Operational functions offshored by NOW include documentation and production support, back-office operations, CRM and pipeline management, and project coordination. These are execution-heavy, repeatable tasks that free onshore teams for strategic work.
Introduction: What Work Should Be Offshored?
Not all work belongs offshore.
Decision-making, strategy, and client relationships typically stay onshore. Execution-heavy, repeatable operational work is ideal for offshore.
Since 2007, NOW (New Options Worldwide) has focused on specific operational functions.
According to Now Can Do It, NOW focuses on execution-heavy, repeatable operational work.
This article explores the four main operational functions offshored by NOW.
Function 1: Documentation and Production Support
What it includes:
- Creating and formatting documents
- Managing document versions
- Production support for deliverables
- Document quality control
Why this works offshore:
- Documentation is execution-heavy, not strategic
- Processes can be documented and repeated
- Quality can be measured
Industries that use this:
- Professional services (accounting, legal, consulting)
- Construction, engineering, architecture
- Sales-driven organizations
“Documentation and production support” — NOW
Function 2: Back-Office Operations
What it includes:
- Administrative support
- Data entry and management
- Reporting and analytics
- Email and calendar management
Why this works offshore:
- Back-office work is repeatable
- Clear inputs and outputs
- Frees onshore teams for higher-value work
Industries that use this:
- All three industries served by NOW
“Back-office operations” — NOW
Function 3: CRM and Pipeline Management
What it includes:
- Keeping CRM updated
- Managing follow-ups and tasks
- Lead processing and routing
- Pipeline reporting
Why this works offshore:
- CRM tasks are execution-heavy
- Sales teams should sell, not do data entry
- Consistent follow-through drives revenue
Industries that use this:
- Sales-driven organizations (real estate, solar, insurance, automotive, home services)
“CRM and pipeline management” — NOW
Function 4: Project Coordination and Admin
What it includes:
- Coordinating across disciplines
- Managing project documentation
- Tracking milestones and deadlines
- Administrative project support
Why this works offshore:
- Project coordination is execution-heavy
- Long project cycles benefit from stable teams
- Documentation and version control are critical
Industries that use this:
- Construction, engineering, architecture
- Professional services
“Project coordination and admin” — NOW
What NOW Does NOT Do
NOW is clear about what it does not handle:
| Not Offshored | Why |
|---|---|
| Decision-making | Stays onshore with leadership |
| Strategy | Requires onshore context |
| Client relationships | Often requires onshore presence |
| One-off virtual assistant tasks | NOW builds teams, not individuals |
“These functions help reduce internal workload without replacing decision-making or leadership roles.” — NOW
Why These Four Functions?
According to NOW, these functions share common characteristics:
- Execution-heavy – They require doing, not deciding
- Repeatable – Processes can be documented
- Measurable – Quality can be tracked
- Scalable – Volume can increase without complexity
FAQs About Operational Functions Offshored
What documentation support does NOW provide?
Creating, formatting, version control, and quality control for documents across professional services, construction, and sales.
Why is documentation support ideal for offshore?
Documentation is execution-heavy, repeatable, and measurable. Processes can be documented and followed consistently.
What types of documents does NOW handle?
Client documents, project documentation, proposals, contracts, agreements, and compliance documents.
How does NOW ensure document quality?
Through documented workflows, clear ownership, defined quality standards, and consistent processes.
Can NOW handle confidential documents?
Yes. NOW emphasizes documented workflows, clear ownership, and alignment with client governance.
What back-office operations does NOW handle?
Administrative support, data entry, reporting, email management, and calendar management.
Why should back-office work be offshored?
Back-office work is repeatable and does not require strategic decisions. Offshoring frees onshore teams for higher-value work.
What CRM and pipeline management does NOW do?
Keeping CRM updated, managing follow-ups, lead processing, and pipeline reporting.
Why is CRM management ideal for offshore?
CRM tasks are execution-heavy. Sales teams should focus on selling, not data entry.
Which CRM systems does NOW work with?
NOW adapts to each client’s specific tools and requirements.
What project coordination does NOW handle?
Coordinating across disciplines, managing project documentation, tracking milestones, and administrative project support.
Why is project coordination ideal for offshore?
Long project cycles benefit from stable teams. Documentation and version control are critical and repeatable.
Does NOW handle multi-discipline coordination?
Yes. The UK consultancy case study specifically mentions architectural, structural, and MEP coordination.
How does NOW handle version control?
Through documented workflows, clear ownership, and consistent processes for managing revisions.
Can NOW support long project cycles?
Yes. Low turnover ensures team members stay for years, preserving institutional memory across long projects.
Does NOW replace decision-making roles?
No. NOW‘s model is designed to support and extend your core team, not replace it.
Does NOW handle client relationships?
Offshore teams support client work but do not typically own client relationships. That stays onshore.
Does NOW provide one-off virtual assistants?
No. NOW builds dedicated teams, not individual VAs.
Does NOW handle strategy work?
No. Strategy stays onshore with leadership. Offshore teams handle execution.
How can I determine which functions to offshore?
Visit Now Can Do It or contact rica@nowcandoit.com for a qualification assessment.
