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Make Outsourcing a Success with These Tips

Outsourcing—going outside your business for services you need—is one of
the best ways for a small business to get ahead. But using outsourcing to your
best advantage does not happen automatically.  Some outsourcing
relationships can fail, costing your business time and money while a new
relationship is established.

The key to outsourcing success for a small business is to go about it
professionally. Out of pure necessity, small businesses started outsourcing
long before there was even a term for it. Most small firms don’t have the in-
house expertise to perform many different functions. So they hire someone
else to do it for them. An outside specialist can do everything from payroll to
building Web sites, managing computer networks or handling telephone sales
and credit card processing.  

Developing a successful long-term relationship with an outsourcing partner
requires effort on both sides. It’s important to treat it like a partnership,
because that’s what it really is. A vendor who supplies a vital service for your
business is like part of your staff, so you should go through a similar
interviewing and reference checking process before you “hire” them.

Using outside service providers who have experience working with your
particular type of business is important. You’ll also want someone with the
technology and expertise to deliver cutting edge services.

Be sure to ask detailed questions about the service you will receive, and
access to someone who can answer questions and solve problems as they
arise. For most small business owners, this kind of accessibility and service
are top priorities. If the firm you are considering won’t be available when
something goes wrong, look elsewhere. Since they are not likely to sell you
this themselves, ask to speak with current and past clients. Most importantly,
meet with the key people involved and evaluate for yourself how you think they
will perform for your business.

The Outsourcing Institute, www.outsourcing.com, is a professional association
for the outsourcing industry and a neutral “go-to” resource for information,
connections and solutions to help businesses both large and small become
successful outsourcers. The Outsourcing Help Desk lists of regional
outsourcing events and solutions for small business buyers.

To learn more about outsourcing successfully, contact SCORE "Counselors to
America's Small Business." SCORE is a nonprofit organization of more than
10,500 volunteer business counselors who provide free, confidential business
counseling and training workshops to small business owners. Go to www.
scoredm.org on the web or call (515) 284-4760 between the hours of 10:00 A.
M. and 3:00 P.M. Monday through Friday.