There are numerous grisly outsourcing stories out there—some of which are enough to keep you awake at night. Don’t get us wrong. Looking for help outside your company definitely has its good points. From easing your workflow to diversifying expertise within your company, the benefits of outsourcing can be substantial. However, there are still pitfalls to it that can pose risks to your company if you’re not careful enough. Here are the most common fears in outsourcing and how you can overcome them:
#1 Fear of Zero Control
Handing over important aspects of your organization can be daunting. Compared to hiring in-house, there is the possibility of losing visibility and control if your team is on the other side of the world. This could mean limited communication, different standards, and sub-par results.
To prevent these risks, you need to think of outsourcing from a strategic standpoint. Look for an outsourcing partner who has a mitigation plan and knows how to implement them. Take the time to discuss what your expectations are, your workflow process, the communication channels you will need, and what the partnership should entail. Be open about the possible risks your venture will face and quiz them on how they should respond or what systems have they put in place to prevent such risks.
#2 Fear of Poor Quality
Although outsourcing is not a quick fix to increase sales and change the customer’s perception of your products or services, ensuring quality of delivery is still a priority. The only way to mitigate this concern is to vet your outsourcing partner properly.
Start by determining what kind of team you want to work with and what kind of quality service you would expect from them. Always ask for references, portfolios, or case studies. Checking for their outsourcing processes and systems is also worth doing. At the same time, anticipate sensible and practical results so as not to set yourself up for disappointment.
#3 Fear of Problematic Delegation
Relinquishing a degree of power to others doesn’t always come easy to business owners. You might fear that an outsourced team can’t properly represent your company because they don’t fully understand your business. This isn’t a trivial fear because you know your business better than anyone.
With that in mind, learning about your business and the market in which you operate and compete should be a basic requirement for your outsourcing partner. Your outsourced team should be trained as if they were internal. Alternately, you should know what’s your role in the process and decide what functions you can delegate. If these are not clear for you during the preliminary consultations and the outsourcing company is unable to explain it, then you should consider other providers right away.
#4 Fear of Non-Committal
An outsourced provider or a virtual assistant suddenly cutting off contact and turning silent can easily be the stuff of nightmares—but it is not unheard of. Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to identifying a provider who lacks commitment.
As a precaution, the importance of vetting your outsourcing partner cannot be stressed enough. Create an ideal profile of the person you plan to outsource the task to. Getting specific makes it easier to find qualified candidates who can do the job and will fit well with your company culture.
#5 Fear of the Costs
Cost is a major concern for any business decision, but it’s one that you don’t have to worry about when outsourcing. Even though your outsourced work must be paid for, often the costs are cheaper than if your company performed the operation itself.
Outsourcing allows you to get the work done at a very low cost and in a much more efficient way. You also don’t need to spend extra on developing infrastructure because it is the responsibility of your outsourcing partner to source the necessary equipment. The savings can be enormous depending on your business operations, from recruitment to training and administrative costs. When you start thinking about all those expenses, particularly if you are hiring several people or you are dealing with high turnover, you may find that outsourcing saves you a significant amount of money.
Where There is No Room for Fear
Getting past the fear of outsourcing is the first step towards making your business as efficient and cost effective as it can be.
It helps to have a true outsourcing partner that understands your business and has the experience and expertise to assure you in any situation. Don’t let your fears prevent you from making the best decisions for your company. Ask Maquiraya and Associates, Inc. We will address all your questions and hesitations about outsourcing to the Philippines.