Why Outsourcing Is Important
For Your Business
Whether you’re just starting a business or looking to grow your existing one, outsourcing may be an important resource for you to consider. If done effectively, it will undoubtedly, increase your productivity and your income potential.
As home business owners, for the most part ‘solo’ and trying to be jack-of-all-trades, we very often get frustrated and overwhelmed.
It’s as if we’re stuck doing the same things that aren’t getting us anywhere near what we’re reaching out for.
But have you ever considered the idea of outsourcing many of the small jobs that are keeping you from doing what you do best?
If the answer is “No” then perhaps you should make this consideration today.
What Is Outsourcing?
Outsourcing is the process of hiring someone else to do tasks that take up a lot of your time, so you can focus on the more important activities.
I see it as a smart way of buying quality time which you would otherwise waste on time-consuming non-productive stuff.
These tasks can be as simple as sending out quick emails to potential clients, doing marketing research, updating your blog. Basically, inefficiencies that prevent you from moving forward.
Benefits Of Outsourcing
Few of the various advantages include :-
- Avoiding extra costs by not having to pay for vacation leave, sickness benefits and high-costs for health insurance for employees.
- No need to buy or rent office space, pay utilities, provide equipment or office supplies. This will save you a significant amount of money compared to more traditional businesses.
- Outsourced employees normally work from home, so they do not have to commute, which makes the position appealing for them as well.
- You are not obliged to keep someone on long-term basis if you do not want to or if your budget does not permit. You can simply contact them again if and when you need to.
- You get to work with other people, from whom you learn a lot.
- Plus, assigned tasks are normally bound by time frames. This makes you accountable and helps you not to procrastinate.
When and Why You Should Outsource
Here are signs that it’s time to seriously start considering seeking outside help :-
- Taking ages to learn and master technology
- Lots of ideas and not enough time to make them happen
- Doing busy work to avoid doing what really needs to get done
- Frequently getting stuck on simple computer applications
- Spending too much time on your computer
- Very limited quality time with your loved ones
- Trying to get everything done yourself.
You can start outsourcing at any stage of your business. It doesn’t matter whether you’re getting started, putting your marketing in place, or seeking to grow your business in general.
There are so many small and mundane tasks that you, as a business owner are responsible for, that it becomes impossible to complete each and every item in a timely manner and with the quality that each task deserves.
When you delegate some of these items to a talented person in the area of expertise you need help in – an independant contractor whom you only pay after satisfactory completion of the work, it allows you to concentrate on the areas where you are the strongest.
Successful entrepreneurs actually do not see outsourcing as an expense - they see it as an investment. By looking 2 to 3 years down the road, you will have a team of people working for you and a system in place to help you get the most for your business.
Where To Go
There are several websites available that will help you find professionals to fit your outsourcing needs. These include :-
- Craigslist.org
- oDesk.com
- Freelancer.com
- Elance.com
- Guru.com
- asksunday.com
These websites are designed to match outsourcing professionals with those who need their services. It is important for you to read the guidelines and requirements of each site prior to posting a job to ensure that you remain in compliance with the site's expectations.
When posting a job, be very clear about the details, including the language and time zone you are in. Be specific in what you’re looking for. With the possibility that the project does not meet your expectations - it is recommended that you start with small tasks.
Many individuals who outsource for the first time, want to initially get a feel of having someone working for them and the concept of outsourcing itself. Once you establish a good relationship with a quality contractor, you can then delegate more elaborate work and build an ongoing business relationship.
Choosing the right contractor can be a daunting task.
So, take your time sorting through proposals and selecting the right expert/s for the job/s. Ask for their resume and samples of their work. Ask questions like ‘Why they think they would be a good fit for your project’. Tell them that you expect to receive a daily update on the progress of the task.
Putting It All Together
When you feel its time to outsource, follow this 4 step exercise to get you going. Start small, say, by delegating 1-2 hours per week until you get the hang of it. Then increase the hours gradually, according to your needs.
Step 1: Consider all the things in your everyday life that need to be completed - but waste your time - such as housework, ironing, laundry, etc. Now, make a list of the same types of things in your business that have to be accomplished but are not productive. These may include :-
- Checking e-mails
- Completing blog posts
- Updating social media websites and forums
- Analyzing website data
- Finding affiliate programs
- Locate advertisers
- Emailing potential clients
- Data entry
- Research
- Customer service
- Transcription
- Mailing list development
- Office management
- Presentations
- Bulk mailing
- Event planning
Step 2: Put a number down, from 1 (lowest) - 5 (highest), rating your skill level for each task, and then another number representing how well you like performing each task.
Step 3: Take the tasks with the lowest skill level and the lowest degree of likeability and find someone to outsource these items to.
Step 4: Revisit your list every couple of weeks. Tweak and refine as necessary.
Why Do This Assignment?
- It clears off all the chatter in your mind, all the million things you feel you have to do.
- The feeling of delegating and getting things off your shoulders is great!
