You’re outsourcing IT work. How can you build relationships that will make it a success?

Collaboration over contract negotiation. No contract or plans will save you without a mutual understanding of the goals of the collaboration. Start with why?

Choosing the Right Partner: Do your research! Look for a company with a good reputation, relevant experience in your industry, and expertise in the specific IT area you need help with. Look at client testimonials and case studies.

Scoping is so important in outsourcing where assumptions on scalability and feasibility are set and trust is formed. This should be vetted as much as possible to ensure any solution is based on the real situation and expectations are aligned on both sides

At Eraneos, as a recognised sourcing advosory, we can see year after year in our outsourcing market research that there is a big gap between the main customers' reasons and goals for outsourcing services and the providers' view of theee objectives. Being clear with providers about the objectives of the service is the first step in involving them in achieving them. The service model and approach proposed by the provider will depend on these objectives, and once established the service is complex to transform. Due to service design failures caused by misunderstanding of expectations, we are missing out on much of the potential benefits of outsourcing.

Build relationships on trust and clear communication. Set expectations early and be consistent. Show appreciation for their work, it goes a long way!

Early on in my Glints days, we had a client who went radio silent after the initial project kick-off. Turns out, a few bumps in the road had them spooked. Open communication smoothed things over, and we ended up building a fantastic long-term partnership.

Clear Communication and Expectations: Once you've chosen a partner, set clear expectations from the outset. Define the project scope, timeline, budget, and quality standards in detail. Ensure open communication channels and designate points of contact on both sides.

Communications need to be two-ways and include informal and formal interactions. Understand who your counterpart is and build a relationship with that person. This will allow trust to develop through more informal interactions. I also recommend collaborating on formal updates with the guiding principle that there should be no surprises.

Establish regular communication cadence by scheduling weekly progress meetings, utilizing collaboration tools like Slack for daily updates, setting up milestone reviews every two weeks, and maintaining an open-door policy for immediate concerns. This structured approach ensures timely information exchange, fosters alignment, and enables quick issue resolution, contributing to the success of IT outsourcing.

Accessibility is key. ?? When outsourcing IT work, clients want to feel valued and assured of quality service. They're willing to invest in providers who offer accessibility, trust, and VIP treatment. Just like opting for a reputable airline over a cheaper alternative for peace of mind, clients prioritize reliability and comfort in their outsourcing relationships. #Accessibility #QualityService #Trust

Collaboration and Feedback: Think of it as a partnership, not a one-way street. Provide your outsourcing partner with all the necessary information and resources to complete the work effectively. Give regular feedback and be open to suggestions from them as well.

As a client it is important to remember that you remain accountable. You need to understand the role of your internal teams related to the work that has been outsourced and ensure that someone has the oversight role where needed.

Collaboration ensures success. ?? Clients seek partners who view them as equals and work together towards shared goals. They value providers who maintain regular communication, offer support during challenges, and demonstrate a proactive approach to problem-solving. Building a collaborative partnership fosters trust, strengthens the relationship, and paves the way for mutual success. #Collaboration #Communication #Partnership

Building Trust: Be transparent and reliable in your interactions. Pay invoices on time and address any concerns promptly. This fosters trust, which is essential for a long-term successful relationship.

Building trust in IT outsourcing involves transparent communication, meeting commitments, demonstrating competence, and addressing concerns promptly. Regular updates, sharing successes/challenges, providing clear expectations, and honoring agreements help establish trust. Additionally, fostering a collaborative environment, showing appreciation, and being receptive to feedback strengthen the partnership. Consistently demonstrating reliability and integrity builds a solid foundation for success in IT outsourcing.

Investing in the Relationship: Don't just treat them as vendors. Schedule regular calls to discuss the project's progress and address any challenges. Consider joint training or knowledge-sharing sessions to strengthen collaboration.

Building trust in IT outsourcing is pivotal. My strategy emphasizes transparent communication and mutual respect. I prioritize regular, open discussions about both achievements and setbacks to foster a collaborative environment. Acknowledging the outsourcing team's contributions and involving them in decision-making are key actions that demonstrate their value beyond being mere vendors. This approach, coupled with respecting confidentiality and avoiding micromanagement, builds a foundation of trust. By viewing challenges as opportunities for joint problem-solving rather than sources of conflict, we strengthen our partnership and set the stage for shared success.

A most forgotten and under rated task. To celebrate your succes. If you are doing well and reached a major milestone, celebrating together shows appreciation and motives all. It also works as a sort of team building.

By following these tips, you can build strong relationships with your IT outsourcing partner, which will lead to a more successful and productive collaboration.

First up have clarity of whether you need a partner or a vendor. Most enterprises use the terms interchangeably without understanding the different purposes they serve. While a partner would need to be an integral part of your organisation and shares its strategic goals, a vendor would be used for tactical / operational purposes, mostly cost arbitrage. It is critical to not only have this clarity but also ensure that the supplier know where they stand. If you know that you are in need of a partner it is critical to make sure that your short term gains doesn't influence the selection of a long term partner.

In IT outsourcing, forging relationships that spell success is an art as much as it’s a science. Start by setting crystal-clear expectations, then communicate with the consistency of a clockwork. Collaboration becomes an avenue for mutual learning—treat every interaction as a masterclass. Respect diversity not as an obligation, but as an expansive resource of perspectives. Build trust as if it's your most prized infrastructure, robust and reliable. Celebrate success as a shared victory, because every milestone is a joint venture. And always consider the human element—it's the core of technology and the heart of partnership.

Fair pricing seals the deal. ?? Clients understand the importance of market rates and seek transparency in pricing discussions. They appreciate providers who offer competitive pricing without compromising on quality or service standards. Fair pricing ensures a mutually beneficial relationship, setting the foundation for a successful and sustainable partnership. #FairPricing #Transparency #MutualSuccess

Start small. It is a good approach to start collaboration with something small. It might be a prototype, design, requirements, or even a test task. You should try how it goes and then finally decide if this is the partner you are willing to build a business with.