As a business model, outsourcing tasks to virtual assistants (VAs) permits a business to hire great talent abroad but at a massive discount. This type of business model has been in use since the 1960s but became popular in the 1980s.
The virtual assistants hired are consultants to the firm rather than employees. This relieves a company from paying additional fees generally associated with onsite staff. These costs include the salaries and benefits of the employee. Also included are operational costs such as setting up a workstation, providing a laptop, and other stationary expenses. In many cases, businesses will use a BPO as an outsourcing provider.
What is BPO outsourcing?
BPO stands for business process outsourcing − BPO is a particular form of outsourcing. With this type of outsourcing, the non-core tasks are handled by a third party or outsourcing company. This external partner can be based either in the same country or in a different country from the business.
The virtual assistant’s non-primary tasks cover back-office work such as data entry, personal services, customer services, research, or even more skilled tasks such as graphic design or software development.
The advantages of outsourcing in transforming a business
Outsourcing can be a game-changer for many businesses. Just look at Google. This company, worth over $2 trillion, has much of its success associated with outsourcing its business processes and several other functions to external providers. Yet, Google’s core work is conducted in-house. Moreover, the formula differs from traditional employment in terms of outsourcing staffing.
The workforce is typically located offshore and, therefore, can be varied and, in some cases, multicultural and thus referred to as remote staff members. When businesses outsource tasks, they gain a flexible, high-quality workforce that can be scaled to match the company’s needs. Additionally, the workflow is more precise and shorter. This all leads to increased efficiency.
The core reasons for outsourcing:
Cost savings
Besides a flexible workforce, the main reason businesses outsource is lower costs, therefore savings they can benefit from. As Lee Kuan Yew, the former prime minister of Singapore, once remarked, “If you deprive yourself of outsourcing and your competitors do not, you’re putting yourself out of business.” Businesses will always seek ways of outperforming their competition, thus dominating the market.
Using outsourcing makes sense since it’s the most cost-effective staffing solution. The normal fees associated with hiring an onsite employee would demand taxation, compliance fees, legal and recruitment fees, office management, and healthcare benefits. However, this list can be more extensive depending on the country and the business themselves.
Yet, outsourcing is up to 70% less. Outsourcing is 70% cheaper and removes all of the complexities and costs of employment – legal, recruitment, compliance, taxation, healthcare, and office management – to name a few. Outsourcing offers a supremely flexible approach to employment.
Great people
When a business outsources, it is not limited to hiring people they can afford locally. Most of these will not have the skills the company requires. But sourcing out means access to high-quality candidates. The only difference between them and a local candidate is location. More so, an outsourcing company will often handle the virtual assistants’ payroll and admin. These include screening candidates and doing regular check-ins.
The ability to scale with ease
Especially for startup companies that want to move fast, outsourcing allows them to quickly onboard and off-board staff. Besides the agile ability they gain, they can also take on projects that they would otherwise have had to decline due to capacity concerns. The result is more income and faster growth, particularly over and above the competitors.
Change your life and that of your team.
Companies can gain increased contracts, higher profits, faster growth, more time, and increased productivity. Virtual assistants can take over the arduous tasks so the onsite staff can focus on their core tasks. This means better use of resources since a VA can do the same repetitive tasks but at a lower cost.
The onsite team will also have more time to spend with their loved ones, boosting their wellness. If you promote wellness, you not only maintain these employees for longer, but they will be more willing to work harder at the business.
The lives of the virtual assistants will also boom.
When you hire remote assistants to undertake tasks, you give them employment and a livelihood. You will help them upskill themselves, as they will work with an international company. This experience will be invaluable for their future career path. Also, although the online assistant salaries may appear low, once converted to their currency, the income will be high-paying local opportunities.
When is the best time to outsource?
The best time is now. However, don’t be fooled − outsourcing is a complex system. Doing it yourself and sourcing a freelancer might be one way, but you will find it wrong. Usually, businesses tend to give up on outsourcing because, in many cases, managers cannot delegate and manage people well.
Also, not understanding the complexities can lead to minor errors, which makes the process uncomfortable for onsite staff members. Such conflict can lead to other fallouts.
Think outsourcing; think Aristo Sourcing.
The best and easiest way of approaching outsourcing is to use an outsourcing agency. Using a trusted, well-run agency can save time and hassles and improve life for all. Selecting an outsourcing company to collaborate with can be difficult, especially since there are so many to choose from.
Not to be too self-congratulatory, Aristo Sourcing is a leader in the BPO industry. Starting in 2014, the company gained the majority of new clients from recommendations alone. That is a remarkable position as it means the clients are pleased with the company’s performance and service.
Your next step
Reach out to Aristo Sourcing. Let our outsourcing expert assist you, advising you on your unique requirements. The team will then source a remote assistant to match your needs. To learn more about our process, visit our ‘how it works’ page. Alternatively, book your call now.
