Apologies…it’s been a while since we last blogged but things have been hectic to the say the least. However, interesting article and new buzz word has come to my attention that I thought I would share with everyone based on the fact this relates to exactly our field and sector.
Who has heard of Homesourcing?
I looked it up in good old Wikipedia and here’s the definition:
Homesourcing also known as homeshoring is "the transfer of service industry employment from offices to home-based employees with appropriate telephone and Internet facilities". Homeshoring is best thought of as a combination of outsourcing and telecommuting.
Homesourcing refers to hiring employees or engaging independent contractors. Homesourced workers are sometimes required to come to an office for training from time-to-time.
Traditionally, employers were most likely to homeshore call-centers and other customer service processes. However, this trend is changing as employers realize a wider variety of work is amenable to homeshoring. Knight Ridder Newspapers reports "it's no longer just call centers and information-technology jobs. Now it's architects, accountants, tax preparers and financial analysts."
According to researcher IDC Homesourcing is expanding by about 20% a year and homesourcing is "on track to explode".
Advantages of homesourcing
- Worker preference – homesourced workers often need to work from home or strongly prefer to work from home. They appreciate this opportunity, and therefore are loyal.
- Reduced costs for the employer as homesourced workers often provide their own telephone equipment and computer systems. Employer also saves on cost of office space.
- Using homesourced workers that are local to the area where they are calling precludes the prejudice that is sometimes created from regional accents, mannerisms and rates of speech.
- Possible tax advantages for the worker using part of their home for business purposes.
- it provides the employer the ability to provide work to individuals who through disability are unable to travel to a workplace
Well isn’t this just we have been talking about for 4 years now?! Suddenly there is a surge of interest for home based workers – not only by small to medium business but now the corporates are waking up to the idea. It certainly gives me hope that during these trying times for some families that our employers are beginning to wake up to the fact that this method of resourcing makes perfect sense – for all parties. Keeping costs down for employers and keeping Aussie’s working!
Speak to you soon
Caroline and the Virtual Angels Team
3 comments:
I'm starting up a new company soon. Should I register a virtual office space or should I go ahead with renting a small space first? What are your thoughts?
Hi Savant, I guess it really depends on what it is your business is going to provide and whether you need physical business premises?
Homesourcing is from the nineties, now a days it is 'the new way of working'. To my opinion this is not so new, working indepent location and time was already part of home sourcing.
The company I work for works completely with home sourcing. We experience many benefits but are also aware of the pitfalls. For more information view our website: http://www.lialis.com or read my blog about this topic: http://lialislotussolutionprovider.blogspot.com/2010/12/how-new-is-new-way-of-working.html
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