Where Is Your Time Spent Most Effectively?
Knowing how to identify your skills and when to call the expert.
As an entrepreneur and small business owner, you often get caught between extremes. One example is your time. Yes, you get to set your own schedule so ideally you can spend more time doing what you love, BUT there’s always so much work to do you often feel like you’re working harder than ever .
This adds another element of tension when it comes to resources. Yes, you’re just a small business still working to build revenue and every penny counts, BUT you’re extremely busy and can’t always afford the time it takes to solve every problem your business faces. It can be a tough decision knowing when to call the expert, but ultimately, calling the expert will move you ahead.
The decision is easier to make when you know what your strengths are as an individual and as a company. Focus on your expertise, and don’t waste your time – or anyone else’s – on the things you can do, but aren’t your forte. Here are a few common areas it can be tempting to want to try a DIY (do-it-yourself) approach, but often it turns out better if you leave it to the experts:
Tech
Ranging from internet to setting up computers and running software to developing your website, unless you happen to be tech savvy, you’re going to be better off calling the geek squad. If you know how to set things up, then great; if you don’t, you’ll probably spend three times as long figuring out how to do it than it would take for you to call someone who knows what they’re doing to do it for you. Your time is valuable – if you were paying yourself hourly for doing the task, would you still save money doing it yourself?
Finances
Some people are born with a head that can understand numbers and balance checkbooks. Other people have to work really hard at it. Maybe you can handle your company’s books, but it’s going to be in your best interest to let an expert handle your taxes. Honestly evaluate your skill level and keep in mind the cost of making a mistake. If the stakes are high, let a qualified professional handle things for you.
Legal
This is one of those areas nobody should try to DIY for the sake of a budget – it’s simply not worth the risk of doing it wrong. All it takes is one lawsuit to unravel all the hard work of your business. Hire a professional to help you craft your NDA, Privacy Notice, and any other legal documents your business uses.
These are just a few of the areas a business owners might want to pursue a professional’s help with. The deciding factor in knowing when to call the expert is weighing your skill level against the risk of doing it wrong combined with the value of your time. If your skill level is low, the risk is high, and your time is in high demand, it’s time to call the expert.
A few of the areas we can be that expert for you and your business is in strategically planning and managing your online presence. This includes your social media presence, your e-newsletter communications, and your blog articles. Whether starting a new plan from scratch or reviewing what you currently use, we’re here to help your business grow. Contact us for more information!
