This article also assumes that selection of CAD providers has been completed with due diligence (the methods are described in an earlier article).

As I mentioned in those prior articles, one of most important ingredients for successful outsourcing is management of ongoing project by you, client. To quote from those articles (here 'outsourcer' means 'provider'):

==================================================

"This may sound obvious, but probably biggest stumbling block to offshore outsourcing is that after all contracts have been signed, companies abdicate responsibility for projects to provider..."

--- Deepak Khandelwal, McKinsey, Worldwide

==================================================

TASKS IN OUTSOURCING MANAGEMENT:

(1) You have to assume moral responsibility for project.

A very senior executive should be made champion of CAD project. S/he will need technical and administrative people to help with project, and these people should be informed of their induction explicitly. Let's call this group of people "the task force".

(2) The task force should define objectives of proposed CAD outsourcing.

Subjects to address:

* Which input documents will you be giving provider? (Consider rough, dimensioned sketches, specifications and photographs of included objects, written instructions on what you want in output, libraries of CAD symbols, design rules for elements not in libraries of CAD symbols, drawings or sketches showing how objects in target area interface with immediate environment, sample output documents).

* Which CAD platform do you want work done on?

* Which output documents to you expect?

* What is weekly project schedule?

* At what interval do you want provider to send you work in progress?

* What is procedure for acceptance of product?

* What is your payment schedule?

* What is payment method? (Check, credit card, wire transfer?)

(3) The task force should put above documents into a contract.

The contract should also contain non-disclosure clauses. The provider should sign and return contract.

(4) Put robust communication mechanisms in place.

* Email is fine provided mailbox capacities are large. Without a doubt provider should have a broadband connection, and if your CAD files are large and frequent, so should you.

* Instant messenger programs are good for discussion sessions.

Not only are you selling your product or service, you’re marketing it, doing accounting, paying bills, answering phones, designing and updating your website and preparing and sending out mail. And, certainly for your own business, you can easily think of ten or fifteen additional tasks to be done in addition to these. In early days of your start-up, many if not most of these tasks seem doable. But, once you’ve started making sales or public interest in your business begins to grow, wearing all hats becomes impossible, frustrating, and highly stressful.

One quick and easy solution is to hire an intern – a college intern. During my corporate career in finance, I made use of many college interns over years. Not only were they diligent, responsible, and some of best employees, they were eager to learn and to contribute ideas. My interns were reliable and many of them hired on as regular employees after graduating from college.

With more and more college students choosing to start their own businesses rather than working for others, having a first-hand opportunity to work in a business start-up, like yours, might be just what they’re looking for. So how can you find an intern that will be just right for you and your business?

Simples Steps to Hiring an Intern

1. What do I need to do? What can intern do? One of first things to do is to take a clean sheet of paper and begin writing down all tasks that you perform in your business – and I mean everything. Next, decide what tasks you absolutely need to do yourself and which ones might be assigned to an intern. Typical tasks that you do might include: • inputting business card data into your database • contacting local chambers of commerce and ordering mailing lists • marketing mailings – printing letters, stuffing envelopes, putting stamps on letters • writing and updating your marketing plan • keeping your marketing calendar current • calling on prospects – phone and in person • writing marketing collateral • updating website information • confirming appointments with clients • writing and updating your business plan • appearing at tradeshows (perfect for an intern to work as your assistant) • buying office supplies • going to post office to mail packages, letters, etc. • miscellaneous errands • meetings with clients • reviewing local newspapers, business periodicals and trade journals for possible business prospects or other opportunities • article clipping • attending chamber functions and other networking events • filing • answering phones • bookkeeping

Certainly there are a lot of things to do in your business! And, obviously, not all of these can be done by anyone other than you. Once you’ve drafted a comprehensive list of tasks, using different colored high-lighters, or something as simple as a check-mark, determine which of these tasks can be assigned to someone else. This will become basis for writing up a job description for your intern.

2. Drafting a job description. Write up a simple job description that includes a list of tasks you need completed on a weekly basis. Also, estimate how much time these tasks will take and, if possible, what days of week might be best for someone to work for you.

3. What type of intern? My suggestion is to hire a college intern who has background in areas that you most need help with. For example, if your start-up is heavily focused on using computer technology to either produce your product or service, or if it is a significant part of interface with your clients, hire an intern who is studying computer science. On other hand, if you have a business focusing on delivering corporate sales training programs, hire a marketing major. If you have general office work that needs to be done, consider a business administration student.