Now that you’ve decided to outsource, you can look forward to key benefits like reduced costs and increased efficiency. However, outsourcing can come with its own set of challenges. This is especially true for offshore outsourcing as you will have to adjust to working with a remote team for the first time. Listed below are strategies that can help businesses in managing outsourced teams for easier and more effective remote collaboration.
Define Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
During the initial stages of outsourcing, you will be asked to define your Key Performance Indicators or KPIs. These often refer to milestones that you want your team to achieve. KPIs are beneficial to the outsourcing process as they give all parties involved a clear directive. Clearly defined goals, KPIs, and performance expectations are essential for managing a remote team. Additionally, consider detailing the overall KPIs you have for your business. These include the operations you want to improve, what your expectations are for the outsourced team, and your definition of a successful partnership. When your outsourced team clearly understands your goals and expectations, it’s easier for them to emulate your brand and drive success.
Establish Clear Communication Channels
Clear and open lines of communication are the bedrock of outsourcing success. Various communication tools such as email, messaging platforms, and video conferencing enable real-time interaction making for easier remote collaboration. Regular updates and virtual meetings help ensure that every member of your outsourcing team is aligned with your business directives. It encourages transparency and drives continuous improvement within your team.
Utilize Project Management Tools
Technology has made managing outsourced teams easier through cloud-based project management software. These tools are important in fostering collaboration, tracking ongoing tasks, and also serve as a means of communication. If you’re a small business who doesn’t have access to reliable technological systems or project management software just yet, it’s best to partner with an outsourcing provider that has those technology systems in place. This is a great way to leverage outsourcing for your own business growth while improving collaboration between your in-house and remote teams.
Provide Constructive Feedback
Feedback serves as your team’s compass: what they should avoid, what to learn, and how they can improve. It’s important to provide constructive feedback at multiple points during the outsourcing process to foster a collaborative environment and prevent misunderstandings. Set clear expectations during the initial outsourcing partnership agreement. Speak with your outsourcing partner about your talent requirements during the onboarding and training process. Finally, provide opportunities for your team members to give updates, address concerns, and receive constructive feedback during business review meetings.
Celebrate Achievements and Milestones
Alongside constructive feedback to help team members improve, it’s also important to recognize and celebrate achievements. Make it a point to acknowledge the contributions of each member whenever you reach certain milestones and project successes. Positive reinforcement can give your outsourced team a sense of accomplishment, encouraging them to take pride in their work. When you create a work environment where each employee feels valued, it will help foster motivation and dedication within the team.
In Conclusion
Outsourcing and working remotely has grown more common in recent years. Learning how to effectively manage remote teams can ensure seamless workflow and increased efficiency. Team management can be overwhelming for any business, but partnering with a reliable outsourcing partner can relieve that burden while ensuring you have the right people to support business growth.
At FGC+, we pride ourselves on our all-inclusive approach to outsourcing so you can focus on scaling your business, while we handle the complexities of staffing and team management.