If you want your business to be successful, then you undoubtedly need to have the expertise to run it as effectively and efficiently as possible, right? But you know what you don’t need? The expense that so often comes with expertise! Yes, really! Here’s how to get all of the expertise your business needs without blowing your budget.
1 Outsource IT and Stop Playing Tech Support
How much time do you lose each week trying to solve IT issues? Most businesses spend a fair amount of time fiddling around with their computers, projectors and networks trying to solve little niggles and occasionally major problems, and it can cost them dearly in time, money and productivity, but you know what? It doesn’t have to be that way. If you spend any time at all messing around trying to fix your IT without really knowing what you are doing, consider outsourced IT instead. You’ll save time, money and plenty of frustration if you do.
2 Freelancers Are Your Friends
When you need a specialist but don’t need them every day, freelancers are the way to go. Need a designer to jazz up your website? Freelance. Need a social media whiz to handle your accounts? Freelance. This way, you can bring in talent on a project-by-project basis, keeping costs low and expertise high. Just make sure to specify what you want – freelancers are great, but they aren’t mind-readers.
3 Rent the Brain, Not the Body
If you need strategic advice but don’t want to add a new line to your payroll, consultants can offer the perfect solution. They bring years of expertise and industry insight, but they won’t camp out in your office (or your budget) indefinitely. The beauty of hiring a consultant is that you get high-level guidance without the long-term costs. Bonus points if you can find one who speaks in plain English instead of corporate jargon!
4 Embrace Automation (aka Let the Bots Help)
From customer support chatbots to automated bookkeeping, the right tech can give your business a boost – no human required. It’s amazing how much you can accomplish when a robot is handling the routine stuff. Use automation to take care of customer queries, data entry, and other repetitive tasks, freeing up your time to focus on the big stuff. Who knew bots could be budget-friendly employees?
5 Tap into Online Courses for Your Team
Sometimes the expertise you need is already in-house; it just needs a little fine-tuning. Online courses and certifications can turn your team members into pros without the cost of hiring new staff. There’s a course out there for just about everything these days, from SEO to advanced Excel skills. Investing a little in training now could save you big bucks on outsourcing later.
6 Network with Other Small Business Owners
Why go it alone when you can tap into the collective wisdom of fellow entrepreneurs? Networking events, business groups, and even online forums can be goldmines for advice and resources. Plus, you might even find other businesses willing to swap services. Need some bookkeeping help? Offer them your own expertise in return – it’s the budget-friendly way to build up your business without a budget breakdown.
Expertise doesn’t have to cost the earth!
