Going Public with Your Outsourcing Plans
Expanding on our Secured Contract Announcements article, this section deals with appropriate ways to announce your outsourcing endeavor. It assumes that you’ve (1) decided to make an announcement, and (2) decided who will make that announcement.
What’s left is deciding what will be said, and where it will be said. Read on for more.
Stress the Benefits
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Because the reaction to an outsourcing plan can be unpredictable, some companies won’t make an announcement no matter how significant the event. They’ll additionally use a contract to force providers into silence. |
Aside from the most obvious fact that you’re outsourcing, it might be beneficial to stress the benefits of your decision over the cold, hard facts (intention to outsource, contract terms, date in which the outsourcing will commence, etc.).
Why?
Just think about the consequences. You have to remember, outsourcing is a hotly debated topic, and it isn’t always favorably viewed. Everyone isn’t going to revel in your decision to outsource, so you may want to focus the content of your announcement on how outsourcing will benefit your customers(provide example), instead of how it will benefit you and your company.
Emphasize, for example, the fact that through outsourcing, you can now offer higher quality products, finally implement green technologies, or offer expert staff consultation.
Prepare for the Backlash
Criticism for your decision may not come immediately, but there’s no reason why you shouldn’t prepare for it. People are an interesting lot. Some are very vocal(video of protesters) against outsourcing while others are more restrained.
With either group, you’ll want to prepare by writing a list of questions or complaints you might expect(outsourcing rebuttals article), and then address them ahead of time. Make sure that each answer, again, stresses the benefits of your decision over the cold, hard facts. The goal here is to calm the storm no matter how loud or quiet it is.
Face the Music
Once you’re ready, draft up that press release and send it to your list of relevant contacts. Here’s a list of online press release distribution centers to get you started.
Well thanks for the warning. LOL