How to build a strategic partnership with an IT outsourcing provider | RSK BSL

How to build a strategic partnership with an IT outsourcing provider

Success, however easy it may appear, is not usually accomplished alone. Great partner relations are built on a strong foundation. Simply putting a partnership in place won’t make it effective or strategic on its own. People in the leadership positions will have to play a proactive role in defining a strong partnership culture that emphasises on increasing efficiency and driving productivity.

Today more and more businesses are partnering with IT outsourcing providers to accelerate cost savings, get access to skilled resources, expand business areas, increase operational efficiency and to save on infrastructure and technology. It plays a very important role in allowing an organization to focus on the core area of their business by outsourcing IT operations to the experts.

As IT outsourcing makes its way to be an integral part of support service strategy, we often hear anecdotal comments about the myriad of challenges associated with outsourcing. This is mainly because most companies blindly partner with any company that offers them the cheapest price. These partnerships are often based on vague service levels and are measured on expectations versus performance values.

Here are few principles every company can follow to build a strategic partnership with an outsourcing provider:

Ensure Clear Communication to Build Trust

A successful outsourcing partnership is built on a foundation of trust, which can be established only through clear communication and information sharing. Before beginning the work, it is important that both the partners sit through to put a governance model in place. Have a clear set of instructions on deliverables and outline who has the final authority to make decisions on what type of issues. This promotes seamless collaboration and clear communication thereby eliminating reasons that can lead to a difference of opinions

Collaborate Strategically

Many times companies prefer outsourcing software development services in the form of standalone projects instead of going for a strategic partnership. While there is nothing wrong in this, outsourcing strategic elements of your services lead to a stronger partnership. When you engage in a strategic partnership with your IT outsourcing provider, you can leverage their unique expertise to achieve your business goals. This allows you to tap into the true strength of your outsourcing partner rather than hiring a taskmaster.

Have Face-to-face Meetings

While online connectivity has made it extremely easy to reach out to your outsourcing partner whenever required, it can never replicate the effect of having a face-to-face meeting. Schedule bi-weekly or monthly meeting with your offshore software development company to address big-picture trends and implement forward-looking improvements. If it is difficult to meet frequently, you can plan a yearly meeting to review the association and change the fine lines based on changing trends

Trust Your Outsourcing Partner

When you are trusting an outsider with your work for the first time, there is a lot of pressure to get things right. This can sometimes lead to an overwhelming urge to micromanage everything, disrupting the working process.

For a strategic partnership, it is very important to have trust in your bespoke software development company. Have your expectation right and document your process. Make room for trust and allow your outsourcing partner to meet and exceed those expectations. This helps build mutual trust and a reliable relationship that can last for long.

Be Flexible

Once you are working together, you both are working towards a common goal. In order to create a win-win scenario for both, it is important that you allow some flexibility. Sometimes you may need to compromise on certain aspects and be accommodating. An effective working partnership demands you to invest in your relationship in the form of accommodating one-off requests and encouraging innovation.

Conclusion

Your relationship with your nearshore outsourcing company plays a crucial role in driving your business towards success. Building a good relationship takes time and effort from both the parties. Following the above-mentioned tips will ensure that you are on your way to building a strategic, long-lasting partnership.