UK Small Business Guide to Outsourcing: What to Outsource and How to Get Started
Juggling every aspect of your UK small business can feel like a never-ending tightrope walk. The good news? You don’t have to go it alone! Outsourcing is becoming a game-changer for busy entrepreneurs, allowing them to free up valuable time, access specialised skills, and ultimately, achieve growth.
What exactly is outsourcing?
It’s simply delegating specific tasks to a qualified external individual or company. Whether it’s email management, bookkeeping, or social media marketing, there’s a whole world of tasks you can entrust to a reliable outsourcing partner.
What Can You Outsource? There’s a very wide range of tasks within your business that you can entrust to a skilled virtual assistant, but here are some of the common ones:
- Administrative Tasks: You can free yourself from the daily grind by outsourcing email management, scheduling appointments, data entry, and travel arrangements.
- Marketing & Sales: You can increase brand awareness for your product or service with outsourced social media management, content creation, email marketing campaigns, and lead generation.
- Customer Service: You can ensure exceptional customer interactions by outsourcing live chat support, email inquiries, and order processing.
- Web Development & Design: You can take your website to the next level with outsourced web development, graphic design, and content management.
By outsourcing these tasks, you’ll gain the freedom to focus on your core business strengths, whether it’s crafting unique products, forging strategic partnerships, or nurturing client relationships.
“I’m still not sure where to start..”
If you’re still confused about which aspects of your business you can outsource, look for tasks that tick these boxes:
“But how do I find the right people to outsource?”
- Define your needs and budget. Be clear on the tasks you want to outsource and how much you can invest.
- Research your options. Explore virtual assistants, freelancers, or agencies – each offers unique advantages.
- Craft a clear job description. Outline the specific responsibilities, skills required, and desired outcomes.
- Tap into resources. Utilise online platforms or professional agencies like Outsource Assist to connect with potential virtual assistants.
“It sounds tempting, but I’m still worried about security, quality, and communication.”
Your concerns are valid! Let’s dispel some outsourcing myths, shall we? If you’re worried about quality control, a reputable virtual assistant agency will ensure your standards are met. If data security is a concern, you can look for partners with robust security protocols in place.
Also, communication is king! Utilise project management tools and schedule regular check-ins. Set clear deadlines and expectations from the outset. Be open to providing ongoing feedback and training (if needed). A successful outsourcing partnership thrives on clear communication and mutual understanding.
It doesn’t mean you won’t face challenges. The good news is you can conquer them.
The top concerns that business owners worry about when considering hiring a virtual assistant are time differences, language barriers, and task delegation. But with the right team, these can be overcome. Time zone differences can be tackled through flexible scheduling. Communication barriers can be overcome by using clear, concise language and leveraging video conferencing tools. Accept these challenges as opportunities to refine your communication strategies.
Outsourcing isn’t a luxury, it’s a strategic decision. By delegating tasks effectively, you can streamline operations and scale your business faster. Here at Outsource Assist, we’re passionate about empowering UK small businesses. We consider your success as our mission.
If you’re still in doubt but you’re very keen to know more about how outsourcing can transform your business, dive deeper into our website’s resources – download our free guides, read our client success stories, or book a call here for a free consultation.
