Delegation and Workplace Productivity in the Global Village
Modern job descriptions, especially those at the managerial level, often specify more responsibilities than anyone can accomplish within an ordinary workweek. This may seem ludicrous at first blush, but it reflects the reality of the business world as it exists today. No one really expects upper-level managers to directly handle all their responsibilities; nor could they. Trying to do so would wreck their lives inside of a week.
It's called "management" for a reason. True achievers know to parcel out most of the items on their plate to subordinates or even to people outside of their organization, before focusing on the few things they do best that profit the company the most and produce the highest value for the time worked. In other words, leaders delegate like crazy to those who can accomplish the work at a lower pay level.
We all know people who seem not to have gotten the memo--or who have simply ignored it. We call some of these people micromanagers. Others decide, for whatever reason, to kill themselves and attempt to do it all. Managers in both misguided categories work ridiculously long hours. However, in this era of decentralized business functions and near-instantaneous long-distance communication, they don't have to. Just about any form of rote work, and many higher-level functions, can devolve to people who can get the tasks done more cheaply and more effectively. By taking advantage of this fact, modern managers (and their organizations) achieve true long-term productivity.
Other people are your greatest productivity resources, forever and always. If you don't figure that out quickly, you may spend your next vacation in the hospital, keeled over from exhaustion.
Extending the Metaphor
Then there are things even your team members don't handle, as it's not worth their time and the opportunity cost of what they could have done instead. When the copy machine breaks down, your folks shouldn't be climbing in there and trying to fix it after a few minutes of trying. You can think of better uses for their time, so you usually hire someone else to do those things. This process, formally known as outsourcing, allows you to use your people and resources more profitably.
Given the general tone of the outsourcing debate in recent years, you might think the concept is something new, but it's not of course. Businesses have been outsourcing work to other businesses since the beginning of the modern era, if not longer. Consider subcontracting, a venerable practice, which is just a form of outsourcing. When you hire someone to fix the roof of the shop, wire an electrical outlet, handle the coffee service, or carry a package across town, you've just outsourced some of your organization's work.
Many companies also commonly outsource their information technology, customer service, and accounting (including payroll processing); indeed, you can outsource almost anything. And you should, because outsourcing simply makes sense. While it has its flaws (as its critics will happily remind you), outsourcing can help you increase your efficiency, let you connect with a flexible pool of specialists in a particular field, reduce risk, reduce capital costs, reduce overhead, and most importantly, allow you to concentrate on your core business.
Basically, outsourcing lets you tap other people's knowledge and skill sets without having to take them on full time. You use them as you need them--a real bonus when dealing with short term projects or peripheral functions you just don't need a full-timer to handle. And let's cut to the chase: in tough times, outsourcing also makes it easier to streamline your team without loss of function--a point inevitably brought up by the critics of outsourcing.
Small Businesses, Big Advantages
Many people associate outsourcing with big business; and yes, the larger companies do tend to drive the outsourcing industry, with their endless need for specialized services. However, businesses of all sizes can reap the benefits of outsourcing. In fact, small businesses (particularly sole proprietorships) often depend on outsourcing to get all the little things done. Here are some of the duties I outsource: video editor, bookkeeper, accountant, graphic designer, article editor, virtual administrative assistant, social media posting, computer/IT/networking, website design, mobile app designer, press release writer, PowerPoint slide designer, student workbook designer, transcriptionist,, voiceover/audiobook reader, comedy writing, online book promotion, eBook distribution, book trailer, IP attorney, CRM consultant, photographer, employee assessments, Excel programming, and a book agent. Whew! And that's just off the top of my head! Read the rest of the article here.
If you'd like further details on how to construct and maintain an effective workflow process that allows you to get everything done and still have a life outside of work, be sure to grab a copy of my new book, What To Do When There's Too Much To Do, when it hits bookstores in 2012.
Make it a productive day! (TM)
© Copyright 2012 Laura Stack. All rights reserved. www.TheProductivityPro.com | 
