Getting Through Outsourcing Without Losing Out

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In this episode...

Getting Through Outsourcing Without Losing Out

https://faithfulontheclock.com/getting-through-outsourcing-without-losing-out

Outsourcing is a common way that companies save money, but how can you approach it from a Christian standpoint? Find out in Episode 92 of Faithful on the Clock.

Timestamps:

[00:04] - Intro

[00:33] - Outsourcing definition; invitation to review Episode 67 on layoffs

[01:37] - Leaders must value the relationships they have with both the people being laid off and being hired during the outsourcing process. 

[02:24] - Honoring relationship means seeing people as your neighbor, starting by praying for them.

[03:05] - God might end up using you to take care of the people you hire.

[03:50] - Leaders should look at the circumstances of the people they are letting go and make sure they have the support necessary to transition to other work.

[05:15] - There is a heavy emotional inflence of outsourcing on those asked to leave. Being asked to train your own replacement can be especially painful.

[06:39] - Have clearity about what’s going on through the outsourcing to avoid worsening an us-versus-them situation.

[07:28] - As a worker being let go during outsourcing, don’t give in to the temptation to be angry or envious. Remember you represent Jesus right until the end and don’t give anyone a reason to doubt your integrity.

[10:27] - It can be helpful to try to see the big picture of the company’s goals. In some cases, outsourcing is not done out of greed, but a genuine desire to be able to continue forward toward a good mission. But leaders need to look far enough ahead that outsourcing does not come as a surprise if it becomes necessary.

[12:03] - Outsourcing is appropriate if you can protect those involved and put relationships first. It’s not appropriate for immediate gains, because the potential drop in quality can cause long-term damage to the company’s trust and reputation.

[13:06] - Prayer

[13:47] - Outro/What’s coming up next

Key takeaways:

• Outsourcing is not something companies do just to expand to another region. Rather it is a money-saving strategy. It is closely related to layoffs, as companies often let local workers go to hire in different areas where costs are cheaper.
• Honoring the relationship you have with people is central to handling outsourcing well. It requires you to ask yourself what is loving, both for the local workers being laid off and the new workers being hired. Start by asking God to deliver what they might need, but understand and take accountability for the fact God might use you to take care of them.
• Look at the circumstances the people involved have and ensure you transition them through outsourcing properly. A big part of this is giving local workers time to move on or showing other support, such as providing proper severance. 
• Consider the emotional influence of outsourcing. It’s common for companies to ask local workers to hire their own replacements, but that can make those workers feel devalued and depressed. Make sure that if workers must train others, they have the room to express their feelings about it.
• Clarity through outsourcing is essential to prevent an us-versus-them mentality from growing and ensure everyone cooperates in the way necessary for success through the process. Communicate well with solid rationales and be definitive.
• Local workers who are being let go might feel angry and envious. If you’re in that position, don’t give in to the temptations those emotions might present. Although it’s important to acknowledge how tough the outsourcing is on you, remember you still represent Jesus and try to see the potential opportunity He has in the situation.
• As a local worker being let go through the outsourcing process, try to consider the larger mission of the company. It might be that there is no other viable way for the company to be able to continue its mission if they don’t use outsourcing to lower costs. Understanding that can help you not to take the loss personally. But leaders need to think ahead and be honest about when, if at all, outsourcing might fall into their growth plans. Outsourcing shouldn’t come as a shock to anyone in the business.

CTAs:

• Review your company’s financials and trends within your industry to reassess the potential (or lack thereof) for outsourcing.
• Talk to your leadership about the conditions under which they would outsource and which departments would likely be involved. Communicate what would be most helpful if the company were forced to outsource.

What’s coming up next:

Personal crises are incredibly common in work teams. Episode 93 of Faithful on the Clock discusses how to get and provide Christian-oriented support through those situations.

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