When you’re running a business, there are a million and one things to think about. From marketing and sales to product development and customer service, it’s easy to feel like you’re being pulled in a million different directions.
One way to ease the burden of running a business is to outsource some of your tasks. There’s no denying that outsourcing can save your business time and money while freeing up resources to focus on other areas. But is outsourcing always a good idea?
There are many factors to consider when deciding if outsourcing is right for your business. Here are a few questions to ask yourself:
- Is the task core to my business?
- Can the task be easily replicated?
- Do I have the internal resources to handle the task?
- Is the task time-sensitive?
By answering these, Brian C Jensen believes you can pinpoint areas where your business is lacking.
If you’re still on the fence about outsourcing, here are some pros and cons to help you decide.
Pros of Outsourcing
Access To a Bigger Talent Pool
When you outsource, you’re not limited to the talent in your immediate area. You can tap into a global pool of workers, which will give you a wider range of skills to choose from.
This is especially beneficial if you’re looking for specialist skills that are hard to come by locally.
You Can Skip the Hiring Process
Hiring new employees can be a time-consuming and expensive process. By outsourcing this task, Brian C Jensen says you can avoid the hassle and expense of recruiting and training new staff.
You Can Focus on Your Core Business
Outsourcing non-core tasks can help you focus on running and growing your business. This is because you’ll have more time to invest in areas requiring immediate attention and generating revenue.
Improves Efficiency and Saves Costs
Outsourcing can improve the efficiency of your business operations and help you save costs. This is because service providers often can complete tasks faster and at a lower cost than in-house staff.
Greater Competitive Advantage
Having a professional who knows how to handle matters crucial to your business’s growth can give you a competitive edge. This is because you’ll be able to invest more time and resources into developing new products or services and marketing your business.
Cons of Outsourcing
There’s a Risk of Losing Control
When you outsource, you’re giving up some control over how tasks are completed. This can be a problem if you have specific requirements or need to maintain a high level of quality control.
Might Lead to Breach of Security
According to Brian C Jensen, outsourcing can also lead to a breach of security if you’re not careful about who you work with. This is because you’ll be sharing sensitive information with your service provider.
Instability
There’s also a risk that your outsourced employees will be less stable than in-house staff. This is because they may be working on multiple projects for different clients and can be more likely to leave at short notice. It’s also possible the company that outsourced the profession runs out of business.
Management Difficulties
When you rely on communication tools like email and Skype to give instructions and provide feedback, information can get lost in translation. This can lead to misunderstandings and make it challenging to manage the work.
So, is outsourcing a good idea? Brian C Jensen believes this depends on your individual circumstances. If you’re struggling to keep up with the demands of your business or need specialist skills, this decision can be quite beneficial. However, it’s important to be aware of the risks involved and choose a reputable service provider.