The first few phases of any startup are very time and management sensitive, so does outsourcing even deserve a seat at the table? Simply put, there are so many things to be done that outsourcing is indeed a viable option during these phases. It helps by taking the load off personnel and projects.
Outsourcing some projects doesn’t only free up time, but it also leaves you with more energy and in-house resources to use and assign to core business tasks. This is how startup businesses can take advantage of outsourcing.
Outsourcing and Risk Management
Running a startup includes a lot of risks. The markets are oversaturated and volatile as it is, and taking on projects you don’t have any experience with puts your young and fragile establishment at more risk. By finding an experienced and reliable outsourcing partner, you will put risk management in their hands. Avoiding risks depends on having knowledge and experience in certain aspects of the market, and this is exactly what outsourcing providers have.
Become More Competitive
There is also one more important advantage of outsourcing. This one will help you level the playing field and stay competitive in your market niche, especially if there are big players offering the same or similar products or services. For instance, you can outsource customer support to a trustworthy company that handles it on a professional level. Your startup can reap the benefits of all those perks big corporations have in-house by smartly outsourcing projects to experts.
Marketing via Outsourcing
Today in the digital age of marketing, strategies have to be devised carefully, and they have to target specific audiences. They also have to be subtle. They are meant to educate the audience, but also to nurture a relationship with them. Very rarely will a startup have the kind of money needed for hiring a team of professional digital marketing experts.
This especially applies to content marketing. Instead of hiring an expensive workforce, you can outsource production and distribution. As long as you clearly communicate the message you want to send to the audience, marketing professionals will be able to help you build better relationships and generate more leads.
Speeding Things Up
While starting a new project in-house may take up to a few weeks, outsourcing it means that it will start right away. This is simply because some of the tasks may require your workers to have specific skills and knowledge that they don’t have at that moment. Instead of investing in their training and waiting for it to be completed, you can outsource the project to a respectable outsourcing firm.
Reduce Costs with Outsourcing
Hiring a new employee just because you don’t have anyone on your staff that can finish a one-time task can prove to be a very bad investment. The best practice for handling peripheral projects is to outsource them. Your hires will be able to focus on core business tasks while the outsourcing partner handles less-important projects for you.
These are just some of the outsourcing advantages startup businesses can gain. In the end, if you are unsure whether to outsource or not, just compare the expense of outsourcing versus a full-time hire, and write down how much money you will save. This may be just the incentive you need for making the right decision.
Is your business taking advantage of outsourcing?
