The Link Between Outsourcing And Networking

By Author: Jan Vermeiren
Total Articles: 6
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A trend of the last years is that more and more companies and organisations focus even more on their core business. As a consequence they outsource the activities they consider less important or less critical to other companies.

It started with outsourcing the maintenance of offices. Then the kitchen staff was outsourced. Then in the nineties many companies started hiring masses of specialised IT and other experts.

What does this mean when we look at the future?

This trend of outsourcing or temporary or flexible labour will only continue and even at a faster rate than until now. As a consequence a large number of employees will be asked to leave the company only to be rehired again on a self-employed basis afterwards.

Which implications will this trend have? you might ask.

One of the implications will be that networking skills will become even more important than they are today. And for all parties involved.

These are the reasons:

1. For the new self-employed

The new self-employed will at least need a network with administrative expertise about running a business. ...
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Also other tasks like financing, insurance and juridicial assistance will have to be done by other parties due to the increasing complexity of all those fields.
A third aspect is the question of putting all their eggs in one basket (the former employer who hires them back) or work for other companies as well.

2. For the ones who stay behind

They are left in a new situation: they have to:
Work together with those new self-employed
Find backups for the new-self employed (or for the companies who take care of the outsourced activities) because they are less sure to be available the whole time
Create new ways of working together. Not only contracts and service level agreements, but also technology to collaborate.

So for both parties it will be necessary to have the right networking skills, networking attitude and network of people !

But how do you find the best people or best organisations for this new way of working together? Often people find it very difficult to ask for help, let alone finding the best parties.

This simple step-by-step process can help:

1. Locate the best people in your network to help you reach your goal (in this case the goal is to find the best partner). Since you already know the people from your network, this step is relatively safe. You don't have to go for out of your comfort zone. This will help you get confidence in contacting the best people.

2. Next, ask yourself: Is this person really the person in the best position to help me? During the process of finding the right people, you will get more insights in who really is the person in the best position. Maybe you realise that someone else from your network is in a better position than your current number one.

3. When you feel comfortable making contact with the best people from your current network, it is time to look outside your network. Ask yourself: Who is the best person in my field of expertise, in my sector, in my state, in my industry,...? Maybe it is time for the next expert to join your network.

4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 for the rest of your life for all your goals.

To your success !

Jan

Jan Vermeiren, founder of Networking Coach

PS: this step-by-step process is described more in depth together with many other practical tips Jan's network book and Amazon best seller Let's Connect!

Make sure to get your FREE light version of the book at: http://www.letsconnectbook.com.