Hiring staff to take care of your IT, human resources, and accounting may not be feasible for your startup. This is why it’s very beneficial for startups to hire a business service company. If you’re currently in the market for an outsourced team, take a look at this checklist for finding a business services company which will work well for your needs.
Know Your Needs
Before finding the right fit, you first need to know what your needs are.
Make a list of the tasks you need help with. Create a project list, discuss this with your management team, business partners or advisers. Things to incorporate in your list include:
- Type of help needed or the scope of the project. For example, you might need someone to manage payroll or set up a benefits plan for your staff.
- Your expectations including how you’ll evaluate the work.
- A time frame for completion. If you need ongoing help, set goal dates for the completion of tasks.
- Any specifics you need to convey.
Look at Their Track Record
It benefits your startup to do your research to find the best business service company.
Ask for a client list and references. Look at their track record and what types of startups they work/have worked with with. Find out how their clients feel about their outsourcing services.
Check online reviews and ask for customer testimonials and information on their portfolio.
Choose a Company Which Understands You
As a startup, you want to work with a business services company that thoroughly understands startups. Since you’re needs are unique, you want a company who knows how to scale right along with you.
It’s also a good idea to make sure you all speak the same terms. For example, look for a company who is well-versed in the labor laws in your state. If they aren’t, they’re probably not the company for you.
Research Their Workforce
You are outsourcing your business services because you need qualified individuals who are experts in their field.
Because of this, you want to look at the skill-set and professional expertise of the outsourced team. Do they have the knowledge, experience, and dedication you need?
By looking at their references and portfolio of clients, you can make a better choice about the qualifications of your potential outsourced team.
Consider the following:
- What is the composition of the team that will be assigned to your account?
- What roles do they play?
- How will they manage your onboarding?
- Can they handle growing with your business?
- Is there senior staff that will participate in the planning and development of your account?
- Will your implementation team be the same as your ongoing service team?
Discuss Cost
You want to be completely clear on the financial terms of your contract with the business services company. This eliminates any hidden or unseen costs.
Be sure you understand the pricing model and payment schedules as well. This is one place where you want all the details so there aren’t any misunderstandings. Make sure to also consider how these costs will change as you scale .
Final Thoughts
Finding a quality partner consists of finding the right people who can manage your processes. When you hire right, document your expectations, outline the process and leave nothing unsaid, you’re well on the way to finding the perfect fit for your outsourcing needs.
Quality matters and finding a trustworthy business partner in your outsourcing company is an invaluable benefit for your startup.
Are you a new startup ready to succeed? Are you looking to get your new business off the ground and watch it rise to success? We are here for you. We can help answer your questions and guide you through the process. Outsource your HR duties, finances, payroll and more to us. Contact Escalon today to get started.
Image: Brooke Lark on Unsplash
