Traditionally, outsourcing specific business projects and functions has been enjoyed mainly by large organisations, but outsourcing, within the UK and abroad, works for small businesses and start-ups too especially with todays increased focus on cutting costs.
The concept of outsourcing contracting some of your business functions to other organisations dates back many years. But in the last five years, more and more organisations have taken advantage of the opportunities presented by off shoring and outsourcing. Its now a $60 billion industry growing at 20% per year.
New research carried out by OutsourceMyProject makes it clear that start-ups and small businesses are keen to look at outsourcing opportunities and are seeing the benefits both in terms of cost advantages and in gaining the skills and experience they need to develop and thrive.
Recent improvements in telecommunications, IT technology (including broadband) and web-based collaborative tools (such as OutsourceMyProject.com) have made the possibility of outsourcing much easier for these businesses and it is used to ensure more effective and efficient delivery of a range of business functions such as web design, back office functions, call centre support and admin.
Increasingly, businesses are able to tap into the highly talented skill base available outside the UK in locations like India and Eastern Europe. For example, when setting up OutsourceMyProject.com we outsourced to India ourselves. We are supported by a great team there who provide us with fantastic web design and IT support at a great price. Its proof that outsourcing and off shoring works for start ups and SMEs.
Other low-cost economies such as China, the Philippines, Poland, Romania and the Ukraine are all fast becoming key countries to outsource to with South American countries such as Brazil and Argentina being added to the list most recently.
Cut costs, not quality
Its clear from our research that many businesses, though keen to explore outsourcing opportunities, are coming up against a number of both perceived and real barriers. They are concerned about finding suitable suppliers and that the level of skills, quality and experience may not be up to scratch.
Here are my top tips on choosing the right specialist and how outsourcing can save your business money without compromising on quality:
Get quotes from different suppliers and from different locations: Get a good selection of quotes to choose from and remember cheaper quotes dont always mean poorer service. Outsourcing overseas, or off shoring, to countries with lower cost economies can mean you get the same level of service, talent and quality for a much lower price.
Research suppliers before committing: Read reviews about the company and find out what previous customers thought about the service they received.
Plan the project: Make sure that you have a set time frame to get the job completed and arrange for payments to be weighted towards the back end of the project, this way you dont risk paying for something until your completely satisfied.
What will work for you: Think about which functions you could outsource and how much it could save you. There are several outsourcing options from traditional IT services to design or translation and even sales and telemarketing.
Its essential that start-ups and small businesses explore these outsourcing opportunities in order for them to prosper, especially in the current climate. It helps to cut costs but also, perhaps more importantly, can help businesses to gain a competitive edge by bringing in skilled and experienced professionals.
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Loren Holland is co-founder of OutsourceMyProject.com, a website which brings together providers of professional services with organisations and individuals looking to outsource business functions or projects.
Businesses which have a project they wish to outsource can visit the new website and upload details of the project and invite bids free of charge. Potential providers each have their own unique online profile, including details of ratings and feedback for past projects, to help customers decide who to award the contract to..
The site also includes web-based tools to ensure projects run smoothly. These include a payment platform, project management facility and messaging system to facilitate open, clear and safe communication between customers and suppliers.
Since the launch of OutsourceMyProject.com in summer 2010, more than 1,000 suppliers have registered with the site to bid for over 55,000 worth of projects posted by UK businesses.
The concept of outsourcing contracting some of your business functions to other organisations dates back many years. But in the last five years, more and more organisations have taken advantage of the opportunities presented by off shoring and outsourcing. Its now a $60 billion industry growing at 20% per year.
New research carried out by OutsourceMyProject makes it clear that start-ups and small businesses are keen to look at outsourcing opportunities and are seeing the benefits both in terms of cost advantages and in gaining the skills and experience they need to develop and thrive.
Recent improvements in telecommunications, IT technology (including broadband) and web-based collaborative tools (such as OutsourceMyProject.com) have made the possibility of outsourcing much easier for these businesses and it is used to ensure more effective and efficient delivery of a range of business functions such as web design, back office functions, call centre support and admin.
Increasingly, businesses are able to tap into the highly talented skill base available outside the UK in locations like India and Eastern Europe. For example, when setting up OutsourceMyProject.com we outsourced to India ourselves. We are supported by a great team there who provide us with fantastic web design and IT support at a great price. Its proof that outsourcing and off shoring works for start ups and SMEs.
Other low-cost economies such as China, the Philippines, Poland, Romania and the Ukraine are all fast becoming key countries to outsource to with South American countries such as Brazil and Argentina being added to the list most recently.
Cut costs, not quality
Its clear from our research that many businesses, though keen to explore outsourcing opportunities, are coming up against a number of both perceived and real barriers. They are concerned about finding suitable suppliers and that the level of skills, quality and experience may not be up to scratch.
Here are my top tips on choosing the right specialist and how outsourcing can save your business money without compromising on quality:
Get quotes from different suppliers and from different locations: Get a good selection of quotes to choose from and remember cheaper quotes dont always mean poorer service. Outsourcing overseas, or off shoring, to countries with lower cost economies can mean you get the same level of service, talent and quality for a much lower price.
Research suppliers before committing: Read reviews about the company and find out what previous customers thought about the service they received.
Plan the project: Make sure that you have a set time frame to get the job completed and arrange for payments to be weighted towards the back end of the project, this way you dont risk paying for something until your completely satisfied.
What will work for you: Think about which functions you could outsource and how much it could save you. There are several outsourcing options from traditional IT services to design or translation and even sales and telemarketing.
Its essential that start-ups and small businesses explore these outsourcing opportunities in order for them to prosper, especially in the current climate. It helps to cut costs but also, perhaps more importantly, can help businesses to gain a competitive edge by bringing in skilled and experienced professionals.
***
Loren Holland is co-founder of OutsourceMyProject.com, a website which brings together providers of professional services with organisations and individuals looking to outsource business functions or projects.
Businesses which have a project they wish to outsource can visit the new website and upload details of the project and invite bids free of charge. Potential providers each have their own unique online profile, including details of ratings and feedback for past projects, to help customers decide who to award the contract to..
The site also includes web-based tools to ensure projects run smoothly. These include a payment platform, project management facility and messaging system to facilitate open, clear and safe communication between customers and suppliers.
Since the launch of OutsourceMyProject.com in summer 2010, more than 1,000 suppliers have registered with the site to bid for over 55,000 worth of projects posted by UK businesses.
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