Outsourcing as a service has become a key trend in 2021. While COVID-19 wreaks havoc on the working world, it has become more important than ever to have a solid remote team that you can rely on. 

This has meant that in order to continue working at pace, taking on heavy workloads and managing skills gaps, companies have had to outsource. The benefits have been clear. Not only has outsourcing enabled businesses to manage more work on a remote basis, it has also strengthened remote teams and boosted businesses ability to scale up. 

These are all huge benefits that will last long after COVID-19 is over, so in that sense some of the trends we’re seeing in 2021 are long-term changes and shifts to outsourcing, remote working and hybrid teams. Without further ado, here are the 5 key outsourcing as a service trends that we’re seeing in 2021.

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  Huge cost reductions when outsourcing a service

Not so much a trend, but rather a by-product of outsourcing. Many teams are finding that they are reducing their costs significantly by outsourcing their workload overseas or to remote teams.

Some of the key locations that have been highlighted as having highly skilled workers are: India, the Philippines, Latin America and Eastern Europe. These workers are able to work for less due to the decreased cost of living in these areas, and are building incredibly effective remote teams. This trend is becoming so popular that According to a recent Deloitte survey found that 59% of businesses are already outsourcing to India.

• More and more digital roles are being outsourced

According to Statista, in the second quarter of 2020, 70% of the outsourcing market’s transactions were digital-focused. In a world that is digital first, it is no surprise that many businesses are seeking digital professionals. Digital roles encompass everything from software development to cyber security and are becoming increasingly important.

Many of these roles are being outsourced, as the digital nature makes them ideal for remote working. The logic being, why pay someone double to sit in an office when you can pay them significantly less and see the same results working remotely.

• People-first cultures are emerging, thanks to outsourcing as a service

A huge outsourcing trend that we’re seeing in 2021 is a shift to people-first cultures within business. Due to the huge changes that COVID-19 has made to our health, our lifestyle and our working habitats, it is more important than ever for businesses to stay in touch with the needs of their employees and contractors.

Even when working with outsourced contractors, the approach is shifting to making them an integrated part of the team. This has benefits both on a personal level, with employees and contractors feeling more involved and cared for, and on a work level too. A people-first culture makes for a happier, more inclusive team that can work together seamlessly.

• More work gets done outsourced vs internally

Most companies are now moving to a model where they outsource more work than they do internally. This is probably the first time we’re seeing this major shift, and in 2021, almost half of companies surveyed by Boston Consulting Group will outsource more work than they will do in-house.

Why? Cost-savings, the benefits of remote working and an uncertain post-COVID landscape is lending itself to outsourcing as a service model.

• Cut backs and reinvestments

The final outsourcing trend of 2021 has been an attitude shift towards reassessing the way we invest in outsourced services. With finances under pressure, many businesses have had to step back and reassess what services they’re outsourcing and whether that is working for them.

Businesses have cut back the people they don’t need,  and discontinued the outsourced services that were losing them money and boosted the things they need. This has resulted in a reinvestment into outsourcing new services.

Are you ready to start outsourcing your workload? Take the next steps by filing in our client form and building your remote team today!