Successful Outsourcing: Learning from Success Stories
Innovation never sleeps, especially in the realm of technology. Businesses striving to stay in step with tech advancements are often faced with challenging decisions. This reality leads many to explore outsourcing as a strategy for ensuring competitiveness. According to a Statista report, an impressive 80% of retailers lean on software development outsourcing, with the market revenue anticipated to reach an overwhelming $103.9 billion by 2021.
Having a clear idea of desired outcomes, and understanding the nuances involved in outsourcing is critical. Firms such as BrightBox have crafted global sourcing approaches to guide businesses in this respect. They believe in preparing enterprises to make the most of outsourcing benefits while mitigating risks. Exploring successful outsourcing examples and what we can learn from them.
The Motive for Outsourcing
Before settling on a suitable outsourcing partner, companies should define their requirements. These needs would usually be shaped by several factors including cost considerations, flexibility, speed to market, and access to advanced tools and methods.
The Deloitte Global Outsourcing Survey 2020 revealed that cost is a major driving factor for outsourcing, with 70% of the respondents stating it as their primary reason. In the shadow of the Covid-19 pandemic and its significant impact on businesses globally, this comes as little surprise. Companies can potentially cut operating expenses by up to 30% by partnering with an outsourcing firm.
Nevertheless, cost isn't the sole reason companies look beyond in-house sourcing. The unpredictable economic climate demands a certain level of agility from businesses. Thus, flexibility and the capacity to respond quickly to market changes are becoming increasingly important, particularly for industries such as fintech and e-commerce.
Four Benefits of Outsourcing: Successful Cases
Now, let's dive into successful outsourcing examples and derive the benefits of finding the right fit for your business.
Enhanced Focus on Core Competencies
Outsourcing allows businesses to concentrate on what they do best by freeing up time and resources. This approach was employed by Slack, the leading communication platform, when they outsourced their app development, which in turn allowed them to focus on improving the platform's core functionalities.
Access to Global Resource and Expertise
Outsourcing opens the door to a wider pool of experts and resource globally. A notable example is Alibaba. The e-commerce giant leveraged outsourcing during its initial stages, helping them access a variety of resource and build a robust online marketplace.
Reduced Operational Costs
As the Deloitte survey pointed out, cost-saving is a significant driver for outsourcing. Google, despite having a massive in-house team of engineers, has often outsourced many projects to reduce costs and enhance efficiency.
Improved Business Agility
Outsourcing can significantly enhance a company's agility, allowing for quick adjustments to market changes. Netflix is a classic example. The streaming service's use of Amazon Web Services (AWS) has enabled it to scale its services seamlessly based on demand.
A diagram illustrating the process and benefits of successful outsourcing.
Choosing Your Outsourcing Partner: Keys to Success
To replicate the successes of these companies, it's essential to choose your outsourcing partner wisely. Considerations such as matching business needs, cost-effectiveness, flexibility, and speed to market must be weighed.
It's equally critical to define the scope of work, establish clear communication channels, and set mutually agreed performance metrics to ensure smooth operations. With the right partner, outsourcing can act as a game-changer, propelling your business to new heights.
Extracting the Best from Outsourcing
Outsourcing has become an essential strategy for companies aiming to stay competitive in the dynamic tech landscape. It offers several benefits, including cost savings, enhanced focus on core competencies, and access to global resource and expertise. Businesses like Slack, Alibaba, Google, and Netflix are a testament to the success of outsourcing when done right.
Choosing the right partner and defining the needs, scope, and expectations are vital for successful outsourcing. In doing so, businesses can navigate the complexities of the tech world with more confidence and agility, staying ahead of the curve in an increasingly competitive market.