Outsourcing Effectively: Maintaining a good relationship with your contractors

Whether you have a one-time task that needs to be completed or a long-term project, an outsource contractor, when selected and communicated to properly, can be a great asset.

Successful outsourcing involves building relationships and staying in touch with contractors, even after an outsourced project is completed. It is important to remember that people grow and change. They add services and increase their knowledge in subjects and skills. They may begin to specialize. So when using a contractor over a period of time, it is important to check in to see how things are progressing with them. Conversely, checking in with your strategic vendors (those that support you over a long period of time) assures you that the quality of their work has not decreased and that they are still supporting your vision.

Part of maintaining contact/following up with your contactors involves providing them with direct feedback after the completion of any project. Feedback can also be rendered through the online outsource platform used. Be honest and accurate about the quality of the work and the contractor’s skills. Remember that these freelancers are providing for themselves based on this work; so while honesty is important, refrain from being overly negative or harsh.

Showing appreciation can yield powerful results. Voltaire said, “Appreciation is a wonderful thing: It makes what is excellent in others belong to us, as well.” When a project is done well, is under budget, or is completed prior to the deadline, a monetary bonus is an excellent way to show your appreciation. Vendors live all over the world, and what may seem to you to be a small amount of money can be seen by them as an enormous bonus.

Good contractors are a valuable asset to you and your business. Protect that asset by staying in touch between projects, monitoring work quality and changing skill sets, providing feedback, and showing appreciation.