This builds on an earlier post about 5 things to look for in a Successful Outsourcing Relationship. One of the most important things to do before you decide to send your work out to an outsourcing provider outside the country is to do a site visit. Let me explain.
My first experience running an outsourcing outfit was in Chennai, India. We had the top floor of a two-story building - there were goats tied up in the lobby of the building, we'd lose power at-least twice a day, and the network was shot - this was when the world was shifting from co-ax. It took me three months to get it all fixed (not the goats though - they belonged to the landlord, so the little goat pellets became an occupational hazard).
Fast forward to India of 2011, much has changed and there are professional outfits in India, but in some companies the culture hasn't changed. There is a lot you can say about how your work will be done based on the working conditions in the company. Some things you may want to find out, silly as they may seem:
Why a surprise visit? I was in Technopark, Trivandrum, India visiting one of our partner outfits, when I saw an elephant with a full band outside a building. When I enquired, it appeared that the company in question was welcoming a prospective client. You can imagine how the office looked on the day.
So, before you hand over your hard earned money, give 'em a call and say - "my buddy is in the neighborhood, just 5 minutes away from you. He has a plane to catch in 2 hrs but has kindly agreed to drop in and say hi". If they try to wriggle out, run!
My first experience running an outsourcing outfit was in Chennai, India. We had the top floor of a two-story building - there were goats tied up in the lobby of the building, we'd lose power at-least twice a day, and the network was shot - this was when the world was shifting from co-ax. It took me three months to get it all fixed (not the goats though - they belonged to the landlord, so the little goat pellets became an occupational hazard).
Fast forward to India of 2011, much has changed and there are professional outfits in India, but in some companies the culture hasn't changed. There is a lot you can say about how your work will be done based on the working conditions in the company. Some things you may want to find out, silly as they may seem:
- Is your team working in sweatshop conditions?
- What kind of machines do they have?
- Do they have adequate conference room facilities?
- Are there adequate whiteboards, markers?
- How is the work environment?
- How is the physical security?
Why a surprise visit? I was in Technopark, Trivandrum, India visiting one of our partner outfits, when I saw an elephant with a full band outside a building. When I enquired, it appeared that the company in question was welcoming a prospective client. You can imagine how the office looked on the day.
So, before you hand over your hard earned money, give 'em a call and say - "my buddy is in the neighborhood, just 5 minutes away from you. He has a plane to catch in 2 hrs but has kindly agreed to drop in and say hi". If they try to wriggle out, run!
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