To Outsource or Not to Outsource? That is the question…
A few years ago, DCA Virtual Business Support published an article about outsourcing for small business owners. The constantly evolving landscape of the business world means, at times, we may need to reevaluate and assess what worked then versus what may work better now. Not to mention digital platforms and capabilities make things that were once thought needed to be handled in the office able to be outsourced.
How do you know when you it is time to outsource? Your business is growing and you’re finding it harder and harder to keep up for tasks. Tasks such as payroll and bookkeeping are not your forte, outsourcing these tasks may be something to consider. When keeping up with ever-changing rules of social media is just not working for you, it may be time to bring in a professional. Your business growth is obvious, but not enough to support a regular employee – finding some additional help where you can pay for what you need can benefit your business as well.
In the original article, three categories of tasks were outlined that are naturals for when considering outsourcing as a solution.
- Repetitive tasks– data entry, payroll, and bookkeeping. But you may also want to consider invoicing, taking inventory, customers service and scheduling appointments.
- Specialized– marketing, social media, IT support, process development were some of the items we originally suggested. This list has evolved to include non-profit and event management, newsletters and eblasts, as well as SEO and video creation
- Highly skilled– accounting, financial analysis, CFO services now also include tasks like website building, compliance and design work
It is important to note that while these are all items that can be outsourced, you shouldn’t outsource tasks simply because you don’t want to do them. Before deciding to outsource, assess whether the task is essential to your core values as a business and if you have an internal employee who can assume the tasks. Determining if it makes more sense to train someone internally or outsource will be a situation by situation decision. Outsourcing is a good choice when you need to fill a gap quickly or for ongoing work when there is not internal staff with the bandwidth or knowledge.
It can also be a smart decision if you do not want to deal with employees. Having employees requires additional insurances are met as well as tax reporting and tax payments. There are definitely some benefits to having contractors fill your business needs as your business grows.
Be creative in your outsourcing endeavors. If you run a growing marketing company, find a smaller marketing company or freelancer who understands your work to create a win-win situation. Make sure you have your Non-Disclosure and No Solicitation Agreements in place before you begin working together though.
Also, be sure to do your due diligence when searching for a company to handle these tasks. Web reviews can be helpful when trying to find a reputable outsourcing company. Remember angry customers are three times more likely to make a review than those who had a good experience. Don’t forget to check their website and Facebook page for client testimonials as well. And word of mouth is perhaps the best way to find a company that suits your business needs, so ask your friends and colleagues for recommendations. You should also ask your potential vendor for references and samples of their work after you’ve spoken with them and feel like you may want to work together. Depending on the type of work they are performing, you may even want to ask for a certificate of insurance or proof of their professional license if they will be involved in your company’s finances.
DCA Virtual Business Support is a trusted outsource solution for many businesses. While we don’t do every service discussed in this article, we would be happy to point you to one of our partner businesses that do. Schedule a time to chat with someone on our team about your needs. Even if you are not sure if outsourcing is right for you, we’d love to have a chat. You can schedule by clicking here.