Outsource, I don’t outsource... but are you really sure?

Lots of small business owners seem shocked that anyone would suggest they outsource any of their work. I don’t outsource, I don’t need to outsource etc are just some of the responses (the polite ones anyway!).

But were you to look at your every day circumstances I am sure you would be surprised to know that you do outsource already.

Let’s look at what I perceive outsourcing to be: a system where you pass on to someone else work, projects or tasks that you are unskilled for, doing tasks that don’t move your company forward or bring in more money.

Have you ever ordered your grocery shopping online? Given someone else your ironing to do? Gone to the dentist for a filling? Gone to the hairdresser? Used a cleaner? These are all examples of outsourcing. I practice what I preach; I do my weekly shop online. It saves me an awful lot of time and it saves me money, no more temptations from those ends of aisle offers. I also use an ironing lady, she does a better job than I would, in less time than I would, and I make more money using my time elsewhere than the cost of the ironing. It just makes sense to me.

What value is there in you doing the task yourself? Because you feel you have to, because you feel you can’t afford not to, or because you don’t like to let go. Look at things a different way. If you concentrate on your core business how much can you earn in an hour? If you do certain tasks yourself is that common sense? Should you do your own admin or accounts? If bookkeeping takes you an hour then it has cost you your hourly rate. However, should you outsource, it could cost you a lot less, it could take a lot less time than it would have taken you, and in that time you could have won a new contract or client.

There are many experts out there who can make a huge difference to your business, you can outsource your bookkeeping, admin, website design and management, SEO, social media marketing, telemarketing, IT management and even personal tasks such as managing your diary or email, doing your shopping, or even walking your dog. Remember, it’s all about outsourcing tasks that someone else can do in less time, to a higher level or just tasks you don’t enjoy or have the time for.

Open yourself up to the possibilities of outsourcing today, and move your business on to the next level.



1 comment:

  1. Obviously I'm slightly biased, however, outsourcing can be hugely beneficial under the right circumstances (the opposite is also true).

    In a scenario where the cost of outsourcing a task is less than the total cost of handling it in-house and/or the quality (or ultimate ROI) compensate for extra cost - it's a win-win situation.

    A lot of smaller businesses do not account properly for in-house time spent on a project as a cost, which can often skew opinions!

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