DECEMBER 2, 2009

Who's Got Your Back?

It turns out that if you want something done right, you don't have to it yourself. (Whew, that's a relief!) HR, IT, SEO, PR – lots of letters that equal lots of work for whole teams of people. You don't have time to do it all – and neither does your team, who you'd rather stay focused on their strengths. More companies (large and small) are now outsourcing a la carte business operations to firms specializing in these services.

While outsourcing may not always save money, it can make running your business easier and more efficient. Kerry O'Brien, whose "invisible" commando underwear line sells in more than 1,200 up-scale department stores worldwide, outsources payroll, graphic design and PR because she's "a strong believer in letting people focus on what they're best at." "For example, I have someone in-house who manages HR, but she doesn't have to bother with tallying hours, crunching numbers and cutting checks. It's just not an efficient use of her time or talent."

Is outsourcing right for your company? AllBusiness.com and Microsoft Small Business Center advise. Plus, OutsourcingMag.com provides insight on specific industries and functions.

So how does this work, and what are the pitfalls? CIO magazine answers all the FAQ's – including "How do I find vendors?" and "What is the best length for an outsourcing contract?" 
 

Want more? Check out The Practice of Outsourcing: From Information Systems to BPO to Offshoring. 
 

Bonus PINK Link: Check out our exclusive profile with O'Brien, including how she makes working with her husband work for her marriage.