Home Sourcing versus Outsourcing

8 replies
Has anyone here tried to make a point of hiring people from the same country or region where you reside?

I've been able to hire some Americans this year (and a few Canadians too). With the American economy challenged right now, I believe there are more people who could use the work right here at home, and even better hiring opportunities than normal. That said, they still have to be skilled and have a good attitude. Have you tried home sourcing? And has it crossed you mind that you wanted to do something that helps the people around you?
#home #outsourcing #sourcing #versus
  • Profile picture of the author LondonPaladin
    I have tried to hire local people and I have actually had more problems that with outsourcing. I have certainly been disappointed by some of the outsourcing websites but local people charge WAY more than they are worth. I had a videographer who wanted 75bucks and hour and he owned no cameras or computers and had no experience. It's a hassle either way.
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  • Profile picture of the author dvduval
    Yes, this is the same problem I had. I have hired some Americans, and even give them the first shot if there is choice, but I agree that often the quality of the work just isn't comparable, and it really bothers me. I don't understand why Wal-mart is the biggest employer in America, yet there are so many jobs I could hire people for that pay more if only they had the training.
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  • Today the so-called 3rd world (Far East etc.) is becoming more developed. In contrast the Western countries are facing an economic crisis. Therefore the difference in price between hiring a local contractor and a non-local contractor is diminishing. Bottom Line, you have to review each candidate for your job without being misled by pre-conceptions.
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  • Profile picture of the author seanicasia
    Personally, it depends on what I need to get done.

    If I know that freelancers from a specific country are known for, say, IT programming, then I'd most likely stick with them.

    But if for example, I need articles written, and my home country people are native English speakers, then I might just save time and hire them.

    Of course, whichever the country, what counts for me is a good track record and testimonials for that person's work.

    hope this helps!
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  • Profile picture of the author Kenster
    I've done both...both can be a nightmare and both can go smoothly, so its a toss up as to which one is "better" or "easier"


    At the end of the day, hiring and particularly building a team is one of the toughest tasks of entrepreneurs. Your employees or team play a substantial role in making or breaking a business!


    ~ken
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    • Profile picture of the author Silas Hart
      I'd say it depends on the business, and what you need them to do.

      I started outsourcing everything, but I always needed to be there to teach and moderate, that often I found myself doing projects I was paying others for. I don't want to make a stereotypical remark and say outsourcing produces bad quality, but in my experience, a little extra money can go a long way.

      I pay an American $300 a week to post my eBay ads, write descriptions, put them on my websites, watermark my images, wtc. He works probably 30 hours a week, give or take. It was completely worth the increase in my expenses going from an outsourced person to an American.

      I used to outsource my accountant to track my expenses, determine how much my affiliates and employees make, determine how much money is needed to meet requirements, and how much is money I have tied up in inventory. When you sell physical products on several different platforms, it seems like money is flying around. I sure as heck couldn't keep track of it. Now I pay an actual local accountant to track everything for me, and she showed me how to set up Quickbooks and stuff. When I outsourced, it seems like I was always bending over backwards for them and their time constraints in order to save a couple bucks. It wasn't worth it.

      Software? I'll never have this outsourced again. I've done this at least 10 times before I really learned my lesson. I would outsource programming, and what would happen is that I would get almost a "shell" of a software. It didn't really function well, always had a ton of bugs, and these were some of the top freelancers. I would always need to hire someone, either a Canadian, American, or European to almost completely rewrite the coding and tweak it to get it into what I needed.

      Communication is sooo important, and I completely underestimated it in the beginning. Not to sound rude, but it's my business, not me, who doesn't have the time to work around other peoples cultures, holidays, schedules, temperaments, attitudes. Most of my "Home sourcing" has been quick, professional, and to the point, and has always came with some sort of garuntee to get what I needed done perfectly.
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      • Profile picture of the author TK1
        From my experience I can say people from 3rd world countries etc. are often times more dedicated to make you happy when they serve you (of course not ALL).

        A lot of peole I've hired locally are often overpriced and more often cocky as hell.

        In my personal opinion I take the 3rd world people all day long as long as it's not somebody advising me on my finances
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  • Profile picture of the author dvduval
    I have a mix of both really. I find quality can vary based on the task as well. Some countries don't produce good programmers, but may provide cheap labor. I have found that often the so called "cheap labor" can be lacking in quality though, and mostly everything I do needs quality.
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