Sticking around for the long haul in today’s business environment involves being ahead of the game. One strategic approach that has gained traction among successful companies is outsourcing. By delegating specific tasks to external specialists, businesses can harness a plethora of benefits. However, a common challenge persists: “choosing tasks to outsource.” 

Why Outsource?

Outsourcing is not just about cutting costs; it’s a strategic tool for business growth. It allows you to tap into a global talent pool, bringing fresh perspectives and expertise to your operations. Moreover, it frees up your internal team to concentrate on core business activities, fostering innovation and competitiveness. The first step to outsourcing is choosing tasks to outsource, and we are here to help you do just that.

ALSO READ: 10 Things to Do After Outsourcing Business Services

Steps to choosing tasks to outsource

1. When your internal team lacks a particular expertise

Your internal team is no doubt the best, but they cannot be masters of everything. Sometimes overburdening them with a lot of activities can decrease productivity. There are some tasks that they just do not have the expertise and knowledge to carry out in order to produce the desired results. In this case, the next best thing you can do is to outsource this aspect of your business. Some examples of such tasks might include web design and development, digital Marketing and search engine optimization, graphic Design and branding, etc.

2. When your team is wasting too much time on mundane tasks

There are some tasks that require a lot of time to carry out. They might be relevant to the growth of your business, but they do not, in the long run, contribute to the core activities of your business. These tasks are often mundane, and you spend a lot of time doing them. Time that would have been spent on more important activities of your business. When this occurs, you should probably think of outsourcing these tasks. Some examples of such tasks might include data entry, scheduling and appointment setting, social media management, and content creation.

3. Tasks that are always pushed forward

There are some tasks that you or your team can’t just come around to. Whenever they are brought up, either they are rescheduled or you forget to assign them to be carried out. You understand that these tasks need to be done, but you feel they do not need to be done now, and you always end up procrastinating on them. These tasks might seem irrelevant, but they can be key activities that make doing other activities easier. It’s best that you get these tasks done and get them out of the way so that you and your team can focus on core business activities. You might want to consider outsourcing these tasks then. Because if you and your team kept on procrastinating, it meant you were not meant to do them. Such tasks might include website updates and maintenance, blog writing, market research, bookkeeping, and financial reporting. 

4. When tasks are always recurring

Outsourcing repetitive tasks that are crucial for operational efficiency but don’t require strategic input from your core team. For example, payroll processing, bookkeeping, and social media management, can significantly benefit your business. By delegating these tasks to specialized external providers, you ensure they are handled with the necessary consistency and accuracy. This frees up your internal resources to focus on strategic, revenue-generating activities. This approach allows your business to maintain high operational standards without diverting attention from its core objectives and competitive advantages.

5. Recognize the Core Strengths and Weaknesses of your Business

Recognizing your business’s core strengths and weaknesses involves a thorough assessment of what your business excels at and the areas where it lacks expertise or resources. Outsourcing becomes a strategic move when you identify tasks or functions that do not align with your core competencies but are essential for your business operations. 

By delegating these tasks to external experts who specialize in those areas, your business can concentrate on leveraging its strengths and pursuing its primary objectives more effectively. Conducting a SWOT analysis, which examines your business’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats, is a strategic framework that can help pinpoint areas that are ripe for outsourcing. This approach ensures that while your business focuses on what it does best, the outsourced experts handle other critical operations, allowing for a more efficient allocation of resources and enhancing overall business performance.