Have you successfully procured a large group of clients? Do people often refer their colleagues and friends to your consulting business? Do you have a reputation for doing good work? Is your plate so full that you sometimes feel like you need to reject client requests, or else you’ll be overwhelmed?
It’s beautiful to have a successful business. But it’s also stressful, and the work can take its toll. If you can’t remember the last time you worked a standard forty-hour week or gave yourself a vacation day, well, it might be time to scale.
Scaling is a process that helps you take on more clients while working fewer hours. You’ll be able to increase your income, decrease your stress levels, and provide better overall service to your customers.
The biggest hurdle in the way is the sheer complexity. There are many moving parts to keep track of when you’re going from small-time consulting to a full-time business. These tips can help you settle everything that needs settling.
Use a List
You handle every aspect of the business yourself. You’re in charge of generating leads, communicating with clients, making proposals, and doing the actual work. When you scale your business, you’ll delegate the minutiae to other people so that you can handle the essential pieces.
Answer these questions:
- Where do you need to use your expertise?
- Which processes require your direct involvement?
- Which tasks can be done without needing your supervision or help?
The ones that meet the third category can be delegated.
Another helpful way to sort your list is by writing out all of the responsibilities, ranking the priorities, and assigning low priority tasks to others.
Hire a Contractor
Now you know what you need to hire someone else to do. It’s time to take on a contractor.
With contractors, you’ll hire them for per-project work instead of set hours. This helps you save money, gives you greater flexibility, and gives them more freedom with their employment.
Look for someone who can handle the processes that keep your business running. Ensure they can keep track of your books, stay organized, and pay attention to your emails.
