If you run an online business, you should learn about outsourcing. I recently had the opportunity to chat with Fabio Rosati, the CEO of Elance.com. This is part of the interview. Learn the ins-and-outs of how to outsource in the full interview.
Bryan: How do you recommend that a small business get started with outsourcing?
Fabio: We recommend that a small business get started with a small test project to get a feel for how Elance works. Before hiring, the Employer can review the worker’s online profile, which includes their digital portfolio, skill test scores and feedback ratings from prior employers. Once hired, the employer and online worker will use the virtual workroom to communicate, deliver files and track milestones associated with the project. Once the trusted relationship has been established, they may decide to manage that person using Elance’s hourly model, or continue on a project-by-project basis.
Bryan:What is one of your favorite success stories of a business that has grown and improved thanks to outsourcing on Elance?
Fabio: There are many great stories about small businesses who take their companies from idea to launch on Elance like Qittle (case study) or VintageandRare.com (case study). I particularly like the story of Lancaster Advertising, an advertising agency based in Lewisville, Texas that used to have two office buildings and a loss on its balance sheet. Today, the firm has only a few employees, no buildings and a healthy profit. Owner Ken Lancaster draws from more than 100 Elance workers worldwide to run his successful agency.
Bryan: What do you feel is one of the most overlooked tasks that could be handled on Elance?
Fabio: People naturally think of Elance for technical projects and web and mobile development efforts, however there are many tasks that can be easily and cost-effectively handled on Elance including online marketing, blog or newsletter writing, virtual assistants and event coordinators.
Bryan: What advice would you give to someone starting an online business?
Fabio: There’s a new way to start a business. Today you can launch a business without renting an office and without hiring employees. It’s the no overhead start-up. All you need is Elance and cloud-based tools like Amazon Web Services or Google Apps Marketplace and you can be up and running.
Bryan: Which online tools do you recommend for businesses just getting started?
Fabio: Elance, of course, we think is a great way to find professionals to help you build and grow your business. Skype is a great communication tool for real-time voice and chat communication as well as screen sharing. Cloud-based solutions like Google Docs for collaboration and Google App Engine for hosting services.
Bryan: What blogs are you reading? What one of the recent business books you’ve read?
Fabio: I read a lot of different blogs but some of the ones on my regular list are GigaOm, Mashable and TechCrunch. I read a lot of business books, my favorite business author is Jim Collins. A recent book that I believe has staying power is Daniel Pink’s Drive. It talks about what motivates people in the workplace. On Elance, we see a large community of incredible professionals doing great work and embracing a lifestyle that helps them to be independent, successful and reach their full potential. Since we are building the workplace of the future, we are very interested in what motivates people to do great work.
Learn the ins-and-outs of how to outsource in the full interview.
