How To Manage An Outsourced Team For Optimal Results
Outsourcing can be a cost-effective and time-saving way for businesses to access specialized expertise and resources.
Typical processes that businesses outsource include customer service, marketing, web development, and IT services.
Businesses need to have clear expectations, regularly provide feedback and guidance, and have a plan for when problems arise.
Tips include defining roles, setting measurable KPIs, communicating regularly, and providing frequent feedback.
There are many benefits to outsourcing certain business functions. Still, knowing how to manage an outsourced team effectively is essential to get the most bang for your buck. Let's look at some practical tips on managing an outsourced team so that you can set your team up for success.
How Does Outsourcing Work?
Outsourcing is when you hire someone or a company from outside your business to do specific tasks for you. It can help you save money and time. You need to know how to manage these people or companies to get the best results for your money.
One of the most popular processes that businesses outsource is customer service. Companies can find experienced and cost-effective customer service representatives from outside their organization to help with tasks like answering customer inquiries, handling returns, and troubleshooting technical issues. This helps take some of the burdens off internal staff who may not have the experience or skillset required for these tasks.
Another process that businesses often outsource is marketing and advertising. With many digital channels available today, keeping up with all the marketing trends can take time and effort to manage on your own. By outsourcing this task to a specialized agency or freelancer, they can help create more effective campaigns while staying within budget constraints through SEO solutions, PPC campaigns, and more. This also allows businesses to focus on other areas instead of having to dedicate resources to managing marketing efforts all the time.
A third process is web development and design. Companies that do not have in-house developers or designers can hire a freelance developer or designer to build their website from scratch or update existing web pages as needed. This ensures that websites are kept updated visually and functionally, which is especially important for e-commerce companies that rely heavily on website interactions for sales conversions.
Lastly, businesses may outsource IT services such as network security or cloud computing solutions to ensure their data and systems remain secure without internally employing new staff members for these roles. This is beneficial since IT experts are expensive and may not always be available when needed due to their specialization in certain areas, such as all-important cyber-security. For example, it is probably way more time efficient and cost-effective to use a specialist internet security firm to apply the protocols required to protect your business against the latest owasp top 10 security risks than to train an existing member of your staff to learn how to do it. Outsourcing IT services can also allow businesses access to more advanced tech tools than they otherwise might not have access to, helping them stay ahead of their competition in terms of capabilities while remaining cost-effective overall.
Common Mistakes When Managing Outsourced Teams
One of the most common mistakes businesses make when managing outsourced teams is not having a clear set of expectations for the work to be done. It's essential to communicate what needs to be done and any deadlines that need to be met. With this, it can be easier for the team to understand what they need to do and when in order to complete the project.
Another mistake is not providing enough feedback or guidance during the process. If you aren't regularly checking in with your team or giving directions, they may feel confused or stuck and unable to move forward with the task at hand. Regular communication is critical to ensuring that outsourced teams are on track and staying within the parameters set for the project.
Finally, businesses may also make the mistake of not having a plan in place for when problems arise. Issues can happen with any project, so it's essential to have a process to deal with them quickly and efficiently. This way, you can ensure that your outsourced team is always moving forward and delivering optimal results.
Practical Tips For Efficiency
Managing an outsourced team can be a great way to save time and money while ensuring you get the best results possible. However, it's important to know how to manage your team effectively to get the most out of them. Here are some practical tips to help you maximize efficiency when managing an outsourced team for optimal results.
Define roles and responsibilities clearly from the outset
When you're outsourcing a function, it's important to be clear about what you expect from your team. Define roles and responsibilities clearly at the outset so that everyone is on the same page. This will help avoid confusion and ensure that everyone knows what their role is in achieving the company's objectives.
Set measurable goals and KPIs
To manage an outsourced team effectively, you need to have measurable goals and KPIs in place. KPIs, or key performance indicators, are measurements to track progress toward a goal and evaluate performance. They are an essential tool for successful business management, from sales and marketing to customer service and operations. Examples of KPIs to look at when managing an outsourced team include:
number of customer service inquiries handled
percentage of website visitors converted to customers
return on investment from a marketing campaign
Communicate regularly
Effective communication is vital when managing any team, but it's crucial when managing an outsourced team. Make sure to communicate regularly with your team, so everyone is on the same page. This will help prevent misunderstandings and keep everyone aligned with the company's objectives. To ensure that everyone is on the same page, you can use various communication apps and platforms. One of the most popular platforms for communication is Slack. Slack allows businesses to create dedicated channels for each project or department and keep everyone up to date with the latest news and information.
Provide feedback frequently
Feedback helps your team understand what they're doing well and where to improve. It also shows that you're invested in their development and committed to assisting them in reaching their full potential. Set a standardized process for feedback in terms of frequency, platform, and the like.
Outsourcing can be a great way to save money and tap into new talent, but managing an outsourced team effectively is essential to get the most bang for your buck. Following these practical tips can set your team up for success and avoid common pitfalls associated with managing an outsourced team.