(Photo courtesy of socialmonsters.org)
When it comes to owning a real estate business, you know full well that you wear many hats. Sometimes the reason is to avoid additional overhead, and other times it’s to maintain control of your company. However, savvy business owners realize that they simply can’t do it all. In fact, if they try, it can actually cost them more.
When you try to be an expert at everything, your time is not spent where it should be. And further, you run the risk of making things worse, rather than fixing them (i.e., a coffee shop owner should not try to also be the resident plumber, unless he/she has a plumbing background).
This is where strategic outsourcing comes in. Read on to learn more about three key areas of your business that you should outsource so that you can focus on expanding.
Accounting tasks
While the thought of doing your company’s accounting yourself sounds nice, in reality it costs you (at the very least) precious time. This time would be better spent on sales, revenue and customer service (i.e., growing your business).
Additionally, accounting should be done by individuals who are specifically trained in the trade and have access to the top tools and systems. The ever-changing regulations when it comes to reporting, payroll and taxes could make anyone’s head spin. So leave this one to those spreadsheet lovers who know the rules and can keep you out of trouble.
Social media
In today’s social-focused age, it is necessary to have a social media presence. And if you’re trying to build your brand (and who isn’t?), it is a priority to utilize social media channels to do that.
Social media can be used for advertising, customer service and showcasing your subject matter expertise. So if you don’t have the time or experience to devote to growing and maintaining your company’s social media channels, this is definitely one area you’ll want to outsource. There are plenty of companies and individuals out there who specialize in social media marketing who will create and post well-crafted content directly to your social channels as well as measure your results.
Social media is much more than writing a few sentences here and there on Facebook. It consists of posting quality information and photos, responding to customer inquiries and generating interest through contests and conversations on a variety of platforms. Similar to a magazine ad or commercial, social media plays a large role in how your company is viewed by the public and potential customers.
Pest control
This is a biggie. If you have an issue with bugs or rodents, it’s best to leave this task to the experts. Since bed bugs are a persistent problem across the U.S., you can’t be too safe when it comes to pest control. (And bed bugs aren’t just found in beds; they can creep into furniture, carpeting and electrical outlets.)
Let’s face it, an office with a bug or rodent problem is simply bad for business. So the best way to protect your company is to arm yourself by taking precautionary measures, before bugs and rodents become a problem. (And definitely the moment it becomes a problem.)
Though relinquishing control of some of the things that are key to your company can be tough, you’ll likely find that outsourcing is one of the most important things you’ll ever do for your business.
