With recent technological advancements and outsourcing trends being more popular than ever, now is a great time to take a peek into the future of the industry. Outsourcing will never leave the forefront of many business models, however, it will continue to evolve in many ways, offering increased efficiency and cost-effectiveness to clients.
In this article, we take a look at the 5 biggest trends that are coming to the outsourcing space, or ones that continue to gain momentum as the years progress!
1. Nearshoring Becomes More Prominent
Nearshoring is a type of outsourcing, with the main difference being that all operations are conducted in the same country, or a nearby one. This type of outsourcing is preferred by many companies and remote workers, such as IT consultants, due to the vast number of advantages:
- The remote worker will share the same language as other staff.
- Everybody will be operating in an identical or similar time zone, making communication much easier.
- It’s just as flexible as standard outsourcing in many cases.
- Customers are much more likely to be satisfied, creating a positive working environment.
2. An Increase In Outcome-Based Contracts
One of the biggest changes in terms of contracts is the shift of deliverables. Instead of being expected to work for a certain number of hours each day, week, or month, many companies are simply setting tangible goals for their staff. For example, in cybersecurity, a business may specify that a freelancer should test their entire system twice, instead of spending 4 hours looking for exploits.
As long as these goals are realistic, these types of contracts are mutually beneficial. Remote workers who are experts in their field can raise their hourly earnings by completing projects faster, without sacrificing on quality, while companies can benefit from reduced costs. It’s truly a win-win for everyone involved!
3. Changing The Game With AI
Artificial Intelligence has had an unprecedented impact on most industries in the world, with outsourcing being no exception to the rule. Nowadays, AI is being used more than ever to complete menial or repetitive tasks, while also offering improved efficiency and other areas. Some great examples of this include:
- Chatbots identifying the problem or query of a customer.
- Image optimisation software to make pictures look more appealing.
- Tools that generate transcripts from spoken text.
- Virtual assistants that can help busy professionals optimise their time.
While AI can not replace highly-skilled jobs, it’s being used effectively to increase the productivity of these remote workers, meaning they spend less time doing straightforward tasks.
4. Security Remains Relevant
When it comes to staying compliant with various data protection laws and allowing customers to have total peace of mind, cybersecurity is king. More and more businesses are storing personal information using technology, so the risk of a breach is higher than ever.
Cybersecurity experts are in demand, testing out different systems and looking for potential risks. Of course, they can also implement proactive security measures to deter hackers from even attempting an infiltration of the system. With less strain on the system, companies can save themselves money while also marking their client’s safety as a top priority!
5. Outsourcing Is Still Desirable
The final point we must touch on quickly is that outsourcing is full of potential and remains desirable to both businesses and remote workers. Being able to work from anywhere in the world is a plus for both parties, with businesses not needing to invest in physical infrastructure for employees and workers enjoying an increased sense of freedom. Naturally, this is the biggest advantage of outsourcing, however, there are plenty of others to consider:
