Offshore outsourcing, also known as offshoring, is the tactical practice of getting third party services from foreign firms and contractors. Most businesses in today's world are welcoming the solution because of the significant quality, cost and time savings it promises. Offshore outsourcing has continued to gain popularity, and it is easy to see its appeal.
What functions should a business offshore?
While offshoring promises numerous benefits for businesses, companies need to be strategic with the functions they choose to outsource for maximum business benefits. Most ventures tend to employ offshore outsourcing for the production functions of their business. A business can outsource a single component or an entire production process. Companies in the garment industry have enjoyed business advantages in outsourcing their production. The companies get the freedom to focus on design and marketing aspects.
Offshore outsourcing is not limited to production processes. Services like IT are also great to outsource. Giant companies like Google, Cisco, Intel and Microsoft have taken their functions offshore and thrived from the model.
Essentially, a business reaps the most benefits from outsourcing services they need regularly and frequently. It helps when the transfer of services over the internet is seamless. Here are some processes that a business should consider outsourcing from foreign firms:
- Infrastructure and technology that work as support roles for operations
- Software development
- Knowledge processes that require skill and expertise
- Non-core business processes like bill collection and payroll processing
By the way, if you are not comfortable outsourcing your payroll processes for security reasons, you can keep them in-house and use a software such a Paystub Creator like the one you can find right here to simply the process.
Benefits of Offshore outsourcing
You may wonder if offshore outsourcing is a good decision for your business. If you are still unsure if your business will benefit from the arrangement, you might want to take a look at the advantages of Offshore outsourcing for businesses:
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1. Reduced labor costs
One of the most popular benefits of outsourcing and offshoring is the significant cost savings it promises. The cost of living in many developing countries tends to be lower. That way, the labour cost is not incredibly high. Lower labour costs and increased efficiency translate to higher profit margins.
2. Access to a broad pool of specialized workforce
As a business, you want to work with the best talent your money can buy. In some cases, the best workforce may not be in your locality. However, offshoring allows you to access a broader labour pool and specialized resources. For example, offshoring the services of a Backend Development company gives you the chance to work with top professionals who are excellent in the area of specialization, regardless of where they are located.
3. You can focus on your core functions
When you have offloaded some of your tasks to a professional offshoring company, your hands are free to take care of other business processes. Your valuable resources can address complex operations, improving your efficiency and profit margins. Offshore outsourcing also comes in handy when you have seasonal recruitment needs. There will be no need to go through the hefty and taxing recruitment process each season.
4. You get customer support that spans time zones
We live in economies that operate 24/7. Customers expect immediate support regardless of the time of day or night. With offshore outsourcing, your customers can enjoy around the clock accessibility. You can have people from different time zones on call every day. Even when asleep, you are sure there are people making things happen.
5. You get to be with the times
Technological trends in many industries commonly feel like they are changing overnight. Keeping tabs on all the new trends can be a challenge, and you may find yourself sticking to obsolete technology. However, offshoring introduces you to the current trends. A huge plus is the flexibility since you do not have to invest in the new technology but still enjoy its benefits.
6. Opportunity for state incentives
Most developing countries encourage offshoring models because it feels like an investment in their country. Some countries even offer reduced taxes to encourage more businesses to widen their horizons. Such incentives help you expand your financial opportunities and maximize business development.
Factors to consider when selecting an offshoring company
Cost-effectiveness should not be the only factor when considering outsourcing from a foreign third-party firm. Here are other factors you should consider when selecting an offshore business to partner with:
- Technology and infrastructure capabilities
- Skilled labour
- Language proficiency
- Economic stability
How can you make the most of Offshore Outsourcing?
The offshoring model has many benefits to offer. However, you need strategies that help you make the most of it. Like any other thing in business, offshoring will have some inevitable challenges. It is necessary to have ways to navigate any issues. One of the best ways to manage the bumps on the road is by prioritizing open communication. Open communication with the outsourced team and your in-house team makes it easy to communicate your needs and solve any issues before they become unbearable. It is also necessary to have clear objectives to help you assess if offshoring has a reasonable return on investment. It is the only way to know if the model works for your business.
Wrapping up
The global playing field is increasingly getting level, thanks to tech. Offshore outsourcing is a model of outsourcing which ensures that businesses make the most of the world's interconnectedness. As a business, your goal is to be the most competitive player. That is the true spirit of capitalism. And offshore outsourcing gives you a competitive edge like no other.
More information about other types of outsourcing can be found here.
Author Bio
Dan Baker is a senior content strategist at Outreach Monks for more than 3 years. His expertise in business strategy and tech allows him to write informational writeups that provide valuable insights to the readers.