Well I don't know what you are asking them to do, but I know exactly what you are talking about. I've experienced the same problem. However, it's my problem & not theirs. Here is my perspective on your challenge now. I'm the entrepreneur. I'm the one who is supposed to supply the creativity from the top of the business. I then get workers to do the work.

Contractors can quantify submitting x number of links takes them x hours. They can't quantify come up with a solution to this problem. And they don't care, because if they did, they would go create their own business to solve problems instead of just doing menial work.

So, I now know that if there is a problem & I go to a contractor with it, then I know I'm going to be SOL. So I now evaluate everything that I'm asking them to do so that I'm not leaving anything up to discretion.

So, I've created a system & just plug contractors into the system. If a problem comes up, then I know I must solve it. If I need creativity, I need to do it or find someone who solely does creative stuff.

I hope this helps.

i agree too

You can outsource the "quality control" too, of course. Hire a project manager to oversee your entire project (they do all the hiring, firing, all the back-and-forth communication with the workers, and basically whatever it takes until your entire project is completed to spec).

That will cost you more $ than managing the project yourself, obviously, but it's also a LOT less of a headache (assuming you have a competent project manager, of course).

If you can figure out how to logically chunk every key task and assignment you have, you can restructure your payments so that the contractor gets 20% less per hour, and a 20% bonus upon completion of a chunk. I tell them right up front this is how I like to pay so that there is clarity on why I'm offering less than what they want per hour. Out of 10 candidates, five will accept these terms.

The creativity problem is a more complex issue. Extensive testing helps. Before they take the test, it helps to give video instructions for clarity and comprehension, and text references for them to easily read and reread in preparation.

One effective tactic I've used for bringing out more creativity and innovation is forcing a step-by-step explanation of their decisions. See, when you and I make creative decisions, we do so on the fly by doing several steps in our heads. Less creative people can't do this well, but you can coerce it out of them by forcing them to justify each decision point. As an example:

[ outsourcer has been assigned to find blogs that are unusual in their niche]

Record:
Blog website:
what is unusual about this blog?
Explain why the answer above is unusual.
Grade [do not write here: for supervisor only]

----------------

Most outsourcers will try and give one-word answers in the justification questions. When I see this I clamp down hard, and force them to give good, solid answers. It works pretty well for those who are able to make the change.

What's funny is when you ask for work samples and they give you other peoples stuff... or trying to say a WP site is a drupal site, or an HTML site is a WP site. That happens all the time on odesk.

Outsourcing does not necessarily mean you have to get the work done in some foreign country. You could for example try a local college. Depending on what your 'Creative' needs are. When I need 'stuff' done I keep my dang dollars at home. There are young creative types all over the place that are 'starving artist' Start looking local, and a lot of your issues disappear. no your not going to get stuff done for $5 but you might be amazed what can get done for $20

I have had very good experience at SEOClerks. Contrary to other more famous sites mentioned here, this site has majority of serious experts who give you consistently good results.

hey, I always have people looking for work who are responsible and stay with me for a while... It depends on what you need... do let me know...

Sorry to dig out this old thread but I read it and it resonated with me. So I'll just go ahead and share my thoughts about this.

To the original poster, if you earned $300 per hour, then I believe you can afford to hire a real professional virtual assistant. What I mean by that is a specialized professional that comes from the US and might charge up to $70 an hour or something like that.

With a virtual assistant like this, you can be pretty sure that they will take ownership of your project and they will behave in a very professional manner. Then disappearing on you like it can happen with virtual assistants from outsourcing platforms will not be the smartest move. Such professional virtual assistants really have to look out for their reputation. It is all a question of return of interest.

If you're time is as valuable as you write in your post, then trying out several assistants at a much lower income range and having bad experiences with that will be much more expensive than finding a hugely professional but very expensive virtual assistant and then having a good experience with them.

From my point of view, the countries aren't really an issue with finding the virtual assistant that is self-reliable. I have had also hired virtual assistants from Bangladesh, the Philippines, Pakistan, India, China and other countries.

The only issue I can point out are different levels of language barriers. Especially in the Philippines, I believe there are some special cultural traits you have to be aware of as well. But then in the end, this is also true for China and India.

In the end, you will find great virtual assistants all over the world. But to really find a true gem that does the work in the right way, with the right attitude and the right consistency boils down, in my opinion, to simple trial and error.

Oh geeze...."sorry to dig up this old thread"...so that you can promote your virtual assistance service?

Honest to God I would never...and I mean never...have anything to do with anyone who would shamelessly promote themselves that way

what is wrong around here?

I agree. I have 500 web pages that need to be written and posted ASAP (for my clients) and yet I can't seem to trust anyone to help me. Even paying someone $25 or more for a couple of paragraphs hasn't worked.

I do have a few people working with me but they all live in my local area. I am turning down a lot of work because apparently, I haven't mastered outsourcing yet.

That's awesome, you may go on!

Hi there,

It's a process of elimination. Good freelancers will eventually get a job if they have any ambition at all.

We've gone through several on guru this year that have been painful experiences but we've managed to find some great people in Russia. The language barrier has been high and difficult but the quality of the work has been excellent in some cases.

It's a never ending problem. Keep trying!

All the best,

Sasha.

If you are looking for an outsourcing company that is also packed with creative stuff, I recommend June Spring Contact Solution or June Spring Multimedia. you may visit their website to know more.

You're better off to hire someone from a forum if you want creativity and accountability. They will be more like-minded. Also, use Elance not oDesk. I spent my $10k on oDesk and I've reached the conclusion it's not as good.

As for me, I prefer the help of such services like for outsourcing job. They do their job very nice for me. Have a look there too

Hi,

In my experience sourcing from Phillipines is the best.
They tend to be more loyal and hard working and if you mention you have jobs for other members of their family that gets them onside too.

In terms not being able to be creating and proactive, pick a couple of people and just hire them for small jobs to test their ability and whether they can be proactive and think on their feet.
Only then trust them with larger jobs.
That's what I do.

Obviously review feedback first and start small with them before giving them larger jobs.

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