| "It is vain to do with more what can be done with less." | | | | rights to the work once it is paid for. RentACoder and |
| - William of Occam | | | | Elance have a default clause written into the contract. |
| Globalization and the Internet have made it possible for | | | | This will avoid potential copyright complications later on. |
| anyone to tap talented workers in emerging | | | | 5. Provide the big picture |
| economies at a low cost. Why pay for a job in dollar | | | | It is your job to share the project's vision. If you are |
| figures what can be done remotely for rupees. Today, | | | | able to clearly communicate the project goals things |
| virtually all large companies outsource portions of their | | | | would go far smoother than they would if you were |
| business development to other nations. | | | | directing a project from the seat of your pants. |
| Thanks to the Internet, outsourcing is now available to | | | | 6. Set a schedule for status reports |
| the rest of us as well. I know of many startups and | | | | With preset status reports, you can keep track of the |
| individuals, like myself, who have had considerable | | | | project's progress and it is then easier to keep the |
| success outsourcing. I have integrated outsourcing as | | | | outsourced employee motivated. Time saved for them |
| part of all ongoing projects - and recommend it to any | | | | is time and money saved for you as well. |
| individual or business that hasn't done so yet. When | | | | 7. Clearly define what constitutes completed work |
| done right, outsourcing will save significant amount of | | | | Test and retest the deliverables before you finally pay |
| time, money and stress. | | | | the employee for the work. When possible, work out a |
| There are risks involved, however; micromanaging an | | | | support clause with the coder for help after completion |
| incompetent employee living in an inverted timezone | | | | of the project. |
| can be stressful. Or worse yet, there is a risk of | | | | 8. Follow the rules |
| getting stuck with an employee who stalls the project | | | | It might seem easier to just chat with the coders you |
| until it ends up costing more money than it was meant | | | | hire and get your point across but sites like insist you |
| to save. | | | | correspond everything you agreed upon through your |
| These issues, however, are not problems with | | | | project thread. If your correspondence is not in the |
| outsourcing itself, but rather with the orthodox | | | | arbitrating website's record then do not expect them |
| approach used to manage an outsourced project. The | | | | to take your word for what was agreed. |
| tips suggested in the following paragraphs will help you | | | | 9. Time zones can make or break your sleep |
| develop an outsourcing strategy to get quality work | | | | When choosing a worker, it is important to keep the |
| done for less. | | | | time zones in mind. Make sure there will be times when |
| 10 Tips on Outsourcing Online: | | | | you can communicate with the coder in real time if |
| 1. Check Employee's Background | | | | necessary. Prefer someone from the same time zone |
| Choose someone with a high credibility and at least a | | | | as yourself (for North Americans, hiring someone from |
| dozen projects completed on the site. Websites such | | | | South America makes good sense). |
| as, Elance, RentACoder, and ODesk have expert | | | | 10. Prefer freelance workers over outsource firms |
| rating tests service providers can take to prove their | | | | Freelance workers are better motivated since they |
| credibility. | | | | are working for themselves, and they are not top |
| 2. Start with a small project | | | | heavy as most Indian outsourcing firms turn out to be. |
| Unless you have worked with a coder before, start | | | | Outsourcing firms will bid for projects their teams are |
| with a small project. Remember, you cannot outsource | | | | incapable of finishing; many will brute force their way |
| passion. Your employees don't share the same | | | | into finding a project by spamming potential employers |
| enthusiasm as you do for your project. So | | | | with irrelevant samples of work. |
| communicate expectations and divide the work into | | | | Freelancing coders on the other hand are more likely |
| small chunks so that they may stay motivated and | | | | to only take up work they can complete; plus, they |
| demand less micro-managing. | | | | remove the non-technical middle man. |
| When hiring, prefer workers who ask questions to | | | | Conclusion |
| those who do not. Questions show they are interested | | | | I have outsourced everything, from copy writing and |
| and already thinking of your needs. Those who do not | | | | marketing to software development and graphic |
| ask usually end up chucking half baked work at you; | | | | designing. The research material for this article, for |
| 'guessing' instead of 'knowing' what you need without | | | | instance, was compiled for by my virtual assistant. |
| really caring. | | | | Surprised? Don't be. I would be surprised if the likes of |
| 3. Don't let the lowest bid intimidate you | | | | Timothy Ferriss wrote the entire book, The 4-Hour |
| Plan your project and work out your priorities. While it | | | | Workweek, without the help of an outsourced editor. |
| is great to negotiate costs, when you are finally hiring, | | | | If you have a great idea, don't let your lack of skills, or |
| be sure you are hiring the right person for the job. Do | | | | even time, stop you from executing it. Yes, outsourcing |
| not let a low bid lure you into hiring. | | | | can be challenging, but the benefits far outweigh the |
| 4. Claim Intellectual Property | | | | potential risks once you know how to use it to your |
| Make sure the project contract includes the ownership | | | | advantage. |
| clause that tells the employee that you own complete | | | | |