Here I am again with a counter-intuitive post because this is what I love writing the most (and I know you love them too!). One of the fun parts of blogging, in my opinion, is the possibility of opening my readers’ minds (and mine, actually) to new ways of thinking about old things. Today, I would like to talk briefly about ‘outsourcing’. This is a concept that applies both to your professional (e.g., delegating to your colleagues or employees some tasks) and personal (e.g., paying for a cleaning service) life. Thus, I think the concept definitely touches everyone out there.
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On the importance of outsourcing
First, let me tell you that I am not telling you not to outsource activity; actually, I think learning how to outsource is one of the best things you can do for yourself. After all, all the activities you outsource imply time you are freeing for whatever has a greater impact. For instance, outsourcing to your assistant the search for the best flight for your next business trip frees you some time to think about the best way to negotiate the contract you will be discussing there. Thus, outsourcing is one of the best essentialist skills to learn. However, outsourcing must remain, in my opinion, an additional skill and not a replacement skill. Here is why!
Outsourcing as an addition rather than a replacement
Of course, when you outsource an activity, you do replace a skill you would have been using (e.g., searching for the best flights) with one of outsourcing (e.g., taking the shape of delegating, which you should absolutely learn by the way). However, good outsourcing ethics take a different shape. Naturally, if you outsource repairing your roof, you do not have to learn how to repair the roof: this is a ‘few times in a lifetime’ type of activity, and you’d better let professionals do it. However, whether it is a matter of cleaning your home or searching for the best flight for the upcoming business trip, I think being able to do yourself what you outsource matters. Here are several reasons why:
- You save time for both you and the person you outsource an activity to by explaining clearly the demand; the more knowledgeable you are, the clearer you get.
- Knowing what is supposed to be done allows for closer follow-up; I am not encouraging micromanagement (!), but actually capacity building of your staff through a good knowledge of their activities (e.g., knowing what types of training to offer them).
- Understanding the day-to-day activities of staff ensures not only a good follow-up of the activities, but a better relationship by being able to value their work better.
- The day an employee (whether home or at work) tells you they want to leave, you do not get frightened by their departure. Of course, it is a loss, but you know you will be able to bounce back and find the right fit next, by knowing the field of activity. This ensures you know both how to recruit better and accompany the departure of your collaborator.
- You foster respect from the person in charge; naturally, we tend to respect better management if we know they have the skill set we have.
I am not telling you to learn in depth whatever it is that your employees do, or to know better than anyone who provides a recurring service for you. Only, I think that having even very basic knowledge of a field helps to strengthen relationships and improve the quality of the work that is produced by ensuring efficient communication.
Kindly,
The English-speaking Frenchie 