4 BWD | Fall/Winter 2018-2019
Choosing the right
service provider for your business
So you’ve decided it’s time to engage a service provider to
support some or all of your most critical business functions,
but realize choosing the right provider can be challenging.
There are dozens of companies to choose from, which is why
it’s extremely important to thoroughly research each prospect
to find the right partner for your business. Here are nine areas
to keep in mind when evaluating service providers.
1) SECURITY AND PRIVACY
Make sure your provider is using leading
storage solutions and taking precautions to
protect your data.
2) BUSINESS CONTINUITY ASSURANCE
Natural disasters and other extreme
conditions could impact the business staying
open. Ask about business continuity plans
and learn about their incident response time
and how they plan to handle disruptions.
3) PROVIDER STABILITY AND MATURITY
Don’t be afraid to ask for details about the
company. How long have they been in
business? How many clients do they have?
What is their history and experience? Are
there any financial concerns?
4) QUALITY AND TIMELINESS OF WORK
Confirm that your provider delivers realistic
deadlines and goals and does so without
compromising the quality of the project. Set
clear expectations about the level of service
you expect and document them to ensure
accountability and overall satisfaction.
5) PROVIDER ACCESSIBILITY
Having a provider that is readily accessible
will prove to be invaluable. Spend time in
the beginning stages communicating your
needs and developing a relationship with
the company to confirm that they will be
available when you need them most.
6) COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE
How your provider communicates with your
business team will be a strong indication of
how well your companies will work together.
Make time to interview the service team to
ensure there’s a fit and confirm that your
overall goals align.
7) TIME TO MANAGE RELATIONSHIP
It’s important to find a service provider who
will be responsive to questions and needs.
Some providers may have several clients;
make sure the provider has an effective
strategy and the capacity to accommodate
your needs in a timely manner.
8) SHARING CONTROL
Weigh the benefits of working with an
outside provider compared to leveraging
in-house resources. Whether choosing a
provider for part- or full-time support, confirm
that they will work to support your goals,
meet your needs and honor your mission.
9) PROTECTION OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Your intellectual property is like a rare
jewel — it should be guarded. Do you have
confidence that the provider will protect and
maintain the integrity of your data? Confirm
their information security policies are up to
date and adhere to best practices.