7 Tasks You Should Never Outsource or Delegate

by | Jul 5, 2013 | Outsourcing

This is probably one of the most bizarre things I’ve read in quite some time. An American software developer outsourced his entire job to a company in China and used 1/6 of his six-figure salary to pay them.

Watch the video below for more information on how this software developer was able to do this:

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Outsource the tasks, but not your voice…

If you’re a woman of faith and you’re a ministry leader or business owner, you may be struggling to understand what you should delegate and what you should not. Some tasks are easy to delegate, such as answering the phone or responding to email. But we’re reluctant – or dare I say clueless – as to what else should be assigned to a capable assistant, business manager or virtual team.

The rule of thumb that I use is anything that reflects my voice, I should not delegate. In other words “outsource the tasks, but not my voice.” So, here are the 7 things that reflect your voice that should never be outsourced:

#1 – Mentoring

In this role, you give advice to your clients. This is different from a consultant because a consultant gives advice, then implements the solutions on the client’s behalf. People will seek a mentor who has more experience than them and who can open doors.

A mentor also transfers knowledge, social capital and connections over a short period of time. Can you see how this role cannot be outsourced?

#2 – Coaching

As a coach, you help your clients arrive at a solution using specific questions. Unlike a mentor or consultant, a coach does not solve a client’s problem, nor does she implement it. Instead, a coach provides instructions through activities so the client is able to arrive at the solution through self-awareness and reflection.

#3 – Writing

In today’s marketplace, content is what gets people to your blog, Facebook fanpage or other social media sites. Without consistent content, you won’t build the traffic needed to fill your list. Writing represents your voice and you need to produce enough content to get people’s attention.

If you hate to write, there are tools you can use to help you get words on to paper. But at the end of the day, you cannot outsource your writing until you establish your voice through the written word. For example, are you quirky? Serious? Playful? Informal? The written word needs to reflect your personality and only you can reflect that in the words you write.

#4 – Teaching

This role is not just regulated to those who teach in an elementary or high school settings. Like a coach, a teacher provides instructions to his students. But unlike a coach, teachers help their students learn a specific skill or a course of study.

If you’re an expert in a specific skill, it would be difficult to outsource the teaching of this skill since people will come to you to learn how to strengthen it.

#5 – Speaking

Like writing, only you have the style that you do to deliver your advice from the stage. No matter how big your business grows, you simply cannot outsource this task.

#6 – Connecting

Another task that you just cannot outsource. People will make a decision to do business with you based on your style and personality. So that’s why you need to show up at networking events, conferences and pick up the phone to connect with people and develop business deals, ministry or joint venture partnerships.

#7 – Creating

This, too, is non-outsourceable. You need to create program (or sermon) names, create your business strategy, create the content for your programs (or sermons) and only you can do this. Now, I’m not saying that you have to create graphics and make your documents look pretty. Instead, in this role, you dream up the program, say what you want it to look like and create the strategy.

What say you?

Do these 7 tasks make it clear what you’re NOT supposed to outsource?

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