1. What is it?

2. Why outsource your business?

3. What can you outsource?

4. Key questions to ask yourself

5. Finding the right outsourcing business

6. Making it work for you

7. Issues to think about

1. What is it?

Outsourcing is, quite simply, the contracting out of a task, job or service to a third-party organisation. They then take over the long-term responsibility for the work allowing businesses to concentrate on their core business activities.

2. Why outsource your business?

Outsourcing will give you access to additional expertise and associated software and hardware. In doing so you will be able to concentrate your resources on developing your business, as well as saving money and improving flexibility. For further pros and cons click here.

3. What can you outsource?

• Financial services including bookkeeping and invoicing
• Administrative and HR services including secretarial roles and payroll
• Customer services including order processing and phone support
• Sales and marketing
• IT services including data storage and website management
• Other services that are regularly outsourced include catering and cleaning

To find out what services Paper Mountain Solutions can offer you click here.

4. Key questions to ask yourself

• What areas are you thinking about outsourcing and why?
• What areas are you thinking about outsourcing and why?
• Think about the full costs of carrying out these processes in-house, including hidden costs.
• Can an outsourcing business offer you a better solution than you currently have?
• By losing direct control of a particular task will there be a positive or detrimental effect on your business?

5. Finding the right outsourcing business.

• Does the business offer the services you require?
• Does the business have a proven record in outsourcing?
• How does the outsourcing business work – will you have you own account manager?
• Does the outsourcing business have up-to-date testimonials available?

6. Making it work for you.

• A good relationship needs to be maintained with the outsourcing business, so nominate staff to liaise with the outsourcing business
• Ensure you and the outsourcing business are entirely clear about what you expect from one another

7. Issues to think about

• The time spent sourcing and building a relationship with an outsourcing business
• Confidentiality and data protection
• Poor service from the outsourcing company or changes in the outsourcing business during the term of your contract
• Is there a clear contract between you and the outsourcing company setting out all necessary requirements?
• Do you have a back-up plan should the outsourcing choice not succeed for your business?

If you have any further outsourcing questions please This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with Paper Mountain Solutions. We will be more than happy to advise you about how outsourcing can help your business.