- July 3, 2008
- Posted by: admin
- Categories: Blog, Commercial Models for Agile Outsourcing, Outsourcing & Agility, Outsourcing Advice
I came across a nice comprehensive comparison of the Captive and Outsourced business model in an article from Graham Russell, who leads Global Transaction Processing for pharma giant AstraZeneca. He has compared the pros and cons of each model as applicable to different indsutries, processes and business scenarios. My stance on the topic is:
Based on how things have changed and are continuously changing in this arena more and more companies will require the best of both the models.
Captives have some definite advantages such as control, speed of change management and less inter-organizational SLA barriers to cross. However the downsides are the lack of entrepreneurial ownership, innovation and MUST-WIN attitude in the remote company.
In case of an outsourcing provider, with the company ownership residing fully or majorly with the person running the show remotely, you get the MUST-WIN attitude which can offset the impedance caused by cultural conflicts and localized issues – this is where the outsourcing model looks much better.
There are many advantages/disadvantages of each of the 2 models, but I’ll highlight just a few key ones for the sake of comparison:
Captive Advantages
- Stronger Control
- Faster change management since it has no impact on SLAs and commercials
- One-sided agenda driving the operation
Captive Disadvantages
- Less Motivation/Incentive for the person running the captive operation
- Less Innovation due to lack of Entreprenuerial Attitude
- Higher Attrition – Person heading the captive center at the end of the day is an employee (who can easily switch) as a result causing lower sense of ownership and higher attrition throughout the operation.
Outsourcing Provider Advantages
- High Incentive to go out-of-the-way to make things Happen
- High Innovation and Service Improvement (with atleast no direct/upfront cost to the customer)
- Better Attrition Rates
Outsourcing Provider Disadvantages
- Less Control and more barriers to cross for change management (SLA revisions and commercial negotiations)
- Two-sided (possibly conflicting) agendas driving the services and operations (Outsourcing provider may have an agenda in conflict with that of the customer e.g. more hours being put in on a task/process would mean more money earned by the outsourcing provider BUT less productivity and higher cost for the customer)
However, as I mentioned, competition and other disruptive pressures will drive customers to ask for best from the both the worlds!
What’s the Solution? Agile Outsourcing!
In my opinion the business models around this arena are poised to change fast as we move in to the next decade. We’re more and more in need for hybrid business models which take out best from both the ‘Captive’ and current ‘Outsourcing’ models. We term this new breed of business models as ‘Agile Outsourcing’
A key component to enable ‘Agile Outsourcing’ is a team-structure which we call ‘Power Team’ (for the sake of understanding you can call them ‘captive teams’ but we don’t like using the word ‘captive’ as it gives a connotation of reactive, restrictive and enslaved resources ,which in turn can limit innovation and energy required for success).
So an agile outsourcing model is where the customer works with the outsourcing provider on dedicated resource models outlining a very basic high-level SLA which is subject to change without change in the cost-structure or cash-flows. Wherever the changes do not impact the cost-structures, why fight on renewing the SLA commercials each time that quick change in the SLA is needed to meet key objectives. The trust, partnership and long-term commitment to each other’s business success is what fuels and drives such a model.
Best of both the worlds!
This gets closest of getting the benefits of both the worlds. With a dedicated team and a reasonable contract duration, 1 year plus you can negotiate a good monthly rate per resource. This relieves you from worrying about the over-head costs and local administrative issues of the outsourcing provider… and at the same time have stronger control and flexibility in how you would like to use the resources on multiple projects or processes.
Allows for Agile and Change-friendly Delivery Models
Further, it allows you to utilize the more dynamic delivery models such as Agile to smooth out the frictions which are caused due to change management during the delivery. Outsourcing provider likes this model even at a lower price per resource, as it provides them firmer cash-flow projections… which in turn keeps them motivated to provide more flexibility to the customer.
Win-Win for Both!
It’s almost always a win-win for the outsourcing provider and the customer… Ephlux has experienced working in almost all the 3 models (Fixed Price, Dedicated Resources, T&M)… and we’ve found this Agile Outsourcing model to be the best in terms of a good win-win balance between both the parties.
Finally, such Agile Outsourcing models in turn enable the much-sought after IT/BPO bundled service models which further add to the competitiveness and agility of the customer.
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Thats a spot-on insight… Thats an important business model which will add objectivity and success to outsourcing and esp. IT/BPO bundled service offerings.
The Benefits of Outsourcing
Do you want to maximize your revenue and minimize your expenses? Do you want to get access to specialized skills and services? Do you want to concentrate more on your core business? Do you want to save on money, time and infrastructure?
If your answer is yes to any or all of the above questions, you might be interested in outsourcing. Outsourcing has several benefits. Outsource and take advantage of the benefits of offshore outsourcing. Read the following benefits of outsourcing to find out more about how outsourcing can give your business a competitive advantage!
1. Take advantage of the cost-advantages!
Outsourcing to countries such as India can give you access to cost-effective services. The same services with the same level of quality are offered in India for a much lower cost! This cost-advantage has increased the number of services that are being offered to India. Services such as call center services, teleradiology, medical billing, etc can help you save up to 60% of your total costs when outsourced! Getting access to high-quality services at a cost-effective price is the biggest benefit that you can get while outsourcing. Outsource and reap the benefits of outsourcing.
2. See an increase in your business
Another benefit of outsourcing is seeing a big increase in your profits, productivity, level of quality, business value, business performance and much more. Outsourcing can help you see an increase in almost every aspect of your business. Outsource and see your organization experience an increase in every aspect with these benefits of outsourcing.
3. Save Big!
One of the benefits of outsourcing is that you can save on every aspect of your business and increase your profits. When you outsource, you can save on time, effort, infrastructure and manpower. Since you don’t have to invest in infrastructure, you can also save on making unnecessary fixed investments. Outsourcing removes the burden of changing or maintaining infrastructure. You can also save on capital expenditure. Outsourcing can also help you save on training costs, because you do not have to invest in manpower. These savings will help bring about an increase in your revenue. Your organization can also save on investing in expensive software and technologies.
4. Get access to specialized services
By outsourcing you can get expert and skilled services. This benefit of outsourcing has been the key reason why several outsourcers opt for outsourcing. The function that you outsource may not be your core competency but you can find an outsourcing partner who is specialized in that particular business process. Your outsourcing partner will be able to provide more proficient services. This is yet another benefit of outsourcing, because if you perform all your business processes in-house, you will not be able to provide specialized and skilled services. Outsourcing can give you this advantage.
Outsource2india is an organization that offers a wide range of specialized business process outsourcing solutions to global clients. Outsourcing business processes to us has enabled clients to cross-leverage our skills and expertise across industry verticals and technologies to achieve greater efficiency and quality levels in the outsourced process.
At Outsource2india, we have dedicated teams that offer outsourced services across a range of services which include Call center, Data Entry Servicesand Engineering Services, Healthcare Services, Financial Services, Software Development, Research and Analysis Services, Photo Editing Services, Creative Services and Web-analytics Services.
Outsource specific processes to our expert teams and increase your ROI. Contact O2I here.
5. Concentrate more on your core business
One of the benefits of outsourcing is that your organization will be free to concentrate on your core business. By outsourcing all your non-core functions, your employees can be put to better use and you will be able to see a huge growth in your core business.
6. Make faster deliveries to customers
Another benefit of outsourcing is that you can make quicker deliveries to customers. Your outsourcing partner will be able to provide faster deliverables and you in turn will be able to make quick deliveries to your customer. Faster deliveries can also help you save on time.
7. Improved customer satisfaction
With timely deliveries and high-quality services you can impress your customers. Outsourcing can help you benefit from increased customer satisfaction and your customers will remain loyal to your organization.
8. Benefit from time zone advantages
Outsourcing to countries such as India has a time zone advantage. Your night will be India’s day. With this advantage, your outsourcing partner can complete critical work and send it to you the next day. Thus, your work is continued by your outsourcing partner even after your employees go home. This enables the work to be completed much faster and gives your business a competitive advantage. This is one of the benefits of offshore outsourcing.
9. Increased efficiency
Another benefit of outsourcing is increased efficiency. Your non-core business functions will be performed efficiently by your outsourcing partner, while your core functions can be efficiently carried out in-house. Thereby you can achieve overall efficiency and see an increase in your profits.
10. Give your business a competitive edge!
Outsourcing can help your organization gain a competitive edge in the market. You can also get access to specialized services for different business processes and thereby provide your customers with best-of breed services. Such strategic outsourcing can give your business a competitive edge among your peers. The benefits of outsourcing can give your organization a cutting-edge in the worldwide market. Outsource and take advantage of the benefits of outsourcing.
11. Outsourcing countries also benefit from outsourcing
Countries such as U.S, U.K, Norway and Australia amongst others can benefit by outsourcing. The economy of these countries has increased tremendously after outsourcing. In the U.S, after the outsourcing boom, the economy has increased, jobs have increased and the wages of American workers have increased.