Outsourcing can sound like a dirty word. Many people think of outsourcing as something big businesses do to slash headcount and cut costs. But the truth is, outsourcing can be a smart strategy for businesses of all sizes. Whether you manage a massive IT enterprise, a small local clothing boutique or something in between, you will always want to keep your core business functions and competitive edge under your tender loving care. But, running a business of any size requires loads of tasks that fall outside of those perimeters. Outsourcing some of those tangential functions can help you fill in knowledge gaps and help you keep your attention on what matters most for your business.
Cleaning services
Let’s start with the task that falls the farthest from the core mission of most businesses, yet is absolutely essential. If your business occupies office or retail space, there will always be maintenance and cleaning that needs to be done. Outsourcing janitorial services is an easy way to make sure your workspace is clean and it is far more efficient than employing an in-house facility management team. Whether you are managing a workforce of thousands, or you are a small startup in Edmonton, there are always floors and windows to clean, trash to take out and bathroom products to restock. If you are new to the idea of outsourcing, janitorial services is the clearest way to test the waters.
Social Media Management
What is the hottest social media platform right now? Is it TikToc, or is Instagram leading the pack? How do you find your target market on Pinterest? Is Facebook still a thing? If you don’t know the answer to any of those questions, it’s time to ask another one. Should you outsource social media management? Social media is an important driver of sales and brand engagement, but it’s also time-consuming and tricky to get right. Rather than rushing to post an off-brand, blurry photo from your cell phone, consider putting your brand’s voice into the hands of a team with the expertise to engage your target audience.
Lead Generation
You are selling something, and there are people that probably want to buy that thing. So, how do you connect the dots between the two? That is lead generation. As a critical part of the marketing and sales funnel, lead generation identifies the potential buyers who are likely to be interested in your product and finds a way to reach them. Boiled down, it sounds doable. But, lead generation can be complex and time-consuming, especially in niche markets. And, falling to get it right could prevent your business from growing or even staying afloat. The combination of the importance of lead generation and the expertise needed to make it work is a good reason to look for an outsourcing partner.
Administrative Services
Is your inbox overflowing with unread emails? Do you have a meeting in your calendar, but no space booked to host it? Are after-hours callers getting a generic voice mail message? It is time to hire an assistant. If you aren’t ready to put a full-time administrative professional on your payroll, hiring a virtual assistant might be the best option for you. Virtual assistants can handle everything from data entry and schedule management to answering phone calls and providing customer service. Better yet, since virtual assistants work remotely they are a cost-effective way to scale up your business. Typically, you can outsource many functions and tasks to a virtual assistant at a fraction of the cost of adding a full-time employee to your team.
