5 tasks your small business should outsource

It’s easy for small business owners to feel stretched to breaking point by all the tasks you need to attend to, especially if you are a one-man band. That’s where outsourcing some of your work can help, and it’s not just something large companies with big cheque books can do. In the digital age, there are more outsourcing options than ever before, and there is plenty of talent and competition out there, getting you access to great specialist expertise without breaking the bank.  Here are 5 areas you should look to outsource – all will help you grow your business while improving your work/life balance.

Marketing & Creative

There are many ways a small business can market itself, and while they all have pros and cons, finding the right strategy and media mix for your company can be tricky and time-consuming. Getting the best creative look for your brand and messaging can also be a headache. Should you be doing social media? What about pay-per-click? How does email marketing work? What content should you have on your website? Bigger companies tend to have an employee or team who handles the marketing side, but for a lot of small enterprises, they simply don’t have the budget. Leaning on outside expertise in the form of a marketing professional or agency is a smart way forward. They can help you to understand your target audience, your proposition and your competitor set and devise a marketing strategy and to suit your needs, saving you time and money while building better relationships with your customers. They’ll also ensure you have the right creative look on your logos, letterheads and advertising and so much more.

Payroll

If you have a very small team, payroll management may not be an issue for you. But if you have a number of employees, or you are looking to grow your operation and hire more workers, handling payroll in-house can become very time-consuming and stressful. Payroll is much more than calculating how many hours have been worked and what wage is due; there are all manner of payment, taxation and benefit regulations to contend with. It is easy to make mistakes and one error can trigger audits and substantial fines. The best way to get rid of the workload, avoid the cost of a full-time accountant and shift legal responsibility is to outsource your payroll to an outside service.

Software Development

If your business is software dependent and you don’t have the budget for an internal IT employee, then outsourcing your software development is something you should look at.  Unsurprisingly, very few small business owners are proficient in this area, and by outsourcing, everything from development to deployment is handled by experienced professionals. It is especially useful for companies who need expertise on an ad-hoc basis or to handle one specific project. The market is very competitive and you don’t just have to look in the UK either, some of the best outsourcing countries 2020 for software development included Ukraine, Romania, Poland, Hungary and Romania. So, not only can you access a deep and wide talent pool proficient in all the latest technology, but there are some very cost effective and flexible options out there. You won’t need to waste time and resources training yourself or your team and you can build a software package tailored to your business needs.  

Bookkeeping & Accounting

Keeping accurate records of all your financial transactions is a headache and is a task few small business owners enjoy. Yet, it is one of the most vital parts of running a successful organisation – businesses that neglect to correctly manage their finances usually end up failing. Even meticulous owners can make mistakes and if you’re constantly having to look at your accounts, you’re not growing your business or getting the best out of your workers. If you’re not already outsourcing your accounting, you should be. You’ll save a lot of time and you’ll be able to focus on moving your business forward, while safe in the knowledge that your bookkeeping is being handled by experts who will catch and eliminate errors that can cost you thousands of pounds. There are many good bookkeepers out there – pick one that fits your requirements now, but can adapt with you as your business grows.

Scheduling & Admin

Any time spent not growing your business is time wasted; and handling all small tasks that face you each day can be like wading through treacle. Reading endless emails, managing your calendar and booking appointments are just some of the daily jobs to contend with, and hiring a full time PA to act as your gatekeeper is out of the question for most enterprises. However, this is where outsourcing to a virtual assistant can be an excellent option. You’ll only need to pay for the hours in which these tasks are being handled and the time you save will allow you to concentrate the bigger picture. A professional virtual assistant will also improve your relationships with your clients and associates.

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