No business is fully immune to the impacts of market and economic conditions. An economic downturn is usually fueled by factors largely out of individual companies’ control, which can impact the entire industry, the national economy, or even the entire world.
Surviving through a recession is a high-pressure exercise in change management, and companies must be flexible and adaptable. Economic recessions cause consumers to prioritize finances and reduce spending. As sales decline, companies usually cut costs and postpone new investments.
As technology moves towards becoming more and more embedded into business, it’s important to remember that just because an IT activity is business-critical, that only means some of its elements have to be kept in-house. Some may even be better left outsourced to third-party companies.
Before the COVID-19 Global Pandemic, there was a Global Recession between 2009 and 2010. It is estimated that about 8.7 million jobs were lost, and 1.8 million small businesses closed. IBM, Apple, Cisco, and many other global leaders have suffered, but many startup companies were forced to shut down.
Currently, as the global economy is experiencing a slowdown, the market is quite unstable and many companies have financial and employment difficulties. The economy and inflation were also affected by pandemics and other economic and political factors.
The October 2022 World Economic Outlook report contains some alarming statistics. The global inflation rate is expected to rise from 4.7% in 2021 to 6.5% in 2023. Recession is usually seen as a negative phenomenon that affects businesses and quality of life. As challenging as the recession might be, it still provides businesses with an opportunity to recover and thrive in the long run.
For many businesses, IT outsourcing can be a game changer during a recession. Business success depends on operational efficiency, which can be achieved through the automation of processes and IT innovations.
According to Deloitte 2020 global outsourcing study, 70% of companies outsource to reduce costs.
Outsourcing as a Recession-Proof Strategy for Businesses
In times of recession, outsourcing can be a real asset that allows companies to reduce costs, streamline operations, and reap many other benefits.
Business owners who need to reduce overhead or cut unnecessary expenses will greatly benefit from outsourcing. The cost of running your IT services in-house is high since you must purchase all the required equipment and software. Furthermore, you might waste money on programs and equipment you don’t need or use very often. Not to mention the cost of maintaining an in-house team that includes employee benefits, taxes, retention costs, vacation and sick leave compensations (when an employee leaves, there is no one to replace them, resulting in downtime costs), and management expenses.
In-house software development teams are expensive because they require more resources and training than out-of-house dedicated teams. Teams at in-house organizations typically have more engineers, developers, architects, testers, and project managers. This extra workforce can eventually lead to higher costs due to increased work demands and longer timelines.
Additionally, managing an in-house development team often requires more leadership skills and experience than is available from outside sources. Another expense associated with having an in-house development team is employee training and education.
In addition, offshoring allows companies to cut costs for low-level tasks. You can use the savings to retain your core in-house team and continue to innovate. Alternatively, outsourcing allows you to delegate complex or highly specialized tasks to professionals, which would otherwise be difficult to complete on your own.
Development rates, which also affect project costs, differ according to the location of the company, the developers’ expertise, and their seniority.
When companies outsource work, they save costs by moving the work to countries with lower labor costs. The reason is that labor costs are higher in those countries, quality workers are available, and companies can control staff quality.
In today’s ever-evolving and increasingly competitive business landscape, outsourcing has become one of the most effective strategies for businesses to stay ahead in a recessive economy. Outsourcing can help organizations maximize efficiency while minimizing costs. Outsourcing certain tasks and functions allows businesses to access specialized skills and services they may not have in-house. This allows them to quickly adapt to changing market conditions without investing heavily in their internal operations.
Moreover, outsourcing enables organizations to focus on core competencies and preserve valuable resources by leveraging economies of scale. By offloading non-core activities like data entry or accounting, companies can focus on developing products and services that increase their competitive advantage. Furthermore, choosing an experienced outsourced vendor specializing in the relevant sector can provide expert advice on investing resources and identifying areas needing improvement.
In addition to increased efficiency and cost savings, another major benefit of outsourcing is flexibility. Companies can be flexible with their recruiting needs – only bringing in extra staff during peak periods – when demand is high – or only when needed for specific project goals. This kind of ‘on-demand’ support allows teams to adjust based on customer needs while saving money on recruitment costs and additional overhead expenses associated with managing an employee workforce.
Ultimately, outsourcing is a great way for businesses to remain agile during times of economic downturn and meet consumer demands more effectively. By relying upon reliable vendors with trusted track records and highly skilled personnel, businesses can enjoy improved performance through optimized processes that greatly reduce operational costs without sacrificing quality or customer satisfaction.
Bottom Line
The future of the global economy is uncertain, but one thing is for sure: businesses need to invest in outsourcing services and their own enterprise solutions to stay competitive. Outsourcing can help businesses save money while improving efficiency and productivity. Additionally, outsourcing services can help companies expand into new markets or hire new employees. By investing in these solutions, companies can ensure their future success and the continued growth of the global economy.