As I was researching messenger marketing, I found that I was thinking “Dear God, something else I have to do!” Don’t get me wrong, I am excited about the prospect of using messenger marketing but I do wonder where I am going to find the time.
So, I have been thinking again about outsourcing. I have outsourced a few small projects but not any of the regular tasks that need to be done.
Why have I not outsourced more?
I was raised to be independent and also, unfortunately, to know everything. That is a problem as it tends to stop you from asking for help.
When I realized that I needed a hand, I found that when I sat down to write up the project, I couldn’t seem to do it in a clear and concise manner. That is probably due to my somewhat hit and miss approach and perhaps to not wanting to let go.
I have recently been using Kevin Fahey’s checklists for some tasks and I realized that with some minor modification, I can use them as the basis for the project description and processes for defining jobs for outsourcing – YAY!
This has lead me to the point (finally) where I realize that if I am to actually make a go of this internet marketing thing, I really need to sit down and define what I do so that I can hand some it off to other people. They will probably do it better and faster that I can!
Why else should you clearly define everything you do?
In addition to helping with outsourcing, why else should you document your processes?
If you are anything like me, probably do things “for the business” do that do not contribute to it’s growth. We don’t have enough time to do the things that need to be done so what waste it on unnecessary things?
Putting systems in place makes things quicker, and it makes it easier to outsource, giving you more time to focus on growth and new ideas.
If you have a business which deals with customers, you need to have a system in place to allow good customer service.
With good systems in place, rather than having to wonder about what other people are thinking or doing, everyone is following a set procedure. This means less unnecessary conversations and meetings to catch up and work out what is happening.
So, now that you have some compelling reasons for documenting your business systems…
How do you go about documenting processes?
Try this Streamlining Exercise
Get out a s
heet of paper.
Write down everything you do concerning your small business or blog. Don’t leave anything out. Write down every single thing you need done, even if it is as simple as thinking about your business.
Now assign a time value for each of these activities. How long do you work at the different aspects of your business? What you are probably looking at is an impossible situation if you try to do all of these things yourself.
You have more activities and tasks than there are hours in a day or week. This is
why you need to streamline your activities.
Go through this list you just created and circle those things you personally must be doing. Be very honest with yourself and work this down to a number of hours which is doable for your particular situation. This is streamlining at its very basic level.
Do it now. Don’t wait like I did. It would have made life much easier if I had done this earlier.
One other tip, once I had written down everything I could think of, I put the pen and paper on my desk beside my computer and wrote down things that I missed as soon as I thought about doing them. It is amazing the ‘stuff’ I did that was a complete waste of time!!!
Go ahead, start now.
I think you will be surprised by what you find.
