Once business owners have tasted the freedom and flexibility that comes with
running a company from home, they’re unlikely to want to leave! But this
doesn’t mean putting the brakes on company growth. It’s perfectly possible
to grow a successful business from the comfort of your own home - the secret
is to do what you do best and outsource the rest.
Outsource
You want to grow turnover, but not headcount. You want to expand your online
sales business, but not have to take on a warehouse. Outsourcing is the
solution – hiring others to do the jobs you shouldn’t be doing. Jobs such as
these:
Accounts
Unless you are in the accountancy business, this is almost a must to be
outsourced. Monthly payroll/accounts/VAT returns/corporate tax returns all
take time for the untrained professional and it’s time you can’t afford. A
cost/benefit analysis is likely to show it’s cheaper to outsource to an
accountant.
Administration
You will know the admin that has to be kept in-house due to client
sensitivities or your own sense of control but there may be other items you
feel just don’t deserve your time. For these items, hire a Virtual PA, of
which there are a growing number. Mainly home-based, Virtual PA’s come with
secretarial and administration experience and relish doing the jobs that you
hate.
Business Development
If making a sales call fills you with terror but you know it is vital to the
future growth of the business, consider employing a telemarketing company
that will generate leads and make appointments for you. Great Guns Marketing www.greatgunsmarketing.co.uk
and 365direct www.365direct.co.uk
are typical examples.
Design & copywriting
A growing number of highly talented freelance designers and copywriters are
ready to assist in producing marketing materials and text for
proposals/websites etc. Prices tend to be competitive so, again, likely to
be more cost effective for a qualified designer or wordsmith to do the job,
leaving you time to focus elsewhere.
PR
Critically important to find the PR individual/company that is right for you
as there are too many stories of home business owners not getting the
results expected. If you do find the right match, this outsourced
arrangement can deliver enhanced profile and revenue. Ideally, go with a PR
professional who understands your business/industry, has contacts with the
right journalists/publications and works on a results-based fee.
Now, with all that taken care of, it’s time for you to do what you do and
watch your business grow.
Emma Jones is the founder of online home business company Enterprise Nation
(www.enterprisenation.com)
and author of Spare Room Start Up – how to start a business from home.
