What Is One Drawback Of Outsourcing

Okay, let's talk outsourcing. You know, like when you decide your overflowing laundry basket is someone else's problem and ship it off to the laundromat. Or maybe, realizing your attempt at baking a birthday cake resembles a geological formation more than dessert, you call up the local bakery? Outsourcing! It's all around us, in big and small ways.

Generally, outsourcing is a pretty sweet deal. It’s like having a magic wand that poofs away tasks you either can't, won't, or simply don’t want to do. Freeing up your time for, say, binge-watching that show everyone's talking about. But... (you knew there was a "but" coming, right?)… there's a potential downside lurking in the shadows. A little gremlin that can cause unexpected headaches.

The Communication Breakdown Blues

And that gremlin's name? Communication Breakdown.

Think of it this way: remember that time you asked a friend to pick up groceries, but your instructions were, shall we say, less than precise? You ended up with kale instead of lettuce (because, apparently, "green and leafy" is open to interpretation) and a tub of dill pickle relish you absolutely did not need. That, my friends, is a mini-communication breakdown, outsourcing style!

When you're working face-to-face with someone, or even just down the hall, it's easier to clarify things. You can pop over and say, "Hey, about that report… when I said 'ASAP,' I meant by Tuesday, not literally right this second. My bad!" But when you outsource, whether it's to a company across town or across the globe, the communication lines aren't always so crystal clear.

Let's say you've outsourced your company's customer service to a call center. Great! Except, the agents are trained on a different set of FAQs than the ones your website uses. Now customers are getting conflicting information. Chaos ensues! Social media explodes with complaints! You spend the rest of the week putting out fires. Fun times. (Not.)

Or perhaps you’ve hired a freelance graphic designer to create a new logo. You envision something sleek, modern, and minimalist. What you get back looks like a unicorn exploded in a glitter factory. The designer might be incredibly talented, but if they didn't really grasp your vision, you're left with a logo that's more "My Little Pony" than "Fortune 500."

It’s like playing a really bad game of telephone. The message starts off clear, but by the time it reaches the other end, it's been twisted and mangled beyond recognition.

Bridging the Gap

So, what's the solution? Is outsourcing doomed to be a communication nightmare? Absolutely not! It just requires a bit more effort on your part.

Be ridiculously specific. Assume the person you're outsourcing to knows absolutely nothing about your business, your project, or your personal preferences. (Okay, maybe that’s a slight exaggeration. But better safe than sorry!) Provide detailed briefs, examples, and clear instructions. Leave no room for ambiguity.

Regular check-ins are your friend. Don't just hand off the task and disappear. Schedule regular meetings (even if they're just quick video calls) to check on progress, answer questions, and provide feedback. This helps ensure everyone's on the same page.

Embrace technology. Use project management tools, shared documents, and instant messaging to keep communication flowing smoothly. Having everything in one place makes it easier to track progress and address any issues that arise.

And finally, be patient. Communication is a two-way street. It takes time and effort to build a good working relationship, especially when you're dealing with people who may have different cultural backgrounds or communication styles. Be understanding and willing to adapt.

Outsourcing can be a fantastic way to boost productivity and free up your time. Just remember to keep those communication lines open and clear. Otherwise, you might end up with that dill pickle relish situation all over again. And nobody wants that.