"Since outsourcing is a staple of benefits management, we should keep in mind that the cost/benefit analysis of outsourcing opportunities should not be limited to comparing a vendor's fees to your gains from staff re-deployment, or your savings from staff reduction. There may be other costs inherent in outsourcing some functions, including ones we've long-since outsourced.... [B]enefits managers may, without really thinking about it, cede authority over strategic and cost-sensitive subjects to vendors that were seen primarily as providing administrative-only services."

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