If you’ve recently launched a new business, you’re probably juggling a number of different jobs on a daily basis. It’s not easy to set up a company, and it’s even more difficult to make that venture a success. We all know that up to 90 percent of startups fail, so what can you do to make sure that you’re in that exclusive 10 percent club? One option you may consider to make life easier and improve the daily running of your business is outsourcing. If you’re new to this concept, you’ve come to the right place.
The Basics
Outsourcing is an alternative to undertaking and managing tasks in-house. It involves working with external companies, agencies or individuals, rather than hiring people to join your team. You can outsource almost anything imaginable, from cleaning and data entry to digital marketing and accounting.
The idea of outsourcing is to take advantage of skills and services without adding to your annual wage bill. If you form partnerships or make agreements on a short-term basis, you have access to the expertise you need, but you’re not adding employees.
What To Outsource
Every business is different, and you’ll need to think carefully about what you should outsource. The decisions you make should be tailored to your company. There is no universal set of jobs or tasks that should be outsourced. Generally speaking, outsourcing is a way of improving efficiency and cutting costs while also enabling you to focus on the tasks that are essential for the daily running of your business.
Avoid outsourcing core aspects of the business and consider the skills you have available in-house. If you haven’t got an IT department and you depend on computer systems and software to operate smoothly, taking advantage of managed IT services is a good idea. If you don’t have a team of cleaners or maintenance staff, this is another area that may be worth outsourcing.
If you don’t have marketing experts on your staff and you’re keen to push the business forward and drive sales, you may consider working with a marketing agency rather than advertising positions.
Choosing The Right Partners
If you plan to outsource elements of your business, it’s essential to make the right calls. Look for freelancers, companies or agencies that have expertise and experience in the relevant areas, read client testimonials and reviews and check out portfolios. Go about the process in the same way as you would if you were recruiting new members of staff. Don’t just make a couple of calls and go for the cheapest option. Set up an informal consultation, have a chat about the services on offer and make a decision once you’ve considered all your options.
If you’ve got a new business, you don’t have to run around like a headless chicken trying your hand at every job going, or hire a raft of new staff to plug gaps in your skillset. Outsourcing is an effective way of bolstering your armoury without taking on permanent employees, and it can help you to lower costs and improve the service you provide.