The “outsourcing” trend seems to have got a
fresh lease of life in the recent years. But it’s not a recent trend so to
speak. The USA has been doing it for the past twenty years getting highly
talented individuals on board for various functions, at minimal cost. Till very
outsourcing was dominated by large companies. But now small companies and
mid-sized companies are also jostling for primacy in the outsourcing call center services.
A majority of US companies are under
discussions to use outsourcing as a definitive way of increasing their business
interests. Offshore delivery centers are a sure shot inclusion of strategically
using outsourcing as a business move.
Off
sourcing or offshoring?-The Main Difference.
Off-shoring means to hiring manpower on the
basis of per headcount and the rate is counted on an hourly basis. Outsourcing
is beyond this hiring manpower, it involves government plans, risk management,
and SLA’s, which is actually long-term service level agreements that amalgamate
business process services and technology.
When
Should One Outsource
Outsourcing requirements for each company
seem to be different. Some business has staff which looks after the day to day
affairs of the company but some company needs additional help in the form of
freelancers to cater to the rising needs of the company. This is when the need
for outsourcing call center services.
Tasks
which best need to be outsourced
The highly skilled person at the executive
level. Yes, even if one is unable to afford highly skilled executives.
Outsourcing enables skilled persons coming on board some days each month to put
their expertise to best use.
Repetitive tasks like data entry account
payable and shipping inventory.
Highly specialized Knowledge. You might be
requiring a specialized knowledge of an IT support for your business. Employing
the same in the garb of outsourcing can help your business flourish.
Finding
the Right Clients for Outsourcing
A few pointers to employ specific market
strategies to channelize outsourcing trends.
1.
Seek opinions of analysts:
Setting up meetings with market analysts who cover outsourced call centers. Pay
a visit to these analysts to give them a de-brief about your vision history and experience with the clients.
They can also help in thinking of a market
approach and bring in clients and investors.
2.
Participation in various forums
such as industrial and educational forums: Conferences such as this help to
outsource in general and helps to portray the firm
’s success sagas and achievements. These conferences help to meet up
common challenges and to meet up and know how they achieved success in
outsourcing.
3.
Host webinars and seminars:
Seminars are very successful when it is short and highly targeted and offer
prompt solutions to specific business problems. Webinars are also successful as
they are as effective as seminars and they do not require traveling as well.
4.
Engage the media: The media can
be a powerful tool for educating potentially responsive customers about the
continuously changing trends of the changing scenario of outsourced call
centers and related paradigm. Contribution towards publications, featuring case
studies on customers quotes by industry experts and opinion articles published
by outsourcing experts.
5.
Partnership strategy should be
clearly evaluated: Many small firms and mid-sized firms are attracted to large
companies and their outsourcing abilities but are able to help themselves
because of the dearth of financial resources. But an amalgamation of financial
services industries, roping in clients and managing risks in similitude with
large companies, but at lower prices.
What is the unique value you are bringing
on the table? The market won’t be contented with another outsource call center
services. So what are you going to do to attract clients bring services which
are differentiated? What should be your buzz-word value or prize? If based on
value, what should be your value count which gives you an edge over the others? Do you have a strategy to build on
values? If it is the price which is helping you to compete then you have to
ensure that you remain profitable after quoting a competitive price.
6.
Find your niche: It is
important to establish your forte right from the very beginning. And establish
your name in the outsourcing call center services. This can be achieved by
attending trade shows and specifically their award programs, a sure shot way to announce to the world that you have
arrived.
7.
Constantly prove and
substantiate value. It’s not only important to establish your reputation but
also keeping the reputation intact is another way to attract clients.
8.
The difference between benefits
and features: If drawing clients are your primary goal then talking about the
features of your business would not bring any results rather talking about
benefits would lure clients and let them propose business to you. Features are
in other words attributes of your company. The general details such as the size
of the company, the ways of your working etc. The benefits, on the other hand,
mean are the myriad benefits they would gain out of working with you.
9.
Know the target and ideal
markets: By defining yourself very well you also define your target market
pretty clearly, enabling clients to identify you and identify the benefits of
working with you as well. Your target market would be the people who would want
to buy the services you offer and pay the exact amount you quote. Knowing your
target market and clearly defining the clients you would want to work with and
benefits of having a target market are as follows.
Good customer services always teach us to
the needful and do as the client wants. Flexibility and adaptability are
admirable qualities but knowing your limit is certainly essential. As an
outsourcing partner, you must know what does not work and what definitely
works. Flaunt your best practices in outsourcing call center services and don’t
be squeamish in suggesting the same to your prospective clients. Ask your
clients for the required changes you have to make sometimes transparency works
best for you. If you are overburdened and understaffed and having problems
handling multiple jobs. Professionalism during these tiring times would help you
that is owning up to the fact that you are facing multiple problems. Trying to
be conversant with the client’s needs and adapting to the needs and demands of
the clients can help keep things transparent.
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