There’s one word that can make any small business owner cringe: delegation.
In theory, delegation sounds nice – letting someone else handle time-consuming paperwork or endless calls from pesky reps. But the thought of passing off responsibility is also terrifying. You start thinking: What if something goes wrong? How can my business function without me overseeing every detail?
While it can be intimidating to delegate part of your business, it has repeatedly proven to be beneficial to the overall communication and vision of a company. If you spend less time worrying about the minute details, you can rest your focus on broader and more important tasks, such as business planning, strategic growth, and internal organization.
Of course, there are certain details that do require an owner’s attention, but there are plenty more that only take up valuable time and stunt a business’ development in the long run. Knowing the distinction can be difficult, so to help you get started, here are 5 tasks you should consider delegating:
1. Social Media
While business owners should retain direct management over some elements of social media – since this outlet is critical in conveying a company’s larger message to customers – the menial tasks such as sending out a tweet or posting a status can be delegated. Try assigning social media planning and marketing to an employee who shows skill in these areas.
2. IT Support
Installing, updating, and maintaining software and technology for your business can be a significant time commitment. By delegating IT support to an employee who is comfortable with computer systems, you can refocus hours of work onto broader oversight tasks. If no one in your business feels comfortable taking over this task, consider outsourcing IT support to a third-party instead.
3. Bookkeeping
Bookkeeping can be one of the most difficult tasks to let go. After all, properly documenting the cash flow going in an out of your company is a fundamentally essential job, but it can also be time-consuming. You should think about letting an office manager take over bookkeeping and other financial administrative chores, or outsource it.
4. Customer Service
There is no reason why a business owner should be the first point of contact if they have employees who can intercept customer questions and requests. Once you have developed customer service guidelines, task employees with strong personal and communication skills to answer the phone and respond to customers.
5. Production or Labor
Lastly, a welcomed problem to run into is having too much business. Overwhelmed resources may result in substandard products or services, which will hurt your business in the long run. For times when business is too good and your work force is overburdened, consider subcontracting out labor to another company. That way, you can fulfill the influx of business while still maintaining your level of quality.
Of course, each small business operates differently, and owners should consider their situation to determine when delegation is appropriate. The important thing is to make the right steps so that you can devote time and attention to those vital tasks that only a business owner can address.
