Do what you do best and outsource the rest. Today, even
solo entrepreneurs and small businesses are embracing this
bit of wisdom, as outsourcing becomes more viable, thanks
to the wide reach and 24-hour availability of the Internet.
It's not just domestic outsourcing that's become a trend
among small and solo businesses; even offshoring is now no
longer the domain of international companies. According to
the research company Evaluserve, small businesses
offshoring their outsourcing needs has become so common,
it's attracted it's own moniker—P2P, or
"person-to-person" offshoring. Writing and translation
services, tutoring and software development are among the
ways P2P outsourcing is being used by small businesses and
solo entrepreneurs, according to Evaluserve.
1. Don't let geography stop you.
The Internet allows worldwide reach. Even virtual interns
are becoming commonplace at major universities with
students who are well-versed in working online ready to get
the experience they need, wherever the job is located.
Online resources such as www.timeanddate.com allow you to
juggle time zones with ease.
2. Acclimate your team to your culture.
Let your team members know your business culture - the way
you want work done, and the atmosphere in which you want it
done. For example, do you encourage outside-the-box
thinking as part of your business culture? Do you reward a
fast turnaround on projects? What are your
acceptable-versus-unacceptable boundaries for language and
behavior? Give your team members time to absorb and
understand your business culture.
3. Think outside the box.
More companies are turning to outsourcing when it comes to
public relations and technology functions. However, the
goal is to personalize your outsourcing needs. What don't
you want to spend the time on, or lack the expertise to
accomplish? To find out more about the wide variety of
skills and resources available from "virtual assistants,"
visit the Web site of www.AssistU.com, the premier training
source for Virtual Assistants. Another resource that
combines business and personal tasks is www.DoMyStuff.com.
At this site, you can post your task, whether it is for
home office technology repairs, software upgrades, or
traditional home repairs and lawn services that are
threatening to take away time better spent on your
business. More than 40,000 "virtual" businesses will bid on
your project, based on the zip code you type in at the Web
site.
4. Do your homework.
Before you outsource, create a list of specific skills and
valuable attributes, and then cast a wide net to allow you
to go deep into your applicant pool to find the best person
for you. Check references closely. Start small before
contracting the services of an outsourced team member for a
larger project. Gradually build up to big projects to allow
you to make a quick change along the way if necessary.
5. Protect your intellectual assets.
Outsourcing work can open the door to allowing outsiders to
see or use proprietary information. Guard your valuable
resources by consulting with an outside attorney who
specializes in intellectual assets to take adequate steps
to ensure the security of your assets.
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