While 24% of small businesses outsource to improve efficiency, many may not be getting the most out of their outsourcing endeavors. Whether you’re new to the outsourcing game or you have experience with not getting quite the results you wanted, optimizing your experience through aspects like clear communication, outsourcing specialized tasks, and expanding your outreach can all make a major difference. Whether you’re outsourcing payroll tasks, marketing, or anything in between, here are just a few ways you can truly elevate any outsourcing experience.
Small Businesses: Outsourcing Specialized Tasks
When it comes to getting the most out of your outsourcing efforts, outsourcing specialized tasks can make all of the difference. For example, while many may be reluctant to outsource tasks like web design due to wanting to keep such endeavors in-house, choosing to outsource instead will ensure that your business will be working with qualified web designers who have the knowledge, skills, software, and expertise to do the job. Not only will this guarantee getting specialized expertise in the field to deliver quality work, but will further ensure that designers will use the latest tools, which will aid in delivering quality designs within your designated timeline. In turn, your business will not only get top-quality work but it will be done on time — thus allowing you to focus on other valuable business endeavors.
The Value of Clear Communication
Whether you choose to outsource domestically or internationally, there’s no doubt that clear and concise communication skills can go a long way. Not only will clear communication allow you to get specific with what you want in a task, but it will give a freelancer more to work with in terms of tailoring the job to your business. With outsourcing tasks like graphic design or content creation, for instance, creating a dialogue and providing details regarding what you want and need throughout the process will make things easier for both parties. With communication platforms like Slack great for such endeavors, you’ll not only enjoy a streamlined outsourcing experience, but a better outcome as well.
Added Benefits With Global Expansion
While many businesses may prefer to outsource domestically, expanding your options and outsourcing tasks on a global level can have various benefits of its own. For example, offshore outsourcing will not only allow you to gain access to a much larger pool of experts (which can be especially great when niche expertise is needed), but will often lead to a reduction in labor costs as well. And, while time zone differences can complicate things in some situations (like communication), it can also ensure that work is getting done on a 24 hour scale — meaning that even though you’ve clocked out for the day, freelancers will be working in the meantime.
Outsourcing is a great way to increase efficiency, though many small businesses may not be utilizing the method to its fullest potential. From expanding your outsourcing options to a global scale to ensuring you leave specialized tasks to the pros, these are just a couple of ways you can optimize your outsourcing so that you get the most out of the experience.
