Outsourcing Business Processes
In 2019 about 52% of small businesses were likely planning to outsource business processes, according to a survey report from Clutch, a leading B2B ratings and reviews firm. Small businesses will most frequently outsource accounting (21%), IT services (20%), and digital marketing responsibilities (20%).
Experts in the survey recommend that small businesses set clear expectations and goals for the work they plan to outsource. Otherwise, outsourcing can cause issues with communication, quality of products, or security.
“Before looking for your next partner, be sure you are able to outline all the technical and aesthetic expectations you have for the production of your products…and how to communicate that to someone who would take this over for you,” says Juli Lassow, founder and principal of JHL Solutions, a business solutions and management firm.
Why outsource?
Outsourcing Can Increase Efficiency, Expertise: Small businesses primarily outsource to increase the efficiency (24%) and available expertise of their business (18%).
Outsourcing benefits
More Technical Responsibilities Can Benefit From Outsourcing: Small businesses currently most commonly outsource accounting (37%), IT services (37%), and digital marketing (34%) tasks.
Accounting requires more specific skills, such as Excel or mathematical analysis, and the financial information accounting produces can set the direction for the rest of the business.
IT services and digital marketing tasks, which often require more in-depth knowledge of specific skills, such as coding or search engine optimization, can also benefit from outsourcing.
Check out the full report.
Shutterstock photo of outsourcing by Wright Studio