Work Smarter, Not Harder – Experience the Power of Delegation
Entrepreneurs and business managers face many challenges. One that stands out is in trying to strike the balance between the focus on core business activities, central to the success of your enterprise, and overall business management, responsible for the tasks necessary to keep the organisation functioning.
One of the many lessons learnt from the recent financial crisis was the collapse of businesses due to inefficient and inflexible process management, at a time when complacency and just being good was no longer good enough.
Common business problems
- Lack of strategic focus
Far too much time is spent on processing and managing non-core operational functions, creating waste and detracting from the essential business activities and ultimate success.
- Waste of resources & lack of accountability
Employees inundated with paperwork and administrative tasks may become inefficient, placing a strain on productivity and motivation and without the support of a good organizational infrastructure, accountability is hard to measure.
- Poor information accessibility
In an increasingly competitive environment, corporate documents and document processes have become strategic. The traditional document management techniques no longer support the increasingly mobile workforce and end-user accessibility requirements.
As the competition heats up your company’s business success depends on its ability to swiftly and effectively re-organize, doing business faster, better and cheaper. Using specialist service providers to unload the burden of your non-core functions can achieve considerable business benefits, as well as cost savings.
Benefits of outsourcing
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Maximise results by focusing on your core competencies.
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Reduced overheads. Move from fixed to variable costs.
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Increased efficiencies through effective management of processes and access to specialised skills.
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Create competitive advantage with an ability to rapidly implement new strategies and initiatives.
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Leverage off the provider’s extensive investments in technology, methodologies and people.
Small business owners need to “think big” and like many Blue Chip companies, identify their strengths and then find optimal solutions to streamline the rest.
Tips for outsourcing
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Process discovery
Identify your processes and define your core activities. An effective strategy is to hold on to functions or areas that define the core mission of your business. Then, consider outsourcing the other functions that are not as strategic.
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Define process objectives
Identify what the process must achieve. Service providers require accurate and complete information to engineer realistic proposals and cost structures.
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Start small and commit incrementally
To get a feel for the process and to accustom your staff to the idea, first try outsourcing one stand-alone project or function, and then move on to other areas or ongoing needs.
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Set clear Service Level Agreements
Take your time setting acceptable standards and make sure you are clear about the terms on which you and the supplier are working together.
The infrastructure and expertise are available; it is up to you to make the most of these opportunities.
