Outsourcing: How To Make It Work For Your Business

Recruitment is a fine balance. On the one hand, you need the extra resource. On the other, it's a permanent commitment that can wreak havoc with your long-term financial viability.

This is one of the reasons why outsourcing has become so popular over the last few years. Some call it freelancing, and others call it contracting - the terms interchange. Through the power of the internet, it has become easier than ever to outsource, and, quite often, this outside help doesn't even have to be in the same country. It's another example of remote work coming to the rescue.

There's no doubt that you have to be wise in how you approach this, though. While it might not involve permanent employment contracts, it can still be costly. We have penned today's guide to ensure that you approach it correctly.

Define the task

Before you go ahead and start outsourcing, you must have a clear idea of what you want to be done. This is especially important if you're looking for someone to do a specific task. Explaining it generally will only lead to confusion and poor results.

Let's not forget that the people you turn to are unfamiliar with your business. It means that they need even more education on how things work and how you need something done. Sometimes, mistakes aren’t made due to the person being briefed on the work, but rather a poor brief.

Don't fall for the ultra-cheap rates

One of the dangers of outsourcing is that you can be lured in by the ultra-cheap rates that some people offer. This is especially true if you're looking online, where some of the outsourcing job boards have rates that border on the ridiculous.

Remember, though, that you get what you pay for. In most cases, the people offering these rates are not qualified to do the job properly. This could lead to frustration on your part and poor results. You might be looking to outsource to save money in the long term, but make sure you continue to pay fair rates to avoid the above.

There may still be other hidden costs

You're not just hiring someone to do a specific task when you're outsourcing. Depending on the agreement you have put in place, you can also be responsible for their accommodation, travel, and other associated costs. It's important to remember this when budgeting, as you might be surprised at just how much it all costs.

It also doesn't have to be about the direct costs. For example, you may have to adjust your indemnity insurance now you are working with more people, while there are most likely other variable costs of labour that need to be factored in.

Make sure you have a solid system in place

This goes back to point number one. If you're unclear about what you want done, it won’t be easy to make sure that it's done correctly. This is especially true if you're outsourcing to someone outwith the country.

You need to have a system in place that allows you to track the work that is being done and the results. This will help to ensure that you are getting what you expect and avoid any potential misunderstandings. A good brief is only half the battle; you need to make sure you review it even more thoroughly.