Not doing everything yourself

Many early-stage entrepreneurs struggle with the idea of delegation, especially when resources are tight. This post can discuss how to delegate effectively, including what to outsource early (e.g. admin, social media) and how to free up time for more strategic work.

Why Delegating and Outsourcing is Highly Relevant for Early-Stage Entrepreneurs

When you’re just starting out as an entrepreneur, time is your most valuable asset. You’re likely wearing multiple hats – handling everything from marketing to operations, finance, and customer service. But as your business grows, trying to do everything yourself can become a major bottleneck. This is where delegating and outsourcing come in. Learning how to free up your time to focus on high-impact activities is crucial to scaling your business effectively. By leveraging the strengths of others, you avoid burnout and create more time for strategy, growth, and innovation.

Delegating vs. Outsourcing: Pros and Cons

Delegating

Delegating involves assigning tasks to people already within your team. It’s a critical leadership skill, even when your team is small.

• Pros:
  • Control: You retain closer oversight of the tasks being done.
  • Internal Knowledge: Delegating to someone familiar with your business means fewer onboarding issues and faster execution.
  • Development Opportunity: It allows you to build leadership skills and grow your team’s expertise.
• Cons:
  • Limited Team Capacity: If you’re just starting out, you might have a small team with limited time.
  • Training Time: Delegating still requires time and effort to train team members properly.

Outsourcing

Outsourcing involves hiring external contractors or freelancers to handle specific tasks.

• Pros:
  • Access to Specialised Skills: You can bring in experts without needing to hire full-time employees.
  • Scalability: Outsourcing allows you to scale resources up or down depending on your needs.
  • Cost-Effective: You only pay for what you need, which can be more economical than hiring.
• Cons:
  • Less Control: You have less direct oversight over outsourced work.
  • Quality and Communication Gaps: Miscommunication or differences in working styles can affect quality.
  • Onboarding Time: There’s often a learning curve for freelancers to get familiar with your business.

Three Ways to Delegate Effectively

1. Assign Routine Tasks

   Look at daily, repetitive tasks such as answering customer emails or updating social media. These can easily be delegated to a junior team member, freeing up your time for more strategic work.

2. Empower Your Team

   When you delegate, give your team the autonomy to make decisions. Micromanaging defeats the purpose of delegation. Instead, offer clear instructions and let them take ownership of the task.

3. Utilise Interns or Part-Time Help

   If you’re just starting out and can’t afford full-time staff, consider delegating smaller tasks to interns or part-time assistants. They can help with admin or operational tasks while gaining valuable experience.

Three Ways to Outsource Effectively

1. Hire a Virtual Assistant (VA)

   A VA can help with tasks like managing your calendar, handling customer support, or organising data. They’re a cost-effective way to handle admin work remotely, freeing you up for business growth activities.

2. Outsource Marketing or Social Media

   Marketing is crucial, but it can be time-consuming. By outsourcing social media management or email marketing, you can maintain a strong online presence without sacrificing your focus on core business operations.

3. Outsource Specialised Skills

   Need a new website or a logo designed? Instead of trying to learn everything yourself, outsource specific projects to freelancers or agencies with specialised expertise. Websites like Upwork or Fiverr are great for finding skilled professionals.

Small Step to Experiment with Delegating or Outsourcing

To start experimenting, choose one small, non-critical task you can delegate or outsource this week. For example, delegate email management to a team member for a day or outsource graphic design for a social media post to a freelancer. Track the time you save and the outcome to see how it improves your workflow and decision-making. Taking this first step will show you the potential benefits and give you the confidence to delegate or outsource more in the future.

How coaching can help

Coaching is a powerful way to accelerate your learning and help you make smarter, faster decisions. Whether it's mastering time management or overcoming roadblocks, having someone in your corner can make all the difference.

Ready to take the first step towards maximising your potential? Start by taking this short entrepreneurial assessment, and discover how you can move your business forward with confidence.