This is a subscriber-only article. Join Entrepreneur+ today for access

Learn More

Already have an account?

Sign in
Entrepreneur Plus - Short White
For Subscribers

Take a Load Off Weighed down by a ton of duties? Maybe it's time to outsource some of that work.

By Nichole L. Torres

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

During the startup phase, you wear every hat under thesun-you're president, marketing manager, maintenance crew andaccountant. As your company grows, you'll have to delegate andoutsource some of those jobs, but how do you decide when it'scost-effective to outsource some of your daily tasks?

There's no exact equation to determine the right time, saysJeff Bolton, a partner at Daszkal Bolton LLP, an accounting firm in BocaRaton, Florida. "Before [an entrepreneur] is willing toanalyze what to outsource, they need to analyze what they do best,and how much time they spend on what they do best," he says."If somebody's an outstanding technician or salesperson orcreative person, we want them to spend the most amount of time inthose areas."

It's sort of the reverse way to look at outsourcing, saysBolton, but it's key in determining the value of your time as abusiness owner. "[What if] every time you stand up to bat in asituation in your highest core competency, [you] hit it out of thepark?" asks Bolton. "What would happen to your businessif you were up to bat more often?" Two hours spent bookkeepingper day could be outsourced, giving you more time to exercisewhichever skill would bring in more revenue to your company, saysBolton. Perhaps you could make sales calls or form new strategicpartnerships for the amount of time equal to that administrativetask.

Editor's Pick

Related Topics

Thought Leaders

6 Tips From a Clean Beauty Entrepreneur

Sarah Biggers went from a newbie in the natural beauty space to a pro in just a few years. Here are six things she wishes she'd known at the beginning.

Business News

An Hermès Heir Wants to Give Half His $12 Billion Fortune to His Gardener—and Lawyers Are Going Nuts

Nicolas Puech, the grandson of Hermès' founder, intends to legally adopt the 51-year-old former groundskeeper as his son, ensuring he inherits his billions.

Business Models

A Company With a Conscience — How to Make High-Priced Products Accessible to Working-Class Families

Some products are inherently expensive. Companies can offer leasing programs, financing options and other marketing approaches to make them accessible to working families.

Business Ideas

55 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2023

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2023.

Marketing

What's the Best Social Media Influencer Option for Your Business?

The success of an entire marketing campaign involving influencers hinges on the meticulous selection of the right social media blogger. Do you know how to choose the right one?