Scaling a small business can be a game-changer, and strategic outsourcing is a key tactic. We've gathered insights from CEOs and Co-Founders who have successfully expanded their ventures. From the importance of outsourcing marketing for enhanced visibility to leveraging technology with outsourcing, discover seven strategies that could propel your business growth.
Enhance Visibility With Outsourced Marketing
Seek Strategic Partnerships for Growth
Delegate HR to Focus on Core Functions
Start Small With Outsourcing
Outsource Non-Core Activities to Scale
Master Processes Before Outsourcing
Leverage Technology With Outsourcing
Enhance Visibility With Outsourced Marketing
Outsourcing marketing and branding activities to specialized agencies or freelancers can greatly contribute to scaling a small business.
By tapping into their expertise, creative ideas, and industry insights, the business can enhance its visibility and growth potential. For example, a small clothing brand can outsource its social media management and content creation to a digital marketing agency.
The agency can develop a targeted marketing strategy, engage with the brand's audience, and create compelling content, resulting in increased brand awareness, customer engagement, and ultimately, business scalability.
Roy Lau, Co-Founder, 28 Mortgage
Seek Strategic Partnerships for Growth
One strategy for scaling a small business with strategic outsourcing is to seek strategic partnerships. By collaborating with other businesses or industry experts, the small business can access complementary resources, shared networks, and collaborative innovation.
For example, a small technology startup could partner with a larger software development company to gain access to their expertise, infrastructure, and customer base. This partnership can drive growth and provide opportunities for market expansion that may not be easily achievable through traditional outsourcing.
Yoana Wong, Co-Founder, Secret Florists
Delegate HR to Focus on Core Functions
The strategy I recommend is outsourcing the Human Resources function. In a small business, managing employment procedures, benefits, and compliance can be time-consuming.
Partnering with an HR provider helped me focus on our core function—providing quality Japanese language instruction. It ensured we had a happy, well-managed staff while freeing up more resources for growth.
Nooran Zafarmand, Co-Founder and CEO, Japamana
Start Small With Outsourcing
Strategic outsourcing involves identifying key areas of your business that can be managed more effectively by external experts. For instance, outsourcing your digital marketing or IT support can improve the quality of these functions and reduce costs in the long run.
My recommendation is to start small, perhaps with one function, and as you gauge the effectiveness and savings, gradually expand your outsourcing efforts.
Einav Biri, CEO, FARUZO
Outsource Non-Core Activities to Scale
Scaling a small business can be challenging, but strategic outsourcing can be a game-changer. One strategy I recommend is to focus on outsourcing non-core activities. By delegating tasks like administrative work or customer support to external experts, you free up valuable time and resources to focus on your core competencies.
This allows you to streamline operations, increase efficiency, and ultimately scale your business more effectively. Remember, outsourcing is not just about cost savings; it's also about leveraging specialized skills and expertise. Find reliable partners who align with your values and goals, and watch your business soar to new heights!
Alex Stasiak, CEO and Founder, Startup House
Master Processes Before Outsourcing
As a blogger, writing articles can take a lot of time, sometimes several hours, so I often outsource them to freelancers. However, do this only when you know you have learned the process perfectly and know how to give clear instructions to the freelancers you will turn to.
This way, you will have the knowledge necessary to choose the best professional and give them clear indications of how you work and the details that cannot be overlooked. You can scale with strategic outsourcing, but you should master the process first.
Giovanni Della Ventura, Head of Content, giodella.com
Leverage Technology With Outsourcing
Scaling a small business with strategic outsourcing involves identifying areas where it's most beneficial to bring in outside expertise. This could be specific tasks that divert your core team from their essential duties, or projects that demand a level of expertise not present in your existing team. For instance, one successful strategy I've found is outsourcing IT, especially with technological advancements and emerging technologies perpetually evolving.
Our team at ETTE has helped businesses transition from older IT frameworks to more efficient systems, aiding in scaling workloads and adopting new tech. The startups we've helped saw a boost in operational efficiency and team collaboration simply by leveraging technology effectively through strategic outsourcing.
Lawrence Guyot, President, ETTE