How to find the right Small or Medium outsourcing vendor?
Outsourcing is never easy, especially for a novice. Selecting the right outsourcing partner is often the most difficult task. Most organisations opt the easy way out. They just select a company with all the right certifications. This is by no means a bad way to choose but It is often a good idea to hire a Small or Medium (S/M) company who is willing to travel that extra mile to deliver more than what the customer asks for. They will also possess the capability to deliver what you are asking for. In other words, by approaching them you might get what you need at a much lower cost.
However, the difficult part is to find the right S/M vendor who can offer the best service. Finding an S/M company who do the kind of tasks your require is easy enough, but finding the right one can often prove difficult. This article is designed to provide you some tips on how to evaluate a small or medium sized enterprise as outsourcing partner to reap optimum benefits.
Selecting
While selecting an outsourcing partner, each and every factor connected with the company needs to be evaluated to assess the company’s capability. When the company is smaller, each and every part is important and needs to be checked out. S/M vendor with the experience, knowledge and business acumen to deliver value added service must be chosen carefully.
How to find the right firm
Participating in user groups at small-business associations and listening to word of mouth is seen as a way to find potential contractors. Another easy way is to hire a reliable consultant. Ask the companies to bring information on their company and activities by way of brochures, presentations etc. Check out the websites, at least it will give you an idea about the firm. All this will take time, but there is no other way to do this. You can always hire a consultant to do the screening, but even then, it is better if you personally conduct the final check.
Look for value added service, timely delivery and quality work, at the best price. Check out the company offices.
Some questions to put forward
- How do they differ from competition?
- After sales service
- People responsible for each area of the project, Person who will be communicating with you during the duration of the project
Also check out
- Whether the verbal answers are in line with their brochures, sales presentations, Web site, etc.
- Is there a collaboration, coordination and communication protocol set-up and are you comfortable with that?
- Do you feel comfortable accepting advice from the company?
Evaluation of their capabilities
Some key factors that can be easily checked out:
- Company culture and work ethics
- Credibility and accomplishments of the top management
- Collective expertise of the employees
- Capability to deliver quality work on time, within budget
- Comfort level while working in close association
- Certifications that assure a certain quality standard
Pilot projects are a good way to start the evaluation process. You can ask them to submit a pilot project along the line of your needs. This will help you assess their capabilities.
Make sure the contract covers all the points. Maintain close contact and communication. Work in mutual co-operation. Once you select the firm and sign the contract, if possible, make them do a relatively risk-free short-term project. Once the performance is found to be satisfactory, assign more work long term.
Once the contract is given, periodical checking is very important. Make sure that the requested milestones are completed in stipulated timeframe. This is done to minimize risks and losses.
If you get to get the right vendor to carry out your work you will be happy that you opted for a S/M outsourcing vendor as the cost factor, personal attention and importance given to your work will definitely be better than from a bigger enterprise.
