Looking for ways to cut down costs but maintain productivity? One solution for such a dilemma could well be outsourcing. 78% of companies worldwide would agree: outsourcing talent is a major way to keep your business afloat, especially in today’s labor climate. As a matter of fact, 300,000 jobs get outsourced out of the U.S. each year.
Outsourcing talent can be a daunting task for anyone new to the idea. However, the benefits you reap will be well more than worth it. With a trained outsourced team on board for the job, you’ll surely see an uptick in your productivity. Not only that, it will free up some valuable work time for you as the business owner or manager.
Are you planning on hiring outsourced talent soon, but don’t know where to start? Relax and read on! This helpful step-by-step guide will get you started with hiring your very first outsourced team.
Step #1: Map out your process flow and narrow down which areas you need help in
Do you lack performance in customer service and answering phone inquiries? Perhaps you’re bogged down by bookkeeping or general monitoring and handling of finances? Lay down your company structure and your overall process flow to identify your pain points. Many of those who are looking for remote work have specific niches that you can leverage on. This will make your first time much easier — finding someone with the apt skills to fill in the gaps in your business.
Step #2: Figure out your budget
Once you’ve found your pain points, identify the budget you can allocate. Calculate how many people you’re keen on hiring against the resources you have. Compare prices between outsourcing companies, and make sure to weigh your savings versus hiring someone in-house. Most times, outsourcing can definitely weigh lighter.
Step #3: Set qualifications
Create a set of qualifications that will help you identify the best candidates for the job. Outsourcing partners have the experience to implement the right set of tests and protocol to ensure the talent you get meets such qualifications. Job posting, screening, testing, and interviewing can all be handled by an outsourcing provider.
Step #4: Filter candidates and find your talent
In today’s gig economy, online platforms where you can find and source talent are prevalent. Dealing with these on your own can be time-consuming, though: you’ll use up time connecting with the right ones, sifting through mountains of CVs, doing endless rounds of interviews, and the list goes on. On the other hand, a dedicated outsourcing provider can take care of all those things, especially sourcing for hard-to-find skill sets and vetting the potential candidates. They’ll do most of the work for you, and you can be as involved or uninvolved as you want in this process.
Step #5: Set KPIs
Outsourcing doesn’t stop at just hiring a team. You need to lay down some metrics so that you collectively achieve your goals. Milestones and KPIs are a great, measurable way to see if you’re on track. Some staffing partners have ready-made metrics available as a blueprint, while some have the flexibility to create tailor-made SOPs and KPIs for your business.
Step #6: Settle in
After agreeing on the contract fee and signing your team, training is the next big step. This adjustment period can be turbulent, so make sure to provide necessary resources, tools, training, and apps for your talent to do their job efficiently.
Outsourcing providers can supply you with such training programs to benefit your teams’ holistic development. They can work with you in documenting and building your knowledge base, in case of any staff changes or expansion in the future.
Step #7: Communicate with your workforce
Continuously working with your team allows you to form a positive professional relationship with them. Although you might not meet with them personally, you can still treat them like any other in-house office member. Make sure to check in on their needs every now and again so they treat you with results.
Outsourcing companies have well-structured monitoring processes to implement this. With your team situated in an office, team leaders and managers are there to directly oversee and provide immediate support to your staff; QA is readily available to take care of quality; while employee engagement initiatives can keep your staff motivated despite the distance.
Outsourcing can be a struggle even for those companies who have experience with it. The great thing, though, is that outsourcing companies have dedicated resources and established processes to make your first time less taxing. They’ll provide you with a comfortable experience with minimal risks, reduced costs, and overall less hassle. You can do it all on your own if you do so choose, but don’t knock on the fact that partnering with an outsourcing provider can surely help streamline your search.
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