Before the pandemic, only a few people were aware of the growth of the BPO industry. In fact, there is a misconception that it only offers call center services or customer service.
Then outsourcing during the pandemic has become a primary solution for firms to remain afloat. It opened an opportunity for all business sizes to access a greater talent pool and expand with low operating costs.
Business leaders have begun embracing third-party providers’ services despite the challenges of outsourcing business requirements.
However, it is important to note that switching to outsourced services requires a comprehensive evaluation of a reliable outsourcing partner.
Defining outsourcing
Outsourcing is the practice of employing a third-party service provider to handle tasks or projects traditionally performed by an organization’s employees.
There are three ways of acquiring an outsourcing partner based on the service location:
- Offshoring – refers to jobs or services outsourced to overseas third parties.
- Nearshoring – outsourcing employment or services to individuals in neighboring countries.
- Onshoring – refers to processes or services outsourced to a lower-cost area inside the same country.
As mentioned, outsourcing works for all business sizes and offers various services — from customer service to manufacturing to back office services support. In connection, most businesses opt to outsource to cut other administrative burdens.
How can an outsourcing partner help your firm?
An outsourcing partner acts as the third-party service provider to a firm. Working with outsourced personnel helps lower the overhead and operational expenses.
Most outsourcing partners are seasoned individuals, and their expertise can help you gain the following advantages:
- Increased productivity
- Higher profit gain
- Smart business decisions
Further, an effective outsourcing partner helps you determine what your organization needs to grow further.
Things to consider before hiring an outsourcing partner
In outsourcing initiatives, establishing service standards require more than forming a reliable connection with third parties. You must evaluate your service providers and see if they fit your business requirements.
As you prepare to outsource your services this 2023, consider the following before hiring an outsourcing partner:
1. Infrastructure and setup
Ensure that your outsourcing partner has first-grade facilities for its office staff.
A well-established infrastructure and setup for services help the team meet deadlines for deliverables. The service providers should have an attendance tracking system and KPI trackers.
Since you will be working with a lot of projects, ensure that your outsourcing partner adheres to government obligations to avoid unfinished projects caused by non-compliance.
2. People
Verify if your outsourcing partner adheres to the highest ethical standards. This guarantees that the organization treats its employees fairly.
When outsourcing partners provide a good working space for their staff, they are committed to giving a positive employee experience.
Keep in mind, how they treat their employees reflects their dedication to providing excellent service to their clients.
3. Process and structure
Service providers should be able to introduce new insights to simplify your overall operations and potentially support other areas of your business.
Your outsourcing partner should be able to complete your basic task requirements to maximize your other core services.
In other words, an effective outsourcing partner gives constant assistance to your business in terms of enhancing and expanding current processes.
4. Industry expertise and credibility
Perform background research on the organization before outsourcing your services. This ensures you pick an outsourcing partner with the desired experience, knowledge, and values.
Opt for a service provider that has received awards, has in-depth knowledge of the BPO industry and has positive reviews from previous clients.
5. Updated systems
Choose an outsourcing partner that can provide updated software and technologies to facilitate efficient access to systems and enhanced security.
6. Transparency
Your outsourcing partner should be transparent and reliable in providing honest feedback about your firm’s shortcomings and other issues you must address. This will help both of you to create proactive solutions.
7. Security
You will entrust critical company information to offshore staff. Therefore, it is acceptable for you to require the highest level of data and corporate security.
Begin by obtaining a non-disclosure agreement from your outsourcing partner that may serve as proof of your partnership if things go wrong.
8. Size and scope
A large outsourcing company has typically reached milestones in offering trustworthy outsourced services. Meanwhile, a startup can also meet your demands.
More than an outsourcing partner’s size, they can significantly impact your firm if they offer a more comprehensive range of services. Specify your requirements and check if they can meet them.
Choosing the right outsourcing partner
Knowing what to look for in third-party service providers is crucial because it directs where your business is heading.
OfficePartners360 is an outsourcing firm that provides various services to small and medium-sized organizations. This firm combines the greatest infrastructure with excellent people to produce astounding outcomes while operating in modern and upscale premises.
If you want a suitable outsourcing partner for your firm, partner with OP360 and achieve significant results!
