Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

We have had a rough experience over the last three years using outsourcing. We thankfully pushed through and stood by our vision to help folks in business succeed not only locally but nationwide. I had to learn to do due dilegence and look deeper into the companies I hired to build our platform. After 3 years and 3 companies that never finished a final product we decided to hire our own team to get our business website complete. In 3 years we lost alot of money but the time is what really hurt us. It has not been easy and there have been many times I just wanted to put my head down and give in. I decided to keep pushing, keep moving toward my goal. We finally launched our service site about a month ago and we are making some enhancements and changes to it with our team. Here are a couple of articles that were written that includes our struggle with outsourcing.

http://bmighty.com/ebusiness/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=202 100883

http://www.bmighty.com/services/showArticle.jhtml?articleID= 202100889

I can really tell the difference in our company now, having our own staff. Instead of hiring a service from a company, we are building a team...one that likes to contribute, has ideas and  understands our vision. It can be difficult in business because even though you wish for eveyone to be like you in business...alot of times they are not. I have a hard time getting that but it was a lesson learned and a timely draining and costly one.

 

Erin

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Our Goal Is Your Success!
Founder Girls with Goals

Sometimes lessons are learned the hard way.  On the other hand, when a lesson is learned at all, one usually finds the right answers.  In your case, it was building your own team!

In the end, you found the best solution and that`s one of the important aspects of running a business.  That`s a great accomplishment!

On a side note, Erin, I really like the look of your site and brand.  Your color scheme is fun and inviting.  Well done, GWG team.  :)

Thank you both! It was definately a struggle but I kept my goal in focus and kept pushing through. Both myself and my husband who thankfully is a successful business man are happy to finally have our service up and running. We really had to sacrifice alot to get here. Thanks again!

Erin

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Our Goal Is Your Success!
Founder Girls with Goals

Erin!  You have done amazing things. .  We all need to be careful of companies that portray,.. what they,... really are NOT!

I wish you the greatest success!!! You really impress me! And I`m so glad you worked through it, and kept on going.

You got what it takes!... you, Girl, With `LOTS` Of Goals"!

Janie

Wow, that`s really too bad that you had to go through all that trouble to get a decent website.  I`m not a web designer but I can`t imagine putting people through all the hassle you had to go through just to get the job done. 

Congrats to you for sticking it out and seeing your goal come to life finally.

Thanks for the links to those articles, great information.

One point that stood out to me is about people who think outsourcing is going to help them clean up a messy business system.  That`s so true.  When you`re outsourcing you really need to have a plan and an outline, and then track the results to make sure you are getting what you need out of the relationship.

I really like your website now, very professional looking and a great design.

Remember that old saying, "If you want something done right, do it yourself."


`Course there`s the problem of knowing how to delegate....and that presents a bit of a contradiction, doesn`t it!

What`s interesting to me is that outsourcing strategies usually discuss the separation of "critical" from non-critical processes, items, and events. It`s interesting because I have a deeper interest in the difference between "depend" and "rely."

When you try to outsource a critical aspect of your business, you become dependant upon someone. That`s not the same thing as relying on someone. Reliance stands on honoring a contract. But dependency means handing over your life and survival to someone else.

It`s a hard lesson to learn, but part of growing older and wiser. Good stuff on the new site, though! :-)

Thank you all. It can be difficult when outsourcing..you can`t just see these people in person alot of the time, face to face and that can make things feel alot of times that you have no control over your project and makes it more difficult to communicate your vision. They may tell you one thing and be doing another and it is hard to tell. I will tell you though, it has ben womderful having actual people joining our team and contributing to the end result.

Erin

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Our Goal Is Your Success!
Founder Girls with Goals

As a web designer, I am always disturbed when I hear stories like yours - where people have paid a lot of money for a website with little or no results.

If you have any web or design questions, do not hesitae to contact me.

~Roland 

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Web Design | Best Beef Jerky | ecommerce articles | Follow vwebworld on Twitter

I like the way you put that, Craig.  There is a big difference between depend and rely.

I`m a Virtual Assistant. I want my clients to rely on me.  I don`t want them to depend on me.  If I were to take a day off on a whim, I don`t feel the need to inform my clients, although I would.  But I would do that out of courtesy to them, not because their business depends on my being here and having to find someone to fill in for me.  My clients are business owners, too.  And they are responsible for the well-being of their business.  I don`t ever want my clients to become dependent upon me for that.  However, the work I do for them and with them is something my clients can rely on me to complete.

Thanks Roland,

I appreciate the offer :)!!

 

Erin

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Our Goal Is Your Success!
Founder Girls with Goals