You're Not Alone – A Guide to Outsourcing

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 Outsourcing is the practice of handing control over certain processes to someone who is outside the company. According to a report from research firm Clutch, around 80% of small businesses plan to outsource in 2021. Outsourcing is becoming more popular because it not only allows many companies to save time and money but also gives them a chance to work with industry experts. It enables them to focus on the parts of the business they love, and leave other parts to more capable professionals.

Business owners who outsource work understand that trying to do everything themselves can only slow down the growth of their business. Based on the principles from The Effective Executive, however, to be truly effective as a person includes knowing how to manage your time, setting your priorities, and understanding where and how to mobilize strength. According to author Peter Drucker, becoming a more effective person hinges on our ability to “get the right things done.” And one of the best things a business owner can do at an individual level is to delegate tasks. Going things alone can be damaging to your brand.

To prioritize what we need to do, we have to tap into outsourcing — both in the business and personal space. This means hiring someone to manage day-to-day tasks like taxes, marketing, or even chores, so we can make the most out of the 24 hours we’re given each day.

Why Should You Outsource?

Time is the only thing we cannot buy, but outsourcing specific tasks comes pretty close. In her book called Time Smart, Harvard professor Ashley Whillans makes the case that valuing time over money can automatically improve your quality of life and make you happier. Based on her research, people who prioritize time are happier because they feel more in control of their lives. Although it may seem like a waste of money to hire someone to do your laundry or clean your house, outsourcing these chores can make you as happy as you'd be if you got an $18,000 raise. By letting someone else do the tasks you don't prioritize, you can have more time for meals, active leisure, vacation, or socialization. You also have more time to reinvest in your brand. Moreover, you are also less overwhelmed and stressed in the long run.

How Do You Outsource?

When thinking about which tasks you should outsource, focus on the time-consuming and repetitive stuff you don’t enjoy. It helps to ask whether or not someone can do a better job than you on certain tasks as well. At a personal level, these tasks can include laundry, grocery shopping, gardening, and cleaning. When it comes to building your brand, you could also find someone to run errands for you, like lining up at the post office, answering phone calls, or booking appointments.

Once you’ve narrowed it down, hire a service provider like you would an office employee. You want to hear feedback on their previous performance and check on past experiences as well. Be sure to define and communicate your expectations. Let them know what you want them to accomplish, and if you’re following a tight schedule.

Best Practices for Outsourcing

As a general rule of thumb with outsourcing, you get what you pay for. This means you shouldn’t choose a service provider who has a cheap hourly rate but cannot assure quality. Ideally, you should hire someone who can achieve good results. If it’s your first time to engage their services, start with small tasks so you can see how strong their skills are. Outsourcing experts even recommend having a trial run so you can gauge their competence.

In our blog post on ‘5 Things to Do When Things Get Difficult’, we discussed how each of us has strengths and weaknesses — so the desire to be perfect will only bog you or your outsourced talent down. By acknowledging you need a helping hand sometimes, you can make your life much easier and more manageable.

Article was specially written for www.chriseducator.com by Annie Conner

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