Like all journalists, my inbox fills daily with press releases. Here’s one that caught my eye this week and – believe it or not – it made me think about outsourcing.
Do you love gourmet, country style bacon? Do you love premium roast gourmet coffee? Do you love the semi-sweet, sensuously succulent flavor of maple? Then something tells me that you are going to absolutely love Boss Hog’s Maple Bacon Coffee!
The press release went on to describe the product in these terms: “taken us by surprise,” “totally blown our mind,” “actually a pleasure,” “top notch,” award… Read the rest
This is the third in a recurring column in Outsourcing Buzz Blog focusing on thought-leadership in outsourcing, as seen from the perspectives of two industry leaders with unique views into the workings of how outsourcing deals really get put together – or why they don’t. Insights come from sourcing advisors, Joe Vales and Kerry Ann Vales of Vales Consulting Group and Vales Consulting Lite.
I asked Joe and Kerry Ann this question: When is “more” not necessarily “better” when it comes to outsourcing? Here are their answers with real-world examples.
Among the larger corporate buyers and service providers, there is… Read the rest
The RFP Process has been a win/win for both buyers and service providers for over 20 years. But there are cracks in the process that need to be fixed if the industry is to continue to prosper. In Part 1, we discussed the problems with RFPs issued by buyers. In Part 2, we discuss how service providers are responding to RFPs.
We see five areas where service providers contribute to the broken RFP process.
1. Internal conflicts. Internal conflicts slow down the proposal response process. All too often, internal disorganization and fiefdoms result in a loss of precious time to respond… Read the rest
This is the second blog in a recurring column in Outsourcing Buzz Blog focusing on thought leadership in outsourcing, as seen from the perspectives of two industry leaders with unique views into the workings of how outsourcing deals really get put together – and the results of those maneuvers. (See “Never Underestimate the Value of PEOPLE When it Comes to Outsourcing,” the first blog in this column.)
Insights in this recurring column come from sourcing advisors, Joe Vales and Kerry Ann Vales of Vales Consulting Group and Vales Consulting Lite.
This week I asked Joe and Kerry Ann… Read the rest
Over the past 20 years, the outsourcing request for proposal (RFP) process fueled the growth of outsourcing on a global basis. It served as a framework for buyers to evaluate service providers and their proposed solutions. Overall, it provided buyers with the details to reduce the risk related to large outsourcing transactions and led to identification of best practices, templates, and processes that leveled the playing field for unsophisticated buyers. For service providers, the RFP process initially provided a structured platform to present their solutions and differentiate their services.
All of these developments were extremely positive and would normally insure that the RFP process… Read the rest
I recently switched to a different dentist – but not because I didn’t like the prior one or the dental care he gave me, nor did the switching have anything to do with the prices he charged. I left because of the hygienist and the receptionist in his office. It’s a situation very similar to what many buyers experience in outsourcing relationships.
I have some non-dental health issues that affect my dental treatment and require some special considerations at the dentist office. These issues and necessary workarounds prevent a dentist and his staff from treating me the same way they… Read the rest
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