There’s a lot that can go wrong in any business. Natural disasters, criminal activities, terrible accidents – the list is a long one. And ultimately, it could lead to a nasty end for your company. Protecting your business is vital, of course, but that doesn’t mean that you need to operate those protections on an in-house basis. Thanks to the modern-day business landscape, it’s possible to outsource them instead – so here are a few ideas of the types of services you might consider using for your business.
Legal help
A surprising number of startups and small businesses fail to use the help of a business lawyer when they are just getting started. But having one to robustly defend your company in the event of a major issue could be the difference between survival and a sorry end. Everything from trademark issues and intellectual property disputes through to contract problems and compensation claims are all likely to have a better outcome if you have a good lawyer fighting your corner.
Human resources assistance
As a growing company, you will need to hire employees to give yourself a chance of success. However, the second you start to hire people, your business gets a lot more complicated. There is an enormous range of issues to consider, from health and safety all the way through to contracts and holiday arrangements, and the chances are that you won’t have time to tick every box on the list of regulations you need to cover. So, consider outsourcing to an HR consultancy, who can help ensure you are complying with regulations and keeping on top of your responsibilities as an employer.
IT services
While you can invest in essential IT equipment such as servers, these days there is no need. Outsourcing to an IT firm is a cost-effective solution that can also give your business a higher level of protection. For example, let’s say your company is hit by a disaster – a flood, perhaps, or a fire. If all your IT systems are on site, it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that they could end up destroyed – along with all your business-critical data.
Non-essential services
Let’s assume that your business has grown to the extent that you need new office space. Let’s also imagine that you find an expensive but beautiful new office with more than enough room to house a new batch of employees. However, once you move in, you realise your costs are now affecting your pricing, which you have to raise to cover them. Sales start to drop, and all of a sudden you are left with a massive monthly bill to pay for wages, and you aren’t making enough money. In the vast majority of cases, it’s best to outsource some simple operations – to virtual assistants or basic marketing contractors, for example – so you can reduce the burning need for a larger office space until you need it.
Once your business starts to grow, it is essential that you have the right team in place to offer enough protection from everything that could go wrong. However, outsourcing provides a valuable and far more cost efficient opportunity to cover your bases than investing in teams or essential equipment – so give it a go and see how you get on.