Keeping Outsourcing Relationships Friendly

Outsourcing is a great way to cut costs. The problem with it is that since it was conceptualized, a lot of relationships between the buyer and supplier have become tainted and are viewed as being adversaries. This becomes the pitfall of outsourcing and there is not other way to go but down when a relationship becomes sour and is filled with distrust. The good news is that there are ways to avoid this to keep a cordial relationship between the buyer and supplier.

Better Solutions

In any partnership, there will always be a balance between risk and reward. Both parties must be willing to base their contract on both of them. Bottom line, they should agree upon what is fair to both parties concerned.

The supplier’s side

You can say that the relationship between the buyer and supplier are two sides of the coin. They may be facing different directions but are still part of the same coin. Of course the supplier is in it to make money, but they would like to operate as a partner instead of a vendor. The supplier must be able to establish a relationship where they are able to customize their services so that the needs of the buyer are met.

The buyer’s side

Not all relationships would be able to work well. This is why the client should be able to choose a supplier that would be compatible with its needs. This is where consultancy comes in. With a consultant as the middleman, the client would be able to assess which suppliers would be able to work with them well and on a long term basis.

Constant dialogue

What’s important is that the buyer and supplier are both constantly in communication with each other. This would mean regular meetings or so to discuss different issues and possible changes. After all, no one can really predict what the future holds and it is important that both parties are able to address such issues and come upon an agreement.

Having an oversight group

Having a team to look after certain changes, strategy shifts, changes in location, and other important factors is important. They would keep both parties constantly informed about these changes and they help out with constant communication.

Be able to manage change efficiently

This is another way to keep partnerships well intact. If there are any shifts or changes, you should be able to manage it smoothly. This is the reason why certain companies prefer contracts that focus on strategies and outcomes rather than metrics. GP

Posted in BPO Outsourcing  on January 10, 2009 - 3:43 pm by admin  |