Out-Source. Should we, or shouldn’t we?
Out-sourcing — or off shore hiring at a (possibly) lower cost — has been a dilemma for social conscious Americans. Are we losing jobs to other countries. Giant corporations don’t care.
Occasionally I get cold-called by someone looking for work. Statistically, I receive more calls from internationals than by home-made Americans. Ten years ago I was getting calls from local recent graduates (this just doesn’t happen anymore).
Why is this?” Here’s a few scenarios:
- We are not being taught in this country how to find work.
- Internationals are more motivated to find work.
- The world – and how we do business – is changing.
I can argue each one of these points. But I’m going to sum it up like this: my world hasn’t really changed, the people I work with have the same old-school work ethic I was taught by my parents – who were taught by their parents – who came from another country.
A while back I was contacted from someone in Maine who just lost her job at a newspaper (no surprise). At the time, I wasn’t opened to the idea of working with someone so-o-o far away. Now I realize it doesn’t matter where someone is sitting physically (not in this business anyway)
- it’s about a mental state
- a work ethic
- how well the job is done
- and most importantly, the character of the person you’re working with.
It’s really not about the money.
There are some jobs I wish I could out-source, carpentry for instance. I scheduled a small repair job on my house after contacting no less than three carpenters. The problem is: no one wants the small jobs. Finally, I found someone and made a date – for a month later. Guess what? After waiting a month, a no show.
Motivated people show-up, whether for the money, experience, commitment, or just for the sake of doing what you said you would.
