Outsourcing is a business practice in which a company employs a third party to perform tasks, handle operations or provide services for the company. Outsourcing in business has a lot of benefits and also has some disadvantages attached to it. The following are the pros and cons of outsourcing in business,
Pros
1. It reduces cost: Outsourcing helps to reduce the cost of having to expand a business by changing locations or having additional office space. With outsourcing services available, the cost of employment has also been reduced.
2. It promotes the business: The costs of some projects are high, but you might want to offer them to satisfy customers, expand your business, or compete in the marketplace. Outsourcing can be a good option if the cost of expanding to handle those operations yourself is too expensive, would take too long to effect, or would create inefficiencies in your business model.
3. Offer staffing flexibility: Outsourcing allows operations or departments that have cyclical demands to bring in additional resources when they’re necessary. The outsourcing company can then be released when things slow down again, maintaining a company’s flexibility.
4. Provide continuity and risk management: Outsourcing provides a level of continuity to the company while reducing the risk that a substandard level of operation could bring, even over a short period. With outsourcing services available, businesses especially small businesses tend to thrive.
5. Develop internal personnel: Huge projects can require an overly skilled person, this will require outsourcing. Outsourcing will enable the business to have skilled persons at hand and can lead to the persons becoming internal workers for the business.
Cons
1. Management Issues: Outsourced third parties are not bound to the rules and regulations of your company. They act and perform operations of their own free will and according to their schedule. This can affect the progress of the business.
2. Time Zone Problems: When outsourcing it is important to take note of time differences. The third-party may live in a place with a completely different time zone. To prevent late submissions of deliveries, the parties involved must be aware and agree before the contract begins.
3. Security Issues: In these days when customer data and information needs to be safeguarded, It is very essential to be careful when outsourcing. It is also advisable not to outsource to prevent the risk of losing or being robbed of vital customer information.
4. Hidden Costs: Outsourcing in no doubt helps to reduce costs. One however needs to be careful to always read through and understand every document or agreement that needs to be signed before signing them. Many have lost their businesses due to ignorance and lack of knowledge.
5. Lose of Focus: Outsourcing agencies or companies have loads of customers and due to this, they tend to pay lesser attention to the work of small business owners. Due to the tons of work available, they also tend to make mistakes as confusion can set in.
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