Top 3 Qualities Clients Want in an Outsourcing Partner
Innovate & Integrate
Outsourcing can be a game-changer in a world of cutting costs and increasing efficiencies. However, as an outsourcing vendor, understanding what clients are really looking for can be the difference between getting the contract or not. Clients expect more than just a 'service provider'; they seek a partner who adds value, reduces headaches, and enhances their overall business operation.
While each client's objectives come with their subtleties, three key themes emerge as crucial when considering initiating a new partnership. Before proceeding with any implementation, IST commits to ensuring that the long-term services are in harmony with these three essential qualities, aiming to deliver unparalleled service.
1. Impeccable Cost Savings Strategies
Facility managers are constantly under pressure to cut costs without sacrificing the quality of service. In an increasingly competitive market, clients are continually seeking new ways to lower their overheads, and outsourcing is one route they take to do so.
To meet this need, implementations need to demonstrate clear cost-saving strategies. These strategies should not only be about offering a more affordable service but also delivering efficiency that translates into measurable savings. This could involve everything from reducing energy consumption through integrated facilities management solutions to implementing preventive maintenance programs that minimize the risk of costly repairs.
IST's homegrown technology has made it easy to adjust our services directly to what our clients need. For some, one workflow requires multiple technologies, but with IST, our adaptive solutions can combine the many into one, simplifying operations and cost structures.
An outsourcing facility partner that can outline concrete plans for sustainable cost savings will not only win their clients' business but also create a long-term partnership.
2. In-Depth Industry Know-How and Expertise
When clients outsource, they are essentially asking for expertise they may not have in-house. Whether it's staying abreast of the latest regulatory changes, implementing cutting-edge technology to enhance safety and security, or simply keeping a facility in top condition, clients expect their vendors to be knowledgeable partners.
Vendors that invest in their team's education and certification and foster an environment of innovation are those that truly meet this expectation. Demonstrating this necessary expertise through case studies, white papers, and involvement in industry events not only builds credibility but also solidifies the vendor as a valuable advisor.
IST's leadership offers over ten years of on-the-ground expertise, understanding the needs of the site-level employees and the overhead vision simultaneously. If needed, IST's implementation will include an existing workforce trained to exceed IST's workflow and customer service.
In today's rapidly evolving business environment, clients need a facility management partner who is knowledgeable, forward-thinking, and adaptable.
3. Unwavering Commitment to Transparency
Trust is key in any business relationship. Clients need to feel that their outsourcing partnership is transparent in its practices, costs, and outcomes. This transparency starts from the very beginning, with clear and detailed service agreements, pricing structures, and agreed-upon KPIs.
Our implementation audit provides the foundation for transparency when starting a new partnership. We assess what is needed, what can be improved, and what can be adapted with each new contract, completed in consultation with our client.
For a current client, Senior Implementation Manager Dale Dabaco focused on technology that connected disparate operations with fast reporting and chain of custody. IST's Mail Sort Package Track (MSPT) solved package clutter for a busy mailroom by tracking the chain of custody and sending email notifications to alert end users of their received mail. IST's Work Order System complemented an existing task management application to increase visibility and speed in project management.
If a business wants to begin an IFM service, they can rest knowing that contract management is streamlined and immediately reported to view actionable steps that yield better outcomes.
Regular reporting on service delivery, finances, and other pertinent activities should be standard practice. IST's technology prioritizes this immediate reporting and dashboard visibility for facility managers overseeing their entire operation. We accomplish this with our proprietary IST Suite software and its applications, which enable task monitoring and reporting.
Open lines of communication, where vendors share both the good and the bad, are crucial for building and maintaining trust. Transparency is also about admitting mistakes and providing solutions when things go wrong, as they inevitably do.
By focusing on these critical areas, outsourcing facility management vendors can better cater to clients' needs and stand out in a crowded marketplace. It's all about being more than just a service provider—becoming a trusted partner.
IST's Implementations for Facilities Management prioritize leading solutions with lasting results. Our field expertise recognizes these three qualities as guiding factors when deciding whether to outsource, but it also understands that it requires the white-glove service only a leading outsourced vendor can guarantee.
