Small business owners more than any other category of enterprise live in the multi-tasking reality. They are their own webmasters, bookkeepers, payroll clerks and administrative assistants. They handle accounting, marketing, tax preparation and human resources. There is no end to the list of tasks that need to get done and are just handled by the owner. But with so much busy work going on behind the scenes, when is there time to handle the execution of the core business objectives and develop new clients? Does it make sense for the owner to postpone a deadline or reschedule a customer appointment to tend to the bookkeeping?
At some point, the “jack of all trades, master of none” phrase will become an actuality. The go-to solution is to create a new position and hire another employee. We’d like to suggest another option for you to consider. Outsource. Hire a contractor. Consult with a professional in the field. Sign a contract for specific services. Look at apps, automation and cloud services.
The six elements we all learned for fact-finding, writing articles and storytelling apply perfectly here: Who, What, Where, When, Why, How.
Who
Hire a professional in their field of expertise. Try to hire someone who has clients in a similar business. Get referrals from your networking associates.
What
Services and tasks that are outside of your competencies and mission statement deserve a strong consideration for outsourcing. Things such as accounts payable/receivable, accounting and marketing are on the top of many lists. In addition, refer to the tasks referenced in the first paragraph above.
When
If you don’t understand the intricacies of what you are doing (such as with tax laws) or spending too much time outside of your company’s mission, it’s time to look at farming out some of the work.
Where
A combination of the words outside and resourcing, outsourcing can be handled by someone in your own backyard, a person on the other side of the country or a company across the globe.
Why
It’s critical to be in the business of doing your own business, not the administration of your business. Recognizing that this is not always possible, it’s still something to weigh every once in a while.
How
Determine what functions are prime for outsourcing. Do some research on options – maybe billing can be handled by an app or an automated system, for example. Evaluate the costs of outsourcing vs. the cost of lost business from your handling it yourself.
You will know when the time is right and until then, we’ll let you get back to payroll!
Leisa Chester Weir
Principal, Owner, Webmaster,
Administrative Assistant, Content Creator,
Proofreader, Copy Editor
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