Do you know how to delegate in business? Or are you doing everything yourself, no matter the cost?
We know how it feels – your company is your baby. You planted the seed and nurtured it from the beginning, pouring all your heart, soul, and time into helping it grow.
You know every detail inside out, and have developed specific ways of getting things done. So the thought of handing over tasks to someone else can feel uncomfortable, and even downright nerve-wracking.
But here’s something you must always remember, especially in business: delegation isn’t admitting defeat. It’s actually one of the smartest business moves you can make.
Why We Struggle to delegate in Business
For most entrepreneurs, the reluctance to delegate stems from a few common concerns:
- “No one will do it as well as me.”
- “It takes longer to explain than to just do it myself.”
- “I don’t want to lose control of important aspects of my business.”
We hear this all the time from overwhelmed business owners. But this thinking creates a bottleneck where your business can only grow as far as your personal capacity allows – and we all have our limits.
The cost of doing everything yourself
When you’re handling everything from client work to admin, marketing to bookkeeping, something inevitably suffers. It might be your core business functions, your strategic planning, or your wellbeing.
And let us clarify that taking care of your wellbeing as part of your business plan isn’t some pampering exercise. It’s a big deal, and creeps in at every corner when abandoned.
Working 60+ hour weeks might feel sustainable in the short term, but it’s a fast track to burnout. Business quality will eventually suffer.
Some of our clients aren’t suffering burnout at all – they just know they need someone who can master a key area in their business (such as the marketing side of things, finances, or consistent social media content).
You can’t wear all the hats well simultaneously. Here at Liruss Virtual Business Services, we have a team of all different ‘hats’, specialised in key areas of business and marketing at your disposal.
How To Delegate in Business With a VA
Unlike hiring a full-time employee, working with a VA offers remarkable flexibility. You can:
- Scale support hours up or down based on your needs and budget
- Access professional skills in all the areas you need support with
- Pay only for productive time
- Have a go-to member of the team who will help provide key solutions you may not have been aware of
- Work with someone who’s already experienced in supporting businesses like yours
For most small business owners, this level of access and flexibility removes the biggest barriers to getting help.
What Can You Actually Delegate to a VA?
Virtual assistants can handle an impressive range of tasks, including:
- Email management and filtering
- Calendar organisation and appointment scheduling
- Social media content creation and scheduling
- Basic bookkeeping and invoice management
- Customer enquiry handling
- Travel arrangements
- Research projects
- Document preparation and formatting
- Database management
- Event coordination
But it’s not just ‘the basics’ we do here. (In fact, check out 160+ tasks you can outsource in our checklist here.)
We’ve guided many businesses into better ways of executing their processes. With a host of specialised skillsets under one roof, business refinement is at your fingertips.
Starting small: Your VA delegation roadmap
The good news is that working with a VA doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing. We can be as involved as you’d like us to be. But if you’re new to delegation, here’s how to begin:
1. Identify your true priorities
List everything you do in a typical week, then categorise tasks as:
- Cat 1: Revenue-generating activities only you can do
- Cat 2: Important tasks that don’t necessarily need your specific expertise
- Cat 3: Crucial admin that’s eating into your time
Anything not in that first category is a potential candidate for your VA. But you’ll also be surprised – especially in the Liruss team – of the options they may identify to help get things done quicker and better. Afterall, that’s our speciality.
2. Start with a trial project
If you’re feeling uneasy about delegation still, then take it slowly. Rather than handing over everything at once, begin with a small, contained project. This gives both of us the chance to find our rhythm and get any questions answered.
Building a successful relationship with your VA
As someone who’s used to delivering results on your own, it’s often learning to trust the process of delegation that can be toughest. Here’s how to let go of those burdening or even stressful tasks while still holding onto the reins:
Be clear about outcomes, and flexible about methods
Focus on what needs to be achieved rather than dictating exactly how it should be done. Our professional VAs can bring fresh perspectives that can improve your processes, and will only ever suggest something if we truly believe it’ll make a positive impact on you and your business.
Schedule regular check-ins
Rather than micromanaging or completely disappearing, set up consistent touchpoints. We always check in with our clients once a week, or as often as you’d like to ensure your expectations are exceeded.
Choose the right VA service
Look for a VA service that employs their assistants rather than using freelancers. We only have employed members of the team here at Liruss. This ensures consistent quality, backup support when needed, and professionals who are truly invested in your success.
Ready to reclaim your time?
Working with a virtual assistant is the perfect middle ground between doing everything yourself and committing to full-time employees. You’ll maintain control while creating space for what really matters: growing your business, doing what you do best, and, just maybe, having a life outside of it too.
Arrange a call to find out how we can support you with a bespoke team.
