A Temporary Lapse of Time

By: Brian Anderson
Date: 3/1/2006

W2 processing and electronic filing can be fun! Hah, just kidding. It is a necessary requirement that every business must perform so the government can continue to function.

Oftentimes the year-end functions can be outsourced to companies and done in a timelier manner at a lower cost than performing these same functions in-house. When an outsourced organization is utilized, your data is processed through a different set of software and reported in a different manner. This alternative processing route can uncover unknown data anomalies. Early-on discovery can help resolve issues upfront, rather than months, or years, later, thereby reducing IRS penalties. Having an outsourced service bureau review your data is like having an additional payroll accountant and several staff members to print, stuff envelopes and mail the W2 forms.

You may ask, "How can it possibly be cheaper to use an outside service company?" Well, many service bureaus are print shops by day and W2 printers at night. When you select a professional data processing firm, there are benefits that accrue by utilizing a firm that specializes in accounting software services and processes. Years of professional programming and data processing services can set aside a professional services firm from a printer that happens to do W2 printing in January.

When I began in working in computers, I threw my back out toting computers around to different offices and computer rooms, and these were great big computer boxes made out of American steel - back when there was a steel industry in America. Does that help with the time frame? Back then, the computer systems were made in America with a few foreignmade chips. Now, the cases are made in China, and the motherboard is made in Taiwan with parts from Malaysia and other locations worldwide. How do we as corporate citizens combat the globalization process?

All companies worldwide must utilize their workforce in the most pragmatic manner. Your firm is responsible for delivering quality temporaries to companies - Temps who can "hit the ground running" and who have the requisite experience. Shouldn't you expect the same level of expertise in your suppliers - especially in areas of crucial dependencies?

I used to feel that being an expert generalist in computers was enough. Now, I wonder. When I was in college, I wanted to do a self-major of economics, math and computer science. A guidance counselor told me that I may be regarded as a "Jack of All Trades, Master of None." I graduated with majors in Math and Economics, back then I hated computers. As I progressed through my years of experience, I prided myself on being a generalist. I enjoyed learning about operating systems, routers, and software development. What would I do if I won the lottery 10 to 20 years ago, or even last year? I would write software. I would specialize. I am specializing.

Specialization is the key to today's business success. Your business has evolved, or is evolving toward specialization. Your clientele do not just want a body, they want an individual with specific skills and talents that can further their corporate goals. When analyzing any of your business processes, you must determine whether each process should be performed in-house or outsourced to a specialist. By outsourcing to a specialist, you can free your time to dedicate to a process that you do best: client contact, customer support, accounts receivable collection.

"Specialization is not the panacea to business ills," as you may have read in the latest business school tomes. Mom and Pop businesses (the near epitome of retail specialization) have given way to the "Big Box" retailers (generalists to the nth degree). If you're the captain of your ship, steadfastly steering towards your goals, you probably realize that your port has a narrowed entry point. That entry point requires that your strategy include specialization in your business delivery processes.

Brian Anderson is the President of Professional Automation Services, Inc. He can be contacted at 866.864.4647, or by email at brian@proautomation.com, or visit www.proautomation.com.