The Fear of Outsourcing
What exactly is outsourcing?
Outsourcing is the practice of employing a company or a team outside the organization to perform a specific service or create goods that cannot be performed by the company's own employees and staff. It is also a cost-cutting measure used by businesses.
The most basic examples of outsourcing are office and warehouse cleaning, website development, and advertising (including social media marketing). Some business owners delegated bookkeeping, maintenance, and recruitment to a third-party specialist. This method enables the corporation to focus on its primary activity.
The primary reason that businesses outsource is to reduce and control operating costs. To focus solely on their primary activity. Outsourcing can help improve efficiency in functions that need process improvements, reduce costs, and accelerate development. It also allows businesses to focus on their core competencies.
One of the most effective examples of outsourcing is virtual assistants. Because they will perform administrative tasks from home or outside the client's office.
Various types of virtual assistants
1) Virtual administrative assistant
2) Virtual bookkeeping assistant
3) Virtual Assistant for Social Media
4) virtual assistant realty
5) Virtual assistants for shopping and e-commerce
6) Virtual assistant for blog creation
7) Virtual assistants for customer service
8) Computer-assisted virtual assistants
However, not all business owners have embraced the idea of outsourcing, and here are some common concerns that may necessitate a move toward outsourcing.
1. Communication barrier
One of the factors preventing English-speaking businesses from outsourcing is the issue of communication. They are concerned that they will be unable to communicate effectively with non-English speaking countries.
2. Output Quality
Some business owners are concerned about the quality of labor provided by an outsourced company. They are concerned that the outputs will differ from what they require. To avoid disappointment, discuss your expectations with your outsourced provider during the search stage. Put rules in place and reach an agreement on the quality of labor to be delivered.
3. Online safety
Another reason is that business owners are concerned that their company's data will be compromised. To keep your data safe, make sure you're working with an ISO-certified outsource partner.
4. Difference in time zones
If you want to hire a virtual assistant to work during a specific time zone, work with your VA to agree on a schedule that works for both of you. Most virtual assistants work on a flexible schedule based on their clients' time zones.
If you want your virtual assistant to work during a specific time zone, you will negotiate your preferred schedule with your VA, and they will understand. Because they understand the time difference and are happy to accommodate the client's schedule, most Virtual Assistants are flexible when it comes to working schedules.
5. Power outages and a loss of internet access
This is a common issue for freelance VAs who work from home. Hiring a virtual assistant from a reputable outsourcing service provider will help you avoid these issues because their VAs will work in an office setting with stable internet and power.