GET YOUR TIME BACK:

Here at Pharris Plus, we’re all about saving and maximizing your time! Time is a very precious thing and the worst thing a business owner can do is mismanage it. If you're an entrepreneur juggling multiple responsibilities, you might be wondering when it's the right time to outsource. In this guide, we'll dive into the what, when, and how of outsourcing—one of the best strategies for reclaiming your time and growing your business efficiently.

Why Outsourcing Matters

Time is your greatest asset. When you're in the early stages of building your business, wearing multiple hats is often necessary. However, as your business grows, so do its demands. If you continue to do everything yourself, you risk burnout and stagnation. The key to scaling is knowing when to bring in extra help and how to optimize your time for maximum efficiency.

• Step 1: Log Your Time

Before you can determine what to outsource, you need to understand how you’re currently spending your time. Logging your hours helps you identify inefficiencies and tasks that take up too much of your day.

One effective tool for tracking time is Harvest, which allows you to monitor how much time you spend on different projects and tasks. With this data, you can assess whether certain activities are worth outsourcing based on their impact on your business.

Ask yourself: How much is my time worth? If a task is taking up hours that could be spent generating revenue or strategizing growth, outsourcing might be the smarter move.

• Step 2: Identify Bottlenecks

Once you've logged your time, the next step is recognizing bottlenecks—tasks that take longer than they should. These are often repetitive, time-consuming processes that slow down overall productivity.

For example, if you find yourself spending excessive time on emails, client communications, or content creation, it may be time to outsource or automate these tasks. By pinpointing inefficiencies, you can make informed decisions about which responsibilities to delegate first.

• Step 3: Know When to Outsource

Here’s a real-world example: Let’s say you’re excelling at marketing and sales, generating leads, and closing deals. However, post-production tasks like editing videos or managing client deliverables are causing delays. If clients are waiting longer than expected, your reputation could suffer.

In this scenario, outsourcing editing would free up time for you to continue growing your business while ensuring clients receive their content promptly.

The general rule? If a task is repetitive, time-consuming, or not in your zone of genius, consider outsourcing it.

• Step 4: Systemize Before You Outsource

Before handing off tasks, it’s crucial to systemize your processes. This makes it easier for others to step in and complete tasks efficiently.

For example, if responding to emails is a bottleneck, create email templates for frequent inquiries. This small step alone can cut response time significantly. The same principle applies to social media management, bookkeeping, or administrative work—having a documented system ensures a smooth transition when you bring someone on board.

Final Thoughts

Outsourcing is not just about delegation; it's about making strategic decisions that allow you to focus on what truly matters—growing your business.

Start by logging your time, identifying bottlenecks, and determining when it makes sense to outsource. Then, systemize your processes to ensure efficiency. With these steps in place, you’ll be on your way to working smarter, not harder—and that’s the key to long-term success.

Ready to start outsourcing? Let’s get to work!