Within the outsourcing and offshore staffing industry there are many ways to explain the same or similar services which can be very confusing for everyone. We’ve tried to help below by listing some of the phrases used to explain services that are actually very similar and linked in many ways.

Outsourcing v Offshoring v Offshore Outsourcing

The simplest way to explain the difference is Outsourcing means to use a 3rd party (not necessarily offshore), Offshoring means to move services offshore (not necessarily via a 3rd party) and Offshore Outsourcing means to use a 3rd party offshore to deliver services for you.

With project based Outsourcing the relationship is managed through a single point of contact under an account-based model e.g, you might engage an outsourced agency Philippines to design a logo. Offshoring is the practice of moving a company’s operating base to a foreign country where labour costs are cheaper. Offshoring is a type of outsourcing where you create an extension of your business or team in another country. Offshore Outsourcing is to combine offshoring with outsourcing. That is to move production to a third-party that is based in an overseas location typically where the cost of salaries is lower.

Business process outsourcing (BPO) is a method of subcontracting various business-related operations to third-party vendors. BPO is deemed “offshore outsourcing” if the contract is sent to another country. Typically the BPO will handle absolutely everything related to your offshore business processes (including hiring and processes).

Offshore Staffing v Remote Staffing v Outstaffing

These are all really the same thing said […]

1. Communication Is Key

Regular communication with your offshore staff will result in better outcomes. We recommend our clients have daily meetings with their staff to ensure open communication about the status of current tasks. This status update allows you to keep track of progress, become aware of potential challenges and coordinate efforts to resolve difficult or time consuming issues.

Following agile management processes, meetings are best kept short and to the point. Less than 15 minutes should be adequate. Three key points to discuss are:

1. What did you accomplish yesterday?
2. What will you do today?
3. Are there any obstacles impeding your progress?

Video calls with your offshore staff are free and simple. Outsourced staff are provided with high quality headsets and have access to the best technologies to ensure there are no limits to your communication with them.

2. Give Them Training

We have witnessed first-hand a plethora of clients who make offshore staffing in the Philippines a huge success. We have also seen a handful of others who throw their staff in the deep end and hope they can swim. Without a doubt, those who invest time in staff training reap the rewards of a more effective team.

All our clients are welcome and encouraged to visit our offices in the Philippines and to sit with their staff during the training phase. This could be a few days or several weeks, depending […]