Outsourcing has become an integral part of the global business landscape, and its significance has only continued to grow in 2023. To stay competitive, businesses are increasingly looking to outsourcing as a strategic tool to achieve their goals. Whether those goals are cost reduction, process optimization, or accessing specialized talent. Keep reading for outsourcing insights into six key outsourcing trends that have shaped 2023.

1. Continuity

One of the outsourcing trends throughout 2023 has been to provide business continuity among outsourcing companies. Most companies prefer a strategic partnership with one or fewer vendors. This allows the ability to build a stronger relationship of commitment and trust with the same team and can also cut down on costs.

2. C-Suite

The rising demand of C-Suite services is an evident outsourcing trend from 2023. Companies are prioritizing delegating critical executive-level functions to specialized outsourcing partners. This includes financing roles such as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) with a growing number of outsourcing companies taking on more financial challenges and offering temporary financial expertise without accruing full-time costs for companies. Outsourcing market management for a temporary Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) role has also been increasingly popular. This helps marketing efforts without requiring lengthy tenures at a company.

3. Outsourcing Trends: AI and RPA Integration

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and Robotic Process Automation (RPA) has been one of the outsourcing trends that surged in 2023. Organizations increasingly outsourcing the use of AI and RPA to automate regular tasks and streamline work continues. RPA involves software development to create and manage robotic handling of tasks. AI is more machine learning software. Both are being used to stay competitive in an evolving market and enhance efficiency allowing for companies to focus on value-added services.

4. Data Security

Demanding better cybersecurity and data protection has become one of the outsourcing trends in 2023. Cyberthreats and security has become heightened in recent years. Companies are increasingly partnering with outsourcing partners who strictly abide by safety protocols. It can bolster their own defenses as data protection and security becomes less of an option and more of an imperative. Outsourcing this can allow for companies who specialize in protection and have

access to the newest technology. Lastly, it can provide services such as threat detection, incident response, and data encryption.

5. Client Service

Improving client and customer services and experiences is another of the outsourcing trends that increased during 2023. This is where outsourcing partners were able to play a pivotal role in creating a customer-centric experience and improving client forward services through AI services. Examples include chat-bots or through more personalized customer engagement strategies to increase brand loyalty and help client satisfaction.

6. Outsourcing Trends in Staffing Services

Lastly, outsourcing staffing services was another popular outsourcing trend in 2023 with organizations understanding the benefits of allowing staffing needs to be entrusted to outsourcing partners. Outsourcing staffing services can help companies stay competitive. They are able to leverage new technology services, diversity in recruitment, and cultivating strong employee and client relationships.

At ATHENA Consulting we have a serious commitment to providing a bright future for our partner organizations and we strive every day to make our clients’ lives easier by supporting them with their hiring needs to help achieve their agency mission and objectives. Click here to learn more about the staffing and recruitment services we offer to our clients.