How to Effectively Delegate as a Small Business Owner
Owning a small business is a whole new ball game unless you have previous experience or have been a part of the industry before. It takes a special kind of person to create something from scratch. You have to have the dedication and optimism to face all the challenges that being a business owner brings.
Since small business owners control all aspects of the business, there comes the point where you must share the responsibility, or you will be working 24 hours a day. It can be hard to hand over tasks since it is your business at stake. One person simply cannot shoulder a load of all the tasks to keep a small business thriving. Delegating is your next chapter to growing your business. Here are some tips for delegating in your small business that can ultimately free you up to handle the work that matters most.
Figure out what you don’t want to do.
There is always that one task that you dread doing. If there are tasks that you find yourself avoiding, it could be something you could delegate to someone who does. There are plenty of other things in your business that you enjoy doing, hence why you started your business. If you dislike tasks such as project management or posting on social media, delegate it to someone who is proficient in that area!
Choose who to delegate to.
Either if you have a list of employees to choose from or you are outsourcing specific tasks, it is important who you delegate to. Consider your employee's strengths and weaknesses before handing off tasks. You want to set them up for success, so you want to be sure the work you’re giving them plays to their abilities. If you believe they cannot take on specific tasks, try outsourcing. A virtual assistant can handle many administrative tasks with a few specialties. Since delegating work requires that you trust another person that may not know your industry, you don’t want to create a situation where you put your business at risk. Do interviews and vet them out. Think of it as you are hiring an employee. You want to choose the right person that will care for your business.
Set your expectations.
What exactly are you currently doing, from start to finish? And what are your expectations as far as each step of the process? When transferring over your tasks, give them exactly what you are looking for. If you can provide instructions in writing, this will give the person something to reference. You may still need to give some face-to-face instruction, but having a written process cuts down questions pulling you away from other work and making the hand-off of the task more efficient overall.
Don’t forget to give gratitude.
This might be an expected point to make, but thanking the person who took on tasks can go a long way. It not only makes the team member feel appreciated but also gain respect for the importance of the task. You know how important each piece of your business is to you, but your team members may not have the same perspective. Letting them in on the importance of their role is a great way to motivate the person taking over, and educate them—not just about one particular task, but about best practices for running a small business.
Wearing all the hats in your small business can feel empowering but can also be draining. You are the face of your business, and you need to be at your best self to make the necessary decisions to grow your business. Delegation can be one of the hardest things to do in your business, but it will be so rewarding for you in the long run!
If you are looking to outsource needs for your business, schedule a consultation with us to discuss your needs and learn what solutions we can offer you to help you meet your goals!
