What is BPO and How do you Implement it in Your Business?
Do you spend a lot of time on operational activities and the opportunities for new business and growth are relegated to the background?
If you have identified with these situations it is time to get to know the BPO - Business Process Outsourcing - and deploy it in your business.
In these posts, you will learn about BPO - Business Process Outsourcing - the advantages and benefits of deploying it in your company and which BPO services are the most recommended.
So what is BPO, anyway?
Do you handle the accounting in your company?
Or: In your company, is the accounting handled by a professional or internal department, with directly hired employees, or is the service performed by an accounting firm?
In the vast majority of companies, bookkeeping is done by specialized external offices.
This is nothing more than a form of BPO, or outsourcing of processes, if you prefer.
Let's define what BPO stands for, so you can understand it a little better - Business Process Outsourcing - clear and objective:
What is BPO? It is the practice of selecting some internal company processes and passing the responsibility of their execution to other companies that must deliver the agreed results between the parties and follow the procedures determined by the contracting company.
Is the concept of BPO a little clearer?
Okay, but have you ever stopped to think why this happens? Why do some companies prefer to use outsourcing and leave some of their processes in the hands of others, rather than performing them with their own resources?
That's what we'll cover in the next topic.
Before that, check out this video that shows the benefits of using BPO.
Why use BPO - Business Process Outsourcing - in your company?
To understand this better, we need to understand some features of the BPO service we used as an example, just above: accounting:
- It is quite technical and specific
- It's not usually the core business of companies (the activity that generates profit for the business)
- It is not a key business process (that is, it doesn't offer a competitive advantage )
- There are several competent and specialized companies in the area of expertise
These are the 4 main characteristics of BPO services used by companies.
Here are some examples of heavily used BPO services:
- Help desk
- Development of applications
- Web design
- Publicity and advertising
- Content marketing
- IT - Information Technology
- Logistics
- Financial services
- Legal
- Office cleaning
- Security
- HR processes - Human resources
But stay tuned for a detail, which we mentioned above. Not being the core business of a company does not mean a process must be outsourced.
For example: information security is not the core business of banks, but they do not outsource this area because it is vital to the success of their business.
But why is it so important that your company chooses a BPO service that is not your core business?
Well, it just means you can focus your efforts on your core business, the one that keeps your business running and bringing in revenue, and outsource what is not so important.
But this is just one of the advantages of BPO - Business Process Outsourcing. Let's see some more of them?
Business Process Outsourcing - In Your Business
You've seen one of the great advantages and the main reasons companies use BPO services: to focus on their end business, their core processes, the so-called business core.
But there are other benefits of BPO - Business Process Outsourcing - for business, check them out:
1- Cost reduction
Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) significantly contributes to cost reduction by allowing companies to delegate non-core functions to specialized service providers, often located in regions with lower labor costs. This strategic move not only reduces direct expenses associated with salaries and benefits but also minimizes overhead costs related to infrastructure, technology, and administrative support.
Additionally, BPO providers can offer economies of scale, as they often serve multiple clients and can spread costs across a broader base, further driving down individual client expenses. This financial flexibility enables organizations to reallocate resources towards innovation, market expansion, and enhancing core business activities, ultimately leading to improved operational efficiency and profitability.
2- Focus on results
When outsourcing a process through BPO, the company responsible for executing it must maintain the quality level and results indicated in the KPIs that you decide.
For this, a good process automation program, which guarantees the visibility of the indicators in real time, can be of great help.
Thus, this outsourced team will have all of its focus on what it should do in relation to this specific process, without the interference of other demands or projects that may be taking the attention of the company that contracted the outsourcing.
3- More time to dedicate to business strategy
The more processes are outsourced and only monitored and controlled through management tools, the more time and accurate information the company will have to devote to strategic planning and organizational growth.
4- Use of best process practices and state-of-the-art technology
Because they are managed and run by specialists, these processes adopt the best practices and the latest technologies related to them.
5- More flexibility for a company's human resources
If multiple company processes are in the BPO model, your employees will not have to deal with them.
This way, they will have more time to dedicate themselves to other projects and more easily assist in different areas of the business.
In today's rapidly evolving global marketplace, Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) has emerged as a strategic tool for companies seeking to enhance their efficiency, reduce costs, and concentrate on core competencies. By leveraging external expertise and technological innovations, organizations can streamline their operations, gain access to specialized skills, and achieve a competitive edge. Despite its challenges—including potential risks to data security and cultural differences—when managed effectively, BPO can deliver significant benefits and drive sustainable growth. As companies continue to navigate the complexities of the modern business environment, BPO will remain a vital component of their strategic toolkit, enabling organizations to adapt, innovate, and thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.