Many business owners ask me for suggestions on how to outsource effectively. They understand that hiring staff or outsourcing at least some tasks to other professionals – either as a one-off or on a regular, contract basis – is often necessary for the long-term growth and success of their business.
Yet for so many, the mere thought of this brings fear, or they have attempted to hire a contractor at some stage and have had less than beneficial outcomes.
But it doesn’t need to be so challenging. Once you learn how to find the right people to help you manage your business, you’ll be able to focus your energy on the things you enjoy and the things you do best.
I’ve just finished reading ‘How To Find And Work With A VA – The Business Owners Guide’ by Jo Saunders. This eBook is an easy read, in clear, simple language, outlining the essentials that any business owner should know before hiring a Virtual Assistant (VA).
Some VAs may focus on general ‘admin’ tasks, while others specialise in a specific field – for example, bookkeeping, writing, graphic design, web site management, social media – or for particular industries such as real estate, music, health and well-being, and so on.
Regardless of the type of VA you require, by reading ‘How To Find And Work With A VA – The Business Owners Guide’ first and following the guidelines recommended within, business owners can greatly improve the likelihood of building a successful working relationship with the right VA for their needs.
So if outsourcing tasks is an area you’re about to venture into or would like some helpful tips on, consider reading this first to give yourself a head start.
How to Find and Work With a VA – The Business Owners Guide
Sometimes you are not your own best employee.
Sometimes you are not the most cost-effective choice for handling certain aspects of your business.
Sometimes success in small business relies on recognizing where you could use some help and investing in the things that really make a difference to your productivity and profitability.
Sometimes, small business outsourcing is just a better idea.
Plain and simple.
Should You Outsource – Business and Personal Factors
Outsourcing certain business tasks is often the best strategy for small business management, both personally and professionally.
In every business’ life, there comes a time when, for one reason or another, it is in your best interest to bring in some outside help. The motivation can often start as personal in nature, but in truth the impact of successful outsourcing cannot be entirely separated from either side of life; the result of successful outsourcing should benefit you in your personal and business life.
The motivation behind outsourcing can very basically be broken down into one of two factors – time or skill.
Personally, if either a lack of time or lack of skill causes you stress and strain, thereby spilling over and affecting your personal life, it is time to get some help. Being dedicated to your business is not the same as letting it rule your life. Remember why you became a small business owner to begin with and look at outsourcing as a way to maintain a balance between your personal and business life.
Good Help Is Hard To Find – Or Is It?
They say good help is hard to find. This old adage keeps many small business people from outsourcing and improving their business and personal lives. However, if you know what to look for, you can find good help in short time, and start enjoying the benefits right away.
Here are a few tips to help you find good outsourced service-people:
If you are outsourcing a project, also consider your needs after completion so that you can get the ongoing support you need. Work to build a relationship with good freelancers so that you can readily come back again for subsequent projects and issues. In this case, also consider correlating pay to milestones throughout the project as an incentive to see the project through to completion.
Whether it is a virtual assistant you need to relieve the burden of record-keeping tasks and communications, a programmer, designer or writer for marketing campaigns, there are plenty of great agents out there waiting to fill your need. When business and pleasure begin to suffer, use these tips to ease your burden and increase productivity, all the while making your small business thrive.