So, you’ve decided to go with outsourcing – congrats, you’ve made a cost-effective decision for your business! It’s no secret that the outsourcing industry is seeing a steady rise. In 2019, more than a third of small businesses have been outsourcing at least one business process. That number has surely skyrocketed since the 2020 pandemic. More and more tasks and roles are being outsourced by the day!
Most office-based businesses started to outsource their tasks due to unfortunate circumstances. Funny thing is, most of them never returned to their pre-pandemic business model. After seeing the benefits for themselves, it’s no wonder.
Outsourcing lets you choose from a wider talent pool. Outsourced roles aren’t bound by location – a huge plus! Also, you and your in-house staff can focus on primary tasks, while your outsourced team does the rest.
But we aren’t here to talk about that. This time we’ll focus on getting the right roles on board. That way, you can get your business off on the right foot. Without further ado, let’s dive in.
1. Human Resources (HR)
Human resources serve to separate the wheat from the chaff, so to speak. As a business owner, it’s essential to stay focused on managing key operations. This holds true especially if your business is still in its infancy. HR will run background checks, carry out payroll services, and in general perform duties concerning your staff.
Though this list was collated in no particular order, human resources deserve the first spot. Roles are meant to be filled by employees with appropriate skillsets and ambitions. Otherwise, everything falls apart like a house of cards. Companies specializing in providing HR services are the safest choice.
Sure, you can opt for a freelance HR manager, since they tend to be cheaper. However, we recommend an HR outsourcing company as a risk-free choice.
2. Virtual Assistant
Everyone could use a helping hand. Outsourced virtual assistants can handle a plethora of different tasks, such as correspondence, calendar, and file management, minute taking, social media updates, or general client handling.
Outsourcing virtual assistants yields a plethora of benefits. For example, if you outsource a VA who resides in a different time zone, you’ll increase your availability and appear more responsive to any potential clients in his vicinity. That way, your business can keep running smoothly even while you’re asleep!
3. Customer Support
Outsourced customer support agents will help your business stay in touch with your clients and respond immediately to any questions or concerns they may have. It’s important to not keep a disgruntled client waiting – word of mouth spreads fast, and all it takes is one angry Glassdoor review to send your revenue plummeting.
It’s good to have your customer support groups stationed abroad. Specifically, in countries where the majority of your client base lives. That way, you don’t have to look for in-house agents who speak your clients’ preferred language(s). You can sleep easy knowing that your clients’ concerns are taken care of 24/7.
4. Accountant
Outsourcing your accounting tasks can make or break your business venture. This is especially true if you’re not financially savvy. Outsourced accountants can handle your turnover, scaling, and financial concerns overall. That way, you’ll be saving yourself time and trouble.
Also, reaching out to an accounting service provider will let you skip the hiring process altogether. Plus, you’ll gain access to finance automation tools and technologies. Their expertise gives you an opportunity to heed their advice and learn along with growing your business. A win-win!
5. Content Writer
Content writers are the backbones of any good eCommerce business. Even the best advertising ideas can fail if they’re not presented in a compelling way. That’s where content writing comes into play. Content writers have a better understanding of how to reach your target audience and voice your brand in an engaging way.
Furthermore, by outsourcing your content writers, you’ll be saving money in the long term, since you won’t have to go through the costs of recruitment, office space, equipment, etc. You’ll also be able to diversify your content if you opt to hire a content writing team to publish consistent, effective content. The benefits are numerous!
Honorable mentions:
SEO Specialist – Optimizing your website will make it appear on top of your audience’s search results, which boosts traffic and engagement. Outsourcing your SEO specialists means you’ll have someone monitoring your website traffic 24/7.
Graphic Designer – We humans are visual creatures. If you grab your clients’ attention with an appealing aesthetic, you’re halfway there!
Blockchain expert – you shouldn’t put all of your eggs in one crypto-basket. Still, with proper guidance and expertise, it’s worth a shot.
Web Developer – Driving clients to your website is one thing, but converting them into customers is a different ordeal. Web developers can help you tweak your website both technically and aesthetically, boosting your conversion rates and keeping things running smoothly.
And there we have it! We hope that this guide will help you with outsourcing your business. Once you’ve filled these key roles with the right staff, you can start building your business and reach for the stars!
