| Aug. 10 2007 at 6:47 PM |
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I agree that outsourcing/insourcing can be a great benefit to small businesses. Many small businesses do not have the financial ability to hire a full-time employee, and nor do they have sufficient workload to keep a full-time employee busy. Likewise, many large companies are downsizing to save expenses and have found that outsourcing tasks to be financially agreeable with them. While outsourcing to overseas may be cheaper at times, you should also take into consideration the value, professionalism and expertise that may be needed for your company.
Also, you must find the right company to outsource to. Otherwise, you're wasting valuable time and money. For administrative tasks, you may want to outsource to a virtual assistant. There are many VA's within the US and overseas, and growing quickly. Some VA's only specialize in one task, others specialize in several. Some offer value-added services. Some will just take direction and do what is asked. Others will listen to what your needs and goals are for your business, and help you get there by helping you run more efficiently.
Here's a guide that can be used in finding the right VA for you, and can be changed to help find any service provider that will best match your needs.
http://www.virtualassistantnetworking.com/how-to-hire-a-virt ual-assistant.htm
Edited by: MyGoToGal - Aug. 10 2007 at 6:50 PMTracey DelCamp, Owner
My GoTo Gal Virtual Assistant Services - the reliable resource for your business needs!
www.MyGoToGal.net
info@MyGoToGal.net
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| Aug. 20 2007 at 4:15 PM |
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Every growing business will reach a point were it is no longer
efficient or economical for owners to handle all of the HR and Administration
tasks. You have two roads that you can take.
1)Hire an HR employee for 40k(+) a year plus benefits only to have them outsource your insurances and
payroll services to a broker.
2)Hire a PEO to handle your taxes,
payroll, liabilities, benefits, and HR.
A PEO
service is not only helpful and cost effective but allows the owner to remain in control. Ryan Hice
ryan.hice@soi.com
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| Aug. 20 2007 at 6:12 PM |
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The danger with outsourcing is you have to take the time to double check the work that you outsource, to make sure it was done correctly. StonesLedge, you have some programming errors on your site which could cause a cracking attempt. Since you were probably not the expert in the development and programming of website code, there was probably no way you could have know this. But I see your site is still in beta testing, so you have some time to have your programmers fix it.
This error occurs when you manipulate the id number in the querystring from 17 to 1g7:
Warning: mysql_fetch_array(): supplied argument is not a valid MySQL result resource in /home/girls/public_html/scripts/news_display.php on line 35
A simple function to test if the id value passed in from the querystring is indeed a number will stop the error, however, now your site is exposed to SQL injection attacks, where your entire database of information can be cracked (maliciously broken into), and information stolen or erased entirely. Get that fixed asap. If it happened on this script page, it is probably also a problem all over your website.
Again, outsourcing can be good, but it has it's drawbacks and you need to be sure you check and double check everything.
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| Apr. 03 2008 at 6:52 PM |
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Excellent article. More please!
As a small business owner outsourcing is great, but you do need to know your professional strengths and weaknesses before you randomly outsource. Non-profitable perfunctory chores should be outsourced immediately. Non-profitable administrative stuff (payroll, employment, & IT) should be considered for outsourcing next. Then you'll have to take a long hard look at any other business functions that are not a significant revenue source. In any case, make sure you dealing with a reputable outsourcing partner who you trust preferrably one that has a vested interested in your community.
Support small buisnesses in your community.
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| Apr. 04 2008 at 7:25 AM |
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One of the most important task that you can outsource is pre-employment background screening. Why is this so important? Fist of all, the employee(s) that are conducting the hiring process for your company will have to take valuable time to learn the many laws that apply to background checks. Laws such as the FCRA, DPPA, HIPPA, Gramm-Leach-Biliey Act to name a few. In addition, the state you are working in probably has laws as well. A inocent mistake by one of your hard working employees (or you) could get you in a lot of hot water.
In addition more time (and time means $$$in the business world) is spent contacting former employees, references and educational insitiutions...often leaving a message then waiting for waiting for as reply. In other words playing phone tag. Your employee will have to be available to go to the court house to search records, if necessary ($$$$ wasted).
If you decide to outsource your pre- employment needs, I suggest locating a licensed private investigator that specailzes in pre-employment background checks. While there are dozens of "Information venders" out there that will conduct a background check for anyone with a credit card, you can never be sure that the information is accurate and that the laws were followed to get that information. A licensed private investigator has met the qualilfications to access databases that are only available to licensed professionals. They know the law and are willing to do extra foot work if necessary.
The cost of as licensed private investigtor is pennies when considering how much a negligent hiring suit will cost.
Sandy Glover
Gold Shield Legal Investigations, Inc.
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| Apr. 06 2008 at 9:15 PM |
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Great Post
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| Apr. 09 2008 at 5:45 PM |
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Outsourcing is a good option when it will help you effectively leverage your time and abilities. Yes, it is important to make sure that you outsource to true professionals that have expertise in their field. A little due diligence will go a long way here. Ask plenty of questions (of the prospect as well as their references), research complaint histories against them, and if appropriate, request samples of their work before you sign on.
Rosanna Tussey
Owner
New Mexico Candle Co.
http://www.nmcandleco.com
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| Apr. 10 2008 at 2:48 PM |
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Many people are taken aback when they see prices that legitimate domestic (US & Canadian) virtual assistants charge for their services. Over and over again I've seen immediate reactions of "I can hire someone to come do it for half that price!" What they fail to take into account are the "hidden" costs of hiring that someone. While many are tempted to hire on a "cash under the table" basis, that can easily come around to bite you. If you factor in necessary costs associated with an "employee" like the employer's half of Social Security taxes, worker's compensation insurance, office space for the employee, computer & other equipment for the employee, time on the clock for employee breaks, etc. and the "optional" benefits such as sick leave, vacation leave, medical/dental insurance, the actual cost for a $16/hour administrative assistant easily soars to $30/hour or more.
All the above is assuming you HAVE space for an employee. Many home based businesses simply don't have the space needed. Privacy issues of having someone else in your home are also a factor.
I could go on and on with reasons to outsource for small/home based businesses.
Sherra Scott
Quality Practice Management Solutions Virtual Assistant (QPMS VA)
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