There are many factors you have to take in when you plan to outsource to other people. Finding the right partner is not the only problem you could face; there is also the case of whether you can scale up because it is only wise to start outsourcing when your business has peaked.
So, let’s look at some points that would shed some light on how and when you should outsource online training and select the right partner.
Table of Contents
The Question of Scaling Up
You need to understand precisely when you need to grow your business; scalability is an issue that not many consider, particularly people who have small to no business strategy, which can lead to the business's downfall.
Some people start to outsource even when it is unnecessary, and there can be many reasons for this happening. First of all, a lousy business plan can delude you to outsource tasks when it would have been better to do them yourself.
Remember, when you outsource, you spend money on a job you could probably have done yourself. However, this is, of course, not always the option. Ask yourself if outsourcing is necessary for you; you can quickly answer this question by accessing whether you are dedicated enough to what you do.
If you are dedicated enough, watch the number of clients you get; if the name is more than you and your team can handle, then it is safe to say that you are well-reputed and can scale up your business.
There are many challenges when you want to pick the right people for the job; you need to outsource to freelancers because every task is different, and you do not have the luxury to alter your team each time you pick on another project.
However, selecting partners to complete projects has its ups and downs, and you need to understand the risks of choosing your partner before you enter any agreement that could potentially be a setback for you.
Challenges You Can Face when Picking Your Partner
You cannot just select a partner right out of the pool and expect them not to be scammers. So, these are some of the challenges that you can face when choosing the right partner:
A Decrease in the Quality of Work
You will see that most freelancers are at their best at the beginning of the job; it is to impress you enough that you offer the position to them. However, after they become a partner, you will see a different face entirely.
This is a common challenge that many business faces, and you need to fix this right away as a partner who shows no dedication to his work is the quickest way to mess up your project.
This is very problematic since you only face this challenge after selecting your partner and not before that.
Lack of Consistency in Work Performance
This may seem closely related to the point above, but it is not so entirely. Inconsistency usually occurs with partners who are students. Their performance can vary with the amount of pressure they get from college.
In these cases, if your partner is dedicated enough, ask them to select particular hours in a week so that they can only focus on the task at hand. You should see this, though, since inconsistency will lead to increased completion and schedule change, and therefore, your costs will also increase.
Costs After Selection
There are costs that you only realize after you select your partner. Hidden prices like this are reworks and reviews since not all works are done entirely, leading to schedule changes. Reworks are particularly costly, and this can happen if your partner does not get your short right.
The Inability of Your Partner to Adapt to Change
Today's technological work is very dynamic, and you need to be on a constant learning curve to be on par with the rest of the world. If your partner is very good at whatever they do but is not adapt to changes, that would reduce the quality of work.
Time Zone
Hiring onshore and offshore has its advantages and disadvantages, but a common problem with hiring offshore partners is the difference in time zone. This is a significant down factor since a difference in time gap will lead to unacceptable communication gaps, not enough face-to-face discussions, and reduced work quality.
These are some of the many challenges you can face when selecting the right partner for jobs, and all of these are crucial to quality performance. Therefore, if you can successfully tackle each topic, your project will have the right end, and you will have outsourced your work successfully.
What to Look for When You Are Selecting Your Partner?
Excluding the challenges mentioned before, you also need to look for a particular attribute before selecting a partner. Problems are one thing, but if the choice of partner is a complete bust, you would be in big trouble.
These are some of the things or attributes that you should look for in a partner:
Choose Experts
You will find many people who can offer you multiple skills at hand, but it would be wise to neglect such freelancers since they are a “Jack of all trades and master of none.” If possible, ask for a reference when selecting your partner; this will take you along.
Choose a partner who knows what he is doing and has relevant experience from previous similar jobs.
Capable of Adapting to Change
As a challenge mentioned above, you need to look for partners who can adapt to changes in the work environment and changes in technology. You need partners who can offer their services on the leading technology platforms.
This trait is always available in partners who are very dedicated to their job. Still, be up-to-date with the world yourself and ask your partners about what platforms they use when they work. If they are on par with the rest of the work, that partner is for you.
Open to Changes in Workload
You will have days like a gentle breeze across the sea, and then you will have days as busy as the rush hours of Dhaka city. Each of these days has different levels of workload that you will face. Like you, your partner also needs to be able to work each day differently.
You cannot depend on a partner who has a strict time limit for each day’s work; they need to be able to change their schedule as some days are more demanding than the rest. If possible, look to partners who agree to do only your work and no others.
Adept at Management
Leadership and communication are two of the most demanding qualities the world seeks in a worker, but they are rare. Find a partner who is adept at project management and an expert on collaboration and communication. DO NOT select a partner who usually becomes a nervous wreck frequently, even if the said person is an expert on what he does.
Risk Management Practices
Find someone who can take risks and successfully tackle a situation if it gets out of hand.
Like any Initiative, online outsourcing training has its benefits and risks. These are some of the most important factors when picking the right partner for your project, and the challenges are quite problematic but can be overcome. How you tackle these risks and bring out the most benefits would dictate how successful you will be and how good a partner you select.
Outsource to people who can be your potential long-term partner, since if you do get someone like that, you do not need to throw the problem or find another unknown partner again. A good understanding between partners is often the key to the most significant success.