Hiring a CSO

The following are several important pointers to remember before hiring a contract service organization (CSO) to perform any tasks required in the development or marketing of a new product:

1. Make contact with several CSOs and inquire about their interest and availability to do the job.
2. Choose several candidates and obtain quotes from them outlining the professional services they will provide and what guarantees they offer for their work.
3. In order to ensure fairness and consistency between bids, prepare a request for proposals (RFP) ahead of time and distribute it to your top 3-5 choices
4. Always remember to obtain signed confidentiality agreements protecting your IP, prior to giving out too much information about your new product and the requested services.