- PPF Points
- 2,100
Honestly, the whole “should we outsource or keep this in-house?” debate is one of those classic business dilemmas—sounds straightforward until you’re in the thick of it. Here’s my take: if something is core to your company’s identity—like, it’s the thing that sets you apart—don’t even think about farming it out. That’s your edge. You want it close, managed by your own people who get the brand and the mission.
When it comes to the more specialized, non-core stuff (think IT emergencies, legal paperwork, design projects), outsourcing can be a lifesaver. No one expects you to have a full legal team or a 24/7 IT crew in-house unless you’re a giant. I’ve seen teams stretched way too thin trying to do everything internally, and honestly, it just leads to burnout and mediocre results. Not worth it.
But, I’ve also watched companies take outsourcing too far—suddenly, they’re disconnected from their own customers and the brand feels generic. You lose touch with what made the business unique to begin with.
At the end of the day, it comes down to understanding your priorities, your team’s bandwidth, and your long-term goals. It’s a balancing act: protect your core, outsource the rest, but don’t lose sight of what matters. I’m still working out where that line is, and I’m pretty sure most leaders are too. If anyone’s got a silver bullet for this, let me know.
When it comes to the more specialized, non-core stuff (think IT emergencies, legal paperwork, design projects), outsourcing can be a lifesaver. No one expects you to have a full legal team or a 24/7 IT crew in-house unless you’re a giant. I’ve seen teams stretched way too thin trying to do everything internally, and honestly, it just leads to burnout and mediocre results. Not worth it.
But, I’ve also watched companies take outsourcing too far—suddenly, they’re disconnected from their own customers and the brand feels generic. You lose touch with what made the business unique to begin with.
At the end of the day, it comes down to understanding your priorities, your team’s bandwidth, and your long-term goals. It’s a balancing act: protect your core, outsource the rest, but don’t lose sight of what matters. I’m still working out where that line is, and I’m pretty sure most leaders are too. If anyone’s got a silver bullet for this, let me know.