Many companies use outsourcing to get things done. It lets them hire experts for specific tasks, save money, and free up their own people for important jobs. But how can you tell if outsourcing is really worth it? Saving money is great, but a good outsourcing partnership helps your business in more ways than one.
Explore how to measure the true value of outsourcing, by looking beyond just the cost and revenue to see how it benefits your entire business.
In the past, people mainly looked at how much money outsourcing saved a company. But saving money isn’t the whole story.
Outsourcing can also benefit your business in other ways, beyond just saving money. A good outsourcing partner becomes a strategic teammate, bringing a wealth of benefits to your business.
By outsourcing non-essential tasks, your internal team frees up time to focus on what they do best, leading to smoother operations and increased productivity. Another example is it can give you access to experts you wouldn’t otherwise have, and help you get things done faster. Outsourcing partners can also scale their workforce up or down to meet your project needs, making your business more adaptable. This flexibility, along with faster project completion times, can give you a competitive edge. Finally, collaborating with an external team with fresh perspectives can spark innovation and lead to exciting new ideas and products.
The best way to measure outsourcing success is to consider all of these factors, not just the cost or revenue.
To get a complete picture of outsourcing ROI, ask yourself these questions in these key areas:
- Financial Impact:
- Did outsourcing lead to faster project completion, improved product quality, or access to new markets, ultimately boosting revenue?
- Operational Efficiency:
- Did outsourcing free up internal resources to focus on core competencies, leading to increased productivity? Track key metrics like turnaround times, output volume, and error rates.
- Did it allow you to scale your workforce up or down quickly to meet changing market demands? Measure the flexibility and agility gained by utilizing an external partner.
- Did your outsourcing partner introduce best practices and efficient workflows? Track changes in operational processes and their impact on overall efficiency.
- Strategic Advantages:
- Do you have access to specialized skills and knowledge unavailable in-house? Has outsourcing allowed you to tap into a wider talent pool?
- Can your outsourced partner bring fresh ideas and innovative solutions to the table?
- Did outsourcing help you facilitate entry into new markets where the partner may have established expertise and connections?
- Quantifying the Immeasurable:
- Has outsourcing improved customer service or product quality, leading to increased customer satisfaction? Analyze customer feedback and loyalty metrics.
- Do you have clear and open communication channels with your outsourcing partner? This impacts project outcomes and overall satisfaction.
- Has a strong working relationship formed between your teams and the outsourcing partner? Collaboration and trust are essential for long-term success.
- Can your outsourcing partner adapt to evolving business needs and industry changes? Agility is key to maximizing the value of the partnership.
So, how do you translate these diverse metrics into a meaningful ROI assessment? Here’s a framework to get you started:
- Clearly define your objectives for outsourcing. Are you aiming to reduce costs, increase efficiency, or access specialized skills?
- Based on your goals, select relevant metrics for each area (financial, operational, strategic).
- Before outsourcing, track your chosen metrics to establish a baseline performance level.
- Continuously monitor your chosen metrics after outsourcing to identify changes and measure impact.
- Depending on your chosen metrics, you may calculate ROI using a traditional financial formula (ROI = Net Benefits / Net Investment) or a more qualitative approach focusing on the overall impact on your business goals.
When selecting an outsourcing partner, consider not just cost but also their ability to deliver value beyond this factor. Look for a partner that aligns with your company culture, understands your goals, and demonstrates a commitment to quality and innovation, like Filta.
At Filta, we are committed to helping businesses build high-performing global teams that can grow not only through revenue but also through efficiency and performance, operations, and innovation.
Strategic outsourcing is a key accelerator for business growth. To get the full picture, go beyond just cost savings and revenue, and consider the intangible benefits as well. Measuring both tangible and intangible benefits can give you a comprehensive understanding of your outsourcing ROI. This is an ongoing process, requiring regular evaluation of metrics to optimize the partnership. Clear communication, collaboration, and ongoing feedback are essential to achieving the full potential of your outsourced resources and gain not just revenue, but true business success in a competitive market.
Fuel your future success. Partner with Filta to build your outsourced global team. Grow beyond the revenue and achieve sustainable success with our help. Reach out to us via www.filtaglobal.com or contact Nerissa Chaux, Filta’s Co-Founder at nerissa@filtaglobal.com to get started.
