Are You Outsourcing Tasks Or Partners?

Too often, as business owners, we try to do it all ourselves. On the other hand, taking on additional employees and overhead is not always the best course of action. With business growth being unpredictable, it can be challenging for the best of us to manage the ebb and flow of revenue and expenses.

Too often, as business owners, we try to do it all ourselves. On the other hand, taking on additional employees and overhead is not always the best course of action. With business growth being unpredictable, it can be challenging for the best of us to manage the ebb and flow of revenue and expenses.

Many of us learn that a better way to control the fluctuation is to leverage outside resources. But, are we really solving the problem by outsourcing tasks that continue to require our time and direction? There is better way to expand with outsourcing—by developing long-term partnerships with expert vendors.

Rather than focus on individual tasks, smart business owners now want to delegate whole processes. They look for contractors or companies that can provide entire systems along with impeccable customer service that lead to lasting relationships. The next time you look to outsource, don’t be quick to engage the least expensive vendor.

Instead, take the time up front to assess the expert. Evaluate them as though they were interviewing for a position on your advisory board. Are they just order-takers? Or, do they ask questions that help you solve problems and give you fresh perspective on your business? The outsourcing of staffing is a good example. So often we consider the hiring of an employee to be a one-time transaction. In reality, it is a complete process that extends from understanding company culture to candidate selection to onboarding the new hire.

Successful business owners learn to depend on a reliable recruiting agency and long-term partner that manages the process before, during and after the hire. As the company grows, the outsource partner becomes a trusted and valued advisor and the business owner reaps the rewards.