Outsourcing is all the rage these days. Everyone from major corporations, middle managers, and small business entrepreneurs are trying to use outsourcing to expand and automate their businesses. In fact, many would say that if you want to stay ahead of the curve in today’s high-tech world of business, you have to outsource. So I’m sure you’re thinking of ways to use the outsourced service to improve your business systems.
Before you jump into the mud and start pushing launch to post all the jobs you want done, let me help you avoid four of the most common outsourcing mistakes:
1. Don’t focus on ONE task for ONE outsourced service provider. The key to building businesses is team building. Why spend time working with a service provider if you don’t plan to use it over and over again?
2. Don’t hire someone to do something you know nothing about. Outsourced freelancers can spot someone with a moderate level of experience based on the requests they make. Think like a smart person. Is it easy to work with someone who doesn’t know what he’s doing? Of course it isn’t. People who don’t know what they’re doing attract other people who don’t know what they’re doing. If you don’t know how to do the basics yourself, you also won’t be qualified to train an outsourced employee to do it.
3. Don’t be afraid to work with individuals instead of outsourcing companies. In our daily lives we are used to trusting well-known brands more than people. I know my Starbucks coffee will taste the same, but I don’t know if anyone is telling me the truth. In today’s high-tech world, outsourced companies may not have the best of intentions either. Many providers seem to be in business for a fee and are not interested in providing the best customer service.
4. Do not drive an employee, install a replacement. From the first step to the last, you need to focus on installing high-quality people and automated systems to replace you. The idea of running a successful business is to turn the dials and make the big decisions that will ultimately lead to more money and growth. If you avoid these common pitfalls, you have a head start on the 95% of other people who are starting to use outsourced workers for their businesses and projects.
Remember, you are a knowledge worker in an information economy. Absorb as much as you can to build your business and eliminate and automate the rest to keep everything running efficiently. Free your time and free your mind.
