Why collaborate in business
LETTING GO
THE VALUE OF HIRING AN EXPERT.
Recently I practised what I preach and outsourced my re-brand so that I can focus on my business and serving my clients. Here’s what I learnt.
I recently went live on Instagram with Emma from Boatman Admin, chatting all about collaboration.
We shared stories about the power of collaboration (the VA community is amazing for this) and lots of ideas for how, so definitely go have a watch of that.
But this post is all about my takeaways from outsourcing!
I recently practised what I preach and outsourced my rebrand and web design to the wonderful Becs from True Nature Dreams.
Even though I am in the world of done-for-you support, flying the outsourcing flag proudly, it certainly doesn’t mean I don’t still pause before outsourcing.
I myself have to silence my ‘easier if I do it myself’ voice all the time. Because I know in my bones it’s a load of crap.
Here are my takeaways from this particular project outsourcing!
Outsourcing to a specialist
Now I often think I am a multi-skilled unicorn that can turn my hand to anything - ahem.
Working with Becs, it soon became apparent the value of an expert. She’s perfected her done-for-you process, she’s asked all the right probing questions and she’s not going to sink the hours faffing around with colour palettes that I would have.
Yes I know my branding basics but she does this day in day out, she knows the pitfalls, what’s possible, what goes together, how long the piece of string is.
Hiring an expert saves hours and as a result, I have beautiful branding truly aligned to my vision.
More time for the important stuff
Before outsourcing this task, I knew I could do it myself, (albeit nowhere near as well) I know Squarespace and I actually enjoy the branding process.
But… what resources was this going to take? What would I need to sacrifice - at what cost?
That looked liked every evening for the next 3 months consumed. Less time with my daughter, more pressure on my husband. Pushing back my other business goals. Was that worth it? Absolutely not.
By outsourcing, I could focus instead on creating better copy, re-designing my services, onboarding new team members and serving my clients. Oh, and having my all-important family time.
The more important stuff!
Accountability
When I saw, a website in 2 weeks. Well, I couldn’t resist.
Becs had a tried and tested framework set up to guide me through the process (exactly as my done-in-day systems set-ups do). She didn’t need to preach to the converted here.
But, working with someone in this way, stops the procrastination and feet dragging. There are deadlines to meet, I knew the date it would all be finished and the process felt contained. I had the gentle accountability there to get it all done!
A Second opinion
I very nearly posted this statement ‘dotting the i’s, crossing the t’s and cutting the U’
Well done if you managed to solve that riddle (the U was referring to the you, as in lets cut you out of the equation, we will handle the niggly admin etc etc ) OK copy shouldn’t ever need to be explained…
This overly cryptic metaphor nearly snuck (alongside some jargon) if it wasn’t for a ‘just wanted to point out’ hand raise. Thank goodness for a second pair of eyes.
Final takeaways
Going through such a big collaborative project has allowed me to put myself in my client’s shoes - a reminder of the importance of communicating milestones, expectations, boundaries and setting reminders!
I have even tweaked some of my own processes off the back of this.
Next on my own list to outsource - bookkeeping :)
If you’re interested in hiring a team of experts to take care of your admin & tech, check out the services.