| OUTSOURCING: AN OVERVIEW | | | | more specialized skill area or through the development |
| Businesses of all kinds can and do benefit from the | | | | in new types of jobs in new specialized areas. |
| tool of outsourcing every day. Businesses large and | | | | OUTSOURCED BUSINESS PROCESSES |
| small have been outsourcing every day projects for | | | | As mentioned previously, practically any business |
| many years. The businesses that use outsourcing as a | | | | process not related to the core business activity can |
| tool to enhance and grow their business already know | | | | be outsourced. Some examples of commonly |
| the value that outsourcing brings to their organization. | | | | outsourced business processes include: |
| Outsourcing is a business process term for what has | | | | Accounting and Finance |
| literally become known as hiring a consultant, | | | | Graphic Design & Multimedia |
| independent contractor, or freelancer to do a specific | | | | Sales and Telemarketing |
| task or tasks for an organization in which the | | | | Web Design and Development |
| organization either does not have the time or the | | | | Administrative Support and Data Entry |
| expertise to do on their own. The organizations that | | | | Business Strategy, Advertising, Business Plans, |
| have used outsourcing for many years know that with | | | | Consulting |
| the positives it brings to the organization that it is also | | | | Legal, Contracts, Copyright, Corporate, Incorporation |
| important to have a well managed plan of action for | | | | Software and Technology, Database Development |
| hiring a consultant or contractor for a business task. | | | | Writing and Translation, Copy Writing, Creative Writing |
| This includes deciding which projects or tasks to | | | | Press Releases |
| outsource, whom to hire for these tasks, how to | | | | A REWARDING CAREER |
| manage the project, how to agree on payment terms, | | | | Having a specialty or skill in a particular business area |
| and how to achieve the desired results. There are | | | | can enable you to begin a career as a consultant or |
| many forms of outsourcing ranging from outsourcing | | | | freelancer. Freelancing enables you to have the |
| payroll to outsourcing package handling, to everything in | | | | flexibility to work on your own and on your own |
| between. Small businesses hiring a self-employed | | | | schedule. You can choose which projects match your |
| accountant to handle the corporate tax returns are in | | | | skill set and decide which types of freelance projects |
| essence hiring a tax consultant. Large corporations | | | | that you would be interested in working on. There are |
| that hire outside customer service firms to handle their | | | | numerous sources available to find freelance work. |
| customer support are outsourcing that function of their | | | | Some sources include browsing freelance directories, |
| business to focus more on their core business | | | | job boards, and registering with talent auction sites |
| functions. It is entirely possible to outsource practically | | | | such as SmartyLance. All of these resources are filled |
| every business process within an organization. | | | | with potential jobs. In comparison, it seems that talent |
| OUTSOURCING TOOLS | | | | auctions are the most comprehensive resources |
| There are a wealth of tools available for the | | | | offering the most flexibility to both the freelancer and |
| organization looking to outsource business processes. | | | | the company hiring a freelancer. They offer the |
| Companies such as SmartyLance.com, enable a | | | | breadth and depth of listings and the simplicity to bid on |
| business to post a project to a project marketplace | | | | numerous projects as well as services enabling the |
| and receive bids from experts in the field. These type | | | | handling of the entire payment process through a |
| of freelance sites match companies with freelance | | | | service provider account with the talent auction site. |
| professionals, consultants, and independent contractors. | | | | Bidding on projects requires much discipline and |
| There are many advantages for a business to use | | | | planning. Before placing a bid or giving a quote on a |
| services such as SmartyLance. First, the marketplace | | | | project, the freelancer must take into account many |
| enables businesses to use a centralized location to | | | | factors including the length of time required for the |
| post their project, receive bids on that project, | | | | project completion, the budget the service buyer can |
| communicate with potential providers, choose a | | | | afford, and whether or not they can actually meet the |
| winning bid (either based on lowest cost or based on | | | | requirements to complete the project. It is also |
| the credentials, expertise, or prior feedback of a | | | | important to keep in mind that developing relationships |
| particular provider), manage the project specifications, | | | | with service buyers can lead to more work in the |
| receive the delivered project and make final payment | | | | future. Developing a relationship with service buyers |
| based on the terms of the auction. This centralized | | | | and meeting or exceeding their project expectations |
| marketplace provided by SmartyLance greatly | | | | will enable you to develop a client base that allows you |
| streamlines the entire outsourcing process and enables | | | | to practically always have new projects to work on. |
| the business owner or manager to have greater | | | | COMPETITION FOR PROJECTS |
| control over the entire outsourcing process. | | | | There will always be competition in all forms of |
| INCREASING COMPETITION | | | | business. Competition for freelance projects is fierce. |
| Competition is a complicated subject for many people. | | | | One of the major ways to compete and win is to |
| Ultimately, competition is good for the consumer, | | | | make yourself stand out from the rest of the crowd. |
| whether the consumer is an individual or a business, | | | | You can start by fine tuning your resume. This will |
| competition enables products and services to maintain | | | | force you to think about your accomplishments as well |
| high quality and low cost. Although many people dislike | | | | as your exact skills and abilities. There are numerous |
| competition because it forces action to improve quality, | | | | services that can help you with your resume, including |
| the benefits to the overall economy even result in | | | | ResumeEdge. Using a service to help you with your |
| improved products and services for the very people | | | | resume will enable you to better explain your |
| that dismiss competition and the headaches it | | | | accomplishments and present them in a manner that |
| sometimes brings. Freelance marketplaces such as | | | | will captivate and impress the reader. Especially if you |
| SmartyLance are no exception in that competition | | | | are an independent freelancer, having your resume |
| improves the overall quality and value for the project | | | | retooled by ResumeEdge will allow you to stand out in |
| buyer and causes the freelance provider to adjust to | | | | a crowded marketplace. Many freelance service |
| market conditions in a practical, intelligent manner to win | | | | buyers will wish to see a list of your accomplishments |
| new business. The benefits to the company looking to | | | | and your skills. If you register as a service provider |
| hire freelancers are obvious. For example, Company A | | | | with a freelance marketplace such as SmartyLance, |
| can compile a list of consultants to work on the design | | | | they offer several different options that enable you to |
| of their new company logo. This list may include a | | | | stand out above the crowd. First, there are different |
| multitude of design firms from the same geographical | | | | subscription levels when registering. There is a Limited |
| area. Company A would be required to submit an RFP | | | | subscription, a Novice subscription or a Professional |
| by contacting each design firm individually, stating the | | | | subscription. Each higher level subscription offers more |
| requirements of their project and requesting a quote | | | | options to the service provider. Every service provider |
| based on the requirements. Many factors come into | | | | does have the ability to post a profile, detailing various |
| play in deciding which design firm Company A will | | | | information about their abilities. Limited subscriptions limit |
| choose. Chances are, that using this approach, | | | | the cost range in which a service provider can bid. For |
| Company A will end up paying too much for the | | | | example, a Limited service provider can only bid on |
| project and will only have a handful of providers to | | | | projects with a price range less than one thousand |
| choose from. Company B also must outsource the | | | | dollars. Novice subscription service providers can bid |
| design of their new company logo. Rather than | | | | on projects less than five thousand dollars, and |
| compile lists of design firms, which can result in | | | | Professional subscription service providers can bid on |
| overpriced quotes, Company B decides to post their | | | | any service level project. Several added bonuses with |
| logo design project to the SmartyLance marketplace. | | | | the Novice and Professional subscription levels include |
| Doing so enables Company B to get competitive bids | | | | the ability to purchase credential verification services |
| that help ensure that Company B gets the most | | | | as well as the ability to post "Buy Now" projects. |
| competitive price for their project. By posting the logo | | | | Credential verification services enable you to post |
| design project to SmartyLance, Company B not only | | | | information related to your references, certifications, |
| reduced costs associated with the project, they had | | | | licenses, education and previous employment. Simply |
| access to specialists and skilled professional designers | | | | adding these options to your account gives you a |
| from around the world that were competing to give | | | | special designation stating that your information has |
| Company B the best cost and highest quality design | | | | been checked and verified as being true and accurate |
| for their money. The entire process was managed | | | | by the freelance marketplace. This designation gives |
| easily through Company B's SmartyLance account | | | | you an added level of credibility making you stand out |
| enabling them to keep in contact, manage project | | | | from the rest of the service providers and enabling |
| specifications, manage competing bids, and send | | | | you to showcase your achievements and abilities, |
| payment easily and securely through one of several | | | | giving a service buyer confidence in choosing you to |
| different payment methods. An escrow account | | | | complete their project. This will undoubtedly lead to |
| enabled Company B to ensure that payment wasn't | | | | more work and more projects coming your way. In |
| released to the provider until all project requirements | | | | addition to verifying your credentials, you have the |
| were met. Company B successfully outsourced the | | | | ability to showcase a portfolio of your previous work. |
| logo design project and was able to save several | | | | This allows you to show the service buyers your |
| hundred dollars. They also received the project several | | | | achievements and your successes with previous |
| days quicker than Company A. In this example of | | | | clients. Showcasing your portfolio is another important |
| Company A and Company B, we see that Company | | | | aspect that gives the service buyer confidence in your |
| A had limited its ability to find a skilled professional and | | | | ability. Finally, the higher level subscriptions enable you |
| limited its ability to save money on the project. | | | | as a service provider to offer "Buy Now" solutions. |
| Company B took full advantage of all the resources | | | | Similar to purchasing products immediately without |
| and benefits of the SmartyLance marketplace and | | | | bidding as on major product auctions such as Ebay, |
| was able to save time and money. By outsourcing | | | | "Buy Now" solutions enable freelance service |
| critical business functions that are not core business | | | | providers and consultants to make a solution available |
| functions, the organization greatly benefits through a | | | | to all service buyers for a specific set price. For |
| savings of time and money which in turn benefits us all | | | | example, a freelance graphic design firm may create a |
| through decreasing costs that are passed down to the | | | | "Corporate Identity Package", enabling a service buyer |
| consumer. | | | | to purchase this package that may include the graphic |
| TO OUTSOURCE OR NOT TO OUTSOURCE? | | | | design of a logo, along with designs for letterhead, |
| That is the question many small business owners and | | | | business cards, and banner ads. Another example |
| large corporations alike are asking themselves each | | | | could be from a lawyer or legal consultant who |
| and every day. Risks are inherent in any new business | | | | creates an incorporation package that includes |
| strategy or thought process. However, like any | | | | corporate setup and incorporation services for all fifty |
| business decision, risk can be managed. By intelligently | | | | states, creation of shareholder agreements, |
| choosing a provider that matches your intended skill | | | | employment agreements, and registered agent |
| requirements, carefully detailing and outlining your | | | | services all for a set price. These simple examples of |
| project requirements, and ensuring that you maintain | | | | "Buy Now" services enable freelance consultants and |
| the requirements within budget, the benefits can far | | | | independent contractors to create easy options for |
| outweigh the risks. | | | | service buyers who are looking for simple solutions |
| One of the more common fears among some larger | | | | and quick turnaround time. Service providers also |
| organizations that may be reluctant to outsource | | | | enjoy creating these type of services because it |
| projects is a fear of the unknown. This fear stems | | | | enables them to focus on their core interests and |
| from the inherent inability to oversee each and every | | | | abilities. Only higher level subscriptions such as the |
| aspect of the project from start to finish and to | | | | Novice or Limited subscriptions enable freelance |
| evaluate each step along the way. Internal employees | | | | service providers to post "Buy Now" projects. The |
| devoted to a project are more easily evaluated and | | | | beauty of these additional options as a freelance |
| can be guided through performance and work | | | | service provider is that you can focus on one specific |
| appraisals. Managers may feel that outsourced | | | | aspect of your business. If you are a consultant for a |
| projects are more difficult to oversee and manage | | | | graphic design firm and you simply enjoy creating and |
| with an eagle eye. The fact of the matter is that so | | | | designing corporate logos and identities, then you can |
| long as there are well-defined contractual obligations | | | | find work specifically in this area by posting your own |
| and project reporting requirements, an outsourced | | | | "Buy Now" solution. If you are a lawyer working for |
| project can in fact result in a more manageable | | | | your own legal firm and your passion is new business |
| outcome than actually thought. Also, the talent pool and | | | | setups and incorporation services, then you can steer |
| skills obtained that may be completely unavailable to | | | | projects your way with a "Buy Now" solution posted |
| the organization allow the organization to reach | | | | on a freelance marketplace like SmartyLance. |
| milestones and achieve success that may never have | | | | CONCLUSION |
| been possible with their current employees. | | | | These are only a few examples of the many |
| OUTSOURCING CONTROVERSY | | | | opportunities that exist as a freelancer. Whether you |
| The outsourcing controversy that is making headlines | | | | are a small business, an individual, or a large |
| today is the public opinion of outsourcing jobs to other | | | | corporation, this article simply serves as a guide to help |
| countries. This includes manufacturing of products, such | | | | you in your quest to use outsourcing to your |
| as those that are "Made In China" as well as service | | | | advantage to help your business grow and flourish. |
| outsourcing such as computer programming that is | | | | Outsourcing, when done correctly, can benefit your |
| outsourced to skilled workers in India. One can argue | | | | business in so many different ways. The two most |
| that outsourcing projects overseas is taking | | | | obvious benefits are a savings of time and money. |
| opportunity away from workers in their native country. | | | | From the freelancer's standpoint, this article has been |
| Others may contend that outsourcing projects, | | | | developed to help educate and guide you with the |
| whether it's overseas or in the same country is a | | | | many options available to find work as well as to delve |
| great opportunity that will improve business processes, | | | | into the minds of freelance service buyers. Knowing |
| improve productivity, reduce costs and have an overall | | | | their concerns and understanding the reasons for |
| positive effect on the economy, thus creating more | | | | choosing one service provider over another will greatly |
| new jobs and specialized jobs in specific skill areas. All | | | | benefit you by enabling you to increase your odds for |
| businesses are consistently looking for ways to | | | | getting new business. Understanding the concerns and |
| increase productivity and lower costs. From an | | | | needs of service buyers will lead to your gains as a |
| economic standpoint, increasing productivity and | | | | service provider. If you are able to provide enough |
| lowering costs are essential elements for business | | | | people with services that they wish to have, then you |
| success. Business success, in turn leads to more | | | | will always be in demand. |
| growth, which leads to new job creation, be it in a | | | | |