By Brendon Stevens, Senior Manager at ResourcePlus
Having joined the dynamic team at ResourcePlus it’s been amazing to see both the similarities and nuances to traditional staffing. With outsourcing assistance becoming a key strategy for firms aiming to enhance efficiency, and drive growth. Whether it’s leveraging external expertise for accounting, tax assistance, or administrative tasks, the success of outsourcing initiatives often hinges on the ability to effectively manage and collaborate with professional service firms. In this article, I explore five key strategies that I believe help engagements thrive.
Preparation is Key:
Preparation sets the foundation for a successful outsourcing engagement relationship. From the outset, it’s crucial for clients to clearly define project objectives, expectations, and timelines. Providing the required detail expected from this staff member is key to fulfil their responsibilities without the requiring any additional time from the clients perspective. Clearly communicating deadlines and milestones helps align expectations and enables outsourced teams to prioritize tasks effectively. I have found that in providing outsourced staff to perform dedicated expected tasks allows our clients permanent on site staff to concentrate on their key roles and responsibilities, rather than following up on administrative items.
Establishing Transparent Communication Channels
Establishing a transparent communication channel is essential for smooth communication and decision-making. Designate a primary point of contact or project manager who serves as the main liaison between the internal team and outsourced talent, the projects run extremely well. This individual should be empowered to address queries, provide guidance, and facilitate collaboration.
Continuous Two Way Feedback:
Feedback plays a pivotal role in improving performance and fostering growth. Encouraging open and constructive feedback channels enables both clients and outsourced talent to share insights, identify areas for improvement, and celebrate successes. Regular check-ins, performance reviews, and post-project evaluations provide valuable opportunities to assess progress, refine strategies, and enhance collaboration for future engagements. This works well where the clients and outsourced talent have found other synergies within the business that can increase the efficiency.
Standardising Workflows:
Standardising workflows help bridge the expectation gap between our resourced talent and our clients by removing any expectation gap. This is even more critical when utilizing outsourced talent, as it reduces the learning curve for talent and reduces the risk for the client’s partners. Clients can document standard operating procedures outlining key tasks, worksheets, and quality standards. I have seen how training plays a key role in this so that outsourced talent are equipped with the necessary tools and knowledge to perform their roles effectively.
Getting the Right Mix of Talent:
Matching the right level of expertise to the task at hand is critical in achieving optimal results. Balancing efficiency with learning opportunities ensures that outsourced talent is adequately challenged and motivated, while also providing opportunities for professional development and skill enhancement. By fostering a mutually beneficial relationship, clients can leverage outsourced talent as a strategic asset to drive innovation and achieve business objectives.
At ResourcePlus maximizing outsourced talent requires careful planning, effective communication, and a commitment to continuous improvement. As we continue to work on these with our clients, we can unlock new opportunities for growth and success.
