SUBJECT: Outsourcing Lesson #4 - How To Outsource Tasks

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How are you? We're winding down to the end of this short course.
But we still need to go over a few things. That is why today we
are going to jump right in and talk about how to outsource
business tasks without being taken advantage of in the process.

There are many who tout the advantages of outsourcing (including
myself) as essentially a secret to success. As we have discussed
there are certainly a number of distinct advantages to the
process of outsourcing. Some of the most notable advantages
include cost reductions, reduced workload, increased possibility
for profit and the existence of a larger workforce without
maintaining a staff of salaried employees.

All of these incredible advantages may make outsourcing seem as
though it is an ideal resource in all situations but as with
most things in business, this is not true.

To protect yourself and your business from being outsmarted
there are certain precautions which should be taken when
outsourcing any project. It is important to be mindful of these
precautions when outsourcing a project to ensure the project
runs smoothly and you get what you pay for.

1. Verify Candidate Qualifications

When outsourcing a task or project to an individual, care should
be taken to screen all applicants carefully before deciding to
outsource the work. This is important because you want to be
sure to outsource the work to a qualified individual. Awarding a
project to an unqualified individual can be a costly mistake if
they turn in subpar work at the conclusion of the project. It
can also be costly if it results in unnecessary delays or
setbacks as a result of the lack of qualifications.

One way to avoid being outsmarted by fancy resumes hyping the
accomplishments of an individual is to verify all of the
information on the resume before awarding the project. This may
entail contacting previous employers as well as references to
determine the capabilities and work ethic of the individual.
Taking the time to verify the information on the resume can help
to ensure the individual you outsource the work to is truly
qualified to complete the project.

2. Outline Project Requirements Carefully

When outsourcing a project it is important to be very clear in
outlining the project requirements. This is important so both
the client and the independent contractor understand all of the
requirements of the outsourced project. Preparing contract
documents stating the exact project details and compensation to
be provided is a good idea as well. Taking this extra precaution
will ensure the client does not have to pay fees until the
contract specifications are met. A contract can also be helpful
if disputes arise and mediation is required to resolve the
conflicts.

Additionally, it is wise to include information regarding the
required deliverables in the contract documents. This should
include the exact end product which should be submitted. In this
portion of the document the client can specify information
regarding whether they require the project submitted as a hard
copy of the completed project, a soft copy of the completed
project or both.

3. Schedule Periodic Milestone Meetings

Regularly scheduled progress status meetings are very important
when a project is outsourced. These meetings should be scheduled
often enough to ensure the project does not fall too far behind
schedule during any one phase of the project.

These meetings can be helpful to both the client and the
independent contractor. The client will benefit because they
will remain in control of the project and can intervene if the
independent contractor is heading in the wrong direction with
the project. These meetings are also beneficial to the
independent contractor because they can prevent him from being
caught by surprise at the conclusion of the project if he
misinterpreted the project requirements.

It is important to keep these things in mind when you are
selecting and working with an outsourced professional. Before we
close this lesson I want to leave you with a quick list
including several things that you should include in your job
description when posting your projects on job sites. This will
help ensure that you are selecting the right person for the
project.

As I mentioned above you have to make all of the project details
very clear. Write down everything you that expect in your job
description.

These are some of the things your project post should cover:

- The nature of your work - The amount of work in total - Any
milestones, like if you want the work to be completed in small
chunks and within what frame of time - The time you can give for
the completion of the whole project - The price you are willing
to pay - Any special qualifications you are looking for in your
employees - Any characteristics that you don’t want in your
employees - Special points that you will need to make your
decision, such as samples.

When you take time to spell out as many details as possible, you
can be almost sure that you will get the right people bidding on
your work. You will also want to make sure that you post the
project in the right category. People will get alerts based on
the categories they have applied for.

Make sure to check out samples of their work. If you require an
original sample, you can mention that in your project post. This
can help you weed out less serious applicants and narrow down
the right candidate for the job. You may also consider posting
several short-term projects initially. This can help you build
up a good reputation of trust with employees.

Here are a few more tips for choosing people with the right
qualifications:

- The quality of their work, which you can see through their
samples. - The ratings and reviews they have obtained on the
site. - Their responsiveness – It is very important they respond
to your emails quickly and it is best if they have an instant
messaging id that they can use. - Their pricing – Price
shouldn't be an important factor unless you are working on a
budget.

Once you get a good professional, make sure you pay them
promptly and give them reviews according to their work. This
helps ensure that they will stay with you longer and you won't
have to undergo the process of repeatedly looking for new
employees.

I hope today's lesson was helpful to you. Don't forget to keep
an eye out for my next email. There will be some great stuff in
your last lesson. 

To Your Success,
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