Outsourcing With a Vengance

While economists are declaring the worst is over, there’s no doubt businesses are still operating conservatively.  The forecasts indicate we will continue to see unemployment in the double digits for awhile.  For businesses, this means it could be necessary to consider contractors and/or outsourcing to help with projects.  It only seems obvious that instead of hiring, companies might turn to consultants.

And for individuals, it may mean consulting or contracting on a temporary basis until organizations start hiring again.

But I was a little dumbfounded at a recent event where I heard not once but several times the statement “We don’t hire consultants.”  I’m not exactly sure how these firms plan to get things done.  Maybe they’ll just dump work on employees who already have a full plate and threaten them with their job if they don’t get it done.

Let’s face it.  Many companies have not only cut the fat in their budgets, but have dug into the muscle just to survive.  And at some point, they’ll have to reach for outside resources to get stuff done.  But it’s important to be strategic about the decision to outsource a project or task:

1. Figure out the skills of your employees.  Not every job should be outsourced.  Perfect projects for outsourcing are ones where you don’t have the talent in-house.  Or you might have the talent but it would take too long or otherwise negatively impact the operation to do it yourself.
2. Make sure your existing talent plans on staying.  This is a biggie.  There’s talk employees are planning to walk at the first signs of recovery.  Know what your employees are planning to do.  I’ve seen too many companies rely heavily on a single person only to have them leave and be up shi… well, in big trouble because they have no trained backup.
3. Build relationships with outside resources.  Good consultants take engagements they can deliver well.  They will also help you find resources for the projects they don’t do.   This might even be an opportunity to contract with a former employee to help you on a short-term basis.

Tapping into consultants can be a valuable and cost-effective way to manage certain projects and help your business grow in tough times.  The key is understanding the best times to engage external resources.

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2. Consulting Careers
3. Short-Sighted Thinking

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