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You have just decided to outsource a few or a huge chunk of tasks. For some employees, delegation may be a reason to worry. Why is the company cost cutting? Are we going out of business? Are we being laid off? Am I getting fired?
This is a common reaction; but, there are a lot of reasons a company decides to outsource. One, yes, they may be cost-cutting, but not because the company is going to fold, but rather to save and allocate resources to other things. Two, companies also do outsourcing so they can focus on the main business process – it saves them time. Three, outsourcing gives companies access to global knowledge and talent skills.
But how can you make sure that there is actual work getting done online?
Know What Needs To Be Done
You have to know what you want done. Is it content creation? Graphic designing? Or administrative tasks? Knowing the tasks that need to be outsourced is the very first step.
Outsourcing can be a little challenging in a sense that you cannot see your team members face-to-face, so your instructions should be specific and accurate. You have to clearly define the tasks you expect to be done by your outsourced employee. This is a common waterloo between client and outsourced employee. Remember, outsourced employees rely on the instruction you dole out – they are not mind readers.
PRIOTIZE URGENT TASKS!
The next thing you need to do is prioritize. You should know which tasks are urgent and which can be done at a later time. I suggest creating a workflow, wherein you enumerate required steps to complete the tasks you assign. Remember, in outsourcing instruction is key.
Find The Right People
Now that you know what you want done and which ones comes first, we are off to finding people.
You have to know who you are looking for. Do you want someone who just writes? Or someone who can write and edit or proofread as well? The top things people usually consider are the skills and the outsourced employee’s level, the number of hours they can work, and of course, their English skills – both verbal and written.
Write The Right Job Listing
Once you identify all the information needed to outsource, you are more than ready to find someone. There are plenty of websites available where you can post your job opening. When creating a job posting, you have to explain what the job entails and the skills required – this is very crucial. You’re going to receive a lot of resumes and you have to carefully go through them because overlooking a highly viable candidate would be a waste. You want to give everyone a shot, even just for an interview.
Ask The Right Questions
Let’s talk about interviewing. Before you speak with a candidate, make sure you’ve gone through his profile. Ask if they have a portfolio (Only when your hiring requires it), their previous work experience, and their struggles. You should not be intimidating; you can exude authority, but you don’t want your possible employee to feel scared. And also, don’t hire the first candidate you like, but be swift and straight to the point when you know you are not going to hire someone.
I always ask for a show-off piece after picking my best 2 or 3 candidates.
What is a show-off piece? This is for me to see what they can do with a task I specifically asked them to do. Whoever emerges with the best work, provided that I feel good about him, gets the job.
2 O’s: Orient and Organize
Yay! My first outsourced employee! Upon hiring, what you need to do first is the double Os: orient and organize. This is where you lay out your cards, the specific details of the tasks you want your employee to do; this is also the time you give him access to work platforms and set up your standard mode of communication. This time is important because this will dictate the success and productivity of your employee. Do the double Os well. Please encourage your employee to ask questions. Be approachable. Remember that outsourcing is a reciprocating relationship.
Once you’ve successfully completed your double Os and you are comfortable (and confident) that you have communicated clearly and thoroughly your goals and expectations with your outsourced employee, you have to let them work on their own. Nobody likes a micromanager, whether an internal or outsourced employee.
Outsourcing came to life because of its major advantages. However, nothing is ever perfect. If you wish to learn more about how outsourcing can help boost your business there are plenty of blogs and other resources to help you make wise decisions…like this blog!
