Outsourcing Marketing Strategy As An Option

Amidst increasing costs on running a business, the trend nowadays especially for those that want to rationalize operations is to downsize, re-prioritize or outsource. Without a doubt, outsourcing seems to be the most cost effective, not to mention the most practical way of running your business. From doing brochures to managing facilities, outsourcing has become an essential aspect of businesses. In fact, even the development of business strategies including its marketing function can all be outsourced.

Many companies resort to outsourcing because it allows a company to put more focus on product development and overall operations. It is also a strategy to simplify human resources’ functions like hiring and training. Many marketing consultants help companies market their products and services without extending their in-house marketing staff. They can often provide the same service as an in-house marketing department, but at half the cost.

Without your company realizing it, outsourcing helps you achieve the following:

Expertise outside core business functions – If your company is engaged in manufacturing, your core competencies would be in this field. To develop your marketing arm, you have to hire full-time staff to manage this particular function. Hiring and training requires a significant amount of time and resources which could have been devoted to other things like the function itself. On the other hand, if you outsource this particular function, you just have to be concerned with the terms of reference for you to be able to capture key measurements of results indicators. Moreover, outsourcing requires little supervision as you just monitor outputs. Your company does not need to assess individual performance because it is not your concern. Essentially, outsourcing simplifies this process.

Outsourcing likewise provides an external perspective and view point. Having been in the business or the company for quite some time is also limiting because your perspective has somewhat been influenced by your environment. Whereas, an outsider could provide you insights to things which your company might have not noticed before or plainly dismissed. Fresh insights help marketing strategies because they infuse new ways of doing things.

One of the more daunting tasks with outsourcing is how to find a good outsourcing company. While there are a number of marketing consultants, you will never know how they perform unless you engage them.

Here are a few questions to reduce the risks of getting a fly-by-night organization:

First, your provider should have the proper training and experience. Ask about what type of training and/or education is important to you. I will tell you that education is important; however, experience and hands-on expertise can far outweigh education when it comes down to success in marketing.

Second, ask for case studies, referrals, and experience in the areas that you need assistance in. Never hire a marketing consultant without contacting client referrals. We can get very excited about the sales presentation and the brochure printing we have been handed with when looking for a consultant. But the truth is that the proof is in the achieved results. If they could not succeed with other clients, what makes you think they can succeed when it comes to marketing your products and services? Call those references, it only takes a few minutes and it is worth your time.

Testimonials might be a good indicator to ensure that you get the right provider. Testimonials will also give you an idea of their notable achievements.

Finally, ask for certifications or memberships to professional organizations. This will also tell you how active they are in the marketing community, as well as if they've been certified in certain areas of marketing.

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