Written by Alice Seba on April 15th, 2009
Outsourcing can be a valuable practice for many small business owners. It frees up time allowing them to handle the important areas of their business. Those areas include ones the owner truly needs to focus on. Outsourcing allows someone else, a paid assistant or other professional, to handle areas such as email, bookkeeping, etc. However, to make the most of outsourcing it is important that it be handled strategically.
The following are some tips for a better outsourcing experience:
Communicate! With outsourcing, communication is the key. Without proper communication between the business owner and the assistant, things can take a turn for the worse and quickly. You will want to make sure from the beginning that your helper understands what is expected of them, what your agreement is and how you will go about communicating, paying them and evaluating their work. A good assistant will know to ask questions should they need clarification on a project, but you can also facilitate the process. Proper communication can make life easier for both of you.
Sign an agreement. This can truly make or break the relationship. Treat your outsourcing agreements properly as a business agreement that needs to be handled in a business manner. You will want to draw up a written agreement that the both of you are satisfied with and make sure that you have a signed and dated copy to keep for your records. This will save you a lot of pain in the future if the business deal, tasks or payment arrangements are ever in question.
Be explicit with instructions and deadlines. More often than not it pays to be specific. When you give very specific instructions and set specific deadlines there are fewer questions and concerns for both parties. Even if you think something is a “given” still specify to avoid misunderstandings for the both of you.
Let go! That’s right, once you’ve given a task away to an assistant do not try to hold on and control that job. That’s why you hired someone to handle it for you, so you wouldn’t have to worry about it any longer and so you could free up your mind and your time to handle other things. So, don’t try to control all the details of the situation once you’ve passed it on.
Take time to evaluate. Take the time to review the working relationship between you and your assistant. Every so often (at minimum once a year), evaluate the work being performed and how it is helping your business. Make sure you are spending your time and money wisely. Make adjustments as necessary.
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