Management Survival Guide: choosing IT sourcing providers

Whom to select to source your IT services demands? The free agent or the international renowned big name? One off delivery or preferred supplier?

Managers are busy enough running the business, leaving ample time for in depth analysis. Specialist resources can be employed to do this. But in the end it is you who needs to decide. Our compact 3x3 reflections can help you to make better decisions.

Performance, not price

• Going for the cheapest results in 99% of the cases in lower quality and output. End result: the most expensive scenario.
• Purchasing departments hardly ever have the ability to choose on quality. Let them handle contracts, not selection.
• Those willing to share your risks are more likely to bring you success. Ask for lower fixed costs and a variable result fee.

Big is just big, small is just small

• Large sourcing companies just have more people. On average not better ones than small companies.
• You pay for headquarters, marketing and management layers. An independent consultant only sells himself.
• Direct access to resolving executing power is more important than anything else. Make sure you know who to call when escalation is required.

Select a person, hire the company

• In the end it is all about the individual persons doing the job. Not about the friendly account manager.
• Don't go for (cheaper?) strategic partnerships straight away. Only after proving more than once and with more than one person.
• Try before you buy using your own work floor. Within days they judge best on actual performance and attitude.

Bottom line

For commodity tasks commoditized sourcing is enough. For "must solve" tasks finding the best actions are required.

Contact me if you need more detailed help.