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Subject:RE: Alternative to Off-shore contracting From:"Robert H. Strickland" <strickla -at- airmail -dot- net> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Thu, 11 Dec 2003 10:08:57 -0800
Hey Folks,
Before we panic about rates, lets consider something else. I had a talk
with Bill Conerly, a consulting economist from Portland, Oregon. Here is
his website:
Bill says that the outsourcing pool in India (and possibly Russia) is
working at capacity, and many opportunities will be returning to the United
States. So, don't let employers and job shops fool you into thinking that
they will go elsewhere if you won't take a ridiculously low rate. They are
quickly running out of anywhere to go.
Telecommuting may work well with programming, as debugging is assisted
electronically. Writing, however, is another matter; on-site personnel will
need to proof, edit, and often rewrite great portions of manuals -- a time
and money wasting operation, not to mention the hidden costs of numerous,
often unnecessary, telephone conversations. How much of the collaborative
workday is useful, in view of the time difference between here and there?
How can these overseas sources attend and contribute in planning meetings?
How can they effect corrections on the fly? What must the real costs of
such a project be?
Stick to your guns. Writing is a difficult and, often tedious, task when
done correctly; such deserves to be compensated in relation to skilled
tasks other than writing. Refrigerator repair companies charge around
$65/hour for their services. Rather than write for poor compensation, I
will do something much easier. Working in retail or wholesale does not
sound so bad. Folks come and go in those jobs all of the time. But, hang
on; help is on the way.
Bob Strickland
Robert H. Strickland Associates
Writing. Organizational, Communication, and Marketing Assistance
P. O. Box 1388
Everett, Washington 98206-1388
Phone/Fax: 425-259-9397
Mobile: 425-876-2139
Email: strickla -at- airmail -dot- net
Website: http://www.roberthstrickland.biz
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