Tips You Need to Know to Succeed at Strategic Outsourcing -

Feeling overwhelmed with your business workload? You’re not alone!

Have you decided you need to hire some help to solve this problem? Here are some key points you need to know to succeed at strategic outsourcing.

You and your business have to be ready to outsource successfully. Outsourcing is a big step, it’s a strategic step. And whether you realize it or not, there are a lot of emotions associated with it and prep work.

Delegating or outsourcing is an art that has to be mastered if you want to hire help for your business to grow. And if you take this step without having the right pieces in place, it can be costly.

The most common questions people ask about outsourcing are, “How do I find the right people to hire?” and “When is the right time to outsource?” And these are very important questions, but what’s even more important is knowing what you should be outsourcing in the first place. And then you need to make sure you have the right processes and pieces in place ahead of time so that you can onboard this person efficiently and they can get to work. And let’s be real, there’s a lot of noise out there, and not everything that needs to be done should be done by you. And there are things you may love to do that you shouldn’t be doing as well.

So, let’s cut through the noise and have a black coffee conversation about strategic outsourcing. Let’s start by talking about two of the common stumbling blocks I’ve seen business owners make when they decide to outsource. I’ve made some of the mistakes myself.

The First Stumbling Block is Outsourcing the Wrong Things

The truth is, being busy isn’t the same as being productive. Just because a task takes up your time doesn’t mean it’s worth your time. So, here’s the question of the hour: Are you spending your precious hours on tasks that will truly move your business forward?

More than likely you may just need to make some adjustments to the way you work and make better choices when it comes to what you’re working on. And you’re not the only one with this problem. That’s why I share simple strategies you can use to help you manage stress, increase your productivity, and achieve sustainable growth in this blog post.

To master strategic outsourcing, you need to complete a task inventory. So here is an assignment I want you to complete. Over the course of a week, document every task you touch. This list becomes the cornerstone of your strategic outsourcing journey.

Once you’ve cataloged your tasks, it’s time to categorize them:

Tasks Only You Can Complete: These are the tasks that require your unique skills and insights as the business owner. Things related to revenue that can’t be delegated like networking, some marketing, public speaking.

Tasks You Can Automate: Identify steps in your processes that can be automated to save you time. Utilize tools that can save you time, boost your productivity and increase consistency in your business.

Tasks That Can Be Outsourced: Identify tasks that can’t be automated and don’t necessarily require your personal touch. These tasks are perfect for outsourcing.

With a clear understanding of the tasks that need to be completed, you’re well-equipped to consider strategic outsourcing. Outsourcing should be about freeing up your time and energy to focus on what truly matters. It isn’t just about getting stuff off your plate; it’s about getting the right stuff off your plate. It’s like a clean slate for your time and energy, giving you the freedom to focus on the tasks that bring the results you want.

The Second Stumbling Block to Outsourcing is Letting Go Of Control

I know it can be hard to let go. Starting a business is like having a child and raising it as it grows. So it can be hard to let someone else take control of something you hold that near and dear. I had the same struggle and still do with some tasks but I’m working through it by working with people I trust. I decided to start this process with my podcast. My daughter is my podcast VA. And it has still been hard giving up control of the pieces. But it has made a huge difference in the amount of other things I can get done. I used to believe that doing everything myself in my business and for the podcast was the most efficient way. But that’s not forward thinking.

I had to change my mindset and embrace the uncomfortable, letting my daughter take tasks off my plate. And yes, I could do things faster than her at first, but now that’s not the case. Most importantly, I’ve freed up space in my schedule to do more networking and prepare for some other strategic moves in my business like registering for business certifications.

When you outsource tasks and allow the person to complete it their way to get the results you want, you empower them, and you’re investing in the long-term success of your business. You’re creating space in your brain and your schedule. And guess what? That person might just surprise you with innovative solutions you never thought of. So, let go of the reins a bit and give them room to grow.

Strategic Outsourcing Can Be Scary

Bringing someone else into your business can feel like a risky move. And honestly it is because it can go very well or it can go very wrong for a number of reasons. You might have had a bad experience or two or more.

You don’t need to have all the answers. In fact, getting help before you’re drowning in work is the real game-changer. The strategic way to do this is to be proactive about planning for growth because you recognize that you can’t do it all yourself forever. Unless you want to be overworked and overwhelmed.

For more effective strategies for reclaiming control of your back office and overcoming disorganization through the art of delegation, check out this blog post.

How I Can Help

If you’re feeling overwhelmed at the thought of having to do this on your own but you’re ready to take action, then book a Back Office Assessment with me. I know this is a huge undertaking if you want to do it right. That’s one of the reasons I created this service.

During that two hour recorded Zoom session, we will uncover the areas that need improvement in your business. And trust me, it’s never as bad as you think it is. The problem is, most things are probably in your head and need to be documented. And that documented process needs to be married to documents in your digital files which probably need to be cleaned up. And I can help you with all of that!

But after that call, you will get a custom action plan that you can implement with or without me to free up your time for strategic growth. If your goal is to hire help, we focus on getting your files organized, identifying what things can be automated, and creating a position for someone to fill instead of piecemealing tasks one at a time. Imagine having a business that runs like clockwork. One that isn’t dependent on you for every move. It’s all possible with organization, automation and effective outsourcing.

Go to theshannonbaker.com/assessment to schedule your session today and start this leg of your journey to success. Your business deserves it, and so do you!

If you would like to hear the expanded version check out the podcast episode below.