Outsourcing is subcontracting a process, such as product design or manufacturing, to a third-party company. Outsourcing became part of the business lexicon during the 1980s, as project management developed as a field. It became more visible in technical communication after the 1990s, when salaries in the field rose significantly, encouraging employers to attempt to lower costs for documentation/user assistance (often regarded by business models as a 'cost center'). It is sometimes considered related to offshoring, the relocation of business processes from one country to another.
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In support of the IEEE Professional Communication Society's 50th anniversary conference, this paper suggests ways in which the technical communication profession can ensure its sustainability throughout the next 50 years of business evolution. This paper seeks to present a compelling argument directed at conventionally-employed technical communicators that a paradigm shift towards consulting employment is in their best interest - and in the technical communication profession's best interest. Because of exposure to many and varied companies and methodologies, technical communication consultants tend to have more wide-ranging and current skills that they can offer to companies over their peers who work in conventional employment arrangements. For this argument, this paper will look at how technical communicator consultants can make significant contributions to business by comparing the attributes of technical communication consultants to the attributes of the untouchables defined and discussed in The World Is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century, the maverick analysis of the globalization phenomenon by Thomas L. Friedman.
Davy, D. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication (2007). Careers>Consulting>Outsourcing>Offshoring
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Benchmarking Translation Agencies 
Whether you are new at the translation business or a veteran of many globalization projects, a benchmarking study of your translation supplier(s) is a worthwhile endeavor. In benchmarking, you compare suppliers against one another based on specific criteria. The suppliers’ performance in the study can reassure you that your current relationship is a good one, or can lead to you a more compatible agency.
Finan, Jill. STC International TC SIG (2001). Articles>Language>Outsourcing>Translation
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There is no single factor that will determine your best choice of a translation agency. It should not be based on price alone, because as the old saying goes, “you get what you pay for”. Nor should it be based solely on the company’s size, number of employees, or any similar strictly objective measurement factor. Although such information may be important, and should be considered, it is just part of the total picture you need to adequately evaluate an agency.
Nagy, Charlene. STC International TC SIG (2001). Articles>Language>Outsourcing>Translation
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What Type of Translation Agency Staff is Right for You?
When you have materials that need to be translated into a foreign language, how do you decide where to send them? Your basic choice is between an agency that uses only freelance translators or one that has employee translators in-house. Your decision on which to use should depend on the type of final product you are looking for and the subject matter of the material to be translated. This article describes the two types of agencies in more detail, to help you make an informed decision regarding the type of agency that will work best for you. We have tried to maintain an impartial view of both types while making potential clients aware of the industry and its various practices and levels of quality.
Nagy, Charlene. STC International TC SIG (2001). Articles>Language>Outsourcing>Translation
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Outsourcing vs. Offshoring, and How U.S.-Based Technical Writers Can Stay Competitive
A reluctance to learn new skills holds you back and complaining about potential employers raising the bar hurts us all.
Your Writing Dept Blog (2009). Careers>Management>Outsourcing>Offshoring
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Social Media Outsourcing Can Be Risky
Hosting a company's content and services on 3rd-party social networking sites involves both tactical risks (lower usability) and strategic risks (less user loyalty).
Nielsen, Jakob. Alertbox (2009). Articles>Web Design>Outsourcing>Social Networking
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Unconditional Text is the result of three three technical writers with varied backgrounds from across the globe coming together to share their knowledge and experiences with the community.
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The Biggest Challenge is Determining Where to Go 
Outsourcing has become a solid strategy for organizations looking to improve productivity and reduce costs. Today, companies are no longer asking “should we do this?” but rather, “what region makes the most sense?” Outsourcing Institute’s Frank Casale shares why a successful partnership starts with ‘transformation mindset’ and what factors should be considered when outsourcing offshore.
Achille, Jeanne. TC World (2009). Articles>Management>Outsourcing
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Ensuring Quality in Outsourcing
Business Process Outsourcing has become a leading business model of our time. While the increasing pressure to cut cost is still among the primary drivers for this trend, today quality has become a major issue when it comes to choosing an outsourcing partner. Here is an overview of standards and models that help measure and improve the quality of outsourcing services.
Rouget, Roy. TC World (2009). Articles>Management>Outsourcing>Assessment
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Outsourcing: Buying a Service or Contracting a Relationship?
Improving your performance, using your in-house resources more profitably, staying focused on your core business, accelerating time-to-market and decreasing costs – the benefits of outsourcing sound very promising. But how can you jump on the bandwagon of outsourcing? Between Russia and India, Dubai and Vietnam – where do you find your outsourcing provider? And how can you trust that the provider will help you achieve the promised benefits? tcworld investigated.
Ritter, Corinna. TC World (2008). Articles>Management>Outsourcing>Offshoring
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Mauritius: An International Business Hub
Crystal-clear waters, splendid white beaches and luxurious ressorts – these are usually the things associated with Mauritius. Far away from the world’s major markets and sources, the island nation in the Indian Ocean seems more of a touristic center of recreation than an international business hub. However, in recent years, Mauritius has come a long way in implementing its vision: transforming the island into a regional hub for information and communication technology (ICT).
Kencki, Devi. TC World (2008). Articles>Management>Outsourcing>Offshoring
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Change Management – An Underestimated Success Factor
Although the creation and translation of technical documents are essential parts of the product lifecycle they still play a subordinate role in most international organizations. Many companies are therefore leaving these tasks to an outsourcing provider. To ensure a smooth collaboration and guarantee high quality technical documents, the outsourcing process needs to be planned and supported thoroughly.
Grosser, Sabine and Rob Heemels. TC World (2008). Articles>Content Management>Outsourcing>Technical Writing
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Attrition and Motivation: Retaining Staff in India
Many international companies in India struggle to find and keep the right people for the job. High attrition rates cause unforeseen expenses and sometimes even crush the entire Indian business venture. Motivating workers becomes a vital part of the business. But how do you motivate the Indian employee?
Groznaya, Elena. TC World (2009). Articles>Management>Outsourcing>India
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How Outsourcing Can Boost Your Tech Writing Career
Most technical writers see outsourcing as a real threat. But, if you look at it from another angle, it’s one huge business opportunity.
Walsh, Ivan. I Heart Tech Docs (2009). Careers>Writing>Technical Writing>Outsourcing
