| The last article I wrote spoke on why companies | | | | the best report with. If you were hiring internally you |
| should outsource certain jobs. This article will deal with | | | | would choose the person that would fit in the best, this |
| how to choose the right company to provide those | | | | decision should be viewed exactly the same. These |
| services. Let's start by looking at what is important to | | | | people may not be in your building, but they are still |
| business owners. The top three agenda items for a | | | | "employed" by you, and they are providing services |
| small business owner are: decrease expenses, | | | | that your company must have, so choose a company |
| increase productivity and increase revenue. All of | | | | as if you are choosing an employee. |
| these items basically add money to the bottom line for | | | | A few other things to ask for |
| a company, and in the last article it was concluded that | | | | Before you make your final decision there are still a |
| outsourcing can do all three. Now that we're past the | | | | few things you should ask for. First and foremost you |
| first hurdle and we have decided "Yes" I want to find a | | | | should ask for references, preferably companies in |
| local company to take some of these tasks off my | | | | your same field and about the same size. Then you |
| hands that don't generate revenue - now what? | | | | need to actually call the references. More than likely |
| Define your needs | | | | they will be happy clients (or they wouldn't be |
| The first thing to do is sit down and make a list of all | | | | references), but you should be able to get a good feel |
| the functions you need someone to provide. For | | | | for the quality of service they perform. Next you need |
| example number one, let's look at finances. You may | | | | to ask them about the logistics of working with them; |
| need someone to do payroll, invoicing, book keeping | | | | do you have one main person to call, do they have a |
| and taxes. Once that list is all inclusive, you can begin | | | | documented Service Level Agreement (SLA), how do |
| the search for a company that meets all of those | | | | you escalate an issue etc. If a company is handling |
| needs. | | | | your books make sure that you have complete |
| Now let's consider outsourcing your IT, what level of | | | | access to all your records. It is your business and you |
| service do you need? A good place to start is with a | | | | still have to make sure that the money balances each |
| list of equipment, operating systems and applications. A | | | | month. If you have a company that manages your |
| managed service provider (MSP) will need this | | | | finances and all your books, then try to never write a |
| information to determine if they can truly provide you | | | | check yourself, submit it to your CPA to cut the check, |
| support (if they don't ask - that's a red flag). Your list | | | | it will be easier for them and they will be better |
| should include servers, desktops, laptops, routers, | | | | equipped to track all your debits and credits if they are |
| switches and an accurate number for each. If you | | | | the only ones writing checks. |
| have special "home grown" applications, it will usually | | | | And specific to IT ask for the following: |
| be an issue, so be forewarned. After you have the list | | | | 1. You should have complete access to your own |
| you will need to determine importance of each device | | | | servers (logins, passwords and full Admin rights). |
| e.g. - these servers are essential, these servers are | | | | 2. The MSP should keep current Doc set - and you |
| important, and these servers are less important etc. | | | | should always have access to it. |
| This will help you determine what level of support you | | | | 3. The MSP should be able to tailor the support to your |
| need for each device. Customizing your solution this | | | | needs - not try to fit you into a pre-built package. |
| way can ensure that you get the appropriate level of | | | | 4. Again, get references - and call them! |
| service at the best price (i.e. you are not paying for | | | | 5. Ask them to provide documented SLAs (Service |
| platinum level support on an old work station that's | | | | Level Agreements) - how long until they respond to |
| hardly ever used). | | | | and issue, and how long on average to resolve an |
| Interviewing prospective providers | | | | issue. |
| Now that you understand what services you need, it's | | | | 6. Ask if they have a help desk tool available to all end |
| time to determine who will provide them. I suggest you | | | | users. |
| look at this task the same as if you are hiring an | | | | 7. Do they have the ability to remotely monitor and |
| employee. Do formal interviews with the top three | | | | manage systems on the network? The more they |
| candidates you choose. Gather all their information, not | | | | can do remotely, the better (for everyone). |
| just their price list. The functions you are choosing to | | | | 8. Ask them if they have any type of accreditation or |
| outsource are still vital to your business and you should | | | | awards. |
| make an educated business decision. Cheaper is not | | | | The goal of (local) outsourcing is the fabled win/win. A |
| better, what ever suits your business needs at a fair | | | | local company provides you a service cheaper, better |
| price is better. What good would it be if you saved | | | | and more efficiently than you can provide it yourself. |
| $100 or even $500 a month with a small CPA firm but | | | | They keep you happy by doing a good job at a fair |
| they took weeks to invoice, weeks to do deposits and | | | | price and you in return stay a client for years. As your |
| totally ruined your cash flow? When you meet with | | | | business grows because you are lean and efficient, |
| the prospective companies ask to meet the team that | | | | your needs from your outsourced company grows |
| will handle your account. These are the people you | | | | incrementally, they are happy, you are happy and you |
| want to interview, since these are the actual people | | | | pass leads to each other like true business partners. |
| you will need to interface with. If you narrow your | | | | So take your time and choose a company to provide |
| decision down to two companies and everything | | | | services that you feel comfortable with, because if all |
| seems to be equal, go with the company you have | | | | goes well, you will both grow together! |