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5 Things You Should NOT Outsource

BY Rebecca | 9 March, 2015 | no comments

Browse any business advice blog and you’ll find hundreds of articles urging you to outsource. They argue that efficiency and quality is improved when you outsource to the experts. To some extent, this is great advice. It frees your own employees and streamlines certain tasks. When it comes to data entry and accounting, we couldn’t agree more. Outsourcing here is more efficient. But, we’re seeing more and more outsourcing in areas that really should not be outsourced. That’s what we’ll look at in this article.

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  1. Your Technology

Almost all businesses now have an element of technology. In most cases, this is a central website, app or even the product itself. So many companies outsource this aspect to developers, web designers and tech companies. However, the best companies keep this aspect in house. Keeping your technology in house means you can constantly adapt and grow. You can make instant changes and keep up with trends. If something goes wrong, you can instantly fix it rather than dealing with third parties. Technology is simply too important to outsource.

  1. Prototyping

Getting that first iteration perfect is one of the most important aspects of a new business. Even as you grow, you’ll want to continue to grow and adapt your product. The key to this is effective prototyping. Don’t outsource this. Instead, bring in the equipment and resources to do this yourself. Invest in a core cutter machine and a 3D printer. You can make hundreds more prototypes than if you outsourced. That means a better product.

  1. Content

Content is king, there’s no doubt about it. It should be at the heart of your marketing strategy. It should help you build an audience and strengthen your relationship with customers. A culture of quantity over quality has developed through outsourcing content. instead, we suggest bringing this in house. Create your own unique voice and keep the quality consistent. Who knows your industry and business better than you?

  1. Customer Service

Customer service is the single most outsourced service in business. Whether it’s overseas or simply to a call center, customer service is almost always directed to third parties. We happen to think that your customers are the most important aspect of your business. They should be treated with respect, especially when they come to you with a problem. That means engaging with a real person at the real company. Customer satisfaction goes a long way, and it all starts in house.

  1. Legal services

This one isn’t always possible, but, if you have the chance, always employ your own legal counsel. Third party solicitors will generally be okay, but in some cases there will be a conflict of interests. Sometimes contracts need to be drawn up by two companies who share a solicitor. This can get a little messy if not handled correctly. It’s easier for everyone if your law team is in house.

Don’t get us wrong, outsourcing is great. Just don’t rush to outsource everything. Sometimes, it pays to keep things close to your company. We hope you’ve found some useful advice in today’s article. Until next time!

 

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