Important Small Business Tasks that Can Be Handled by Outsourcing or Using Technology

December 30, 2019// Category: Agencies // Author: Katie Conroy

As a small business owner, there are probably many tasks that you would prefer not to do. Perhaps you hate managing the schedule. Maybe you’re not an expert on web design, so it takes up too much of your valuable time to create a website that’s not even all that impressive. Maybe you have a natural talent for accounting but wake up dreading it every day.

Whatever it is that you wish you didn’t have to do, you can probably find a way to outsource it, or at the very least incorporate tech to do it more efficiently. However, there’s more to outsourcing tasks and using tech than simply relieving you of the jobs you’d rather not do. It allows you to spend time on what you’re passionate about (and good at), and it can save your company a lot of money in the long run.

If you’re ready to leave behind the tasks you shouldn’t be doing so that you can focus on running and growing your business, try these practical tips:

Keep your data secure

Nothing is more important to running a business than ensuring your company data is protected. After all, company data often includes customer and client data, and if your customers and clients learn that they can’t trust your company with sensitive information, you’ll experience a lot of problems.

This is a job worth outsourcing to data protection professionals. That way, you won’t be spending so much time trying to navigate the complicated waters of data security and cybercrime, and you can make sure that essential company data, customer credit card information, and other sensitive information is safe. Before you hire a professional, however, make sure they’re familiar with PCI standards and compliance, such as:

• Using and maintaining firewalls and anti-virus software.

• Implementing data access restrictions.

• Enacting precautions and configurations to protect passwords.

• Creating unique IDs for each employee to access cardholder data.

• Keeping records and documentation anytime sensitive information is accessed.

Improving safeguards and holding your company accountable for data protection will go a long way in establishing a reputation for being a trustworthy business.

Do a lot of things on your phone

Just as TechRepublic points out, a great many business-related tasks can be done on a phone these days. This can come in handy on a daily basis, especially when you’re on the go. In order to take advantage of advanced technology in the palm of your hand, however, it’s important to ensure you have a phone that’s capable of performing the tasks.

The Apple iPhone XS Max is among the best all-around smartphones for business owners. While it’s known for its superior camera and battery life, the iPhone XS Max also comes with an industry-leading face ID feature that helps to secure both personal and business information.

If you’re not much of an Apple fan, don’t worry. There are plenty of Android smartphones worth considering. The Google Pixel 3, for instance, also has a great camera and long battery life, and it’s renowned for its clean software and reliable hardware.

Hire out menial day-to-day tasks

Hiring a virtual assistant is also worth considering. A qualified assistant can handle tons of daily tasks, such as:

• Answering the phone.

• Scheduling appointments and meetings.

• Managing employee schedules.

• Managing social media pages.

• Researching and compiling reports.

• Bookkeeping.

Having a virtual assistant on board can open up valuable hours each day for you to do the work you’re meant to do.

Get help with web design

Finally, Constant Contact explains that having a great website for your business is critical. Yes, you can figure out how to create a website yourself by using online platforms, but it will take a lot of time and likely won’t look or work as well as you want. Hiring a professional web designer will provide you with a unique, appealing, and efficient website that you can be proud of.

Free yourself to do what you do best. Make sure proper data security is in place, get a smartphone that can do what you need it to do, and bring a virtual assistant and web designer on board. Before long, you’ll likely see how your time is being redeemed and how well your business is growing.