Customer Reviews

The Outsourcing Revolution: Why It Makes Sense and How to Do It Right

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(14)

 

 

I suggest you check out the outsourcing books that have come out since this one was published as outsourcing changes quickly and this one is dated and routine.

Already, better information is obtainable on current outsourcing blogs.

That happens with books though. If they are not re-released frequently and the subject matter is evolving, they fall behind as this book has done.

This book has been on my shelf for about a year and I was dismayed to learn as another reviewer mentioned before me, that the author is a for-profit consulting firm's owner who openly (verified on his site) charges outsourcing vendors to be listed in an "Outsourcing 100" listing an "application fee" of several hundred dollars and he will assure list placement if you pay him $10,000!!!!!

Sadly, its bad form and very unbiased but that is how the world turns.

The styles and intentions of Business-focused authors versus Academic-focused authors are very easy to spot. This is no exception.

Be prepared...You're being pumped to buy consulting, not make your own intelligent solutions.

On the positive side, you'll think about where you might have holes in your outsourcing strategy.

This book is good but I didn't like it as well as others because it doesn't deliver to the average manager or business owner. Too far over my head to really find the advice useful or applicable.

There are good outsourcing how-to books that came out in 2005...I have two. I also bought Corbett's book through Amazon and gave it to the local library for their community rummage sale as it couldn't be returned for my money back. The info is dated and the advice is too subjective.

At best, Corbett has furnished a compilation and one-off set of the business journal articles of two & three YEARS ago.

Perhaps if it was 2002 or 2003 and you were looking for a primer, it was the book to get - but now there are too many other great outsourcing books to choose from. Like others, I don't like to add books in my library that aren't useful and this is one from which nothing new is to be learned if you are the least bit savvy about outsourcing...sort of a "Outsourcing For Dummies" with the woven twist that others have also mentioned...over-the-top and unabashed plugs for Corbett's business units.

I understand how a book author often writes a book to promote himself as an expert, academic/educator or sharer or information. But Corbett is a consultant - pure and simple - and he pushes the book at self-promotional "conferences" he puts on at great cost to attendees and corporate sponsors. Like an Amway of Outsourcing...Its a shame that the editors at his publishers (Dearborn) would print his firm's brochure and charge me to purchase it... instead of a book of business executive education - but Dearborn is getting a reputation for doing just that more and more - anything for a buck, I guess. Be warned.

On the positive side, if you can get a used or discount copy of the book, its a satisfactory first read on outsourcing if you can get past the self-promotion and by remembering that many smart people have done on their own very successfully that which Corbett insists only a consultant can do.

Like other critical buyers have said, "Not worth the cover price". You'll be disappointed you didn't expand your search for more complete and current outsourcing selections which tell you how to succeed for yourself, not through a consulting company.

Provides a simple overview of why, what and how. Note: Books Does Not get into process details or offshoring details.

I found this book pretty disappointing on the subject of outsourcing and "how to do it right."

Corbett is limited in sharing insights and instructional how-to's. As an early book on outsourcing, its dated and vague. I recommend you look at the other books on outsourcing which are more forthcoming and self-empowering.

The book is basic , not very comprehensive and long on self-importance instead of a true "how-to". I agree with other reviewers who remarked that Corbett is selling an introduction to his consulting firm.

I bought the book to find out what I didn't know and to get direction on how to either learn it or do it. Corbett prefers to leave you hanging, perhaps to engage his consulting firm, but I think more than not, its just an incomplete work on outsourcing management.

The points are interesting, but they're nothing you haven't read over and over in newspapers and business journals. Its a quick read that delivers little substance for the working manager.

I see that alot of his cronies have offered their solicited opinions also here on his book. An an ex-IBM'er in procurement who is acquainted with the firm's actual project outcomes - I will share with the readers here that these reviewers are not objective.

I was hoping for more, and found it in other outsourcing books I found here in Amazon. This book is more of a consultant's calling card than a guide or manual of how to outsource correctly. It is certainly not the earth-shaker some of these other book reviews spout. Also, I have done a bestseller search several times here under term "outsourcing" and two other books have consistently come up as the bestseller, not this book as another reviewer below suggests. Let the buyer beware.

The arguement on why to outsource has been debated ad nauseum. Either you see the financial and organization value or you're behind the curve.

Most business leaders are convinced, but if you're not, this book will provide you the same old reasons. I found the book dated as compared to other selections on outsourcing in the book store.

My suggestion is borrow this one...don't buy it.

I can tell you in India and Singapore where I work in management for a rather large outsourcing firm (which, by the way has moved many USA jobs away from the Americas to us), that the book is well received.

It might not be magical or ground-breaking but its instructional and thought-provoking no matter how many times you read its content and from wherever you may read it otherwise.

Perhaps the Americans and Brits are still very angry that outsourcing has spoiled what they selfishly thought were only their career ladders and choices. Now that foreigners have opportunities brought clearer from a book like this, Americans get annoyed and nasty at the messenger.

I am thankful to Mr Corbett for his contribution to equalizing our countries(even if that had to mean hurting the American worker.)

He has given us overseas the information we needed to level the playing field.