The world of medical device production is a rough and tumble one. While companies everywhere decrease their labor budgets, project volume continues to skyrocket. As a result, companies throughout the country are trying to figure out how best to adapt. Often, this means finding ways to leverage all the experience and expertise present in the supply chain, without going broke in the process.
As you may imagine, though, this is easier said than done. To keep all the balls in the air, many companies are turning to outsourcing. The question, then, of course, is who to keep on your internal team and who to outsource. With more than 25 years of experience in the medical device industry, we have a few pieces of advice for you to consider.
Who’s Your Essential Team?
One smart way to identify roles that could be outsourced is first to identify your core team. Your core team is your group of workers who are essential for the survival of your company. These people transfer learned knowledge to support common goals. They’re also responsible for the performance and communication of your larger team. While some members of your core team may be experts in the field, this is not a requirement.
What this core team looks like will vary from company to company. These people may have been with your company for years, or they may be new team members. Generally, though, one thing is constant: Your core team is composed of team members that make it possible for you to get the job done.
Who Could You Outsource?
If you’re like most teams, the lowest hanging fruit for outsourcing is manufacturing and production. Today, very few companies handle their manufacturing and production in-house. Instead, most organizations outsource these duties to facilities that specialize in them. To keep everyone on the same page, it’s critical to establish a communication plan that keeps manufacturing and production facilities in the loop.
In addition to allowing you to identify and resolve problems before they blow up into significant calamities, this is a great way to keep your operation running in an efficient and cost-effective way.
Deciding When to Scale
Once you start outsourcing, it’s easy to grow your team rapidly. After all, outsourcing gives you direct access to skilled workers outside of your direct supply chain. To keep costs in check, though, it’s important to remember that you only want to grow when it’s required for your company. Additionally, you only want to outsource to skilled, proven teams that can deliver a positive ROI.
Find a Reliable Medical Device Partner
If you’re looking for a medical device partner to help consult on your upcoming projects, our team is here for you. Providing cutting-edge, tailored services designed to help you go from conception to launch, we can help you every step of the way. Outsource the smart way by partnering with our best-in-class team of medical development experts. Ready to learn more? Take the first step in the medical device development process and schedule a free consultation today!
