Today’s workforce continues to evolve, with changes in terms of sustainable practices and even remote work. The concept of outsourcing, which has been around for quite some time, continues to be a favored practice by companies small and large. Outsourcing work is not a sign of defeat, but a strategic means of getting work done by experts for the job.

Off-shoring vs. outsourcing

Off-shoring and outsourcing are frequently conflated but are actually quite different in terms of deployment. Off-shoring lowers company expenses by assigning processes and tasks abroad to places like China or Bangladesh. In turn, this increases an organization’s profitability. On the other side of the coin, outsourcing involves seeking the help of specialists who may be able to perform tasks better than anyone on your current team, especially when they are specialized like the work of a Professional Meeting Facilitator. This is one position that benefits from being filled by a third party since too much familiarity can breed contempt. Also, trying to cover all the bases of your company’s growing demands without seeking outside help could be a recipe for disaster. The domino effect of spreading yourselves too thin will not benefit anyone mentally and physically and could mean great losses for the company as a whole.

A welcome solution

Office employees often endure seemingly countless hours of routine work, which in turn can lead to inefficiency, counter-productivity, and the like. Pain Free Working’s article on the risks of 9–6 desk jobs even puts a spotlight on the negative health impacts of extended sitting, especially for office workers who stay at their desks for more than seven hours. This counterproductive trend––coupled with a sedentary lifestyle––can likely lead to harsher repercussions. Outsourcing can be a solution, as delegated work can combat the tendency of micromanaging, and even the possibility of burnout that plagues companies of all sizes. These have serious effects on one’s health and unravel in such a way that may not be noticeable until it’s become a chronic problem.

What else to consider

President of The Small Office Assistant Tonya Thomas knew that it was time to consider outsourcing when she felt it was time to grow her company but had no time to do so. Upon hiring independent contractors, she saw her company’s revenue double. Smaller businesses should outsource from the start and see how to grow the rest of the team from there. You need to be wise about the work you delegate, and a good starting point may be identifying your company’s weaknesses and seeing how specialized knowledge or expertise may turn this into a strength. Outsourcing may also be considered when tasks are repetitive to save you more time.

Making outsourcing work for you

For as long as outsourced hires are fully aware of your company’s infrastructure, mission, and vision, it should be successful and efficient. For anyone planning to outsource, it’s also important to remember that you need to hire someone you can trust and with whom you can communicate transparently. Brandon Gaille found that 46% of companies chose to outsource talent mainly to reduce their operating costs and therefore increase their profit margins. It’s a logical recourse to the hyperactive business climate. Outsourcing likewise promotes a healthy company culture in which employees can focus on the deliverables in their own fields of expertise, and have their work-life balance restored.