While the term “outsourcing” is sometimes frowned upon, it doesn’t always mean sending work offshore to other countries. Outsourcing is a business practice used by companies to reduce costs or improve efficiency by shifting tasks, operations, jobs or processes to an external contracted third party for a significant period of time.
Managing a business works best when you have the right systems in place. The reality, however, is that you’re already wearing too many hats and often don’t have enough time to manage the various aspects of your organization.
The hats need to come off! Some of the responsibilities you manage are often better left to someone else. Everything your business needs can be done by an expert, and often costs less than performing the same task in-house. There are many tasks you’re doing that could easily be accomplished by “outsourcing” to a third party.
Information Technology
Image Credit: Printer Logic
The world of technology is changing fast, and businesses have to change with it if they want to maintain a competitive edge. Not every innovation has improved productivity (looking at you, Zuckerburg), but nobody can deny the wealth of tools that exist now to manage customer information, automate marketing process, manage print and data systems, and reduce downtime in the business. Sure, upgrading your computers and rebuilding your web presence can be an annoyance taking up space on your to-do list, but it beats getting shellacked by your competitor down the street.
Writing
Name a business that can operate in a market without speaking to its consumer. The internet is on your side. Web access allows us to utilize written medium as a marketing strategy. You can get all of your writing done by a professional, on a regular basis.
You’d be surprised at how a few ideas can turn into great content, and a refreshing overview of your brand. You don’t have to hire a professional right this moment, but starting a discussion with one would drastically improve your process. Writing has become your substitute for big-budget campaigns, and it’s easily outsourced.
Digital Marketing
In 20 years, they’ll just call it “marketing.” Digital marketing includes web design, digital advertising, content marketing, video production and photography, branding and graphic design, social media management and more. While some of these operations can be run in-house, many of them are highly technical, and require the expertise of market specialists who can create a powerful client-facing brand and generate leads to grow your business.
Accounting
Money is why you’re in business.
You have a bottom-line to improve, and only you can do it. But you can have help with the numbers. You won’t get told what to do, but you will have a clear overview of what’s going on financially. The wealth of knowledge you receive from a knowledgeable accountant can put you in the perfect position to grow your business.
You can’t properly manage your business finances unless you understand your balance sheet, your expenses, and your source of revenue. An accountant will help with this on a weekly basis if you want, and digital access makes the service cheap.
