Common Outsourcing Mistakes (& How To Avoid Them!) with Derek Timms | 059

Have you had bad experiences outsourcing your architectural drafting work? Don't give up yet! In this episode Jon talks to Derek Timms about avoiding common outsourcing mistakes and finding the right partner. Derek, a chartered architect with 25 years of experience, shares tips on building long-term, trusted partnerships and the benefits of early planning. Derek also talks about his role as a school governor and the importance of communication and setting clear expectations. If you're a small practice leader or sole practitioner in architecture, this episode will help you understand how to make outsourcing work for you.Today's Guest...Derek Timms is a Chartered Architect with 25 years of experience working at practices like Farrells, Gensler, and Sheppard Robson. He’s the Managing Director at The Sourcing Collective - a support studio for the AEC industry. The Sourcing Collective collaborates with surveyors, architects, interior designers, contractors, and property managers, providing architectural drafting support in BIM environments tailored to your systems and processes. This allows you and your in-house team to focus on design and add value to your projects. They also work with AJ100 practices, integrating into their teams across multiple large-scale projects.Episode Highlights...00:00 Introduction01:40 Meet Derek Timms and The Sourcing Collective04:17 Common Outsourcing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them06:49 Finding the Right Outsourcing Partner10:04 Importance of Clear Communication11:48 Setting the Right Expectations16:36 Early Planning and Avoiding Last-Minute Decisions25:31 Low-Risk Outsourcing Trials32:54 Final Thoughts on Outsourcing38:39 Derek's Favorite Travel Destination41:30 Conclusion and Next Episode PreviewKey Takeaways...✅ Think Long-TermTreat outsourcing like a partnership, not just a one-time job. When you work together over time, you can learn each other's styles and create a smoother way of working that benefits both sides.✅ Keep Communication OpenRegular updates, even on small things, help everyone stay on track. Good communication builds trust and makes outsourced teams feel like they’re part of your own business.✅ Plan AheadOutsourced teams need time to learn your processes, just like new employees. Avoid last-minute decisions that can lead to rushed results. Early planning gives you better results and a less stressful experience.Links Mentioned In The Episode...Visit Derek’s website (The Sourcing Collective)Connect with Derek on LinkedIn—--Interested in working with Jon?👉 Book a chat with Jon to explore working with him 📞Resources…👉 Grab the Architecture Business Blueprint 🎁It’s the step-by-step formula to freedom for architects, architectural technologists, and architectural designers. Get it today (without any charge).👉 Join our (free) WhatsApp Discussion Group 🎁👉 Follow or Connect with Jon on LinkedIn 🤝👇 And if you enjoyed this episode…Please leave a 5-star review or rating wherever you listen to podcasts, and don’t forget to hit the subscribe button so you never miss an episode.In The Next Episode...Next time Jon chats with branding expert Vardeep Edwards to uncover how to communicate your brand with confidence.