Outsourcing is a business procedure that involves signing a contract with an external entity to handle specific tasks, instead of hiring new staff or delegating the tasks to staff members already in place. It’s a very popular method for businesses can cut operating costs and simplify operations while still focusing on important tasks.
Outsourced work may be temporary like having an accountant complete your taxes on a regular basis. It could also be an integral element of business operations, for example, hiring an organization that cleans instead of hiring janitors to work as employees.
The Benefits of outsourcing
The businesses you contract out to might include independently owned consultants or even large companies. Whatever the size of the company you’re working with, outsourcing your operational tasks can offer many advantages.
All the way from sole proprietors to large corporations companies of all sizes are able to utilize outsourcing to help their business grow and expand while keeping costs as low as they can.
Concentrate on Essential Activities
The back-office functions of a company are likely to grow during periods of high growth. The expansion could encroach on your financial and human resources and can affect the fundamental operations that made your business succeed initially.
As an example, suppose your business wins a huge contract that is likely to significantly increase the number of purchases in just a few days. By outsourcing the purchase responsibility to a third party, you allow your staff to focus on the project and the contract itself.
Keep Lower Costs
Sometimes, the expense of buying equipment or establishing an additional site could be prohibitive. In these instances it is more economical to outsource rather than expand operations in-house. 2
If the expansion of your company results in an increase in office space, you can outsource basic tasks like data entry or telemarketing, instead of shifting to a new office. It could cost lower than expanding, and it’s also cheaper and more efficient than moving.
Outsourcing also reduces costs due to the reduction of expenses for hiring new employees, for example:
- A search for a new employee
- Onboarding
- Other benefits and healthcare
- Taxes on payroll
- More workers are needed in HR and managerial jobs
Working with contractors instead of employees can cut down on these expenses which allows your business to achieve the exact work done at a lower cost. 3
Help to Increase Growth
The cost of overhead expenses of certain operations can be extremely expensive however, you may want to provide them in order to please clients, improve your business model, or compete with other businesses in the market. Outsourcing could be a viable option when growing to manage these tasks yourself is prohibitively costly or would take too long to implement or cause problems in your business model.
For example, your small doctor’s office would like to take on a variety of insurance plans, however one employee isn’t able to keep up with all the various plans and providers. outsourcing to a company that is focused on medical billing is less expensive than hiring additional staff with the right skills or training current staff members and will still provide a greater value to your customers.
Keep Operational Control
Operations with increasing costs are a good candidate for outsourcing. Departments that may have developed in the course of time into uncontrolled and unmanaged areas are excellent potential candidates. A company that outsources can provide better management capabilities to your company than is available without major changes. 3
Let’s take an example: your IT department is overwhelmed by projects, but not enough staff as well as a cost that exceeds its contribution to the company. An outsourcing contract with an IT contractor will require the management team to prioritize their needs which will bring projects and expenditures back in line.
Flexible Staffing
Outsourcing allows departments or businesses that are subject to cyclical demand to hire additional staff whenever they’re required. The outsourcing firm can be released when the business slows down again while maintaining the flexibility of a business.
Create continuity as well as Risk Management
The high turnover of employees can bring uncertainty and inconsistency to the business. Outsourcing offers a certain degree of consistency to the company and reduces the risk an operation that is not up to par can create, even over the course of a brief period. 4
For example, you have your HR manager taking a long medical leave, and the administrative assistant going to find a new job. outsourcing the HR function reduces the risk and lets the business continue to operate even when the manager is not available. This also allows time to recruit the right person without hurrying the hiring process due to the fact that the office is not fully staffed.
Create Internal Staff
A big project may require expertise that your employees do not have. 4 On-site outsourcing, in which you bring contractors to operate from your location, could give you the individuals with the expertise you require, while you are working with them to learn new skills.
How to Benefit the Most from Outsourcing
Companies often consider outsourcing solely for cost savings, however, outsourcing can be more than just reducing costs. As your company grows outsourcing could be a means to encourage creativity, change industries, or gain access to new capabilities that help position your business in the marketplace. 4
When you think about how outsourcing can assist you in growing but don’t be limited to the expense of hiring contractors from outside versus doing the work by your existing staff.
Concentrate on the value that an expert contractor’s knowledge can bring to your business. It could be through increasing production, promoting your company more effectively, or even altering the way you conduct business, outsourcing may give you the chance to grow, innovate and be ahead of your competitors..
