With the global market for outsourcing hitting 92.5 billion in 2019, it’s clear that organizations of all sizes are embracing the business model in order to boost productivity and save money. But many CEOs are still skeptical about outsourcing, and are hesitant to entrust outside vendors with mission-critical business functions, especially when these functions have traditionally been handled in-house.
Given the recent popularity of outsourcing, let’s explore the top business functions that organizations are outsourcing successfully, and why these functions in particular can benefit from a remote team.
1. Administrative Tasks
Whether it’s data management, appointment scheduling, or other administrative tasks, virtual assistants are a great resource for professionals looking to boost their productivity and offload time-consuming activities in order to focus on bigger-picture projects. Virtual assistants are typically the most affordable remote team members to hire, but it’s key to work with a trusted outsourced provider that can staff high-quality talent. After all, you’re entrusting this person with your day-to-day operations!
2. Customer Service
Organizations that invest a good deal in customer service, particularly in phone answering systems, generally rely almost exclusively on outsourced remote teams to handle customer requests. Outsourced assets tend to be a lot more affordable than US-based talent and, when working with the right provider, you should be able to staff fluent, effective, and efficient customer service representatives that elevate the customer experience at a discount.
3. IT Support
IT represents the single largest business function that organizations choose to outsource year over year. Whether it’s website maintenance or other tech issues, it’s helpful to have a remote team member on staff that can quickly resolve issues affecting your internal processes or, even worse, your customers. However, make sure you’re working with an outsourced provider that thoroughly vets these individuals and can provide the skill set you need. IT support can span a large amount of tasks and specialties, so you need a well-rounded individual with the experience necessary to keep the trains running smoothly. Communication skills and speed of response are also key for outsourced IT members, because tech issues need to be resolved swiftly and effectively, with no room for unnecessary delays or miscommunications. Make sure your IT team is fluent in your native language and is available during your main business hours.
4. Accounting
Everybody dreads accounting, and not all organizations need an expensive, in-house team to close out the books. A skilled outsourced accountant can handle all of your bookkeeping needs, ensuring you have the financial visibility you need to make key business decisions and pay your taxes on time. When working with the right outsourcing partner, this accountant should also be able to offer the insights and analytics you need to plan for growth, playing the role of a trusted advisor and strategic partner.
Conclusion
No matter which business function you choose to outsource, it’s important to work with the right partner and to treat these remote team members as equal to your in-house employees. At Extend Your Team, we’ve seen outsourcing projects fail not because of the quality of the outsourced labor, but because the organization failed to integrate its new team members into existing business processes and methods.
If you are considering outsourcing any of your business functions, request a consultation with Extend Your Team to learn more about our incredible network of professionals.