There are many responsibilities involved in running a company. Some of them are administrative and may help keep operations going, but they don’t contribute to business growth. At worst, they distract your focus or draw away resources that should have gone elsewhere. That is why it is a smart idea to consider outsourcing.
But you need to do it right. Here are some useful pointers for companies that are planning to go into outsourcing so they don’t make many mistakes:
Figure Out What Needs Outsourcing
Before looking around for an outsourcing partner, you will want to have an idea of what you can outsource. Sit down with your people and figure out your company’s focus and abilities. If a task is a particular specialization of the company, then it is a good idea to keep it in-house. For example, if your company is an accounting firm, then it will save you resources if you keep all your bookkeeping inside the company.
Find the Right Partner
When you are outsourcing, you must have the right partner for it. Don’t pick an outsourcing company because they offer you the cheapest price. The best way to handle looking for an outsourcing partner is to treat it like you are looking for a new employee. This means looking at their background and experience. You should also look into what their other customers are saying about them.
For example, if your hospital needs help with urgent care or ER billing, it is a good idea to work with a company that can handle it with no problem. But besides that, you will want an outsourcing partner that can deliver more than the basics. Their other clients should tell you about what they have done for them and how their operations are better because of the partnership.
Begin Slowly
Completely transferring your process to an outsourcing company is not a good idea. There is still a chance that your partner is not as good as they present themselves. Phase-out the process slowly. Maybe 10 percent of the work is transferred during the first month. Increase it slowly until you do not have the operation in your company. This slow transition makes it easier for your employees and gives you a safety net in case you want to back out or change outsourcing companies.
Be Smart About Payment
Similar to the slow transfer of operations, it is a good idea to have your payment for services tied to particular milestones or achievements. For example, you want a particular amount of leads from an outsourced marketing agency every month. Encouraging them to meet a quota or they lose payment ensures that they will do their best.
Outsourcing essentially has you trusting someone with your company’s processes. It can easily cause problems if you are not careful. The guide above should help you make the right decisions when it comes to who to trust and what to trust them with. Outsourcing can a big help for any business and you should give it the priority it deserves. This allows your core people to focus on what is important to your business and to grow it faster.
