We all know that money is tight, and in business, that means loosening our belts and making room for what is quickly becoming a necessity. Outsourcing.

Data entry is one of the fastest growing outsourcing options today, but with it, comes challenges—challenges you hope to conquer through the right tools as well as the right people. But you can’t help but wonder, “Will data entry outsourcing really help my business?”

Yes.  Here’s how:

• Have someone else manage the day to day data entry needs elsewhere. The time you save may then be put into running your core business. The staff working at your office can then use their skills to focus on helping you with your core business needs. Better customer service is the result.
• Use the latest technology and in return get quicker turnaround times.
• With email and other forms of Internet communication, costs to keep abreast of new developments and concerns is inexpensive and easy.
• Line data processing can be outsourced from any location, making your job of gathering information that much simpler.
• Garner a competitive edge through your outsourcing in data entry. Your staff members are less stressed because they are able to focus on what they do best.
• Most companies that outsource data entry use a double key entry system where two operators type in the same data and the data is checked later for accuracy, keeping discrepancies to a minimum.  

Choose a service that works well for your business. A freelancer can help you on smaller projects; those that are finished and done with on a piece per piece basis, while work that requires service on a regular basis will probably need the help of a larger organization, one that specializes in helping customers with their ongoing outsourcing needs.

Remember, data entry outsourcing not only saves you money, in the long run it improves your own job performance and that of those you work with in-house.  

Your new online tutoring business is in need of tutors to help in subjects like math, science, language, reading and writing. What qualification should you expect?

Here are some ideas to help you:

• An online tutor should be expert in their field. A master’s degree in their specialty is best. If the tutor has a bachelor’s degree or even an associate’s degree, this is important to look at. If the tutor has skill in publishing, for example, and wants to teach writing, he or she may still be qualified for the job. Get some samples.
• Attitude; a personality that can easily connect with the student is better than someone with all of the smarts that yet cannot teach a concept or make the student feel comfortable in what they are learning.
• How open-minded is the tutor? Is he or she willing to try new things, learn new concepts and ways of teaching effectively?
• A good tutor needs to be organized, and that includes reading ahead before the student is taught.
• Especially online, a tutor needs to be prompt. When a lesson is scheduled it needs to be held on time. The tutor needs to be available to help when the student has an emergency; they need to follow through on what they’ve promised to do.
• Previous experience in tutoring is always helpful even if the experience hasn’t been online.
• Decide if you want to hire tutors from other countries. While a good resource, tutors that speak another first language may be a source of stumbling for some of your students who can’t get passed the new accent or awkward phrasing of sentences.

Obviously, you’re not going to know many of these qualities at the start of a tutor’s work unless you ask them pointed questions during the interview. Allow them to share personal examples of these qualities. Speak with them by telephone or in person rather than counting on email as your only connection.

Despite all efforts to make your outsourcing projects work, sometimes our best efforts lend little results. We are frustrated. We wonder what we’ve done wrong, and if, instead of outsourcing, we should have done something else to cut the costs.

Here are some typical reasons outsourcing doesn’t work.

• Not having clearly defined goals. You may have heard that eating an elephant is not an easy task, but an elephant in bites usually gives us the desired results. Put everything on paper that you can think of: Financial stats, outsourcing rules and regulations, time constraints, contracts, whatever you need to keep your business not only afloat but cruising. After your goal is clearly defined, make room for a step-by-step process, one that takes into consideration productivity and growth. Start your business off small and don’t hurry yourself to grow it. Keep the work productive and allow for the growth to come naturally, without force.
• Not getting the help you need. Unless you have outsourced before, don’t try this one alone.  Hire a project manager, one who can take the extra load off you.
• Letting the negativity seep in.  When negativity begins running through our veins so do the problems. If a problem is encountered, take care of it sooner than later. Let go of folks who are not outsourcing to your standards.
• Outsourcing everything. Keep a small staff planted at home. If you find that you don’t have enough work one month to outsource, allow your staff to take care of the small load.
• Not keeping in touch. It’s important not only to keep your staff informed but those you outsource. It may be even more important. Daily or at least weekly contact is necessary.

Outsourcing can be a positive as well as a productive venture when you follow these guidelines.

Let’s face it, even large companies are letting their best people go, and it’s not because they necessarily want to. Costs of keeping an employee, one who not only needs wages but benefits doesn’t come cheap, and in this economy, many are letting go of their favorites in favor of taking on those who are willing to work from home.

These jobs are outsourced. Also called freelance, folks looking for work are enjoying the perks of lounging in their jammies and putting some hours in. Perhaps for the first time, they can manage their time, take breaks when they feel like it and even take a day off when they choose.

On the side of the business owner, they can outsource just those things that they seem to never have time for. What you choose to outsource is all about the needs of your company and less about what everyone else is doing. Your best resource is finding out what is working and what isn’t within your own company and to go from there.

• Let’s say that your advertising, or lack of it, has more or less gone down the tubes. You know this is the number one “let go” of major companies in tight times because of the cost involved, and yet, you know your business will not grow without it. And so you decide to hire some outside advertising.  
• Perhaps you have so many deadlines, you can’t keep them straight. You might want to hire a digital personal assistant; someone who can screen calls, even take care of house-office duties. An assistant, one that works by phone, can be anywhere in the world. If you want your meal delivered when you’ve just walked in the door or someone to take care of your dry cleaning, you might want to hire a personal assistant.

In the end, what to outsource is as open  and valuable as your best pair of slippers—you know the ones.