It’s a difficult decision: Should you hire someone—taking the risk that they may not be the right fit or have the exact skills you need? Or should you let an outside partner handle your analyst relations (AR) for now? This is a decision many B2B companies face. They need AR expertise but aren’t sure if they’re ready to add headcount solely focused on AR.
According to a recent Forrester report, vendors often outsource AR for several key reasons, including the ability to start an AR program without the long-term commitment of hiring full-time employees. This approach allows companies to pilot their AR strategies with less risk, gain immediate access to expert guidance, and benefit from scalable support tailored to their needs.
Here are a few things to consider before making a decision:
Dedicated to Your Business If you hire an employee, you’re guaranteed to have someone 100% focused on your business. However, with a partner, you access a team of experts with diverse and deep AR knowledge. Consider what’s more important: a focus solely on your business or access to deep AR expertise?
Hard Costs Dollar for dollar, hiring an employee might be more cost effective if you need them for at least 30 hours a week. If you’re uncertain about the workload, though, it might be a better option to partner with an AR agency that offers flexibility and cost efficiency.
Type of Support If you need both junior (tactical) and senior-level (strategic) expertise, outsourcing can provide a balanced solution. An AR agency can offer the right mix of skills without the need to hire multiple people or overburden a single employee.
Chemistry With an in-house hire, if the chemistry isn’t right, making a change can be tough. But, working with an AR agency offers more flexibility, including the ability to more quickly make changes. Alternatively, you can hire someone initially as a contractor with a trial period, ensuring the right fit before committing long-term.
The Bottom Line: Deciding between hiring and outsourcing is not easy, but outsourcing can be a safer route if you’re unsure about your long-term AR needs. This approach allows you to refine your strategy and better understand the skills you need before making a permanent hire.
Still undecided? Consider outsourcing for now and reevaluate once you have a clearer picture of your long-term needs.
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