Last Updated on February 8, 2023 by Dave Schoenbeck
You’ll need to hire more employees as your business grows. Right? Maybe not. Before you advertise for a new position, you might want to consider business outsourcing.
Outsourcing is contracting out specific tasks to other (preferably American) companies. For example, contracting with a social media company if you need some posts scheduled or a marketing firm if your branding needs a revamp. Outsourcing allows you to receive highly specialized assistance with tasks that are best left to the experts.
Business owners tend to hire new employees as their first option when growing their company. Still, the outsourcing world has changed significantly in recent years, and there are some genuine advantages to consider when deciding if it’s right for your business.
What You Can Outsource
You can outsource almost any position your company needs. A few examples: outside bookkeepers, HR specialists, staffing companies, engineers, CAD operators, software specialists, marketing agencies, social media experts, PR companies, website builders, payroll preparers, graphic designers, security firms, sales lead callers, sales trainers, salespeople, and more.
It might not be immediately apparent what positions are better suited to outsourcing versus hiring a new person. Think of it this way: would the required tasks be diverse and time-consuming enough to warrant a full-time employee? On the other hand, if you only need someone to copy and paste things all day long, creating a position for you or a potential hire might not be worthwhile.
One of the outsourcing advantages is that it doesn’t rule out hiring a new employee in the future. You can always start by outsourcing a task and then use that as an opportunity to learn about what you might eventually need in a full-time employee.
4 Outsourcing Advantages
If your business is small, the costs of a full-time hire can cripple you financially. Outsourcing can give you more bang for your buck and allows you to focus your money where it matters most. Moreover, contrary to popular belief, outsourcing doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg; all things considered, the pricing is comparable to what you’d pay for a new, full-time employee.
Outsourcing also gives you better flexibility based on demand and seasonal rhythm. For example, you can outsource during your peak sales months and scale back when things slow down, something you couldn’t do with a full-time employee.
One of the leading outsourcing advantages is that it allows you, as a business owner, to focus on what matters most. Rather than trying to do it all, you can outsource the tasks that take up your time with little reward and put your energy into the tasks only you can do.
Also, outsiders can bring a higher level of expertise and specialization than an entry-level new hire would be able to. Companies you might outsource to have seen a lot; they’re good at what they do and get it done efficiently. Many outsourcing advantages rest on the quality of the work you will receive and the professionalism involved.
Above all of the outsourcing advantages, though, is that it’s incredibly low-risk for you. If you’re unsatisfied with the work received, you can likely get a refund, and at the very least, you can cancel your contract and try a different company. In addition, it’s much easier to find a new company to contract with than to fire one employee and hire a new one.
Outsourcing can be a great way to grow your business more efficiently. Click on my contact form and schedule a complimentary video call with me to create a customer outsourcing strategy and discuss some outsourcing pros and cons for your business.
Coach Dave
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