| In the second quarter of 2009, the world-wide volume | | | | project planning. For example, you need to identify |
| of outsourcing transactions rose by 10%. This is hardly | | | | exactly what you hope to achieve by using these |
| surprising when you consider that not only can you | | | | services. How will you communicate with the service |
| save money on salaries but also on overheads | | | | provider? Think about time lines - is this going to be a |
| because the service provider is not taking up office | | | | long-term commitment or a short project with fixed |
| space and using services such as electricity, | | | | deadlines? You should also consider risk management |
| telephones or Internet. | | | | - what could go wrong? |
| So what sort of roles are companies outsourcing? | | | | Once you have drawn up your project planning road |
| - Call Centre Operations | | | | map you will need to consider the project |
| - Administrative Support | | | | management. If you retain a specialized outsource |
| - IT Services | | | | service for your call centre for example, they will have |
| - Online Marketing | | | | their own monitoring system in place, but you still need |
| - Freelance Writing | | | | to know that the operation is running smoothly and |
| - Graphic Design | | | | meeting your goals and objectives. If you have hired a |
| Specialist Outsource Services | | | | freelancer for a one-off project, you will probably want |
| There are various companies that provide specialized | | | | to have regular progress reports. |
| outsource services. These are often call centre or | | | | Both project planning and project management require |
| IT-related businesses that offer to run an entire | | | | excellent communication skills. You can not simply |
| operation for you. In the UK, the IT outsourcing market | | | | advertise for outsource services and expect the |
| grew by 12% in 2008 and business process | | | | respondent to know exactly what you want. |
| outsourcing increased by 6%, according to the National | | | | Everybody perceives things differently and unless you |
| Outsourcing Association. Many banks and financial | | | | lay down a clear set of instructions you will not get |
| institutions outsource their call centres to Asian | | | | want you want. You also need to master the art of |
| countries such as India and the Philippines where the | | | | constructive criticism. Even if you have laid out a clear |
| standard of English is high and the salary and | | | | set of instructions, there may be occasions when you |
| overheads are low. | | | | are not 100% satisfied with the results. In such |
| Online Marketplaces | | | | instances you need to be able to provide feedback, |
| There are also various online marketplaces where you | | | | explaining the reasons why you want amendments |
| can hire a freelancer for a specific project or if | | | | made. Throughout the entire project, clear and concise |
| necessary as a long-term team member. This option | | | | communication is essential. |
| can be the perfect solution for companies that need | | | | Using outsource services can be an ideal way to cut |
| immediate, but short-term assistance. | | | | costs for companies and individuals who are prepared |
| Before you make the decision to use either of the | | | | to take the time to plan, manage and communicate |
| above outsource services you must do some serious | | | | their project needs effectively. |