What would it be like to have an extra set of hands when it comes to making your business thrive? What would it look like if you could have the everyday functions of your business managed so that you have more time to focus on the bigger picture, such as supporting and building relationships with your clients? Outsourcing is an efficient way to make this dream a reality.
There Are Many Advantages Of Outsourcing.
Are you overwhelmed and bogged down by handling everything yourself when it comes to your business? There are many advantages to outsourcing, which is simply delegating some or all of your non-core business functions to someone else who is skilled at handling those for you. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits outsourcing can do for your business.
You can focus on the core functions of your business.
These are the functions that you are most skilled at and need your time and focus. Whatever business you’re in, you know what makes it thrive and what you do best. Wouldn’t it be beneficial for you to be able to take the time to focus on client acquisition and building relationships? Perhaps you need more time in your day to work on your presentations. Having someone free up time for you to focus on the big picture of your business is probably the biggest advantage of outsourcing.
You can have improved organization in your business.
Can you identify gaps in your daily operations that need improving? Maybe you are not the most organized person and would benefit from having someone to organize your electronic files, email, and calendar. Maybe you need help with marketing and the day-to-day marketing tasks that are all consuming.
You can get short-term support for your business.
You may require short-term projects with a quick turnaround time to meet a deadline. Perhaps you need someone to launch a digital marketing campaign or upgrade your operating systems and inventory. These are just a few examples but wouldn’t it be freeing to have someone readily available to handle those for you? With outsourcing, you don’t have to shift your focus from doing what you do best?
Outsourcing Does Not Require Office Space.
In the modern days we are living in, there may be no need for a full-time Office Assistant. Hiring a VA is one of the best moves an entrepreneur can make for their business. A Virtual Assistant (VA) is an independent contractor who provides administrative, creative, and technical services to multiple clients. As a self-employed professional, a VA works remotely from a home office or other self-owned space. They will work with you virtually, saving you time and money. Keep in mind that a VA handles most general administrative tasks.
A Virtual Expert® (VE) specializes in a specific niche and provides the ultimate service to their clients. Hiring a VE will allow you access to a specialized expert at your service, but you would only pay for the time and services that you need. There are no overhead costs such as taxes, paid benefits, or training as if you hired a new full-time employee.
Consider These Things When Outsourcing:
- Know what work you expect help with. Determine what specific needs you have, and what types of work you can delegate. A good VA or VE can help you figure this out based on the type of services they offer to clients.
- Know what qualities you are looking for. Hiring a VA or VE is much like hiring an employee, so you’ll want to set up a time to talk and get to know their experience level. Be sure and verify what skills they have and whether they specialize in the area you want them to manage. Don’t disqualify a VA or VE if they don’t meet all of your criteria. They may be able to quickly learn what you need them to do, or they may outsource another VA to assist them with a certain task.
- Choose how you will communicate. Set up a preferred communication that works for both of you. Will you communicate through email or Zoom calls? There are communication apps such as Slack for an instant message if they have questions that need to be answered right away.
- Ask for references. Most of the time, a VA or VE will have a LinkedIn profile, a website, or a Facebook or Instagram business page (or all). They should have testimonials from previous or current clients who recommend their work. You can ask them for references that you can contact and ask to see a sample of their work, if applicable.
Don’t be surprised if you love working with a VA or VE so much that you keep them around for a long time. You will likely develop such a great working relationship and enjoy the many benefits that your VA or VE will offer to you and your business.
Contributing author: Melissa Momcilovich
