How to become offshore ready

So, you’ve decided that outsourcing is the right option to help transform your business. What next? The big question now is how do you determine whether your business is ready to engage an offshore team. In this blog we have created a handy checklist to get you started.

1. Identify and document your business processes

   Before you engage an offshore provider, you need to make sure you have a good understanding of your core business functions. These business functions are the activities you carry out as an organisation. Begin by creating a list of your business functions, and then detail all the processes relative to those functions. Having a good understanding of what you do and how you do it is extremely helpful when you’re working out which tasks to move offshore versus what you would like to keep onshore.

   The next step is to clearly map out your business processes. This way, you can very easily determine which processes would be best suited for your offshore team. They will know explicitly what you do, when you do it and how you do it.

2. Create a process library

   Now that you have a good understanding of your business functions and have documented all the business processes involved, it becomes easier to reference these processes for training. By having all the information stored in a database or library everyone in the organisation has access to, you have created a quick reference for training.

   You now have a training manual for each and every business process in your organisation with which new employees can easily be trained. Mapping out and documenting these processes doesn’t have to just be a manual. There’s a plethora of software, such as Canva, Piktochart and Venngage, that allow you to create instructional videos, infographic-style reference guides and so on. Once you begin engaging your outsource team, you can be confident that in the database, you have included a variety of media to help them within their new roles.

3. Move to Cloud-based computing

   Cloud-based computing means you are able to store, manage and process the data in your organisation through the internet. It is a lot more cost effective as it eliminates the need to build a server and have physical IT infrastructure in place. Cloud based computing allows organisations to be able to move their business processes offshore easily without having to move any hardware offshore. You can do this with your training library as well as your client management system - where you store and manage all your customer details. Your team, both onshore and offshore, will be able to access the data they need across the business, as well as the software they need to complete their tasks at any time.

4. Implement reliable systems to support your processes

   Once you’ve put in the hard yards implementing the steps above, you need to ensure that you have reliable systems in place to support your business processes. Business systems are what connect your processes in order to achieve your business functions. A system can be as simple as ensuring that your training library or client management database is updated regularly. This ensures the information your team has access to, is the most accurate and all the documented business processes are up to date.

5. Contact your outsourcing provider

   If you’re able to tick off all the above, you are definitely offshore ready. You are ready to contact your outsourcing provider to discuss engaging an offshore team.

For more detailed information on how to execute each step and the tools you need, download our 5-part Education Series. It will provide you with the tools to ensure your organisation is in a position to leverage an offshore team to deliver amazing, transformational growth.