| Advantages | | | | anything new, particularly if all we see is the |
| Outsourcing has been an option for many years. | | | | supposed downside and difficulty associated with |
| We are all aware of how the big banks outsource | | | | the wrong sort of Outsourcing. |
| their data entry to the Far East and substantially | | | | |
| reduce their levels of expenditure. We notice how | | | | Accessible |
| they pay big staff bonuses, and make huge | | | | Because of technological advances, it no longer |
| profits, while crucifying the smaller businesses, | | | | matters where your book-keeper is located. |
| with excess charges and restricted facilities. What | | | | Whether the staff operate in your office, at |
| is not so well known is that there are also other | | | | home in their village, in London or in India the job |
| advantages to outsourcing which are not so well | | | | can be done just as effectively. As long as there |
| publicised to protect the status quo. The smaller | | | | is a professional quality control operation in place, |
| business however can also benefit financially from | | | | then your transactions will be entered correctly, |
| this range of Outsourcing advantages. | | | | wherever the keyboard is located. You can |
| | | | | therefore choose where the service should be |
| Opportunity | | | | performed to provide you with the best service |
| It is a "No brainer" to say that all small businesses | | | | on the most cost effective basis. But despite |
| wish tobe more efficient, reduce their operating | | | | the many advances in technology businesses are |
| costs, and be more flexible and | | | | often still operating in the dark ages, entering data |
| profitable.However the smaller business in practice | | | | into their books unnecessarily, in a slow, |
| does NOT take advantage and enjoy these | | | | expensive and unimaginative way. |
| Outsourcing opportunities. Instead the smaller | | | | |
| business normally suffers from Outsourcing, at | | | | Automatic Bank Feeds |
| the hands of the big operations, when they find | | | | For example with the present availability of |
| themselves trying to solve problems over the | | | | free(or inexpensive) automatic bank data feeds |
| telephone lines. We find ourselves diverted to | | | | why are many businesses still entering receipts |
| India without any consultation. We find ourselves | | | | and payments into their books by hand? As well |
| speaking to a foreign person, thousands of miles | | | | as being expensive this generates opportunities |
| away, who does not have a good command of | | | | for errors, and opportunities for professionals to |
| English and we can experience very poor levels of | | | | charge smaller businesses for subsequent |
| customer service and high levels of frustration. | | | | unnecessary expensive services. |
| This is the unacceptable face of Outsourcing so | | | | |
| the smaller business is put off and so misses a big | | | | Real Time Accountancy |
| opportunity. | | | | In the area of "accountancy" we see a big |
| | | | | reluctance to deliver the quality of service that |
| Technology | | | | today's technology allows to be provided. Many |
| The world has taken very big strides forward in | | | | small companies still operate their businesses |
| recent years in the field of technology. | | | | based on historical accounts that are often |
| Communication is no longer restricted to hand | | | | hopelessly out of date. They do not enjoy having |
| delivered messages, telegrams and the use of | | | | access to accurate year-end quality financial data |
| expensive telex machines. Most of us take | | | | on a daily basis. This up to date management |
| advantage of the simplicity, convenience and | | | | information is vital if the entrepreneur is to |
| cheapness of mobile phones and fully enjoy the | | | | maximise the efficiency and profitability of his/her |
| benefits they provide. | | | | business. By Outsourcing, high quality timely |
| | | | | professional service is available, affordable, and |
| In a Rut? | | | | also best advice. Now it is possible to maximize |
| This is however not the case in the area of the | | | | efficiency and reduce costs, thereby improving |
| smaller business and of Outsourcing. Why is this? | | | | profitability, by utilizing professional Outsourcing. |
| We are surrounded by entrenched interests not | | | | Outsourcing is the division of labour, strengthening |
| desiring to accommodate any change. | | | | your team by subcontracting work to a |
| It is easy to find ourselves in a rut not of our | | | | professional third party to improve the quality of |
| own making. As human beings we do not like | | | | service. |
| change, and there is often a built-in fear of | | | | |