Outsourcing has acquired several nicknames over the years. “Fire and forget” is one. “Run my mess for less” is another. Both reflect the same attitude. Companies have a problem - and they want an outsourcing company to take it off their hands so they never have to bother with it. They also want to save money.

It is the kind of approach that has given outsourcing a bad name. Surveys show many companies that went in for outsourcing with this attitude - most did in the early days and many still do - are unhappy with the results. A survey by PA Consultants in 2003 found 66 per cent of businesses felt the benefits they expected from outsourcing contracts had been only partially realised or not realised at all.