Seeking a long-term relationship doesn’t only apply when looking for a life partner. People also seek long-term relationship business, and both have one thing in common—ending up with the wrong partner will set you up for a world of distress.
Outsourcing helps companies focus on developing growth strategies and increasing profitability. However, it is extremely important to find an outsourcing provider that fits well with your business as well as with its culture & values.
In uncertain markets, having the right staff stand by you and keeping your outgoing in check is incredibly important. And there’s no better way to keep the business running and growing than to outsource.
If you want to grow your business, you need to have all staff and management pulling in the same direction. You can’t afford to be doing business with an outsourcing provider that doesn’t ‘get’ your business or, even worse, doesn’t care about your way of doing things.
So how do you make the right decision? Here are ten things you should think about when looking for an outsourcing provider.
1. Geographical location and time zone
Does your provider offer 24/7 support? In many cases, It’s more practical for business owners to outsource tasks in another country with a different time zone. It creates an opportunity to run your business 24/7. Your outsourced team can offer extended support and services to your customers. Since time zones can create challenges in terms of communication, you need to assess how you can distribute the tasks effectively.
2. Availability of talent and resources
You gain access to a wider pool of skilled professionals when you outsource, but it’s important to ask your outsourcing provider about their recruitment or hiring process. How do they find the top talent in the industry? Ensure that they can provide you with reliable workers that your business requires.
3. IP and confidentiality
Information and data security is of utmost importance when outsourcing to another country. Your outsourcing provider needs to understand and comply with your intellectual property rights. Make sure that they are willing to sign a confidentiality agreement to ensure that your company’s data is fully protected.
4. Justification of costs and expenses
One of the main reasons why business owners are outsourcing is to lessen their expenses. But with so many outsourcing providers that offer the same thing, you need to do a thorough comparison. Make sure that even at a lower rate, they can still fulfill your business requirements. Ask for a quotation and do some research about what is and isn’t included in the price before diving into contract details.
5. The management team
When you’re looking for an outsourcing partner, find out about their management team. It’s important to know the people who will lead and guide your remote staff. Do a background check on whether they have enough experience in the field to help you meet your requirements. A great management team will be able to lend a hand in transitioning work so you can get the results you want.
6. Company culture and values
Does your outsourcing provider share the values you have with your own company? Establish a partnership with a company that understands and cares about your goals and motivation. Remember that your outsourced team will be an extension of your onshore team. They will effectively be your own staff under your own management and, in many cases, will be working closely with your on-shore staff. If your onshore and offshore teams don’t gel, then it will be difficult to fully achieve your business goals and objectives.
7. Effective communication
For a business to run smoothly, it requires efficient communication across all areas. One important thing you need to consider is the language. Choose an outsourcing partner who is well-versed in your language. For instance, if English fluency is what you need, then consider outsourcing to an English-speaking country like the Philippines.
8. Learn about infrastructure and technology
There are many factors that can cause hiccups when outsourcing. This is why it’s necessary to check the infrastructure and technologies that will help boost your capabilities. Make sure that all systems are reliable and can handle all your outsourced functions. Otherwise, it might cause a disruption in your business.
9. Experienced service provider
An outsourcing company with an excellent track record is what you should look for if you want to grow your business. Have a look at their website and read some testimonials or case studies. This is a great way to gain insight on what they can offer. You’ll know whether you can put your trust in them when handing over the mundane parts of the job.
10. See the facilities
Does the idea of sending work to an unfamiliar country and company make you a bit hesitant? Then consider investing time to visit the offices of your potential outsourcing partners. It will allow you to get some fresh perspective about their staff and their work processes. You’ll get to see how your business can grow further through the right partnership.
Business partnership with Cloudstaff
Cloudstaff has a strong, experienced management team with both Western and Filipino executives. The core management team is based in the Philippines and closely interacts with the operational staff.
With a proven track record, Cloudstaff has been successful in delivering outsourcing solutions to businesses of all sizes.
We provide structured implementation frameworks that are necessary when outsourcing and allow our customers to experience larger and more significant gains. They are able to increase flexibility and add expertise that they didn’t previously have.
We also help lower the cost of the labour-intense, time-consuming tasks that cost substantially more in the US and around Australia. Our customers and clients are then able to take that capital and put it into the areas where they really need it.
We aim to deliver world-class services and the highest level of customer satisfaction while adhering to a strict code of ethics and behaviour that protects our staff, and provides support for the community as a whole.
Looking for a trusted outsourcing partner? Visit us and take a tour around our offices. Just send us a message at info@cloudstaff.com.
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