Teaching to Fish: Why Tech Outsourcers Must Transform Their Role

Why Tech Savvy Wins In The Modern Battle of Business

Once upon a time, goods and service were king. Today, tech proficiency swaps the crown—it’s the difference between triumph and tumble in a market that’s faster than a hummingbird on a caffeine kick.

The Reality Check

New gadgets keep popping up like surprise party guests. Yet, most companies are playing catch‑up instead of leading the parade. When you don’t invest in the latest tech, you’re essentially serving the world’s packet of stale bread while competitors hand out shiny fruit smoothies.

What You Gain When You’re Tech‑Ready

Productivity – Fewer manual checks, more automation.
Better Services – Faster, smarter, smoother for customers.
Cost Savings – Less wasted on old processes.

The Talent Dilemma

Thought the tech skills were all around? Think again. The World Economic Forum whispers that by 2020, Europe could face 756,000 empty ICT desks. In plain English: “We’re scratching our heads because we can’t find the folks who know how to turn a laptop into a business machine.”

Why The Gap Is Growing

Industries outside tech lack a roadmap for digital adoption.
In-house training is slow, like waiting for a kettle to boil when you’re in a rush.
More companies outsource, preferring “plug‑and‑play” over time‑driven skill building.

The Bottom Line

In a world that loves quick clicks and slick clicks, companies that stay tech‑ahead keep the advantage—while the other side falls behind. So, keep your tech curious hat on, and don’t let “not knowing how to use your tools” become the new status quo.

There has to be a better way

Outsourcing Pulse: 2021 Snapshot

Back in 2019, Whitelane Research ran a UK‑based survey that painted a surprisingly bullish picture for IT outsourcing. By 2021, 71 % of businesses were gearing up to keep or even grow their outsourcing portfolios. Even more eye‑rolling is the dip in insourcing aspirations—from 22 % in 2016 to just 16 % this year. And it’s not a one‑country affair; folks worldwide are following the same trend.

According to Technavio, that global pull‑together could steamroll the outsourcing sector to a staggering $98 billion from 2020‑2024.

Why the Traditional Model is Getting a Cracked Up

On paper, “outsourcing IT” sounds like a smart move. In practice, it often turns into a stuck‑in‑a‑deadlock situation where companies end up paying for a relationship that feels more like a parasitic one than a partnership.

Money goes out but the ROI never shows.
Your team’s autonomy takes a backseat.
You don’t get the tech insights that could actually propel you forward.

Digital Transformation—No Longer a “Nice” Option

Right now, the mantra is simple: Digital first or back to the stone age. Businesses that can’t untangle themselves from a reliance on outsourced services basically stay stuck, while the rest of the world pushes ahead. The root cause? They simply haven’t built an internal IT perspective strong enough to own the whole journey.

And to be blunt: the outsourcing status quo as it stands today does not light a fire under a company’s own growth or knowledge‑building ladder.

Bottom Line

Outsourcing can be a useful tool, but when it’s the only gear in your house, you’re doomed to ship and crystal‑clear cost‑savings—but you’ll never truly own the innovative game plan you set.

The future is Outsourcing incubating!

Rethinking Outsourcing: From External Help to Internal Talent Farming

Modern clients aren’t just looking for a quick fix; they want a long‑term partnership that turns their workforce into a next‑gen tech powerhouse. Think of it like this: Give an IT worker a third‑party service and you win today; train them in-house and you win for life.

Why Outsourcers Should Shift Gears

Instead of acting as a fixed external support, the smartest firms now act as co‑founders in your talent development journey. They help you:

Re‑engineer business strategies to highlight employee incubation.
Map out the right skills and training pathways for your team.
Ensure that your organisation can leverage cutting‑edge tech competitively.

Once your workforce hits that sweet spot, the outsourcer naturally moves on to new ventures, leaving you with a self‑sustaining talent pipeline.

The Outsourcer’s Pay‑Off

It’s not just a win for you; your partner also reaps plenty of dividends, including:

Evolution & Resilience – Continually sharpening their own expertise in diverse testing scenarios.
Brand aura of professionalism and integrity – By leaving you stronger, they become the go‑to choice for fresh contracts.
Real profit growth – More projects, higher fees, and a booming reputation.

Remember, the UK alone hosts 5.9 million private sector businesses (thanks to the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy). The sky’s the limit—no need to stay confined to a handful.