Outsourcing Project Managers Saves You Money and Headaches

Are you familiar with the phrase, ‘Brain Drain of Details’…?

You feel it when you’re tasked with organizing a special project, seminar, retreat, presentation…while still fulfilling the duties that appear on your actual job description.

Or you’re the leader of a new – or expanding – business and you’re being pulled in so many directions…performance reviews or in-service training look like giant hurdles on your to-do list.

It can drain the life out of you in ‘normal’ times. But COVID-19 restrictions have added more layers of complexity to events that were already cumbersome – and confusing – to plan and execute.

That’s when outsourcing project managers becomes an appealing option. They can take a big chunk of your to-do list and shrink it down to a size that doesn’t keep you up a night.

But, there are some common myths about outsourcing special projects, and it’s time to dispel them.

If you’ve never used a project manager and feel wary of bringing in an outsider, or you’ve used some outside expertise and it’s gone badly, these three points might help you rethink the process…

3 reasons you think you shouldn’t outsource special projects…and the reasons why you should

1. We don’t have the budget

This is the most common objection we hear in the industry. Companies think they can’t afford to hire an outside agency to plan a meeting, seminar, product launch…especially during these challenging times.

We suggest you can’t afford not to outsource the details. 

Why?

Ask yourself…

While your accountant is on the phone with venues, caterers, audiovisual companies, who is looking for financial efficiencies, implementing systems that could save you money?

If you, as the founder and visionary of the company, are negotiating with printing companies, scouring menus, and worrying about WiFi passwords in the venue, what is that costing your company? How could your administrative and entrepreneurial skills be put to better use?

You’ve built a team of experts…in their field. When you pull them in a different direction – or allow yourself to be pulled – you’re missing opportunities to let them excel in their role and advance your corporate goals.

In addition, a professional project manager will have long-standing relationships with vendors. They’ll find ways to meet your budget without sacrificing quality – they’ll know if the product or service you’re asking for is overpriced or a bargain that’s too good to be true.

They’ll actually save you money because of their industry knowledge.

2. An outsider won’t understand our specific needs

Yes, we really will.

Every enterprise is unique, but there are certain constants in the business of project management. And a good project manager will come with knowledge of those constants…and take the time to learn about your enterprise. 

They’ll ask you very specific questions about your company, the desired outcomes for the project – whether it’s a seminar, retreat, or product launch.

If they don’t ask you questions, that’s a red flag. 

Good project management doesn’t come with a cookie cutter. Your project manager should understand your company, its culture, mission, vision, and values, and cater to that with their delivery.

It’s not their job to impose their culture on your team. It’s their job to learn about your team and deliver a service that meets your needs.

3. My team needs to learn how to do this on their own

We agree.

We think you’ll find outsourcing project managers is so effortless, though, that even after your company has grown to a point when you can afford to hire a full-time project manager, you’ll keep us…

But, if we’ve run several projects for you and you’re ready to transition to someone in-house, they can shadow us.

We’re dedicated to collaboration with your team. We practice transparency and integrity in our communication. We want your company to grow and thrive. If sharing our expertise with you facilitates that growth, we’ve done our job.

The devil is in the details

Guess what. We love the details.

A good project manager thrives on complexity, multi-tasking, and deadlines. 

You’re already at capacity running your company, and you might feel the pressure to put one more thing on your desk..plan a new product launch, design performance reviews. 

Or ask your IT manager to plan a software launch for staff…or clients.

We get it. You’re an entrepreneur. You’re looking for mountains to climb.

We’ve already scaled this one, though, and we know a shortcut to the summit. 

Let a professional project manager take over the details and free up your time to imagine new products, new initiatives, and focus on your corporate or personal goals.

You started your business because you had a vision. We want to help you realize that vision.

We’ll follow your budget, get to know your company, and communicate our processes with transparency and integrity so your in-house team learns along the way.If you’d like to learn more about our services, you can reach us here.