HR departments can free up a lot of time by outsourcing some functions to a third party. Here’s some advice on how to do it right.

There are three important stages in the decision-making process, says technology consultant Naomi Lee Bloom:

1. Figure out what you really need – Companies don’t all have the same goals when they decide to outsource — just as outsourcing providers don’t all provide the same things. Before even talking to vendors, you need to decide what the company’s objectives are.
2. Investigate – Key things you want to know about potential providers include: who their clients are (Do they specialize in one industry? Do they serve companies of your size?), turnover at the top (If leaders seem to leave often, that’s not a good sign), and language skills (for providers located offshore).
3. Consider the timing – Not only do companies need to consider whether outsourcing makes sense now, but also whether it will still make sense down the road. Pick a provider who’ll be able to accommodate your planned growth.

Tags: providers, vendors