When you first started your business, you probably didn’t expect the crazy amount of work you’d have to put in to make it all run smoothly. Some of the tasks may even be out of your area of expertise, but you’ve tried to do them anyway because hiring another full-time employee isn’t necessary for the job at hand.
However, you may have noticed that handling these things has hindered the growth of your business. You’re wasting valuable resources by focusing much of your time and money on tedious activities like accounting, IT, writing, and administrative work.
So if you want to improve your business and finally have the time to grow, continue reading to learn how outsourcing can help.
Benefits of Outsourcing
Outsourcing is beneficial to business owners in many ways. First, you’ll save money on employee costs like onboarding, workers comp, and payroll. While trusting someone from outside the company can be daunting, you’ll find that you have way more time and money to focus on the core aspects of your business. Once you do that, you’ll notice that you can grow your customer base more quickly than before.
Downsides of Outsourcing
Outsourcing has many incredible benefits, but there are a few downsides to consider. For example, you’re trusting another company or freelancer with some of your most essential tasks. So you have to find someone trustworthy and reliable for the job.
In addition, you’ll be giving up some control of the way these outsourced tasks are completed. Not to mention there are security risks to giving someone from the outside access to your most confidential information.
When to Outsource
In most instances, there is no right or wrong time to outsource. It depends on your budget, time, and resources. Typically, outsourcing can save you money. So if you’re a new business owner looking to cut costs, you may want to start sooner rather than later.
However, if you’ve been operating for a while, you need to figure out how to transition the tasks from in-house to an outside service provider. This transition is fundamental if you’re getting rid of an entire department of employees.
Knowing What to Outsource
Trying to decide which tasks to outsource can be difficult at first, but if you’re here, you may have an idea of what you want to hand off to someone else. One of the most commonly outsourced tasks is IT services because most companies spend less on a managed service provider than an in-house department.
So you’ll get customized services for a flat monthly fee with an IT company instead of paying fluctuating employee wages.
Finding the Right Freelancers or Agencies
The tricky part of outsourcing can be finding reliable freelancers and agencies to trust with your company and client data. Luckily, many online resources, like Upwork, can connect you with amazing people.
Websites like this have a vetting process to ensure that the freelancers they allow on the platform are legit and trustworthy, so you have the best chance of finding the right person for the job.
What to do When You’re Unsatisfied
You’re looking to outsource to improve your business, and there may be times when you come across people who don’t have your company’s best interests in mind. If you’re unsatisfied with their work, you have a few options.
You can part ways with them or work with them to fix the problem. You’ll know that you’re working with a good person if they’re willing to make adjustments to accommodate your needs. If not, you may need to look for someone else. However, before you do so, let them know kindly that you’re not sure they’re compatible with your company. This will help you avoid getting a bad review so you can book with other freelancers easily.
What’s Next?
So if you’ve decided to outsource certain aspects of your business, you may be unsure of where to start. First, ask yourself if you’d rather work with a freelancer or agency. Working with a freelancer can give you a more personable experience, but an agency could have a more diverse skill set to provide you with more customized services.
When you find someone you want to work with, ensure that they’re legit. You can check their online profiles or website for client testimonials and ask them for references you can contact. Additionally, they should be able to quickly provide you with samples of their work to show that they have the skills to do the job.
Conclusion
Outsourcing can be very beneficial for improving your business’s workflow, finances, and time. While there are risks, the positive aspects outweigh the negatives by far. So you should definitely consider taking the leap. Just ensure that you are taking steps to find people who are reliable and have the skills to give you satisfactory service.
Remember that you can always take a different direction if you aren’t happy with the way things are going.