Outsourcing. Everyone has an opinion when it comes to sharing the workload with a third party. If you’re relying on hearsay, second-hand information or Chinese whispers to form your opinion, you’re probably falling into the trap of believing myths.
We’d like to put the record straight, so here are the four most common outsourcing myths busted! The facts actually make for compelling reading so if you’re a letting agent or property manager looking to improve efficiency, increase productivity and save money, read on.
And if you need help deciding whether outsourcing is right for your lettings business, this checklist might come in handy!
Myth #1 My clients will know they’re dealing with a third party
If your outsourcing provider offers a white labeling service, your clients will have no idea that someone from outside of your company is looking after the let. Choosing the right partner, however, is crucial as you will be trusting them to deliver the same level of service as you offer in branch. ARPM Outsourced Lettings Support can become a seamless extension to your business – think of us as a satellite property management department. We’ll answer the phone with your company name, ensure all correspondence that leaves our company is branded in line with yours and will work hard to uphold your own standards.
Myth #2 There’s always a minimum spend when you outsource
If that’s what you think, perhaps you have been speaking to the wrong people! One of the massive perks that comes with outsourcing is the cost saving, so it makes no sense to offer a service that holds people to ransom. We have no minimum spend at ARPM – simply use our team for as much or as little lettings administration and property management support as you like. We offer a flexible arrangement too, so you can scale back or increase our support as your own business needs change – no questions, no penalties.
Myth #3 Levels of service might dip
Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, many letting agents and property managers come to ARPM because they want to improve their customer service and business offering. We invest heavily in staff training, robust systems/processes and prop tech, so our partner agents can piggy back off our resources. What’s more, our efficient rent collection service actually reduces arrears and the knowledge of our staff often eclipses that of negotiators in branch, as we are property management specialists and nothing else.
Myth #4 Outsourcing signals jobs losses
It’s only natural for staff to worry if they hear tasks are being outsourced but there are many business situations when outsourcing is useful and hardly any of them mean a loss of employment. Many agents turn to ARPM when they want to diversify – perhaps a portfolio agent looking to focus staff on the front end and streamline elsewhere without cutting services.
More often than not, outsourcing is a way of keeping in-house staff focused on core tasks, with the time-consuming aspects delegated to available resources. Outsourcing is also invaluable when it comes to natural wastage – when staff retire or leave of their own accord.
For more facts, stats and useful information about outsourcing – straight from the horse’s mouth – contact ARPM today.
Or why not use this quick checklist to see if your lettings business would benefit from outsourcing – download it here.
By Simon Duce, Managing Director, ARPM.
Author: Simon Duce
Simon Duce is the Founder and Managing Director of ARPM Outsourced Lettings Support – a business designed to help small and start-up letting agents/property managers offer a full suite of property management and tenancy administration services through outsourcing.
