Does your business work with freelancers or consultants, or are you planning to soon? Since the lockdown began in 2020, businesses have been increasingly using remote workers to fulfil needs. Alongside the traditional employee relationships, many business owners now need to also manage outsourced teams… which can be a job in itself!
Why outsourcing remote teams is beneficial to your business growth
When you work on numerous projects throughout the year or don’t have in-house experts for everything, working with freelancers and consultants to form an outsourced team is a brilliant way to fill a skills gap.
Not only are you able to work with outsourced teams flexibly when you need them, but you’re also getting experts in their field. You can choose the right person for the job – whether that’s a graphic designer, copywriter, or an accountant.
When you manage outsourced teams instead of hiring more employees, the added flexibility and expertise can help with business growth, without the same level of commitment.
If you’re already hiring freelance workers, you’ll know it can be beneficial to your business (and hopefully enjoyable!).
But if you are yet to start, it can be hard to know where to begin.
Read here for more information on the benefits of hiring freelance workers.
When you have regular external support, to manage outsourced teams takes great communication skills and organisation.
When you’re working with remote teams, it’s vital everyone has the information they need to do their roles well. This can be especially tough when you’re not all under one roof, like the traditional business model, as wires are more easily crossed…
But the good news is, this is a job you could happily pass on to a virtual business manager…
What’s a virtual business manager?
A virtual business manager (VBM) is someone you can pass the day to day running of your business to, while you concentrate on the bigger picture.
Instead of hiring a new project manager or head of department within your company, a VBM comes in right at the point you need them, with the skills and expertise you need.
This could be either for a short time, such as to cover someone on maternity leave or off sick, or for ongoing support as you grow the business.
Virtual business managers have great project management skills.
They bring an external pair of eyes to either a specific project or act as your right-hand person during a time of business growth.
As you don’t have to spend time training them like you would a new employee, your virtual business manager can hit the ground running. Leaving you more time, energy, and excitement for growing the business (and finally ticking off those things from your own business development to-do list!).
So, how can a VBM help to manage outsourced teams?
Now it might sound unusual to outsource another team member for you to manage your remote team… but trust us, doing so provides you with much less admin and time spent liaising with different team members.
Your virtual business manager can act as the project manager for each remote worker. Assigning tasks, dealing with the briefing process and any queries, receiving updates, and keeping everyone else who is involved in the process up to speed.
Basically, all the time you’d normally spend sending emails, reviewing documents, and adjusting project timelines would no longer be your concern.
Only receive updates from your virtual business manager that actually concern you – avoiding all the daily tasks that can soon pile up.
How to hire a virtual business manager
If you need help to manage outsourced teams because you’re spending too much time reviewing and editing marketing content or sitting in meetings, it’s a simple task to pass on.
First, let your virtual business manager know your goals and understand the current process.
Provide your VBM with contact details of everyone who is on your outsourced team, their project brief, and deadlines.
A VBM can also use an email address on from your company domain, to keep a professional image if they’re speaking with clients or external partners.
Also give them an idea of the tasks you DO want to still be involved in…
Are you still planning to attend a monthly project update?
Do you want the final sign-off on graphics?
These details are important to help manage your expectations and allow the virtual business manager to do a great job managing outsourced teams for your business.
If you don’t already have a system in place suitable for remote teams, you may want to set up a project management system, such as Trello or Asana, to help keep track of everything.
Your VBM would happily set this up for you and recommend the best system for your needs.
Once the initial part is over, the rest is easy for you… taking the pressure away from you.
How Spero Solutions can help to manage outsourced teams
If you work with Spero Solutions, Elaine our MD, has years of experience managing outsourced teams and overseeing successful project management.
Focusing on the strategic side of your business, we believe two heads are better than one… and Elaine will do everything in her power to support your business growth.
While working on your projects and dealing with remote workers, there may be other opportunities for improvement.
Alongside supporting you with the management tasks, we are also able to streamline your business and make you more efficient.
Looking at improving your overall business systems and processes can make you more profitable – and take away some of the tedious tasks or frustrations in your process!
You may decide you have more than one reason of hiring a business manager.
What else are you looking at to improve your business growth?
Are you looking for someone to push back on ideas?
Do you need help analysing company performance and setting realistic and achievable goals?
No matter the reason you need help managing outsourced teams, speak to Elaine at Spero Solutions to learn how she can help.