Search
Related Links

 

 

Informative Articles

How To Realistically Set Your Fees - Part 2
Effect of Expenses The last article examined how to calculate your realistic billable hours. If you remember, we arrived at approximately 1100 hours in a year. To earn our mythical $46,000 per year, you needed to bill at a rate of $42 per...

Is Wayne Gretzky in or out when it comes to coaching ?
Gretzky has not said no to coaching, nor has he said yes, if and when the NHL labor dispute resolves itself. In June, Mike Barnett, General Manager of the Phoenix Coyotes asked Gretzky, who also is part owner, about coaching the Phoenix Coyotes. ...

Networking - Outside The Box
We receive numerous emails regarding how to network. For those of us in lease purchasing it's easy, for others not so easy. For example, those in the travel business have been hit hard by business slowing down. Why not try to network with some of...

Should You Quit Your Job for Your Dream?
The next time you’re moodily sitting in your office, wishing you were living your dream instead, answer the following questions… or answer them now! They’ll give you a sense of whether or not now’s the time to make the break. My job is...

Various Aspects Of The Lease Purchase Business
In a previous article, we wrote why we believe that Lease Purchasing is the perfect home-based business, here we want to briefly touch on some of the actual aspects of operating such a business, the pluses and minuses and why Lease Purchasing...

 
How to Get the Best from Outsourcing


To maximise profits, it has become fashionable to place some of your support
requirements with 'experts', to allow you to focus on core activities. Especially for small businesses this can work well, but with larger organisations, unless you get it just right, it can be a lot more trouble than it's worth - and cost you a lot more.

There's a great little article ('Business Lifeforms') on the back pages of the UK's leading management magazine, Management Today each month. It's a spoof (at least I think it is!) about some fictitious key player in a fictitious organisation. For January, it's about Ken, who's a 'Facilities Manager'.

Now Ken has seen it all and truly worked his way up from the bottom to the top. Until, that is, a couple of years ago when new MBA-armed suits took over and decide to slash Ken's department (until now, running very, very smoothly under Ken's watchful eye) and Ken himself. Of course it all goes pear-shaped and the top dog has to come grovelling back to Ken, offer him loads of money and a big car, basically to ensure that the toilets aren't 'backing up' any more!

This is in direct contrast to Michael Gerber, in his fascinating book The E-Myth Revisited. There he talks about working 'on' the business and 'in' the business, making it clear that if you do too much of the grindstone not-my-expertise stuff yourself, you lose track of what you are really good at, and what you went into business for.

In a past life, I too experienced challenging outsourcing. At one time I had a great little local cleaner who I trusted (he even opened the store up for me - hmmm, that was a long time ago!). He did an excellent job and was on hand for emergencies. Then a new senior director decided to consolidate and outsource, for 'economy and consistency'. It was cheap - but the service was awful. Each time I got a new 'centrally sourced' cleaning company, they came with great intentions for the first 3 months and then dribbled off (with our money!) until it became unsustainable and another 'excellent contractor' came along.

The moment of truth for me, was when the director for one of these contractors, came along for the first time in a brand new £60K Merc (and it's a few years ago now). Then I knew where my money would be going. I went through 6 contractors in 5 years, even though my


hands were tied by 'Head Office' contracts!

To solve this problem? There needs to be strong leadership at the start. Very clear standards required from outside contractors and severe penalties (yes, stop paying them even!) for under achievement. Corporate central contracts agreed there, but implemented and managed locally, leave a lot of space for waste.

And yes, in a small business, don't even think of doing the bookkeeping yourself as soon as you can afford not to - do what you do best, value it and get on with creating the business you love, not like struggling Sarah in the book. But, get someone who you trust and who will deliver. Chris Barrow, of Million Dollar Coaching Practice fame, suggests that the very first thing anyone going into a consulting business should do, is get a PA. And that modern day evolution, a VA (virtual assistant) has made this a real, low cost possibility for many.

Moral of the story?

If you are going to outsource, especially if your business is big enough, where it's not only the fashion, but it can have economic and logistic value, take the following steps:-

  1. Find the best on the market, not the cheapest.
  2. Set the standards yourself, and don't take theirs.
  3. Be very clear on expectations and outcomes if standards aren't met.
  4. Keep in very business-like, however much you like/know/are related to them.
  5. Have clear timescales for regular review.
  6. Have a named and senior contact in the organisation for whom there will be pain if they lose the contract.
  7. Keep contract length manageable.
  8. If things start going wrong tackle them early, before too much money is wasted.
  9. If 'Head Office' agrees the contract, don't chase your own tail over non-delivery - get someone from there down as soon as there is a problem - you have enough to do.
  10. Don't get involved in the problems any local operatives might have - refer them back.



About the Author

© 2005 Martin Haworth is a Business and Management Coach. He works worldwide, mainly by phone, with small business owners, managers and corporate leaders. He has hundreds of hints, tips and ideas at his website, www.coaching-businesses-to-success.com. (Note to editors. Feel free to use this article, wherever you think it might be of value - with a live link if you can).

 

Coaching.com – business & executive coaching for leadership ...
Business coaching solutions with executive coaching, personal coaching, professional coaching and corporate coaching to enhance leadership skills ...
www.coaching.com
 
Welcome to Coach U
Training world class personal and life coaches. Offering synchronous and asynchronous training.
www.coachinc.com
 
International Coach Federation
The International Coach Federation is the globally recognized association of professional personal and business coaches. ICF offers the only independent ...
www.coachfederation.org
 
Coaching - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article refers to the act of coaching people. For sports coaching, see coach ... Current practices in performance coaching in non-sporting environments ...
en.wikipedia.org
 
Sports Coach provides information on coaching, exercise physiology ...
Brian Mackenzie, the UK's highly experienced senior athletics coach provides fitness and training advice for athletes.
www.brianmac.demon.co.uk
 
The role of the coach is one which enables the athlete to achieve ...
Roles and responsibilities of a Coach. ... In a coaching role you will initially need to develop the skills of: providing instruction and explanation, ...
www.brianmac.demon.co.uk
 
The Coaching & Mentoring Network
The leading, independent vortal site, keeping you informed of the latest developments in coaching and mentoring. Connecting you to the people, products and ...
www.coachingnetwork.org.uk
 
Welcome to sports coach UK
sports coach UK is a charitable organisation dedicated to the development and implementation of coaches and coaching throughout the UK. ...
www.sportscoachuk.org
 
Positive Coaching Alliance
Information on awards, location, partnership programs, description of the organization, upcoming events, news items and membership details.
www.positivecoach.org
 
Career Coaching from Mind Tools - Find Focus, Fulfillment and ...
Career coaching from Mind Tools - Maximize success in your chosen career: Find focus, self-confidence, fulfillment and career direction with a Mind Tools ...
coaching.mindtools.com
 
Coaching Drills, Information and Products For Youth Sports
Youth coaching drills for baseball, basketball, football, soccer, softball, volleyball, and track and field. Also makes team decals, posts team photos, ...
www.y-coach.com
 
Mind Tools - Self-Study Management Training, Career Training ...
You can join biweekly coaching and training sessions wherever you are in the world. ... The GROW Model - Coaching team members to improve performance. ...
www.mindtools.com
 
COACHING SCIENCE ABSTRACTS
The best award-winning site about sports science that can be applied to the coaching of serious and elite athletes.
coachsci.sdsu.edu
 
Coaching UK : Coaching UK and Coaching Related Links
Coaching UK : Coaching UK and Coaching Related Links.
www.coaching-uk.org.uk
 
Association for Coaching
Welcome to the Association for Coaching — one of the lead professional bodies for Coaches and Organisations involved in the areas of: ...
www.associationforcoaching.com
 
The Coaching Corner - The Youth Team Sports Resource
The Coaching Corner, the youth team sports resource for coaches, players & parents. We provide instruction, editorials, coaching tips, bulletin boards and ...
www.thecoachingcorner.com
 
Executive and business coaching network - UK based international ...
executive and business coaching - UK based network of international coaches specialising in executive and business coaching, team building and unlocking ...
www.execcoach.net
 
SOCCER-COACH-L Soccer Coaching Manual
A manual for the novice and more advanced youth soccer coach.
www.ucs.mun.ca
 
My Life Coach - Life Coaching, Become a Life Coach, Career Coaches ...
We have the life coaching, personality and career testing tools, knowledge and expertise to help you discover the right direction.
www.mylifecoach.com
 
Basketball Coaching Playbook, Coach's Clipboard... Coaching Youth ...
Coach James Gels offers player development tips and coaching strategies on offense and defense.
www.coachesclipboard.net
 
 

 

Content Menu
  • 10 customer service quality statements to measure up against

  • 10 powerful networking tips using business cards

  • 10 sure ways on how to fight discouragement

  • 10 tips on how to focus

  • 10 tips to grow your business plain simple

  • 10 top tips for reclaiming your time

  • 10 ways to kick the procrastination habit

  • 11 great ways to be positive about change

  • 11 ways to get what you want be a clever customer

  • 12 tips to network your way to success

  • 20 ways to advance your career

  • 3 simple things the best managers do and you can too

  • 3 steps you can use developing leaders in your industry

  • 3 tips for a great summer developing life business while having a blast

  • 4 simple steps to successful delegation

  • 4 steps to unleashing profits in your online business

  • 5 exceptional bonuses that will increase your sales

  • 5 strategies for added effectiveness on the job

  • 5 tips to step boldly into the world set yourself apart from others

  • 6 simple steps to dealing with difficult managers

  • 6 surefire ways to achieve your goals for 2005

  • 6 winning strategies guaranteed to improve your coaching

  • 6 winning strategies guaranteed to improve your coaching skills

  • 7 reasons why law firm diversity initiatives fail

  • 7 reasons why law firm diversity intiatives fail

  • 7 strategies for feeding success thoughts to your brain

  • 7 strategies for handling last minute meetings

  • achieve your business results through executive coaching that yields a 500 plus roi

  • all fortunes begin with an idea

  • and the systems will set you free

  • answers to your questions about executive coaching

  • are you a work addict

  • are you hearing everything your customer peer boss supplier isnt saying

  • are you on overload delegation is one key

  • are you profiting from o p p

  • are you worth investing in

  • at your service the ten commandments of great customer service

  • avoid the duds 10 strategies for selecting the perfect speaker

  • a balanced life

  • a fast way to find clients

  • a happy professional chooses clients

  • a tricky supervision challenge

  • barter its not just for doctors anymore

  • basic coaching for the golfing beginner

  • become an internet marketing guru

  • become a certified success in the world of business and finance

  • becoming a solution to your customers problems

  • being stressed out may not be all that bad

  • belief management the missing ingredient

  • beware the opposition

  • beyond management coaching when things are getting out of control

  • be an entrepreneur

  • blogging for business

  • blueprint for change

  • book summary execution

  • brand your consulting brilliance

  • breaking the ice and winning over the client

  • budda in your back pocket

  • building a practice on purpose series part 5 develop a championship team by creating a coaching climate part 1

  • building a practice on purpose series part 5 develop a championship team by creating a coaching climate part 2

  • building better teams through executive coaching

  • building shareholder value through your people

  • building trust in your business relationships ten tips

  • build your business on a shoestring hire a college intern

  • business career executive coaching article leadership understanding the human condition

  • business career executive coaching article the top 10 tips to begin the practice of positive affirmations

  • business coaching ten ways of dealing with mistakes you made

  • business opportunity leverage your employees

  • buyer beware choose a business coach carefully to get the results you want

  • cant find any clickbank super affiliates grow your own

  • can self coaching help your bottom line

  • career executive coaching article motivator discipline and desire

  • change or die to change your organization hire a business coach

  • chasm of change restructuring the goliath of change

  • coaching and mentoring using one

  • coaching an adapting tool for attaining fulfillment in the global economy

  • coaching book review the coach creating partnerships for a competitive edge

  • coaching book summary the coach

  • coaching can get the boss in shape

  • coaching costs

  • coaching for creativity in the workplace

  • coaching for lawyers 10 ways a lawyer can benefit from working with a professional coach

  • coaching for success

  • coaching generation x

  • coaching leaders 6 reasons some executives give up

  • coaching leaders for change 5 ground rules

  • coaching packages benefit the coach the client

  • coaching skills and positive motivation

  • coaching skills for peers extending influence

  • coaching sports for all the right reasons

  • coaching the new word in management

  • coaching tips for powerful presentations

  • coaching your small business to success

  • coaching youth football part 1 keys to success

  • common sense customer service

  • confession of an internet marketing expert

  • create a business you love

  • create a positive upbeat can do workforce and dazzle the customer with your caring

  • creating a vision

  • creating momentum for your home business

  • creating time you can do it

  • customer focus just 5 simple things you need to think about

  • dealing with anger

  • dealing with difficult people

  • defense wins in baseball not business

  • defining success your way

  • defining your goals

  • delegate or die

  • delegate or drown

  • delegation when to delegate who to delegate to

  • develop your managers and keep your staff

  • develop your people and make more money

  • discovery procedures for building effective management systems

  • discover the secret to success in your own back yard

  • does your business need an attitude adjustment

  • does your shopping cart have a squeaky wheel

  • dont wait to start your marketing strategy

  • do you have a press package

  • do you need a personal assistant

  • do you want to make more money as a life coach

  • elements of timeless leadership

  • embrace diversity to build effective teams

  • employee motivation checklist ten measures of success

  • empower it forward

  • empower your people give them some control

  • entrepreneurs achieve more 12 examples of coaching and consulting that lead to success

  • ethics in business a lost art

  • exceptional leadership inspires the best effort in others

  • executive coaching

  • executive coaching and the american president

  • expand your horizons sell your professional services through clickbank

  • expand your resourcefullness

  • experiences of management coaching part 2

  • extend your books life with a sales letter

  • finding balance in a tilted world

  • finding your niche

  • fitness coaching are you ready

  • five steps to increase the people power in your business

  • five strategies to strengthen your companys financial management

  • george bushs secret to successful internet marketing

  • getting started

  • get coached

  • get off your butt and create your financial futurenow

  • get organised and transform your life

  • get out of your own way

  • get rid of the clutter

  • give em the ball an example of great coaching

  • give yourself a boss day gift part 2 are you the position or the person

  • gymnastics instructor and coaching tasks and duties

  • hidden traps for life partners who work together

  • how ceos can use axiology to improve the bottom line part 2

  • how does sports coaching differ from corporate coaching

  • how do i bring consulting into my lease purchase business

  • how do i define my market

  • how do i implement the lease purchase plan

  • how do you find a topic to speak on

  • how do you profit from o p p

  • how effective is your leadership style

  • how energy efficient are you

  • how to attract and retain the right people

  • how to avoid the legal pitfalls when setting up your new business

  • how to avoid the legal pitfalls when setting up your own business

  • how to better handle your mail

  • how to build extreme customer service from the inside out

  • how to create your own successful and profitable affiliate program

  • how to get a grip on your money

  • how to get press to come to you

  • how to get sellers to call and beg you to take their property

  • how to get the best from outsourcing

  • how to get the press to come to you

  • how to give a great speech

  • how to grow your business in the marketplace of the new millennium

  • how to have an effortless life

  • how to hire the right people

  • how to improve your negotiating skills

  • how to increase your coaching record by at least 25

  • how to lease option your properties

  • how to look after your people so they look after your business

  • how to make a joint venture successful

  • how to make more money

  • how to network your way to success

  • how to profit from initial consultations

  • how to realistically set your fees part 1

  • how to realistically set your fees part 2

  • how to realistically set your fees part 3

  • how to realistically set your fees part 4

  • how to realistically set your fees part 5

  • how to sell high tech solutions

  • how to set goals like bill gates

  • how to start your coaching practice

  • how to stay motivated part 1

  • how to use an hr consultant

  • how to win the marketing war capture your prospects mind

  • if i were coaching you

  • image does matter

  • improving quality through coaching

  • increase your sales accept credit cards

  • increase your sales accept credit cards part 2

  • increasing the return on your training investment

  • index

  • internet marketing in a room full of naked men

  • interview with michael murray autoresponder basics

  • interview with ron mead the secret goldmine of probate real estate

  • invite self managed staff

  • in business image isnt everything its the only thing

  • is accumulating a net worth of 1 000 000 easy yes and no

  • is wayne gretzky in or out when it comes to coaching

  • is your business safe

  • is your leadership is effective

  • its okay to negotiate really

  • its the little things that count

  • juggling it all

  • juggling the day with a deal

  • keeping abreast of your domain updates and keeping up with it all

  • know your client the first rule of business coaching

  • leadership lessons learned the hard way part i

  • leadership lessons learned the hard way part ii

  • learn to manage people

  • lone wolf lead wolf

  • make a decision and take action

  • making on job training work

  • making s work creating news where none existed

  • making the financial transition

  • making the most of your year

  • management coaching the heart of performance management

  • management coaching to improve relationships with work associates

  • management coaching vs performance appraisals

  • managers dont know any better

  • managing performance every day

  • managing the sales negotiation process

  • manufacturing sector public speaker tr cutler is ranked 1

  • media star power book review

  • monday morning mindfulness

  • monday morning mindfulness 08 23 2004

  • mr brown is coming the need for feedback and coaching

  • my rich mums ebook secrets

  • my top 10 baseball coaching tips

  • need a sales boost try these

  • negotiating to buy a new car the easy way

  • networking 101

  • networking its important

  • networking outside the box

  • networking tips getting an 800 number

  • new style network marketing why professionals are rushing to join

  • nourishing your network

  • office set up

  • online shopping saves you time and money

  • on the path life coaching for small business owners

  • organizing the information

  • organizing your day

  • outsourcing not just for big business

  • overcome inertia bodycoaching exercises to get unstuck

  • overcoming work addiction

  • paralysis by analysis

  • parenting and running a home based business

  • parenting your employees to better performance

  • partnering for progress and growth

  • people skills drive leadership success

  • perfection vs excellence business career life coaching series

  • personal training 3 keys to training clients in their homes

  • personal training 3 powerful ways to position yourself as an expert

  • personal training 5 easy steps to sanity on the road

  • personal training 6 secrets of award winning customer service

  • personal training name one good reason someone should hire you

  • plan your day and stick to your plan

  • preparing for your media interview

  • price your ebook to sell well

  • primal leadership a book summary

  • progress reviews your key to effective coaching

  • radio interviews how to get them

  • ready setwait

  • realistic goals how to set them and why

  • retail operations effective branch manager support and guidance

  • roi on the 8 step coaching model

  • rotator

  • rı eoc recruitment and retention employer of choice

  • sales force of the future its not about selling

  • score at least 5 more points per game by coaching football kicking properly

  • self confidence is the key to personal and professional success

  • sell more by testing your web headlines and home page

  • should you get a blog

  • should you quit your job for your dream

  • should you write your own business plan

  • show your customers you care

  • simple steps to start a profitable member only subscription web site

  • soft e mail selling skills coaching

  • so why dont you tell me about yourself

  • stress in the workplace

  • structure your add coaching business for success

  • succession planning 10 vital points for business success

  • success is a choice

  • survival tips for small businesses

  • surviving the workday in your organization

  • sustaining growth in your business

  • take it to the customer

  • taking time off for your business

  • taking time out for your business

  • tapping the potential of your customers

  • team building ten easy ways to do it

  • team effort pays off for entrepreneurs

  • ten business reasons why asking for help works

  • ten top ways for managers to motivate their people

  • ten ways to be a better at motivating your employees

  • terrible meetings ten ways to spot them

  • the 6 secrets to sales success

  • the 6 stages of modern career development

  • the 7 principles of business integrity

  • the 7 traits of an exceptional and successful entrepreneur

  • the 7 traits of an exceptional successful entrepreneur

  • the achilles heel of management coaching

  • the benefits of eq coaching for mid level executives and professionals

  • the biggest crime in small business

  • the cat in the hat will help you get your point across yes you can here is the plan

  • the fuel that drives the ultimate lifestyle

  • the goals of leadership coaching and partnerships

  • the importance of having a mentor

  • the key to high productivity is energy management

  • the many ways to profit from o p p s multiple cash streams

  • the metamorphosis of the successful executive overcoming professional stagnation

  • the only way to get even at work

  • the pitfalls of procrastination

  • the real secret to success

  • the seven cs partnership danger signs communication breakdown

  • the seven cs partnership danger signs competitive not complementary action

  • the seven cs partnership danger signs conflict becoming the norm part 1

  • the seven cs partnership danger signs conflict becoming the norm part 2

  • the seven cs partnership danger signs the 4th c cumulative money problems

  • the seven cs partnership danger signs the 5th c control issues

  • the seven cs partnership danger signs the 6th c changing vision

  • the seven vital steps you must know to ensure direct mail success

  • the top 10

  • the top 10 reasons why my coaching business is not slow

  • the top 10 the top ten signs that your marketing message needs a facelift

  • the top mistakes executives make in leading their organizations

  • the top ten people skills you need to build a dynamic business

  • the truth about money

  • the ultimate career builder

  • three simple ideas that increase profit fast

  • time management tips for managers

  • tips for launching your own business

  • tips to energize your presentations

  • top 10 mistakes entrepreneurs make before they even start

  • top 10 mistakes to avoid when joining a professional association

  • top 10 ways to turn clients into raving fans

  • top 3 myths of leadership debunked

  • top 7 small business resources for 2005

  • top 7 small business sites for 2005

  • top ten online choices to get clients to choose you again and again part 1

  • top ten online choices to get clients to choose you again and again part 2

  • top ten things you would never hear a coach say or then again

  • top ten tips when business is slow

  • to meet or not to meetwhat are the questions

  • transform your image and accelerate your success

  • turnover is not a problem

  • unleash your true potential

  • useful tips for evaluating your meeting venue options

  • value based leadership coaching

  • various aspects of the lease purchase business

  • what does an ex basketball coach know about pulling web metrics

  • what do your clients really think of you

  • what do you really want

  • what gift will you give yourself this holiday season

  • what is an artists statement how often should it be updated

  • what is a lead worth

  • what is a mission statement

  • what is executive presence

  • what is this tool used in organizations called coaching

  • what i would include in a coaching book

  • what paper or computer files should you keep

  • what rich internet marketers know that you dont

  • what the buddha says about coaches

  • what to do when your it project is late over budget and looks like its never going to work

  • when internet marketing gurus sell their soul

  • who are you mixing it with

  • who loves networking

  • who wants to be a millionaire

  • why arent you making a ton of cash as an affiliate

  • why arent you using online fitness coaching

  • why are you so busy

  • why conventional wisdom is almost always wrong

  • why do you not benefit from coaching golf tips

  • why small businesses fail or fail to thrive

  • why women talk and men dont

  • youre in charge now what

  • your ideal client

  • you might ask the question why coaching