure you aware of all of these so that you aren’t caught out.
3. Interview With Caution
This is probably your only chance to get to know the vendors you will be employing, which is why you make sure you get all you can from this experience. The rest of the time your relationship will probably be conducted from afar. The best way to achieve success on this front is to know what you are outsourcing and what you want in a vendor; that way you can tick boxes. If you are outsourcing your IT needs, then you want someone like http://www.mrivertech.pro/ who make sure they understand how you use your tech and don’t talk geek. If you want to outsource your blogging needs, then you need a freelance copywriter that understands your industry, your place in it, your marketing strategy, the tone of voice and target audience.
4. Lowest Price Is A No Go
It can be so tempting to base your entire decision on price, but there is a huge difference between cheap and good value. Like the old saying goes, you get what you pay for. Of course, going with the most expensive option may not be feasible, but going with the cheapest may turn out to be even more costly. Basically, don’t skimp. This is your business we are talking about here.
5. Don’t Rush Into It
There is no need to rush this at all, in any sense. You don’t need to rush the vendor selection process and you don’t need to rush the handover of control. Instead, give your chosen vendor some degree of control but assign more based on performance. This will reduce the chances of things going wrong. It will let you be certain they are the right fit and able to take on an increased workload.