At one end of the spectrum you might want a relationship where you develop a long term relationship, you get to know about the outsourcers’ personal life their family and you become life long friends with them….

At the other end of the continuum you may have the view that the tasks that you want completed are ‘commoditised’ by that I mean you may well have them so well systematised and the processes all mapped out that there is no reason for any interaction between you and the outsourcer. It could be as simple as here are the results and here is the invoice.

Topics: outsourcing |

4 Responses to “What type of relationship do you want with your outsourcers?”

1. Ed Says:
   May 6th, 2008 at 8:45 am

   I wonder if there any drawbacks in NOT developing a personal relationship with outsourcers.

   My aim is to pass over a series of tasks that need doing every day/week/etc without fail — and ideally without any ongoing interaction.

   Is it possible to expect outsourcers to do that without ANY form of motivational feedback?

   Ed.

2. gavin Says:
   May 6th, 2008 at 10:33 am

   Yes I certainly believe it is possible. If it is a basic task which it seems like it from what you are saying then No problem.

   The occasional thanks and message of good will wont do any harm.

   Also look at things form their side they are running a business and if they are spending time chatting and getting to know you someone is having to be billed for that time and the likely person is you.

   Have high touch with key outsourcers and low trust for the easy work is my recommendation.

   Gav

3. Ed Says:
   May 7th, 2008 at 10:09 am

   Thanks for the advice, makes a lot of sense. Reckon I’ll be calling on your services when I’ve got my basic systems documented and tested.

   Cheers,
   Ed.

4. Bob Parker Says:
   June 10th, 2008 at 2:08 pm

   I think part of the ‘trick’ is to get more of your idiosyncrasies written down as process or system so a long term or short term VA can effectively meet your needs with grace and ease. The challenge with most assistants - virtual or otherwise - is they can not read minds. Once I become clear, their efforts become clear. Clear in the sense you can more fairly evaluate their ability to do the work effectively, rather then their ability to read your mind.

   Of course, if you can set your expectations accordingly, the (virtual) assistant can assist with creating and documenting the processes/systems.

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