Are you spending too much time handling operational logistics rather than focusing on expanding your business? You’re not alone. Less than 15% of company owners and managers believe they devote enough time to the appropriate activities.
However, as prices and competition rise, it is time to abandon the “I can do it all myself” attitude and delegate those time-consuming back-office chores.
Finances and Accounting
Even though payroll is the most frequently outsourced service, 60% of small companies still perform this function in-house. It has been shown that delegating this job to professionals or using helpful payroll software reduces expenses while increasing compliance—companies who offshore payroll save 18% more than companies that do it in-house. Additionally, the IRS believes that 40% of small companies spend an average of $845 per year in fines for late or erroneous files and transactions.
Sales tax may be similarly onerous. According to Aberdeen Research Group, small businesses spend 24 days per year physically monitoring sales tax clearance at the cost of approximately $22,000. If you are subjected to an audit, your costs will double. Service providers and computerized software may help mitigate this threat and save you money in the long term.
Legal Services
Outsourcing legal work has grown popular in recent years. It is a developing tendency in the legal industry due to rising fees and costs for legal services in the local area. No business or organization can operate without a legal department that organizes and completes all work. As a result, it is an important department and sector in any industry. So, instead of paying exorbitant costs to local law companies that perform little work for exorbitant rates, you may outsource that job to experts overseas who can handle such problems professionally.
Because of the growing need for outsourcing, the number of legal processes outsourcing firms has grown. Today, companies have global access to an experienced attorney.
Staff
Three out of every four small companies in the United States believe that employing freelancers provides them a competitive advantage. One-third of all Americans now freelance, contract, or consult, which implies no lack of competent workers available for hire. Companies that use freelance and contract employees get access to talent that they would not have obtained otherwise.
Virtual assistants are likewise in high demand, with low-cost administrative help only a click away. Outsourcing enables your company to scale its labor requirements based on seasonality or project requirements. Just be sure you follow the appropriate employment classification procedure to avoid IRS inspection and any fines.
Digital Marketing
E-commerce and social selling have increased the importance of internet marketing, webshops, and social media for small companies more than before. However, for most businesses, having full-time PR, social media, and site design activities in-house is neither financially viable nor the most effective use of resources.
According to a study, small company owners spend about 33 hours each week on marketing efforts. A sizable proportion (76%) of this group reported not having enough time in the day to complete all of their tasks.
Technology Services and Solutions
According to a 2014 Deloitte study, 53 percent of businesses outsource at least part of their IT operations, with another 26 percent planning to do so in the coming years. In relation to resources (which may be as high as 40%), utilizing outside contractors or software solutions to handle your IT operations makes your firm more nimble and flexible as it expands.
Shipping
Outsourcing logistics frees up time for retailers to concentrate on selling and marketing. Having third-party suppliers manage fulfillment, warehousing, and delivery operations reduces overall costs and improves customer service. These service providers are specialists in their field. As a result, they can react fast and expand to meet the demand more quickly than you can.
The good thing about it is that the industry has room for every business. The fulfillment, warehousing, and delivery activity providers you employ are strongly influenced by the size of your company and the kind of goods you sell.
Outsourcing may be a sensible approach for expanding your company’s capabilities while remaining focused on your core strengths. One of the most remarkable instances of cost reductions is using freelance or contract workers, which may save you between 30% and 50% more than hiring full-time employees.
Don’t forget about the other benefits, such as reduced risk, better compliance, and more resource management. Most importantly, outsourcing enables you to concentrate your objectives as a company owner or manager and avoid wasting time, money, and talent (including your own) on tasks that might be handled better by a professional outside your firm.
