Get Yourself an Outsourcing Plan

Posted on February 1, 2013

Is your company keen on outsourcing? Then what you need is a full-proof outsourcing plan before you get started on offshoring you work. Just like any other business activity, outsourcing too requires a certain amount of careful planning. With a properly laid out plan in your hand, you can expect a successful business outcome, while cutting down on unnecessary cost and adding value to you company.  But how do you formulate a winning outsourcing plan? Here are seven strategies to help you come up with a perfect outsourcing plan:

1. Identify your targets and objectives

What are some of the main reasons why your company wants to outsource? Pen down your objectives, targets and expectations from the outsourcing partnership. Once you clearly define your needs, you can easily find a vendor that matches your requirements.

2. Look for the right service provider

Take some time off to hunt for a vendor that suits your outsourcing needs. Verifying the vendor’s background, work culture, past references, business ethics and overall compatibility can help you decide on the best partner for your business. Choosing a service provider that offers qualified resources at a low cost can work to your advantage.

3. Decide on what you want to outsource

If you are new to outsourcing, then start off by outsourcing small non-critical projects. Outsourcing back-end work can help you save a lot, in terms of cost, time, manpower and effort. Once you are comfortable with the concept of outsourcing, you can outsource complicated projects. By pre-deciding on what you want to outsource, your service provider will be better able to manage your project scope.

4. Increase the project scope slowly

So now that you have found the ideal outsourcing partner, you can begin by outsourcing a small non-critical project to test their skills. Having done this and if you are satisfied with the results, you can increase the project scope and move on to complicated assignments. The key to successful outsourcing is to slowly increase the project scope.

5. Prepare your in-house staff for outsourcing

The idea of outsourcing can make your staff feel insecure and give them a complex. So it is important that you tell your employees that outsourcing is something that has to be done, so that they can concentrate on higher-end activities like creative marketing and planning.

6. Train your managers

Tell your management about your outsourcing plans, long-term business plans and strategies. Prepare your managers in advance, so that they can aid you and your staff when outsourcing happens. Give your managers the required training to handle employee retention.

7. Secure your business processes

Before you begin outsourcing, make sure that you have secured all your business processes. This way, you need not have any worries about your vendor accessing your important company information. Make sure that you also secure your networks and confidential customer details. Get your vendor to sign an NDA (Non Disclosure Agreement) before they begin work on your project.

Do you devise outsourcing plans before you actually outsource? What are some of the strategies and guidelines that you use? Let us know.

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