Have you ever wrestled with the decision about when to outsource a training project or need. And, to whom? And, how to go about it?
Of course you have. And very few people in sales training positions have been trained in how to go about project definition, vendor selection, writing up RFPs (Request for Proposal), etc.
What is “Right-Sourcing“? In essence, it is selecting the right resources to do the job – some projects can best be accomplished with internal personnel, while many others need to be “outsourced” to vendor/partners. There are at least 10 major categories of training projects/needs that often are outsourced, and 6 key issues that you need to consider in the process (the first is the Goal – what’s the point?).
Once you know you need to outsource a project, how do you go about it? How can you clearly define the project scope, and what are the 4 major elements of an effective RFP?
At the upcoming SPBT conference, I will be co-facilitating a workshop on this topic (along with Angela Nicoletta of Novartis Pharmaceuticals). Join us during Workshop Period 4 (Wednesday, 9:45 am) for a practical and interactive workshop, and be far better equipped to successfully lead projects in your role as a training professional (and beyond). UPDATE – this workshop will also be repeated on Thursday morning!
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Thanks for the great overview on “right sourcing.”
Outsourcing is becoming more and more commonplace. The Book “The Big Switch, from Edison to Google ” by Nicholas Carr does a great job of making the case for outsourcing, and makes it clear how we already outsource many critical activities.
For example, companies used to build their own power plants and now outsource that task to centralized facilities that can do it reliably and for less. Companies like Rackspace are now becoming the resource for computer networks instead of building them in-house.
The same is now happening to the print and fulfillment of materials associated with Pharmaceutical Training. Companies like our own are building large centralized digital printing manufacturing plants, that can print materials the day they are ordered and distribute to multiple points the next day. Even cutting 1 day from a program implementation can add significant revenue to the bottom line.
Technology is opening up new avenues for outsourcing everyday. Our company, Mimeo.com, didn’t even exist 11 years ago, and is now the leading printer for training related materials.
At minimum, as learning organizations are being asked to do more with less, technology, both on the Internet and via digital print facilities should be a source of efficiency explored by all pharmaceutical companies.