Outsourcing is a great way for a business to get important work done. When your company does not have the time or expertise to complete a task, outsourcing the job ensures that it is completed efficiently and in a quality manner. But outsourcing is not without risks, which is why you should avoid these ten mistakes when you are outsourcing work.
- Kickoff Meeting
So, you’ve decided to hire Westpark Communications — you can visit them at www.westparkcom.net — or a company of comparable caliber to outsource some of your business operations. Great move! But have you held a meeting with your chosen partner? It’s essential to have a thorough discussion to cover all important aspects of the contractual relationship. During this meeting, discuss the specific tasks to be outsourced, establish a clear timeline, outline payment terms, and set objectives and expectations. Additionally, address any other relevant details to ensure a smooth and productive partnership. This initial meeting is crucial for aligning both parties and laying the foundation for a successful collaboration.
- Previous Samples
It does not matter whether you are contracting written, graphic or social media work – you must see previous samples. Getting these samples will show you the standard of that contractor’s work, and the entities they have worked for in the past.
- Communication
Always communicate about what you want from a project. For instance, if you are outsourcing the creation of your company site, make sure that you are giving out plenty of information about the way you want this project structured.
- Slow to Pay
When outsourcing different tasks, it is crucial to ensure timely payments to maintain a good working relationship and ensure uninterrupted service. For instance, if you are outsourcing the service of a virtual admin assistant, prompt payment for their services is essential as it can demonstrate your professionalism and respect for their work. This can lead to better service quality and reliability. Delays in payment can, however, disrupt the workflow and may result in a loss of trust or even termination of the service.
- Collaboration Across Time Zones
Always be mindful of your contractor’s location and time zone. If you’re up at 7am and eager to discuss the project, but it’s 9pm where your contractor resides, it may not be a good idea to flood them with messages until they respond. Respecting their time zone differences is crucial for maintaining a positive and productive working relationship. Instead, schedule meetings and communications during overlapping business hours to ensure both parties are available and alert. This consideration helps foster mutual respect and understanding, ultimately leading to more effective collaboration and better project outcomes.
- Expecting Brilliance at Minimum Wage
Every country has its own wage structure. But if you are on a contracting website and trying to hire someone for a job, and you are only offering a few dollars an hour for the work, do not expect brilliance. People will put in what they are getting out. If you are paying someone $10 an hour, then you will get work at that level of quality.
- Getting Angry
If you are experiencing issues with your freelancer, it’s understandable that you might feel frustrated. However, it’s important to remember that contractors often juggle multiple tasks and genuinely aim to deliver quality work. They are not intentionally delaying your project or submitting subpar work. Before reacting impulsively and sending angry messages, take a moment to breathe and assess the situation calmly. Communicating in anger will only exacerbate the problem and strain your working relationship. Instead, approach the situation with a constructive attitude, clearly articulating your concerns and seeking a mutually agreeable solution. This approach not only fosters a more positive working environment but also increases the likelihood of resolving the issues effectively.
- Only Communicating Via Text or Email
It is great that we can get so much done via text or email communication. However, some tasks are too complicated or nuanced for such communication. For instance, you might have outsourced a managed it team to take care of your entire tech support for your company. Therefore, it is better to speak over the phone or video conference if you are hoping for proper collaboration over such complex tasks.
- Wrong Outsourcing
If you are taking core business tasks and you are outsourcing them, you could be harming your business. Ensure that you are outsourcing the right jobs, and not just the ones that you find tedious or annoying.
- Micromanagement
There is a middle path that you must find with outsourcing. Going completely silent is not good, as you are not giving enough information to your freelancers. But micromanaging every detail and step of the process is going to hurt their creativity and expertise, and it will diminish the final product.
