What Can You Outsource?
I am currently reading “The World Is Flat” by Thomas Friedman, sadly, it’s been on my bookshelf for several months and just haven’t had a chance to get to it. It is an interesting and insightful look at how our world has become globally connected on an individual level. Friedman spends time discussing outsourcing and its affect on time and money. While we are sleeping, someone in India can be working on a report that lands on our desk when we wake up in the morning.
So I ask, what can you outsource? More importantly, what can you delegate.
The most profitable business tasks include working ON your business and not IN your business. What types of tasks do you do that merely take time and don’t increase profits? These tasks make perfect outsourcing tasks. Research is one, updating your website is another. Perhaps a part-time assistant would be the answer. Or Homesourcing… perhaps a stay-at-home mom who can log into her computer while caring for her children and get stuff done for you. Freeing up your time to make new contacts, work on new products, work on new operation procedures, meet with potential clients and keep existing clients happy and in the loop is essential.
Delegating can be a difficult task. Most entrepreneurs want to have control over all aspects of their business. And I certainly say more times than I ought to “if I want it done right…..” But the reality of good, effective outsourcing is finding quality help and resources. The worst thing you can do is go on a quest for the cheapest service. My best advice is to ask around and find good, solid resources that others are having good experiences with.
First make a list of all of your daily, weekly, and monthly tasks. You may need to spend the week writing out things as you do them. Prioritize the list with the most important tasks first. The most important tasks include those tasks that require 100% of you. A client lunch would be one. No one can play you at the lunch better than you. Typing reports, entering invoices, etc. these are tasks that someone else can do. Once you have your list prioritized, start at the very bottom. Choose two tasks and delegate them OR delete them. Perhaps these are things that don’t really need attention. Remember to focus on the important items.
In order to work less, more time must be spent focused and productive on important tasks. Delegate or delete the rest.
Best regards for a profitable day.
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