Are you spending more time focusing on the day-to-day operations of your business rather than focusing on the long-term success of your company? You are not the only one. Among business owners and managers, fewer than 15% believe they are allocating their time effectively. It's time to let go of the "I can do it all myself" mindset and outsource the arduous back office operations as costs and competition continue to climb.
Although every business is unique, the following seven business IT support services are especially needed for every small business in Oklahoma.
1. Information Technology (IT)
According to a Deloitte survey from 2014, 53% of businesses have outsourced at least several of their IT operations, and another 26% intend to do so in the coming years. Outside vendors or cloud-based IT management services can save your company up to 40% on IT costs, making you more agile and allowing for greater growth potential.
Regular software updates, server repair, system backups, and security mechanisms are just some of the ways that managed IT services can help you keep your data and equipment secure. They'll also ensure that your data is safe and secure. In addition, small business IT services can be tailored to meet your company's specific needs, such as enhancing its competitiveness or utilizing emerging technologies.
2. Accounting and Finance
60% of small firms still handle payroll in-house despite the fact that payroll is the most often outsourced service. Outsourcing payroll administration to payroll consultants or payroll software has been shown to reduce costs while increasing compliance. It costs 18 percent less for companies to outsource payroll compared to those that handle it themselves.
According to IRS statistics, 40% of small companies pay an average annual penalty of $845 because of missed deadlines and errors in their tax filings and payments. The burden of paying sales tax can be just as onerous. A study by the Aberdeen Research Group reports that small businesses spend $22,000 a year on sales tax compliance management tasks that take up to 24 days of their time. If you're subjected to an audit, your expenses will more than quadruple. You can reduce this risk and save money in the long run by using online services and automated software.
3. People
Employing freelancers gives three out of four small businesses in the United States a competitive edge. Freelancers, contractors, and consultants now account for one-third of all employed Americans. Using freelancers and contractors provides companies with access to talent they would otherwise be unable to afford. There is a growing demand for virtual assistants, which can be hired for a fraction of the cost of a traditional employee. With outsourcing, you can adjust the size of your workforce based on demand, be it seasonal or project-based. To avoid IRS scrutiny and potential penalties, make sure to follow IRS protocol for correctly classifying employees.
4. Marketing
For small businesses, ecommerce and social selling have made online marketing, online stores, and social media more important than ever. However, having full-time web design, PR, and social media operations in-house is neither financially feasible nor the best use of resources for the majority of small companies in Oklahoma. According to a study, small business owners devote 33 hours per week to marketing. The majority of this group (76 percent) said they don't have enough time in the day to accomplish everything they need to.
5. Logistics
A retailer's time is better spent selling and merchandising when they outsource logistics. In addition to lowering overall costs, outsourcing fulfillment, warehousing, and delivery to third-party providers improves customer service. They're the best in their field. As a result, they are better able to meet demand and respond quickly than you are.
A retailer's time is better spent selling and merchandising when they outsource logistics. In addition to lowering overall costs, outsourcing fulfillment, warehousing, and delivery to third-party providers improves customer service. They're the best in their field. As a result, they are better able to meet demand and respond quickly than you are.
6. Customer support
A dedicated customer service team isn't always a viable option for smaller organizations because they lack the resources to do so. It's common for this to be handled by the company's office staff or salespeople, who divide their time between attracting new customers and keeping current ones satisfied. You can get the extra staff you need to deal with customer calls by outsourcing to a contact center. As a result, business owners must examine their options carefully, as pricing and services might vary greatly. Shared-agent solutions or cloud-based services may be less expensive alternatives.
7. Records management
Every company should think about how they want to keep track of their records. Many business records will accumulate over time, and you may decide that keeping them in-house, where you have easy access to them, is the best option.
However, the reality is that many of these are preserved for legal and regulatory reasons, and they simply take up space. If stored in basements and cupboards, they can be damaged, misplaced, or lost because you don't need to access them.
Outsourcing your document storage would then be an excellent idea. You can free up space in your office, comply with statutory controls measures, and ensure that you can easily access documents when you need them by outsourcing in a secure and convenient manner.
Conclusion
Extending the capabilities of your organization while maintaining a laser-like focus on your key functions is possible through the use of outsourcing firms like SC technical. Freelancers and contract workers can save you 30 to 50 percent over hiring full-time employees in terms of labor costs. As a bonus, don't overlook the benefits of lower risk and increased control over resources. You can refocus your priority areas as a business owner or manager by outsourcing IT tasks that can be handled more efficiently by an expert outside your company, which saves you time, money, and talent.
A managed IT services plan is a no-brainer after considering these seven necessary services for small businesses in Oklahoma. Contact an IT service provider to learn more about costs and plans that fit your company's budget and requirements. In addition, you'll learn about the additional advantages that these services can provide.
Get in touch with us right away to learn more about our small business IT support services near me.