In case you haven’t heard, outsourcing isn’t just for the prosperity of corporate giants. Small business owners are starting to realize the potential for benefit and growth from this practice as well. Numerous aspects of most businesses can be contracted out to a variety of different firms, individuals, and even overseas. The question then becomes, “what types of tasks should I outsource and to whom?” This guide should provide some practical advice and practical answers to that question.
What Should You NOT Outsource?
The first decision that should be made when considering sending work elsewhere is determining what not to outsource. Any facet of operations pertaining to your company’s mission statement should be strictly performed in house. It is very important to retain complete ownership of everything that factors into the identity of your business. However, this should leave a plethora of options for you to outsource, such as book keeping, word processing, public relations, and human resources, for example. Now you can begin to identify where you stand to gain the most from outsourcing.
Suppose your organization relied heavily upon a large amount of creativity and ideas from your staff, but they had to spend a lot of time typing and copying. The typing and copying would be a prime candidate for work that could easily be outsourced to another firm, and productivity toward the end goal of your own company would surely increase. This is a great example of the types of situations where you can benefit from outsourced labor. Outsourcing your administrative tasks gives you and your team more time to focus on your core operations.
Who Should You Hire to Outsource?
Once you decide what to outsource, then it is time to decide who to hire. This can be a tricky endeavor, as it can take time to find the right business process outsourcing firm to complement your company. Experts suggest trial periods before signing any extended contracts in order to avoid a poor decision. Another good idea is establishing a liaison between the two companies to enhance accountability and improve timing between your business and those handling your sensitive affairs.
Outsourcing can improve your ability to focus on the core principals of your business. This can undoubtedly have a positive effect on your profitability. However, in order to maximize the constructive aspects of outsourcing, it is important to make a few key educated decisions. Doing so will make the decision to outsource a very rewarding one.
