Are you feeling overwhelmed with the amount of work that needs to be done in your business?
Are there tasks you don’t have time for, or that you don’t enjoy doing? If so, it may be a good idea to outsource some of these activities. This can be a great way to reduce stress and make your company more productive. In this article, we’ll discuss 6 tips to help you plan how to achieve this.
Review Your IT Functions
In many cases, it can be helpful to outsource your IT needs. This is especially true if you don’t have an in-house team or if they’re already over-stretched. It could be worth outsourcing your:
- Helpdesk support
- Network Administration
- Software and website development
- Data backup and disaster recovery
- Cybersecurity
An external company could provide cost savings, access to expert knowledge and scalability. The people who consider Prototype:IT solutions confirm the need for cloud hosting services, IT project services, and IT consulting services. Businesses actively seek remote and on-site support and help with critical data and systems availability.
Review Your HR Functions
Payroll processing is one of the most commonly outsourced HR functions. By doing this, businesses can save money on costs associated with maintaining in-house payroll processing capabilities (including software, hardware, and employee training). In addition, outsourcing can free up time for HR staff to focus on more strategic initiatives.
Benefits administration is another key area to assess. This includes such tasks as evaluating health insurance plans and determining which benefits to offer employees. Outsourcing your HR functions can ensure that your business is compliant with all relevant laws and regulations.
Review Your Printing And Shipping Services
In-house printing services are often used for things like business cards, letterheads, envelopes, and marketing materials. If you outsource these things you’ll be able to take advantage of bulk discounts and the printer’s economies of scale. Plus you won’t need to employ staff or maintain any equipment of your own.
If your business ships products to customers, you should carefully consider whether or not to outsource this aspect. You’ll need to review the volume of shipments that you send out on a regular basis, the cost of shipping services, and the level of customer service that you require.
Research The Various Providers
When you outsource certain aspects of your work, you’re essentially trusting another company to help you run your business. This is why it’s so important to do your research and find a reputable and reliable provider.
You should be looking for:
- A proven track record of success with other clients
- Positive customer reviews
- Transparent pricing
- Flexible services that can be adjusted to your bespoke needs
- Help and support whenever you need it
This is why you should get several quotes and speak to a number of companies before deciding.
Create A Project Plan And Timeline
In order to outsource successfully, you first need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve and by when. This means creating a project plan with specific goals, milestones and deadlines.
Doing this will not only help you keep track of progress but it’ll also ensure that everyone involved is aware of what needs to be done (and within what timescale). It’ll also make it easier to identify any potential problems along the way so that they can be dealt with quickly and efficiently.
Maintain Continued Communication
It’s important to keep the lines of communication open during the outsourcing process so that everyone’s on the same page and no one feels like they’re in the dark. You should communicate a clear vision of how outsourcing will benefit your business. If your team members feel like they’re part of this plan, they’ll be more likely to buy into it. If jobs are at risk or people will be given alternative roles, handle this wisely and sensitively.
You should keep the communication channels open with the outsourcing company – both during the transfer process and beyond. This is because:
- You’ll want to know how they’re settling in and if they have any concerns.
- You’ll need to review and give feedback on the work they’re doing for you.
- They may have suggestions of how things could be done more efficiently.
Thanks to these 6 tips you’ll be able to effectively plan your outsourcing journey. You’ll identify what to delegate, who to choose, and how to go about it. In return for your time and money, there’ll be a smooth transition that benefits you, your staff, and your business.