The Only Way Is Outsource: Common SME Operations Best Left To The Pros

If you’re just starting up your own business then you likely got where you are by showing grit, resourcefulness and a whole lot of self-determination. These are great skills and vitally important for anyone hoping to go into business for themselves. For many self-starting entrepreneurs, however, their biggest strength can also be their Achilles’ heel. Entrepreneurs tend to see their business as ‘their baby’ obsessively going over every single facet of operations management with a fine-toothed comb. While this level of attention is commendable, it can ultimately prove damaging to the operation of your business (not to mention your stress levels). Some aspects of your business are more deserving of your time than others and over-investing your time, attention and resources in some areas may seriously damage your productivity, despite your best intentions. There are some areas in which entrepreneurs sometimes need to get out of the way of themselves and leave key operations to outsourced companies. Here are some fields that are definitely best left to the pros…
Digital marketing
In the golden age of social media, most internet savvy entrepreneurs tend to assume that they can manage all of their own digital marketing. While it may be absolutely true that you can manage your own digital marketing, that doesn’t mean that you necessarily should. Digital marketing can be an extremely time consuming exercise and however proficient you may be at it, there’s always going to be something more deserving of your time and attention. While many passionate and articulate entrepreneurs are capable of writing a compelling landing page or a compelling call to action, they may fall short when it comes to developing a 3 month, 6 month, 12 month or 5 year marketing strategy. Some entrepreneurs are put off by the inherent costs of enlisting a marketing agency, but given that marketing costs yield an average return:investment ratio of 5:1 every dollar spent on managing your content marketing, PPC advertizing and the like is a dollar well spent.
IT Services
When it comes to IT support, many people think that it’s enough to hire a team of technically literate employees. However, even a ‘good all-rounder’ will struggle if building your business’ IT infrastructure from the ground up. Opting for managed IT services allows for greater control over the focus of your business, knowing that your IT is being looked after by knowledgeable and experienced professionals. It also reduces cyber security and future-proofing risks.
Cleaning
While many businesses use a cleaning rota or give each employee autonomy over keeping their area clean and tidy, only a cleaning professional knows which cleaning products and chemical solutions are best used to keep the workplace hygienic and limit the propagation of bacteria that can lead to productivity damaging staff illness.
Even if it is possible to be a Jack of all trades, it’s rarely practical and never profitable. Prudent outsourcing of key operations can help to ensure maximum productivity that can lead to healthy business growth.