Most of the people I know are high achievers; and a large portion of them are "control addicts". But the bad part about being in control of everything is that you often end up doing everything in your business.
This kind of behavior creates failure, not success.
One solution is to consider outsourcing - hiring an independent contractor to help you get things done. Outsourcing can help lift a huge weight off your shoulders.
And it's not just a resource for larger businesses. Businesses of every size are starting to acknowledge the need to spend more time perfecting their expertise while they free up time by giving work away. This serves to help you build stronger relationships with prospects and retain current clients.
Why Outsource?
Outsourcing can help you make the most of all of your resources—people, time, money and energy—because you and your staff can focus on the what's most important to your business. When you outsource, in essence you're allowing other companies or individuals with different skill sets (e.g., accounting, human resources or information technology) to do what they do best for YOU. It’s a win-win situation for everyone.
As a result, you have more time to be laser-focused on your specialization which then enhances your credibility, and you become more attractive to people who are looking for the precise solution that you or your company offer.
Fitting Outsourcing Into Your Lifestyle
Outsourcing can definitely require an attitude shift and a willingness to give up a bit of control. Realistically, it can feel uncomfortable at first. But staying in a comfort zone is often what leaves some people stuck at the same level year after year.
Really think about your hesitation; what are your concerns about outsourcing?
Here are some common objections:
- Reputation. Business owners might worry what their customers, clients, staff and other stakeholders will think about their decision to outsource. You might also be concerned that the outside specialist will make some kind of drastic error that will harm your reputation.
- Security. Outsourcing may require that you consider sharing certain information to get certain tasks done. Businesses may not be sure how to protect their intellectual property and other key data from fraud, tampering and other damage.
- Offshoring. A lot of outsourcing is done at the local or national level, but more and more is taking place using foreign associates. You might be concerned about language barriers, health and safety standards, work quality or the impact on your national economy.
With each of these concerns and any others you may have, take some time to answer the question, “What’s the worst thing that could happen if we outsourced?” and then ask yourself, “If that happened, then what?”
Many businesses have outsourced successfully and made mistakes that you can learn from. Do your research and be confident and intentional about your decision to move ahead.
How to Get Started with Outsourcing
Look at the activities you are spending time on that divert you from the core of your business. What’s draining you? Is it administrative tasks, technical support, accounting, human resources, internet technology or something else?
Determine how much time it's taking you to get these things done. Are you generating profit by doing these yourself? Could the work be assigned to someone else who has expertise? What would it take to give up the work?
Start with these questions and begin looking into options for outsourcing to quality contractors.
Need help getting started? For a complete course on how to find the right outsource partner, check out my brand new online course, "Outsource Your Service Business" on Udemy.com. I will walk you through the entire process step by step. For a limited time, you can get it at no cost here: http://udemy.com/outsource-your-service-business.
Ready to focus on what you do best and outsource the rest? The move to outsourcing requires a shift in thinking, some preparation and a slight learning curve, but in the end, you will emerge with a stronger focus on the "main thing" in your business. And it might just be the answer to growing your business to the next level.
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