Outsourcing - Benefits, Fears and How to Overcome Them

Outsourcing to the Rescue

“You can do anything but not everything"

This is a popular quote by David Allen, a popular productivity consultant. This quote reminds us of something which we all possess but can become limited if not utilized well –Time, thus it becomes necessary for us to learn to prioritize our time for increased productivity.

As you a business owner or an office worker, you might sometimes find yourself in a situation where time seems to pass by so quickly without you completing all that you would have set to do. The never-ending tasks to complete keep recurring as you complete each one, this can be quite stressful for you. When this happens, what do you think will be a viable option to take? If you guessed outsourcing? you are right!

Outsourcing is a practice to save time and reduce costs by transferring certain portions of work to a third party rather than completing them internally. It is an effective business strategy that if harnessed well would leave you grateful for employing it. You can choose to outsource to a virtual assistant or any reputable outsourcing agency. Now let’s enumerate the benefits of outsourcing.

Benefits of Outsourcing

• It saves costs as a result of lower labour rates

• It saves your time and allows you to focus on core activities

• You can access to skills or resources which your outsourcing partner provides.

• It reduces your workload

• It gives the need flexibility and stability that your business needs

• As your customers benefit from your outsourcing partner expertise, you improve your service and delight your customers.

• It gives your business a competitive edge over your competitors who has not realized the benefits of outsourcing

Fears of Outsourcing and How to Overcome Them

As great as the idea of outsourcing can be, many business owners have the following concerns or fears about this practice, some of them will be addressed below:

1. This task cannot be handled as well as I would do it: This is a big misconception when it comes to outsourcing tasks. As highlighted at the beginning of this post, it is impossible to do everything by yourself and this also applies to business. Trying to handle everything because you feel no one else may be able to do it right, might even result in low productivity and increase your stress. Therefore relax and let your skilled outsourcing partner handle the task, you might even be surprised to see how well your outsourced tasks have been handled.

2. I would be exposing myself to scams: While this is a legitimate concern that business owners face at this time when internet fraud and crime is prevalent, It is therefore imperative that you outsource to legitimate agencies with a proven track record of honesty, this will protect you from scams.

3. I might leak my business confidential secret or information: This is a major concern for most business owners who choose to outsource tasks that may include documents containing sensitive information that you would not want to make public. If this is a concern for you, you are advised to ensure that a NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT is signed by your outsourcing partner. This will help mitigate the risks associated with outsourcing tasks involving trade secrets and confidential information.

4. What if I am unable to reach my outsourcing partner when I need my completed task urgently: In situations like this, you and your outsourcing partner must be clear on task-delivery time, you are advised to inform your partner of your expectations in time. This will help him or her prepare well for unforeseen occurrences e.g. power cuts, internet failure, etc.

Tips for Outsourcing to a Virtual Assistant

Are you ready to try out this business strategy? If yes, here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Determine well the tasks you want to outsource, get them organized and find the right virtual assistant for the tasks

• Ensure that you have a standard means of communication in place, you can set up a zoom conference or interact with your VA through Whatsapp, Skype or any other similar means of communication

• Count the cost, ensure that you understand your VA charging rates, This will help you budget accordingly

• Give your virtual assistant a detailed description of the tasks he or she is to perform and ensure that it is well understood

• If necessary, sign a non-disclosure agreement to mitigate risk of exposing confidential business information

• Be a good boss and act professionally, the virtual assistant will reciprocate in kind, leading to a mutual benefit for all parties involved.

In Conclusion

Whether you choose to outsource your tasks to a virtual assistant or to other outsourcing agencies, remember these tips and make the right decision, you can be confident that whichever method you choose to employ when hiring an outsourcing partner for yourself, you can be assured of reaping the benefits that come to those who outsource effectively.