One of the most critical elements of a successful outsourcing project is an early focus on the relationship between the manufacturing client and the service provider. Because outsourcing involves two different companies with varied cultures, expectations, assumptions, behaviors and incentives, creating a partnered approach from the beginning enables all levels and teams involved to establish how they will work with one another. Focusing on a partnered approach after a project gets under way is often too late, because mistrust and "siloed" mindsets and behaviors may have already taken root, preventing teams from working effectively together.
