If your business doesn’t outsource any of your services yet, these 9 successful companies may change your mind.
As of February this year, about 54% of companies worldwide are already using third-party services to support their customers and in-house team. But have you ever thought that even large companies get significant help from their outsourcing partners?
These companies prove that outsourcing has been, and will likely continue to be, a profitable venture for many different types of businesses. For obvious reasons, the benefit of outsourcing depends on your specific industry and business model.
But if you aren’t currently outsourcing any aspects of your day-to-day operations, it’s important to consider how an outside service provider might benefit your company. Let’s get to know these giants.
9 Successful Companies You Didn’t Know Outsourced Staffing
Let’s learn from these 9 large and well-known companies you probably didn’t know outsourced their services.
- IBM
- American Express
- Microsoft
- Apple
- Cisco Systems

As the world’s largest professional network with more than 810 million members worldwide, which operates on both desktop and mobile applications, LinkedIn outsources its services like customer support to third-party companies.
LinkedIn Learning even offers courses on outsourcing fundamentals. They may be satisfied enough to educate others about it.

Aside from being the biggest social media platform, which has an estimated net worth of $430 billion, Facebook also acquired around 82 companies, including large ones like Instagram, WhatsApp, and Oculus VR. They outsource their content, customer service, and IT functions. Having large companies like Facebook delegate functions to third-party companies makes the outsourcing market thrive even more.
IBM

Considered one of the largest employers, IBM outsources 70% of its workforce. They mostly rely on their outsourcing partner to take care of their IT network management and functions.
American Express

Ranked 10th on the 2021 Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For, Amex has been outsourcing its customer service and IT support to third-party companies for decades. Having offices in about 40 countries, it only makes sense to outsource these functions. Their net worth of $136.6 billion as of March 2022 shows that they made the right choice.

Even before Facebook acquired this internationally available instant messaging platform, WhatsApp outsourced its development and technical support to independent contractors. It was bought by Facebook for $22 billion in 2014, and now has a net worth of $25 billion.
Microsoft

This multinational technology corporation has a long history of outsourcing services including IT functions, network management, and hardware repair. Its outsourcing projects aim to maximize budget and resources, which contributed to the rapid growth of the company. Microsoft now has an estimated net worth of $2 trillion.
Apple

Thanks to this very powerful multinational company, not only are you enjoying your iPhones, but it also proves how outsourcing can be extremely successful. The majority of Apple’s manufacturing takes place in China.
Cisco Systems

Outsourcing is also one of this multinational technology corporation’s secrets to a net worth of $232 billion as of April 2022. The outsourced functions include web development and network management operations.

Even the world’s biggest search engine uses third-party services. Its contract workers even outnumbered its in-house employees. Their main reasons are to get access to global talent and to help cover for employees on parental leave.
Final thoughts
These large companies have two things in common: they are successful in terms of growth, and they outsource their services to continue growing.
These days, outsourcing isn’t just for big companies. Even little startups and small businesses will outsource. Outsourcing is a smart way to achieve goals that span beyond your hiring power or expertise. And if these highly successful companies can do it, so can you. Once you’re ready to start outsourcing, schedule a free discovery call with our experts.