Today, outsourcing has become a key driver for most of the startups and medium companies to expand their global footprint. It opens a gateway to a diverse talent pool that may not be present in their in-house team. Outsourcing the projects enables the businesses to get their work done on time, without breaking the budget.
As outsourcing is all about a successful partnership, choosing the right outsourcing partner is crucial. If you are also looking to outsource your projects, you must invest some time to minimize the chances of any possible risks. Here, we are going to tell you seven tips to choose the right outsourcing partner that will yield good dividends for your business-
Know Your Goals
Outsourcing can be as effective as the goals you set. If you have only vague expectations like ‘create something bold,’ or ‘increase profits,’ but don’t provide guidance and direction, you won’t reap any benefit.
Remember, identifying the projects you want to outsource and defining the desired results are different things. The businesses that don’t understand the difference between the two are likely to end up being unhappy.
So, define your goals, keep them realistic, and make sure that your outsourcing partner understands them well.
Look For A Reliable Partner
After defining the goals and objectives, the next step is to access the expertise of the outsourcing team. Whether you are looking for a nearshore development partner or an offshore development team, they must have a good experience in delivering the services your business needs.
The proven track records and level of experience of the outsourcing team tells a lot about their credibility. Find out the information about their work quality, the number of projects they have completed, and talk to the customers they have provided services, etc.
Ask For Samples And References
It is necessary to know the quality of services your prospective outsourcing partner provides. To know this, you can go through their background. Ask for samples, references, or request feedback from the clients regarding timely services, customer support, service quality, etc.
Note that they may not share the actual work done due to the confidentiality or non-disclosure agreements. Respect such constraints and go through the samples they prepare for marketing purposes.
Check If It Is Cultural Compatible
The outsourcing team must understand your company’s culture and ethos. It involves how the employees interact with each other, whether they collaborate or work independently, etc. If you understand these things beforehand, it will be easy to communicate even when the conflicts arise.
Check Their Access To Communication And Technology
With the advancement of technology, outsourcing has come a long way. As communication is essential at every phase of project development, make sure that they have access to communication channels, such as phone, skype, email, etc. Check if they are using the latest technology, and all the equipment is working smoothly.
Examine Technical Competence
It is critical to know whether the company has enough technical knowledge to meet your project requirements. Ask what processes they follow and how they track the results. Know what methodology they use to resolve any technical issues.
Ascertain Their Intellectual Property Ownership
Now that you’ve verified the basic credentials, it’s time to ascertain data security. For IT projects or KPO, the IP address of the work done must belong to you. However, for lower-end work, such as ITO or BPO services, the IP address can belong to either the client or vendor. Whatever the case is, it is better to clarify at the outset. They must have robust IT infrastructure for data security to prevent cybercrimes.
Whatever the type of outsourcing partner you are looking for, it is good to know everything about them. Just because their website looks cool or they are providing cheap services doesn’t make them a reliable team. The repercussions of making any wrong choice can damage your business. So, go for an outsourcing team that will look after your interests and helps your company to grow!
