When you list “outsourcing” on your Linked In profile, go to conferences and trade shows, and generally network within your industry, a lot of potential outsourcing partners will approach you with a pitch on how their service will change your life. As a result, you appreciate and do business with the companies that seem to […]

Outside of the daily blogging I did in November, I struggled with posting a monthly article for most of 2013. Still, this year Sockets and Lightbulbs continued to grow with 44% more views and, more importantly, a 243% increase in followers on WordPress.com and email. Thank you so much! Reading, liking, commenting and sharing and sharing my […]

Ever feel like your outsourcing partner just doesn’t “get” you, your product or your business?  Having worked with many different outsourcers across a few different industries, I have developed a good sense of what makes a good partner.  Here are a few things I wish all outsourcers understood about how to make clients happy. Do […]

When you outsource, how far do you push your partners on quality?  When outsourcing digital work (software, digital assets, etc.), it’s sometimes difficult to determine whether your request to fix something is really a change in what you wanted in the first place.  In addition, if you are easily able to make changes yourself, you […]

It has come to that point and you can’t escape it: you have to outsource.  Whether you were part of the decision-making process or you were just told about it, you will need to adjust to a new reality.  Even if they are just down the street, working with an outside company will change how […]

All too often, the following conversation happens in businesses everywhere: “We need to find someone to help us make this widget.” – “I have a friend/relative/golf buddy who does that.  Let’s go with them!” Doing business with someone you know through personal connections is a common practice.  It has its benefits:  you think you know […]