But it has been getting a lot of press lately.
Outsourcing is a part of business. A necessary part of business, no matter what business you’re in or how big your business is. It’s socially responsible, both domestically as well as globally. Outsourcing to technology has been a part of all of our lives for a long time. Computers, bank machines, and more recently… web/mobile apps—anything that makes our lives easier and gives us more control. And we’re OK with that. So, why do we have prejudice against a call centre that’s off-shore? Yes, there may be a language barrier, and yes, it’s frustrating when employees aren’t empowered to help us. And yes, change can be scary, but, why do we act like the sky is falling if our employer exercises their right to manage their business to stay competitive in a global marketplace? I’ll tell you why. Aside from a subconscious and deep-rooted prejudice, it’s all ego. It’s a blatant selfishness that shows up in the form of passionate desire to protect our ass, job and what we believe is our basic entitlements. And that’s not entirely a bad thing, it’s just that it’s not your employers responsibility to offer you these securities. That’s YOUR responsibility. If you don’t want to be replaced, be irreplaceable.
Ego for an employer can come in the form of motivators like power, status and greed. And even if they are sound business decisions, I’m not suggesting that there aren’t employers out there who mis-manage and perpetuate the anxiety of unemployment by running around with secret information that they don’t communicate. I’ve been there. I’ve sat in a room with HR and VP’s as they’ve delicately pushed an envelope across a table to me. Five minutes earlier I was obliviously sending a fax. (Remember those?) And now they’re throwing money at me to go away quietly. I had no idea it was coming. There was no communication. I was shocked, angry, and took it deeply personal. 15 years later I can tell you that moment was pivotal in my professional (and personal) life. It was the best thing that ever happened to me. It opened my eyes to the control I had of my own life. And prior to that moment, I never would have had the guts to leave. I was a prisoner of an imaginary job security that was directly tied to my mortgage payments and the well-being of my family. Today, I realize that there is no such thing as security. Not in business, or in life. We captain our own ships. For good or bad. Ans a job does not make your family happy… YOU do.
Regardless of what side of the leadership fence you sit on, I encourage you to arm yourself with knowledge. You need knowledge to sail, otherwise you’re just adrift. And what better way to do that then to listen to industry leaders giving you the straight goods on what outsourcing really means? Not just information relevant to an employer or employee, but also to our economy—domestically and globally. You may be surprised at what you learn. True context in any argument eliminates a certain amount of ignorance. Wouldn’t you rather operate from a place of knowledge? I do. And even though outsourcing information may not impact me directly at the moment, as a business owner, it’s MY responsibility to have all the information I need to sail… whether I plot that course or not.
If you’re in the Toronto area, I recommend attending the CORE conference. It’s a great way to gain reputable insight. Coming up on November 5th, 2013, this conference puts outsourcing under the microscope. You’ll hear speakers the likes of Don Drummond, Peter Bendor-Samuel, Rima Shouli, Jim Graham, and Dr. Ron Babin giving you information that will keep you better educated, better informed, and better prepared.
What you do with that information is up to you. That’s the beauty of owning your future.
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