So there it is. I admit it. I look sometimes.
I suppose it is part curiosity and part of the energy I invest
in new talent. New talent is part of my job as Creative Director
here at Creative Presence. I wouldn’t call it recruitment
exactly bewcause I think that involves a great deal more diligence.
Admittedly I am always on the lookout for great people for the
next exciting project. The very nature of the business produces
valuable staff assets that offer broad expertise, but never experience
in ALL areas. Technology is constantly in flux and its simply
not possible to be best of the best in every area. This is just
common sense. But I digress.
Ultra-cheap pricing can be a powerful incentive
to some companies to outsource. We are not just seeing non-profits
and those in our industry doing it, we even see clients considering
their outsourcing options these days. Frankly, it’s a pretty
risky proposition for any mission critical system. Even the outcome
of an entire identity campaign could potentially be devastating
to your business if not thoughtfully considered. However, it really
is all relative.
Consider if you are a small business owner. Advertising
is limited only to the local area and the word regional
or global economy is just "big talk on tv".
In this case you may not realize what you are even missing! If
a company which barely speaks English, let alone understands your
target market, provides a random graphic logo that looks far better
than you would come up with on your best day you might consider
yourself ahead. Plus its super cheap! In this case watch out for
who owns the rights on the actual logo. It may not be who you
think! Plus, keep hoping your competition doesn't choose a local
firm that is more intouch with your market.
However, when there is more at stake, you almost
always get what you pay for. This is a standard life lesson, but
one that even I shelf occasionally in favor of “the thrill
of the bargain”.
Consider the quality of the item or service. Quality
control is almost always an inherent problem. What about the place
where your item or services are produced? Is it the equivalent
of a “tech sweatshop” as Jordan Dossett of Antharia
suggests? Is it possible that the profits from the venture are
routed to illegitimate ventures, even terrorists? Well even though
that could happen here in the US without our knowledge, how would
we ever know? Then consider if you have a dispute with the outsourcing
company. What then? If the application or product is faulty in
someway, what recourse do you actually have?
The bottom line is do your homework and also consider
carefully what is at stake. It may be that outsourcing isn’t
the bargain you thought.
ADDITIONAL
OFFSITE READING
For
more musings on the outsourcing dilemma check our these insightful
articles written by professionals in the trenches.
Thomas Sudyk’s Outsourcing Trips
and Traps 
http://www.ecgroup-intl.com/OutsourcingTricksandTraps.html
Pitfalls of Outsourcing Programming
http://www.forio.com/outsourcing.htm
Outsourcing Worldwide has many considerations
beyond price
http://www.nmk.co.uk/article/2003/09/23/Outsourcing-Overseas
Outsourcing is Evil- One Tech Company’s
Perspective
http://nten.typepad.com/forecast/2005/05/outsourcing_is_.html
Outsourcing IT Development: Advantages
& Disadvantages
http://www.webcraftscreations.com/resources
