Demystifying Outsourcing

THE DEFINITIVE RESOURCE ON OUTSOURCING Outsourcing is the hottest topic in business, and it will likely stay that way. Managers, workers, executives, and almost anyone else involved in any large business will probably have to deal with it one day, in one way or another. Outsourcing is a business issue first and foremost, but it's also a political, personal, and cultural issue that many people, not least managers and executives, find difficult to fully understand. Outsourcing documents the theory, facts, myths, benefits, and costs of outsourcing and gives managers the information they need to implement an outsourcing program that will help their business the most and hurt their employees the least. Bringing together noted academics, corporate leaders, and outsourcing practitioners, the book covers all the major topics in the outsourcing debate, but also presents expert guidance for business leaders dealing with the practical side of this global issue: What outsourcing is and is not Which companies can benefit from it Incentives and implications Notable successes and failures Outsourcing for small and large companies Communicating about outsourcing Outsourcing terminology And much more

As companies in growing numbers look to outsource functions not related to their core competencies, Bragg's work provides an excellent road map. Demonstrating a firm grasp of the topic, he intelligently walks the reader through the maze, analyzing all aspects of the process (including whether the function should or should not be outsourced). This is a must-read for both novices and veterans alike. –Mary S. Schaeffer Editorial Director and Publisher Accounts Payable Now & Tomorrow «Steve Bragg's Outsourcing gives business decision-makers the insights needed to make the case for or against outsourcing. The first half provides a thorough discussion of all aspects, including evaluating risks and rewards, selecting, contracting, and terminating. The second half provides in-depth analysis of ten different types of outsourcing services, including janitorial, customer service, and accounting. This book provides practical advice that will benefit everyone regardless of the extent of their prior experience.» –Dr. Will Yancey, PHD, CPA Independent Consultant «Once again, Steve Bragg has compiled a comprehensive, well-written book that will yield an excellent return on time invested by readers. This is a must-have guide in outsourcing for any manager, whether newly exposed or an expert. I came away with some great ideas from the book!» –James A. Bologa Executive Vice President and CFO Daticon Inc. «Use of carefully considered outsourcing can be a critical component of any corporate strategy. In Outsourcing, Steve Bragg has given an excellent overview of why and when outsourcing should be considered, some precautionary thoughts, and specifics of how to successfully implement and manage any outsourced functions. He has created an excellent guide to the use of outsourcing as a means to enhance corporate success in today's challenging business climate.» –Richard V. Souders President and CEO Premier Data Services

Outsourcing became fashionable in the late 1980s, came of age in the 1990s, and is now a normal part of corporate life. Written by well-known and respected business authors and incorporating new research from Copenhagen Business School, this book covers the newest elements of outsourcing today and discusses how strategic alliances should be established between the buyer and supplier. Topics explored throughout include the scope, scale and importance of what is outsourced; the pricing and risk sharing involved; and changes to organizations which lead them to seek more outsourcing.

Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) is becoming the new revolution as company's of all sizes are seeking to take advantage of this source of competitive advantage. This book provides a step-by-step approach to understanding the application of Business Process Outsourcing, assessing the BPO opportunity in the company, and then managing the transition to BPO. It serves as a guide to implementing BPO and as a reference source to solving the variety of issues that may arise during a BPO initiative. Each chapter features a case study, insight from a practitioner, focus on how BPO affects people, and ethical considerations. * Discusses both the how and why of business process outsourcing with a straightforward «how to» approach. * Provides managers with the tools to analyse the BPO opportunities for their own firms, as well as techniques and strategies for managing a BPO initiative. * Empowers businesses of all sizes to take advantage of this all-encompassing business revolution.

In this book, human resource management and training expert Judy Hale demystifies training outsourcing and details how companies can successfully outsource their training and development needs—from the entire learning function to selected services and programs. It also covers the labyrinth of contractual, interpersonal, and legal dimensions inherent in any decision to partner with another service provider. Filled with practical tips, guidelines, and plenty of tools, this book explains how to determine What type of external resources will be required What to expect of external resources What will be required in terms of program deliverables, reports, quality assurance, risk management, and reporting relationships The level of readiness to outsource deliverables ranging from managing the training and development function to specific program elements The contractual elements that best protect an organization’s interests How to collaborate effectively with all of the functions involved in outsourcing decisions

In Human Resources Business Process Outsourcing, Edward E. Lawler III, Dave Ulrich, Jac Fitz-enz (the foremost experts in the human resource field) and James C. Madden V (the CEO of the top HR outsourcing firm), clearly show how outsourcing offers an effective, low-cost alternative to traditional administration and provides HR managers with new opportunities to contribute directly to their companies' overall strategy and business performance. Step by step, the authors explore how the HR function in corporations is structured and include a template for analyzing a HR department’s value, value added, and cost-to-serve. In this important resource, the authors explain new approaches organizations can take to improve HR administration and demonstrate how HR functions can be best organized.

This book will provide the fundamentals of business process outsourcing for the busy executive who needs to get up to speed. It will have such features as checklists, tips and techniques, and case studies. * Written in a user friendly style that allows senior level financial executives to get a solid foundation of what business process outsourcing is and how it can benefit their companies. * Provides managers with the tools to analyse the BPO opportunities for their own firms, as well as techniques and strategies for managing a BPO initiative. * Shows managers how a BPO strategy can save the company money and create jobs domestically. * Both authors are consultants and advisers to industry-leading companies and frequent speakers at business forums and conferences.

[b]DEMYSTIFYING RESEARCH FOR MEDICAL & HEALTHCARE STUDENTS All healthcare students need to understand research methods to be able to understand research articles and to actively engage in research where necessary. Most clinical programs include research training within their courses, and many students are required to undertake an assessed research project—both at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Breaking down the jargon barriers of research methods, and designed for those new to the world of research, Demystifying Research is a straightforward and highly accessible guide to fundamental research methods, approaches, and skills. This student-friendly resource describes quantitative and qualitative research approaches, mixed research methods, research ethics and governance, research skills and more. Step-by-step, students learn to appraise research in scholarly articles, design a project, and conduct research in the lab, in clinical practice, and other real-life situations. Technical jargon and classic research are explained in plain English, while relevant theory is illustrated through relatable examples of research in practice. Designed to make learning about research easy, this valuable guide: Explains basic research methods in a direct and engaging style Breaks research methods down into manageable, easy-to-digest pieces Defines what research is, and provides an overview of its methods and methodologies Covers all key areas of research, including observational and experimental approaches, and clinical trials Includes real-life examples of successful student research projects Features a companion website containing lecture slides available to download in PowerPoint Demystifying Research is a must-have for undergraduate and postgraduate medical, nursing, other healthcare and social sciences students, as well as professionals looking to refresh their knowledge.

Praise for Demystifying Technical Training «Demystifying Technical Training is a must-read for CLOs, managers of training, instructors, and instructional designers. All who read it will gain critical insights into how to lower the cost and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of learning.» —Wm. Douglas Harward, CEO and founder of Training Industry, Inc. «Individuals interested in and accountable for deriving significant value from technical training investments will gain great benefit from reading this book and applying its wisdom.» —Karen Kocher, CLO at Cigna Healthcare «Demystifying Technical Training is an essential, complete guide for any learning organization. The overviews and concepts are clearly stated, while the case studies and sidebars provide practical examples you can apply in your situation.» —Jean Barbazette, president of The Training Clinic and author of Managing the Training Function for Bottom-Line Results «Considering the cost of acquiring and developing talent, why wouldn't all CEO/COOs insist on investing in people to improve results and reduce risk? This book demystifies the process of developing technical experts to increase the return on investment in human capital. Bravo!» —Martin J. Menard, former group CIO at Intel Corporation «Technical training is a key to sustaining competitiveness in the new economy. Learn how to leverage and optimize its value in your organization through this wonderfully insightful and practical resource.» —Dr. Arthur L. Jue, director of global organization and talent development at Oracle and co-author of Social Media at Work: How Networking Tools Propel Organizational Performance «Don't be misled by the title—this book—while focusing on the often segmented world of domain specific job skills—provides guidance valid for the full spectrum of workforce learning from soft-skills to 'technical' skills.» —Ruth Clark, principal and president of Clark Training & Consulting and author of e-Learning and the Science of Instruction

The first in-depth look at one of the world's richest-and most secretive-businessmen Though his wealth is certainly no secret, the world's fourth richest man remains an enigma. Paul Allen made his fortune as Bill Gates's partner in Microsoft, supplemented it with questionable, though often profitable, venture capital schemes, and has since invested his wealth in a widely divergent list of interests. He owns the NBA's Portland Trailblazers and the NFL's Seattle Seahawks. Among hundreds of smaller ventures, he is a primary stakeholder in the film production company DreamWorks SKG and formerly held a large piece of the widely despised Ticketmaster monopoly. Dubbed the «Accidental Zillionaire» by Wired magazine, Allen has often appeared to be a bumbler who succeeded primarily through luck and by coopting the visionary ideas of others. In The Accidental Zillionaire, Laura Rich, one of the foremost chroniclers of the Internet economy, unravels the secret Paul Allen, his inner motivations, his vision, and his personality. She tells Allen's story from his days as a fledgling computer geek in suburban Washington state, to his role in founding the world's largest software company, to his battle with cancer, to his sycophantic flirtation with Hollywood and its brightest stars. Paul Allen is a man of various interests and passions, but few if any know him well. The Accidental Zillionaire for the first time reveals the inner workings of a towering figure in the worlds of technology, business, sports, and entertainment. Laura Rich (Los Angeles, CA) is a former writer for The Industry Standard, Adweek, and Inside Media. She currently covers the world of digital entertainment for Entertainment Weekly, Fortune, and The Hollywood Reporter. She penned The Standard's popular «Rich List» report and has reported on Paul Allen for years.