Comments on: IBM 64 | Everything You Know About Outsourcing Is Dead Wrong Part 1

By: Michael of StrataManagement

Michael of StrataManagement — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 06:25:37 +0000

I started in IM about 3 years ago (only part-time though as I had another full time job) and I have never known anything to be quite as difficult to master as this gig. There’s just SO MUCH learning to be done that it can make your head spin.

From the beginning, I was very determined to be the master of ALL the different facets and layers in the IM business – but, when I look back at it, this is really like trying to be technician, the design department, the webmaster, the CEO, the marketing department, the sales department, the service and support area, the accountants department, the delivery guy and anything else you can think of that makes up a business. And that approach really does not work in the long run – mainly because you just can’t do it all yourself. Unfortunately it has taken me 3 years to work that out!!

Finally, I came to the conclusion that to make a proper go of all this, I HAVE to outsource the things I simply don’t have the ability to do along with the things I don’t WANT to do – which doesn’t leave a hell of a lot of things for me to do except perhaps pick the next product I want to market (and how I should do that), or the next niche I want to attack or work on other creative ways to build the business.

But, having said that, outsourcing can be a tricky business too so all I can say is – do your research, scan the forums and see the issues others have had and take their advice. There’s some really helpful people out there and John J would make a terrific starting point as he’s been right there in the trenches.

So good luck all and happy outsourcing…….

By: Sterling (Jeremy Frandsen)

Sterling (Jeremy Frandsen) — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 15:11:49 +0000

Yes, so far everyone we have worked with could speak English very well.

By: Dave

Dave — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 00:43:09 +0000

I have seen more and more Filipinos are offering their services. I have lots of applications for the job post I made and I would surely try these guys. I bet they understand English better, too. I’ll let you know how things work out.

By: Sterling (Jeremy Frandsen)

Sterling (Jeremy Frandsen) — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 18:27:29 +0000

Do you have any updates on how it all worked with VAs from the Philippines?

By: Sterling (Jeremy Frandsen)

Sterling (Jeremy Frandsen) — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 18:22:27 +0000

I would NEVER use India again. I did and had a bad experience, then I talked to all my IM friends and they all warned against India based on social norms there. Like, they are taught to say “YES” to every question of skill you give them regardless of if they can do the skill.

I use Filipinos with great outcomes, but it does take a while to find a really good VA.

Is outsourcing on the way out? No way, it is only going to increase in value as time goes by unless the US economy tanks enough to where I can get a US based programmer for 5 bucks an hour instead of 80 bucks an hour…

By: GLO

GLO — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 12:16:13 +0000

I think the days of outsourcing are numbered. I have used South African outsourcing companies with no benefit over those in India. By the time you take out the increased effort it seldom makes sense.

By: Lorna Li

Lorna Li — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 21:27:36 +0000

I love this podcast and what John Jonas said about outsourcing to the subcontinent hit the nail on the head. I don’t know how much time, energy & frustration I have experienced outsourcing to India and Pakistan.

From botched campaigns to mystery code injected into my website. I only just discovered outsourcing to the Philippines. I will take your advice and work only with Philippine contractors from now on. Thanks for validating my decision!

By: mark harrison

mark harrison — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 10:59:53 +0000

Hey guys, Great podcast even if your outsource guru comes across as Mr Angry at times :)I have tried a few and I have to say, he is right that the best work I have had done for me has come from the Philippines because previously I have had terrible, I mean really terrible experiences with freelance sites and freelancers from India so this podcast was a great source of info. Cheers!

By: MattjDrake

MattjDrake — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 15:11:04 +0000

Funny – I remember listening to this a few months ago. Indeed I have since found this advice to be very useful – I now have two VA working for me even though I fell flat on my face before with VAs from GetFriday (India).

By: Shutterguy

Shutterguy — Mon, 25 May 2009 20:12:23 +0000

Hey guys,

You promised part 2…hurry up and get it posted. You’re making me wait too long!!!!

(-;

Have a great day,
Mike

By: Greg

Greg — Tue, 19 May 2009 11:00:38 +0000

Awesome interview. What an eye opener. I just barely started IM (3 months or so ago) and as fun as it is – it really takes time to learn each useful skill. The interview really got me thinking: do I really need to become an expert on everything that has to do with IM?

Thanks for the awesome tips!