18
MiMfg Magazine
Premium
Associate
Member
May 2020
Choosing the Right Service
Provider for Your Business
By Melissa Johnson, CPA • Rehmann
So you’ve decided it’s time to engage a service
provider to support some or all of your most critical
business functions but realize choosing the right
provider can be challenging. There are dozens of
companies to choose from, which is why it’s extremely
important to thoroughly research each prospect to find
the right partner for your business. Here are nine areas
to keep in mind when evaluating service providers.
1
Security and privacy
Make sure your provider is using leading
storage solutions and taking precautions to
protect your data.
2 7
3 8
Business continuity assurance
Natural disasters and other extreme conditions
could impact the business staying open. Ask
about business continuity plans and learn about
their incident response time and how they plan
to handle disruptions.
Provider stability and maturity
Don’t be afraid to ask details about the company.
How long have they been in business? How many
clients do they have? What is their history and
experience? Are there any financial concerns?
4
Quality and timeliness of work
Confirm that your provider delivers realistic
deadlines and goals and does so without
compromising the quality of the project.
Set clear expectations about the level of service
you expect and document them to ensure
accountability and overall satisfaction.
5
Provider accessibility
Having a provider that is readily accessible
will prove to be invaluable. Spend time in the
beginning stages communicating your needs
and developing a relationship with the company
to confirm that they will be available when you
need them most.
6
Communication and culture
How your provider communicates with your
business team will be a strong indication of how
well your companies will work together. Make
time to interview the service team to ensure there’s
a fit and confirm that your overall goals align.
Time to manage the relationship
It’s important to find a service provider who
will be responsive to questions and needs.
Some providers may have several clients; make
sure the provider has an effective strategy and
the capacity to accommodate your needs in a
timely manner.
Sharing control
Weigh the benefits of working with an outside
provider compared to leveraging in-house
resources. Whether choosing a provider for
part- or full-time support, confirm that they
will work to support your goals, meet your
needs and honor your mission.
9
Protection of intellectual property
Your intellectual property is like a rare jewel —
it should be guarded. Do you have confidence
that the provider will protect and maintain the
integrity of your data? Confirm their information
security policies are up-to-date and adhere to
best practices.
6
Melissa Johnson is a principal at Rehmann. She
may be reached at [email protected]
or 248-458-7911.
Rehmann is an MMA Premium Associate Member
and has been an MMA member company since
July 2006. Visit online: www.rehmann.com.