Outsourcing Q&A

If you're looking to find skilled workers, then oDesk/Elance are not ideal as you probably know. Granted, there are some excellent contractors there, but you'll likely have to wade through quite a bit of less than ideal candidates to get to them. Take a look at Hubstaff - they have time tracking like oDesk but it's not an open job site for finding work. They only recommend contractors that they have retained in the past so you know you're getting quality

Great question Hazel! We know that we can't do it all ourselves, but the first step is always the hardest. Love to hear what other savvies come back with! :)

Henrik Hi,

Having just appointed an OS development company to build a new Software application, here's my learnings:

1. Issue a detailed RFP for your project, requesting key points of information in the response, to include: Recent clients, recent sample work, detailed profiles of the team members who will work on your project, number of projects the vendor currently has in progress, what is the value of these projects, how many other new projects will the vendor be starting during the period of your development. 
2. As part of the RFP provide a detailed scope for your project and request that the vendors responding to the RFP work up circa 5 pages of the site (best you identify the 5 pages, so you can compare the results easily later)
3. Ask the vendors to write some code against a brief so you can access their approach and audit their coding capability.
4. Speak with references, if possible ensure some of these references have used the vendor for projects of a similar size to the one you are looking to place.
5. Request for confirmation of accreditations, e.g. Microsoft Gold partner, and ensure you cross check these with the partner.
6. Request a copy of the contract the vendor will be expecting you to sign if you appoint them. Key points to look for in the contract are around ownership of the final source code and how this will be transferred to you, with no copies retained by the vendor.

That's hopefully given you some direction, my advice would be stick with it as you are likely to generate significant savings. On the project I"m currently outsourcing the cost will be circa 30% of what Australian development teams where quoting on alike for like basis.

Hi Jef, we review our vendors on an ongoing basis and especially at the time of referring clients.

Yes, you are certainly entitled to ask any supplier if any aspects of their production are outsourced. I suspect the importance of the outcome is relative to the amount of money being spent with said supplier, and the degree of personalisation required to complete the production function.For example, it is now common for accountants to outsource bookkeeping related functions to offshore (read cheaper, but no less qualified) suppliers. The reasoning is that they are better able to concentrate on more important advisory functions for their clientele.

Hi Susan,

I am Mia and I am from Transeo. We are a Digital Media and Offshore company. We offer this kind of services and I would like to know your specific requirements for a Virtual Assistant. What would be the best way to reach you if ever you are open for a discussion?

Cheers,

Mia Alarin

Matthew,

I have seen this in some of my previous work experiences, however, I think it vastly depends on how well you vet or verify the people you outsource work. I believe that you you conduct your due diligence you're more likely to find a good long term partner. The next part is working on that professional relationship in an ongoing manner. Constantly working on the relationship helps surface areas of frustration before they lead to problems (like them trying to steal your clients).

Speaking specifically about one of my ventures, children's books. I can say I did my due diligence in getting a solid illustrator. I've worked with him on a platform for about a year. Then we took it off that platform so he could give me better pricing and make a bit more money himself. We've been working together for almost 2 years now and it is a great relationship.

Hi Fleur, we've been outsourcing technology work overseas for several years. The experience differs depending on the type of project. I think the most important thing for successful outsourcing is to develop the policies & procedures *in-house* rather than outsourcing to a team and hoping for the best. There are people with success stories of outsourcing to a "company" overseas, but anecdotally I can tell you they're far outweighed by stories of heartbreak and misery.

Basically, if you don't know how to do something (or at least know the basics of how it works), it's going to be very hard for you to consistently get good results when outsourcing. This is the value that a "local expert" can add - either as a consultant or a separate business - when getting your project outsourced.

It's very easy for miscommunication to creep in, and for projects to seem on track when they're completely not on track.

Hiring is hard to get right, but if you put in the yards you can get amazing people who deliver very high quality work consistently.

Depends. If you are willing to train and teach then it can work. If not it will not work. Also it depends on what you mean cheap. If you pay rock bottom prices then the chances are you are not going to get great quality out of them no matter how much you train.

I have 3 staff overseas and have been outsourcing for a long time. One thing i have learnt is that you have to spend a lot of time training and then controlling the work they do for you. We go out to visit our team and we fly our team into Australia too - specifically for training. If they understand exactly what you expect from them they will get it right. You also have to be patient. It takes time for them to learn and understand you so do not expect to give out work and think it will get done. It won't. We have found that using an agency is best but home workers can work if you find the right one. The issue with homeworkers is control, cyber security and privacy.