Outsourcing Your Errands
Watch the video above – read the story below
We all have to do things we don’t like… they’re called chores. But what if you could take those errands and send them off to India? It may sound far-fetched, but it’s actually happening.
Companies like GetFriday and AskSunday allow you to hire an overseas personal assistant, typically for around $12 an hour, who will be happy to take care of all your tedious tasks (provided they can be done by computer or phone, of course).
Example? Well, say you went to an industry conference to sell your new product, and came away with dozens of business cards for potential clients. Instead of entering the information from each individual card into your database, just scan and send to India. Your personal assistant does all the gritty work and emails you back a database full of your new contacts.
To figure out if this idea makes economic sense for you, just think about what your time is worth. If you make $20 an hour, hiring someone at $12 who will free up your time for the work only you can do should ultimately increase your profit… provided you can keep yourself busy at $20 an hour.
But, you are taking jobs from American workers. So, before you decide to hire overseas help, look locally first. Odds are you can find qualified help in your own neighborhood; it just might cost a little more. Read about bringing outsourced jobs back in-house
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shirley a schmick
29. Sep, 2008
Mr Johnson, I just listened to your info on sending errands to India-
Dont we have enough outsourcing in this country now? What is wrong
with giving the job to a school student who needs the work, or any other unemployed American? We have jobs going out of this country and foreigners
coming in from all over now, without adding this to the list.
I always listen and appreciate your ideas, BUT this one sent me directly to
my computer. More support for GENUINE AMERICANS IN AMERICA is what is greatly needed. thank you
Stacy
29. Sep, 2008
Hi Shirley,
Nothing is wrong with giving jobs to high school students or any other American interested in working a job like this. Hence my closing standup: ” Of course, sending even your chores to India is still exporting potential American jobs. So maybe before you go down this road, you should consider trying to hire help closer to home.”
I thought it was an interesting story and reported it. But I also added my two cents worth, which I believe precisely agrees with what you’re saying….doesn’t it?
GetFriday Depiction « My Photo Passion
30. Sep, 2008
[...] http://www.moneytalksnews.com/2008/09/26/outsourcing-your-errands/ [...]
Mevan (Sri Lankan)
05. Jan, 2009
that is jus bullshit! if u wanna outsource ur work 2 indian then u do so! americans are 2 bloody lazy 2 do anythin by themselves. indians capitalize on this. now when amercians find that virtual assistants is a gud way 2 earn money they blame companies for outsourcin their work 2 places lyk india when americans can do the work themselves. such hypocrites!!
Coleman
26. Oct, 2009
If you want to be more economical, you can find virtual assistant for $5/hr. You do have to find the time to train and monitor their work.
Stacy
20. Feb, 2010
Hi Shirley,
Nothing is wrong with giving jobs to high school students or any other American interested in working a job like this. Hence my closing standup: ” Of course, sending even your chores to India is still exporting potential American jobs. So maybe before you go down this road, you should consider trying to hire help closer to home.”
I thought it was an interesting story and reported it. But I also added my two cents worth, which I believe precisely agrees with what you're saying….doesn't it?