Outsourcing
Introduction
Outsourcing is when you contract out a business function to a third party over a substantial period of time. This third-party organisation takes control of the function and becomes responsible for its success.
Outsourcing allows you to concentrate on what you do best, save money, be more flexible and manage growth effectively. It also allows your business to gain access to outside expertise and technologies.
If managed successfully, outsourcing can help your business reduce its costs and make effective use of the knowledge and technical resources of another organisation. However, you will need to consider carefully whether the benefits of outsourcing a function outweigh the costs. The process will have to be properly managed and monitored. Remember - anything done on your business' behalf will reflect directly on it.
This guide shows you how to decide if outsourcing is right for your business, how to find the right partners and how to get the best from the process.
Subjects covered in this guide
- Introduction
- Should I outsource?
- Activities you can outsource
- Potential pitfalls of delegating direct control
- Choose an outsourcing partner
- Service level agreements
- E-outsourcing
- Tips: make outsourcing work for you
- Here's how outsourcing increased our competitiveness
