By Angela King
Keywords: cost effective, outsourcing jobs
Physical, cultural and legal barriers exist with outsourcing jobs, including those in the writing industry. The economic pitfalls of outsourced writing to other countries outweighs the benefits because it is not a cost-effective business practice. In addition, communication barriers, cultural differences and physical distance hinder a productive working relationship. Consider these reasons why outsourced writing is not cost effective and how the use of domestic writing groups increase profit.
Understanding semantics is vital to effective communication. Foreign writers often fail to grasp the fundamentals of the English language and therefore cannot adhere to basic writing guidelines. Outsourcing jobs to foreign writers causes domestic companies to adjust completion dates to allow time for multiple edits and additional writer training. Valuable time and money are lost because of language barriers alone.
Cultural differences often reflect in the written work furnished by outsourced writing groups. Not entrenched in U.S. culture, the foreign writer may fail to reach the appropriate audience. Likewise, a foreign writer may interject cultural bias into his writing. Articles that consistently require revision to meet expectations are not cost effective.
From a legal perspective, outsourced writing does not always comply with the intellectual property laws. Foreign writers, overwhelmed by mass writing assignments and long hours, often resort to cutting and pasting articles together from other sources.
One effect of abnormal work hours due to outsourcing jobs to foreign writers is a decline in the physical and mental health of the workforce. Poor health, induced by stress and anxiety, is a growing concern among outsource companies. In India, where 1.6 million people are involved in outsource projects, a majority of the workers suffer from depression and sleep disorders. Domestic companies who hire foreign, outsourced workers are compelled to counter the affects of poor work conditions with extra pay, gym memberships, healthcare benefits and free counseling, which are not cost effective for the company.
Time zones and the physical distance between the domestic company and the outsourced writing group present unique challenges. The lack of normal business hours hinders the working relationship of the company and the outsourced writing group. A lack of communication about article questions and edits in a timely manner further erode a fragile writing timetable.
The cost effective alternative to outsourcing jobs to foreign writers is to utilize the professional domestic writing workforce. Domestic writers have a command of the English language, are familiar with the various styles of writing and require no special training. Domestic writers are a part of the culture for which they write, and time zone constraints are hardly an issue. The cost effective solution to supply the writing needs of a company is to hire capable, professional domestic writers.
A stay-at-home mom with a background in research and history, Angela King is a freelance writer for Writers Research Group.
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