Outsourcing is a strategic initiative for ensuring growth by leveraging global talent. Still, many companies hesitate to collaborate with external teams due to misconceptions and myths that hold them back. These misconceptions create confusion and limit their ability to reap the full benefits of outsourcing efforts for business success.

This blog busts all the myths and misconceptions about outsourcing so that businesses can make the best decision without a doubt.

First, let’s understand why outsourcing matters.

Why do companies outsource?

Outsourcing can transform numerous business models, including companies lacking internal resources and expertise to perform specific tasks. The aim is to reduce costs, improve operational efficiency, and expand business for enhanced market presence.

Adopting new industry practices can transform businesses' current operational approach and put them one step ahead of cost-cutting strategies.

When you partner with a BPO service provider, your business can have benefits like:

• Deliver consistent quality results
• Access to highly-experienced and industrial experts
• Prioritize customer service by showing your availability 24/7
• Freeing up your strategic resources for high-priority tasks
• Opportunity to scale up faster

Even with these advantages of BPO services, they are still taken for granted, and some myths create reluctance for businesses to invest in outsourcing projects. Let us help you clear up some of these misconceptions.

Top 7 remote outsourcing myths that you should know

Here are outsourcing misconceptions that are often left unanswered and need affirmation for robust business decision-making:

Myth 1: Outsourcing is only about cutting cost

Misconception: Outsourcing is viewed as a mere approach to financial savings. But the truth is that it is not the only star of outsourcing. It is a strategic approach to innovation and driving excellence.

Affirmation: Beyond cost advantage, outsourcing can bring in new expertise to take over your administrative and customer service tasks. You can get access to:

• A worldwide talent pool with a diverse workforce for bringing new perspectives.
• The opportunity to scale business according to market fluctuations.
• You can focus on non-core business processes or functions as the core activities have already been handled.
• Insightful decisions for employee engagement and HR best practices.

While reducing cost is a significant benefit of hiring a BPO provider, its strategic benefits will lead you to sustainable growth.

Myth 2: Outsourcing is availed by big-scale firms

Misconception: Although BPO services are used by big enterprises with endless operational tasks, they are not necessarily used only by them. Many SMBs and startups use outsourcing formats to gain access to specialized expertise.

Affirmation: All sizes of businesses outsource their business functions to compete with large organizations. Outsourcing lets them focus on growth while taking over virtual assistance and IT services, optimizing budgets, and allocating resources. Startups can get ahead of the competition by using this format through capabilities such as:

• Optimized processes and workflow
• Resources to navigate the complex regulatory landscape.
• Automation of tedious tasks.
• Involving specialists who are available to work in any time zone.
• Flexibility to choose services without the headaches of hiring or letting go of staff​​.

Likewise, businesses of any size would use BPO services to optimize workflow while focusing on core competencies.

Myth 3: You lose control over your business

Misconception: When you transfer the accountability of specific tasks to a third party, there is a common myth that you will lose control over business processes. Established outsourcing providers use regular reporting and performance metrics to bring measurable results.

Affirmation: If you manage your outsourcing work properly, you can get visibility and comprehensive insight into what's happening in your operations. Similarly, building the right relationship with the outsourcing partner can allow you to oversee operations at every stage. All you need to do is to:

• Select an outsourcing partner with a proven record of satisfied clients.
• Clarify the communication pattern and frequency.
• Get a clear agreement for collaboration.
• Stay in touch with regular meetings and routine monitoring of the progress reports.

This way, you can ensure that you and your partner are on the same wavelength and ready to reap quality results through cooperation.

Myth 4: Providers lack product or service knowledge

Misconception: Some business owners believe that low cost means cheap quality. Relying on external specialists will compromise the quality as they lack product knowledge.

Affirmation: Let’s debunk this myth by thinking of some reputed BPO companies that work meticulously to deliver quality services. Indeed, it would depend upon the provider, as reliable companies believe in acquiring deep knowledge about the product and then working on the processes that need transformation. Good outsourcing companies have:

• High-quality standards
• Give project progress regularly
• Perform rigorous control practices at every stage
• Open to feedback and alterations

By bringing niche expertise, they can transform your current operations in the best way possible while delivering high-quality outcomes.

Myth 5: Hiring BPOs leads to data losses

Misconception: When discussing outsourcing, sharing confidential information with them is deemed scary. Providers have access to confidential information, and so the risk of privacy breaches persists.

Affirmation: BPOs keep their trust when sensitive information is exposed to them by showing integrity and honesty. Many companies have strict security protocols to safeguard data, which becomes the lifeblood of lasting client relationships. The right provider takes care of security by:

• Implementing robust security measures
• Establish access controls and encryption methods
• Conducting regular security audits.

Myth 6: Considering it as a short-term solution

Misconception: People think outsourcing is only for immediate fixes for business needs, such as managing resources during peak times and filling the skill gap. However, when used properly, outsourcing can have sustainable and long-term benefits.

Affirmation: Instead, BPOs look for long-term contracts. They intend to work for long-term agreements after understanding the company's structure. Outsourcing meets evolving business needs by catering to short and long-term projects.

Long-term projects can lead to:

• Stability of work
• Better cost predictability
• Continuous improvement
• Deeper integration of the outsourcing team

Myth 7: Ineffective due to communication barriers

Misconception: Working in different time zones and collaborating with a different culture leads to cultural differences that impact communication. The barrier to communication impacts professionalism and later project success.

Affirmation: Effective communication is the cornerstone of successful partnership, and BPOs are well-versed. Most of the reputed outsourcing firms prioritize communication by:

• Leveraging technology to fill the geographical gap.
• Establish clear communication channels.
• Seamless collaboration with project management software
• Instant messaging and video conferencing for interactive conversations.

Additionally, BPOs always hire people with strong language and cultural understanding to bridge the communication gap and foster collaboration continually.

Final thoughts!

No doubt, the skepticism around outsourcing stems mainly from the misunderstandings that people have about BPO providers. People often judge businesses on these misconceptions and end up failing to explore the opportunity for growth. Now that you have smashed the myths with affirmations, you should connect with an experienced outsourcing provider to unlock automation, innovation, and business expansion.

FBSPL has earned a prominent position in this space and has helped clients with numerous business functions to assist in their vision. Contact us to discuss how we approach business needs and strive to contribute to long-term success. Book a consultation with our industry experts.