When it comes to things like IT, accounting, fundraising, and other specialty focuses, you shouldn’t have to ask your existing staff to expand their workload or learn a new skill. In order for your association to be the best it can be, you want to feel like you have experts working on each aspect of your industry. The benefits of outsourcing are plentiful. Hiring an outside contractor with more experience or expertise in these areas is a good idea.
Areas You Might Want to Consider Outsourcing
- Meeting planning
- Sponsorship sales
- Accounting
- HR/PEO
- IT hardware
- Journal editing
- Advocacy
- Fundraising
- Social Media
Pros of Outsourcing
From financial positives to shared responsibility, here are several benefits to outsourcing in an organization.
Reduce Operating Costs
Outsourcing a position can reduce costs in your association. It can eliminate the need for extra training and tools. Outsourcing can also decrease the amount of mistakes you might have to pay for in the long run.
When you outsource and hire someone on a contract-basis, costs will be certain from the start. Additionally, your organization won’t have to worry about providing any training. You also won’t need to prepare for costly mistakes that could happen when a job is done with inexperience.
Provide More Options
Don’t choose who out of your existing staff has the best skills for certain “extra” tasks. When you outsource you have access to a wider range of talent. Instead of putting responsibility on an employee or volunteer without specialized experience, outsourcing lets you find the right fit for the job.
Share Responsibility
When you outsource, you not only receive the right help your organization needs, but you and the person or company you are contracting with are sharing the risk. The contractor or contracting company will also have the responsibility of completing the tasks at hand, and any issues that might arise won’t only fall on your organization’s shoulders.
Increase Your Focus
Your organization is full of passionate people dedicated to your mission. That doesn’t always mean they are passionate and dedicated to things like social media marketing or IT skills. Outsource people for these things so that your staff can center their focus on what they’re here for.
Tips for Outsourcing
Outsourcing can come with its own set of issues, but by using these helpful tips you can smooth out the process.
Assure Your Existing Staff
Hiring outside of your organization can unfortunately make some employees feel insecure about their position. Assure your existing staff that they are essential to your mission, and that they are not being replaced — rather that you value them enough to respect their duties and focus.
Keep Open Communication
The most important part of a great relationship between your organization and its contracted workers is communication. Be honest and open with your goals and expectations, and be available to be contacted with any questions or concerns your outsourced employees may have.
Careful Vendor Selection
Since you are opening up your company and certain privileged information to someone outside of your organization, you need to select your vendor very carefully. Make sure that whoever you hire has references you can contact, similar vouchable experience, and can be vetted in your industry.
If you’re interested in learning more about the benefits of outsourcing, or are looking for guidance when it comes to running an organization, Dennison & Associates can help. We’re here to help associations solve operational problems and achieve their strategic goals. Contact us today to request a consultation!
