While outsourcing is highly desirable and worth integrating into your business strategy, don’t always be in a hurry to outsource. You need to sit back and plan how to aid efficiency and top quality in an outsourcing relationship. Don’t assume that the outsourcing partner will fix it all; you have a role to play too in ensuring the end result is what you expected.

Here are some practical steps to adopt in order to aid efficiency while working with an outsourcing vendor;

Step 1: Be Clear about Your Needs

Before even stepping out to hire an outsourcing provider, you should first be clear about your needs. Identify the specific tasks you want to outsource, which would in turn help you find the most suitable freelancers for the task. This first step is key to successful outsourcing.

Step 2: Hire Carefully

This is also another essential step towards aiding efficient outsourcing. Whether you are hiring an individual or an outsourcing company, you need to employ due diligence. Don’t take their words for it, dig deeper to find out if they possess the skill they are claiming to have.

Ask for Tons of samples of previous tasks done, look out for signs of experience in handling the task in question, and also ask for references. Leave no stone unturned in ensuring you hire the right outsourcing provider. When it comes to contracting the right person (s) for the task, it is important to pay more attention to skills, talent and experience in performing the tasks in question. Someone who is well trained, adequately skilled and well experienced in the task will prioritize efficiency and high quality.

Step 3: Be Flexible

Don’t be too rigid with your job requirements; that doesn’t mean you should lower your gourd in terms of standard. But, give room for the outsourcing provider to get the job done according to your expectations. So, in terms of flexibility, you should be practical with the duration allotted for the completion of the outsourced task (for timeline-bound projects) for instance. Also, in other aspects where it is necessary, try and be as flexible as possible.

Step 4: Provide Needful and Helpful Resources

You will also promote efficiency and high quality in an outsourcing relationship by offering helpful and needful resources. This will help the outsourcing company or vendor complete the task faster and more efficiently.

Step 5: Consider a Proper Contractual Relationship

In essence, you should consider making a formal contract that will bind both parties to the terms of the project. This provides avenue to insist on repair for damages (when it occurs) – on both sides.

Indeed, you can be sure of great outcome when you adopt these efficiency-oriented outsourcing tips.

Daven Michaels is a New York Times Best Selling Author and CEO of premiere global outsourcing company, 123Employee. The company employs hundreds of young bright individuals on three continents. His International event, Beyond Marketing Live! Inspires entrepreneurs build & grow their business with revolutionary new theories and systems allowing them to design the business and personal lifestyle of their dreams.