Comments on: Ask The Readers: Is Outsourcing Irresponsible?

By: Sam

Sam — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 07:10:11 +0000

Hello Pat, I have a specific opinion on this one. To your first question of “Is it irresponsible?” Absolutely not! While I do think you should have knowledge on the topic, don’t you get it when you read the research results? I think it is completely acceptable to use outsourcing and a very smart choice as doing so will free up your time to work on other specific projects that do require your attention.
To your second question of is it moral. I suppose it depends on how you look at things. I would agree that it would be nice to keep jobs state side but if you look at things from a moral stand point moral does not come with a nationality. You stated that you used an outsource talent from the Philippines for only $2 I can tell you that is about double the average hourly wage in the Philippines. I know this because I am married to a filipina. This is definitely not immoral because they simply have a lower cost of living. When choosing a talent you need to think in the local currency for that talent and not in US dollars. If you can look at it like that you will also find out if you are over paying for the service as well. I would recommend checking the local cost of living and average national wage before agreeing to an amount. (Strictly from a business stand point , it’s about the money)
I have a thought for awhile now that outsourcing may eventually normalize the world economy as workers from all countries will eventually get paid relatively the same due to bidding wars. We may be decades from that occurring but I think it could happen.

By: KMc

KMc — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 23:44:32 +0000

Hi All,

I definitely have to weigh in on this subject. Allow me to preface this post by saying that I’m a freelance writer and also an infopreneur. There is a hard line that you have to draw between hiring an US domestic writer and an outsourced writer.

First of all, you have to consider the state of the US freelance writer. Many of the US writers will underbid for the services of producing an article/ebook that supports the current standards of living. Those that take those types of writing jobs do considerable damage for the rest of the freelance writers in the US. These writers are not always seeking for a second income to support their families. Rather, the newest statistics on freelance writers are more likely seeking to support themselves. When US writers underbid to get a new project, it is often at the detriment of their standard of living (which honestly, is quite low… look it up on the US Dept of Labor).

Now, as an infoprenuer… (good God, I hate that term, especially since it is essentially an IM’er) the articles are wanted at a fast, quality rate. Where do we get this? By outsourcing. Some kid in India (used as an example based upon currency exchange rates and daily necessities costs) will produce 20+ quality pages for under $10. The US freelancers have to compete with this kid who will take in the same amount of money for a lower cost of living.

This is the dilemma. Do you want the cheaper or pricier version of essentially the same information? One option will support the US freelancers and the other will support a higher standard of living.

Yes, you can also blame the US freelancers for making this a scenario. Mainly, it is the newbies that want to be published somewhere who are bringing down the standards.

That is all.

KMc

By: Dustin

Dustin — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 18:48:40 +0000

I think Outsourcing is great. I haven’t done it personally, but consider the following:
1) $2/hr being wrong/immoral
If this is the market demand overseas and provides a good income where workers will do it, then why not? We can’t measure standards of our country to those of another. In Cairo, cab fares around the entire city cost no more than $2. Is this not fair? No, it’s the market standard
2) We’re creating jobs
We’re creating jobs in a nation that probably has a lot higher unemployment rate than we do
3) Losing jobs here because of Outsourcing
How many entrpreneurs would pay someone $15/hr to do their writing, marketing etc. This woud be a huge hit on the budget and unless we’re very established and rolling in money, we wouldn’t probably hire someone full-time for this service. Additionally, American are entrepreneurs in spirit! Who will stick around working for someone else at $15/hr when they can learn to do everything and go at it on their own!
Outsource! Outsource! Outsource!

By: How to Create an Online Class for On Your Blog - Part 1 | The Smart Passive Income Blog

Sun, 27 Sep 2009 07:04:34 +0000

[...] There is only so much a person can outsource for a project of this caliber. As you know, I’ve already redesigned intheleed, which I talked about in my June monthly income report – which was definitely outsourced. There is no way I could design something that looks so beautiful myself. In addition to the website redesign, I did hire a voice talent to read scripts that will be used as the audio portion in the class, which also syncs with the video slideshow presentations. And in case you’re wondering – the designers and the voice talent are both from the U.S. [...]

By: surbiton flowers

surbiton flowers — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 20:28:49 +0000

if you can get away with it then you should

By: surbiton flowers

surbiton flowers — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 20:28:24 +0000

if you can get away it it, then you should

By: Theresa Mayhew

Theresa Mayhew — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 00:53:53 +0000

I agree with Camille, who said “First and foremost, you aid the world economy somewhere.”

Besides, we’re supporting our own economy when we spend the money we make (because of our outsourcing methods).

Theresa

By: Neil

Neil — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:13:26 +0000

I think it would be crazy not to outsource, if the alternative is to take on locals for a month or so before going bankrupt due to unsustainable salary bills.

Far better to stay in business with cheaper outsourced labour, and keep on paying taxes to the government to help the domestic recession situation – you can’t really help anyone if you’re squeezed out of business yourself.

By: Christina Crowe

Christina Crowe — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 15:00:58 +0000

Whichever is within your budget

By: Blaine Lentz

Blaine Lentz — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 14:59:42 +0000

It really is tough, jobs are jobs, do you take care of your own or try and help out other countries. I would go with “whoever is best at the job” at the price your willing to pay