Over 300,000 jobs are outsourced annually, so if you’re considering hiring out, know you’re not alone.
While some business owners know from the outset that they will be outsourcing certain tasks, others often find themselves wondering about this later on. There are a lot of factors to consider when making the decision to outsource certain business tasks. The biggest one is how to know when to outsource.
If you outsource too early, you might not have the internal systems and knowledge in place to be successful. If you outsource too late, you might find your business has grown beyond your capabilities. So when is the right time?
Consider these questions on business outsourcing to help you decide.
How Complex Is the Task?
If the task is relatively simple and can be easily completed by someone with no prior experience, then it likely doesn’t make sense to outsource it. However, if the task is complex and requires specialized knowledge or skills, then outsourcing is a good option.
Consider project-based tasks here as well. If you’ve decided to take your business online, for instance, you might outsource the website design, the front end development, or the content creation.
How Much Will It Cost to Outsource the Task?
You’ll need to compare the cost of outsourcing the task to the cost of having someone on staff complete it. If outsourcing is more expensive, you’ll need to determine if the benefits of doing so are worth the extra cost.
Consider the time costs as well. If you or your staff needs to complete the task, how long will it take you away from your core responsibilities?
What Are the Risks Involved With Outsourcing the Task?
There’s always a risk that something could go wrong when you outsource, so you’ll need to weigh that against the potential benefits.
For example, if you’re outsourcing the design of a new product, there’s a risk that the final design might not meet your standards. This may lead to many rounds of design that can drag on for months at a time. If you’re outsourcing the manufacturing of a new product, there’s a risk that the quality might not be up to par.
You’ll need to decide if the risks are worth taking in order to take advantage of the benefits of outsourcing.
What Are the Benefits of Outsourcing the Task?
Speaking of advantages, outsourcing benefits include:
- Allowing you to focus on your core competencies
- Freeing up time so you can work on other tasks
- Getting access to specialized skills and knowledge
- Reducing labor costs
- Improving efficiency and productivity
How to Know When to Outsource
Among the many questions you’ll ask yourself as a business owner, how to know when to outsource is a difficult one. Use the outsourcing tips above to guide your decision-making process.
Researching how to outsource is your next step. Explore our website for more resources like these on growing your business.
