| To put it plainly, outsourcing works. It represents an | | | | store for you. Conversely, if you see a trend of |
| indispensable resource at every level and scale of | | | | positive repeat customer feedback, you can usually |
| business. It allows big business to trim payroll and find | | | | assume they are doing things right. |
| an eager, alternative work source. Outsourcing | | | | Number three--develop a five minute audio test |
| sometimes allows small business owners and sole | | | | recording and request prospective transcribers to |
| proprietorships an opportunity to even have | | | | return a proofed result. It's an excellent method to see |
| employees. Once you've addressed the need and | | | | if the language barrier or overseas communication |
| desire to look for outside transcription help, here's what | | | | might pose problems. Make sure you put words |
| you do. | | | | specific to your niche or business. Include words that |
| Number one--do not allow price to be the most | | | | are not in the MS Word spell checker. One test audio I |
| important factor in the selection process. It is certainly | | | | did had two obscure names of mushrooms in the |
| an important facet of the decision, but if you select | | | | recording. All it took was a quick check at Wikipedia to |
| based solely on price, you will almost always be | | | | get the accurate spelling. I learned from the customer |
| disappointed. In my business, I have been tasked to | | | | that I was awarded the project based in large part on |
| "rescue" projects from the hands of low-priced | | | | correctly identifying those two types of mushrooms. |
| outsourced labor on numerous occasions. For several | | | | That one project has resulted in a great repeat |
| of these projects I was not selected in the initial bidding | | | | customer as well. |
| process often losing out to someone charging less | | | | While this article is specific to transcription, many of the |
| than half of my rate. I like to leave the door open in the | | | | points translate well into other areas of the outsource |
| event things don't work out, and I've gotten some of | | | | selection process. Exercise a little due diligence in |
| my best repeat customers in this manner. | | | | choosing outsourced labor. Check out their feedback. |
| Number two--check out the feedback and testimonials. | | | | Request a test run. Test their email response time. |
| Lukewarm and moderate feedback are definite | | | | Test their command of the English language. See what |
| warning signals. Low and no feedback are big no-no's. | | | | others have said about them. Hopefully, this will help to |
| Let someone else pay to "break them in". How the | | | | bring two parties from across the world (or continent) |
| transcriber responds to less than stellar feedback is | | | | together to a form mutually beneficial partnership. |
| another indicator of their level of customer service. If | | | | Good luck with your choices. Please feel free to email |
| they are unable to handle criticism or are quick to offer | | | | me with any feedback, tips, suggestions, comments or |
| excuses, then you have an idea of what might be in | | | | anything! Leona. |