Corporate culture plays a crucial role in the success of any business. The same is true in outsourcing businesses. You may not realize it, but your work arrangement can have a marked effect on the success of your business. By understanding some of the qualities of an ideal outsourcing work arrangement, you’ll be able to increase productivity and profitability while decreasing costs.
1. Select an agency with up-to-date equipment and technologies
When it comes to outsourcing, you must make sure that the partner you choose has up-to-date equipment and technologies. You should always be on the lookout for any signs of outdated software or hardware that could negatively impact your end product. For example, if a company uses outdated software, it may not be able to handle the demands of your project. This could result in delays and quality issues that will cost you money and time.
In addition to choosing a partner with updated technology, it’s also important to choose one with a history of delivering high-quality work on time and under budget. Look for an agency with a track record of delivering quality work quickly and efficiently.
2. Choose a partner that understands your industry
A good outsourcing partner has a deep understanding of your industry. They should have experience in the same or similar industries to help you understand how you can tailor your business model for each client. This will allow them to tailor the work they do for you to the unique challenges and opportunities within your organization.
3. Fine-tuned communication and collaboration
We’re all familiar with the adage “communication is key.” But what does that mean? Are you communicating effectively? If not, it’s time to fix that.
Communication is the vital key to building a strong relationship with your outsourcer. Whether it’s daily communication or weekly check-ins, your company needs to stay in touch with its outsourcing company. Information is power. The more often you communicate, the better off you’ll be when making decisions regarding outsourcing work.
4. Availability
If you’re outsourcing work, it’s important that your outsourcer can work around your schedule and needs—whether that means being available at certain times or on certain days or being able to coordinate with each other for deadlines so that nothing falls through the cracks (and no one feels like everything is slipping through their fingers). You want someone who will be able to pick up where you left off without too much hassle on your part.
5. A shared mission
The first step in any successful outsourcing arrangement is establishing a shared vision for the project and its outcome. If you’re working together on a project, it’s essential that both parties can see the same thing at the end of it—and that they both want that thing.
Your team members and the outsourcing team must understand how their roles fit into it. It’s also important that they have the resources they need to successfully meet those goals.
6. Clear delivery expectations and procedures
If you outsource work that is outside of your core competency, it’s important to have clear delivery expectations and procedures in place. This way, both parties can be confident that they are getting what they need, and there can be no surprises later. When there are no written agreements between you and your outsourcer, things can get messy quickly if things go wrong on either side of the table.
7. Trust is a two-way street, and that’s okay
Outsourcing work can be effective, but only if both parties are honest with each other. If you’re not sure whether your company or an outsourcer has the expertise to do the job right, it’s best to find another contractor.
Understanding your relationship with the outsourcer is also important. Do you want them to be part of your team? Do you want them to be independent? Outsourcing work is all about relationships, so discussing this with your outsourcer before signing any contracts is a good idea.
Conclusion: Combining these 7 characteristics with a commitment to quality can help create a team ideal for outsourcing work.
Ultimately, it is important to understand that outsourcing work is not a solution to understaffing issues or job scarcity. Nor is it the be-all, end-all of publishing. The right team can work with you to improve your workflow and give you the time and energy to focus on what matters – creating great games.
Finding the right team who embodies all of these characteristics will take time, but once you’ve established a winning relationship, it can be rewarding for everyone involved.