Changing Revenue Model...#5: Outsourcing

Four down, two to go...  Here's a link to my original post summarizing the changing revenue model in publishing.  I spoke earlier about customer touch points, risks, margins and communities.  Item #5 was "do what you do best and outsource the rest."

It seems like obvious, common sense advice, but I think it's human nature to want to "do it all yourself."  The reality is, no matter how large or small your operation, there are some things you do well and others, not so well.  I would also argue that the more you outsource, the more nimble you can be.  If technologies change or new services are required for success, it's generally easier to switch providers (if necessary) than train/hire staff.

Sit down and make an honest inventory of your organization's key strengths.  What's your secret sauce?  What is it that your competition would have a hard time replicating?  I feel it's better to focus on those things and continue to refine them over time, making it harder and harder to replicate, than to worry about trying to do all the other things in-house.