One of the most persistent barriers that we run into with small business owners as their businesses grow, is their fear of losing control over what they have created. As much as they realize that they do need help if they want to continue to expand, they also have a mindset that insists that they control every aspect of what is going on within their business. What it comes down to, is that they are afraid to delegate.
How can we help them delegate effectively?
Education
Many business owners don’t know how to delegate and this is what really scares them. They think if they give up certain tasks, they won’t get credit for the actual growth of their business. Our first step is showing them how a virtual team works; that processes and steps are put in place and check points are observed. We show them how delegating will alleviate their stress and that they themselves may actually learn something new about easier ways to manage the tasks that they have been having problems with.
Financial Gain
While financing the outsourcing of some tasks to virtual workers can sound expensive, you will be paying only for work that is completed by them and you get to pick and choose what that work is. Begin by making a list of the tasks that you find are always put off and left until last. These are the jobs you don’t like to do and/or don’t excel at and these are the items that you are better off having someone else do. It does pay in the end, since more of your work will be completed accurately. It will save you time and money.
Time Management
Delegating involves deciding which tasks you would like to have someone else perform and if you have let things get to the point where you don’t have the time to take care of them, you may feel that you don’t have the time to discuss the important points with someone who doesn’t know your business as well as you do. Though it will take a bit of extra time at the onset, delegating work to a team will pay off after the initial effort as their processes have proven to automate tasks and make them more time efficient.
Lack of Management Skills
Another reason most business owners can’t/won’t delegate is they don’t have the knowledge and the ability to manage a team of others working under their direction. With a professional virtual team, you won’t have to manage anyone. They already have project managers in place and once their systems are in place, the members of the team collaborate in order to bring you the best results possible as quickly as you need them.
Learn to Have Confidence in Others
If you have been working on your business by yourself for many years, trusting others and having confidence in their work may be an issue. Our virtual team is prepared to handle a long list of tasks and the potential for your business to flourish will outweigh any concerns you have. Experienced with many types of businesses, we have someone who can handle anything you need done and if we don’t, we will find the best person for you!
The benefits of delegating far outweigh continuing on your own and having your business grind to a standstill. Delegation is learning to get things done through other people and trusting them to put your best interests first. It’s about teamwork and working well with others to provide the best results.
© Chris Draper, DemGen Inc. 2013
