Demystifying Outsourcing: The Trainer's Guide to Working with Vendors and Consultants By Debbie Friedman

Reviewed by Johanna Hising

Originally published in the November 2006 Issue of Link & Learn. 

For a variety of reasons more and more internal training/OD/HR functions are faced with the need to outsource large and small scale projects to vendors and consulting companies. But what should be outsourced? Which vendor is the best for their organization and their needs? How should the project be set up all the way from creating a request for proposal (RFP), negotiating, project planning to evaluating? And finally, what is the best way to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with the outsourcing partner? These are just a few of the critical questions on outsourcing Debbie Friedman answers in her practical and insightful book Demystifying Outsourcing: The Trainer's Guide to Working with Vendors and Consultants.

There is plenty at stake politically, financially, and career-wise for the internal training manager* when it comes to outsourcing. However, according to Friedman the benefits of thought leadership, reduction in cycle time for developing learning, access to greater objectivity, and reduction of fixed cost far outweigh the risk. If the training manager is wondering: "What's in it for me?" she/he just needs to think about the positive impact on her/his personal growth - while expanding the capabilities of the organization they are also expanding their own capabilities in various ways. With a well thought out, step-by-step process and real life examples Debbie Friedman provides the internal training manager with all the necessary tools, worksheets, and skills necessary to execute a strategic and successful outsourced project; she even provides the tools and samples on a CD-ROM which accompanies the book, ready for the reader to use immediately. Furthermore, this book is not only a valuable resource for the internal training manager but also for the external partners (the consultants and vendors) as they seek to navigate through projects and relationships with their clients.

"Debbie has articulated an impressive and helpful balance between understanding the elements of building a trusting partnership between suppliers and customers and all of the practical, detailed aspects of the legal, project management, and programmatic aspects of training and development work" says David Giber, senior vice president at Linkage, Inc. who supported and encouraged Debbie to write the book after having partnered with her on building executive development programs at Federated Department Stores.

Friedman's guiding principles that are the keys to successful outsourcing as well as the framework for the book are:

1. Strategic Sourcing: Requiring you to plan effectively and align projects and people
2. Transforming Partnerships: Requiring you to get to know your outsourcing partner, maintain communication, and approach your partners with respect, trust, and generosity
3. Expanding Capability: Requiring you to know the craft, know your organization, and develop yourself

This is a book written by an accomplished and seasoned professional whose experience and wisdom is evident. Packed with tips and tricks, this book provides both the internal as well as external partners with what is needed to be successful at their job. The book should be a core resource in a training manager's or OD professionals' library due to the helpful tools it provides that are aimed at each phase of a training and development initiative.

Wiley books are available at your local bookstore or by calling 1-800-225-5945. In Canada, call 1-800-567-4797.

* As in Friedman's book Training Manager is used for simplicity reasons and encompasses all roles within training, HR and OD.

This issue of Link&Learn was published in October 2006, by Linkage, Inc. (http://www.linkageinc.com). Please direct copyright and additional questions and comments to LinkandLearn@LinkageInc.com