Smart Things You Should Do Before You Outsource
More and more often, companies are deciding to outsource various tasks that would once have been carried out by staff in-house. This is often a really good way to save money and access specialist skillsets that many not be present in the office’s workforce already.
So, it’s fair to say that outsourcing can be really positive for companies, but if you are thinking of outsourcing any of your company’s processes, there are a few things you should do first, including the following:
Talk to HR
If you are thinking of outsourcing, then it would be a good idea to first talk to human resources about managing the process and ensuring that everything is fair and the right person/people are found for the job. HR are often the best people to manage the whole process of hiring and monitoring outsourced staff, so that is why you should start with them.
Install the right tools
Before you hire your first outsourced employee, it is worth thinking about how you will manage them. These days, there are lots of great tools, like Slack, that will help you keep in touch with freelancers and manage any project they are working on for you remotely. What works for you in your specific circumstances may be different from what works for another company in another situation, so take the time to see which project management tools are available, and which are likely to work best for you.
Vet the potential employee or company carefully
The last thing you want to do is to hire someone to outsource an important piece of work to who is not reliable or capable of doing the job. That is why it is so important to do your due diligence before you hire anyone.
Whether you are looking to hire a professional company to handle your commercial kitchen maintenance services or someone who can write your Facebook ads for you, ask to see a portfolio and/or client reviews and testimonials. Look the up on the internet, and be sure to talk to them, even if only informally, before you make a decision.
If the work they are doing is likely to be of a sensitive nature, then doing a thorough background check and having them sign a non-disclosure agreement is sensible.
Draw up a professional contract
It is also a very good idea to work with HR, or even a lawyer, to draw up a contract that lays out the freelancer’s duties to you and your duties to them. Put every possible area of contention in writing so you both know what is required of you and they will be far fewer problems down the line. Anyone who is not willing to sign such a contract is probably not worth your time.
Invite them in
This may not always be possible if you are hiring someone from a different country or even a different state, but if you can invite the person you are thinking of hiring in to meet the team, this can be a really positive thing to do as you will be able to see how well everyone gets on.
Although outsourced employees may be working independently, they are still part of the team, and if there are no personality clashes, things will tend to go much more smooth;y.]
Of course, these days you could organize staff meetups on Zoom too.
Write a really detailed brief
If you are going to outsource a piece of work, you should first endure that you have written as detailed a brief of what you want them to do for you as possible, Yes, this might feel like more work, but if they have very clear guidelines, they are more likely to get it right first time every time, which will save you time and money over the long term.
Go ahead
If they deem like good people who know what they are doing and their references check out, then it is probably fine to go ahead. Be sure to get in touch with them to see if they are happy to proceed iron out any issues that are still up in the air, and then send them over a contract to sign.
Outsourcing can save you bags of time and money and ensure that you have access to the best people for the job, but this only holds if you take your time and get the process right, so whatever else you do, don’t rush in.
