Outsourcing

Finding a competent and compatible consultant takes more than choosing among a few resumes. Defining desired outcomes, timeframes, and expectations of the project can go a long way toward building a positive working relationship with an outside expert.

A quick check of the classified section of any industry journal demonstrates the ongoing need for experienced staff, from entry level technician to veterinarian. Clearly, the boom in biotechnology is straining the current resources of many research facilities. One solution to the ups and downs of project cycles is the employment of short-term consultants or contractors. In this industry, people are most familiar with the role of the consulting veterinarian, and outsourcing daily animal care and/or technical duties to contractors, but there are many circumstances where a consultant can be beneficial.

Finding the right person to collaborate with can be daunting, and developing an ongoing working relationship with a consultant, or any outside contractor, can be a pleasant experience or a nightmare. The process presented can ease selection and working relationship concerns to resulting in a final product that meets the needs of the organization.

Management, scientific, and technical consulting services, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, rank among the fastest growing industries through the year 2014. Outsourcing expertise is a trend in many industries, especially as the cost of full-time skilled labor rises. Even highly paid executive positions are filled temporarily. In 1995, professionals, technical workers, and health-care personnel accounted for 25% of the temporary staffing industry payroll.1By 2001, that number had increased to 35% (Figure 1).

Why use a consultant?
Hiring a consultant or outside contractor can provide short term relief for overextended staff, accomplish a critical project while normal operations continue, prepare for an extraordinary event, or provide a critical outside evaluation of ongoing operations. Consultants also bring expertise to an organization which may be lacking in the management or staff.

Consultants are hired to solve a short term problem, get paid, and move on to the next project. The learning curve is short, they require little support from the organization and the projects are generally time-limited, making a consultant cost effective if the change results in improvements to the organization. The expense of a consultant drops away as soon as the project is completed and the final report accepted, so the financial burden is transient.