To Delegate or Not To Delegate
Why is that Such a Hard Question?

© 2005 Beth Schneider.
Used with permission by the author:
Author: Beth Schneider
http://www.processprodigy.com
6 March 2007

Excuses, excuses, I have heard them all.
“It is faster if I just do it myself.”
“No one does it better than me.”
“I don’t know what to delegate.”
“I can’t afford to hire anyone.”

Sound familiar? The key to controlling delegation is to establish what tasks are, how they should be completed and what the final outcome looks like BEFORE you assign them to someone. No more excuses. Here are 6 steps you can take to develop your what, how and final outcome.

#1  What to Give Away and what to Keep  

Think about what you directly contribute to the business. Keep those tasks. Anything outside your expertise or easily performed by others . . . give away.

Your Actions: Make a list of everything you do on a weekly or monthly basis. Determine what is essential to keep and what can be given away.

#2  Create a Plan  

To be effective, you have to share exactly what you want done. Maybe, “no one does it better than you” because no one truly understands what you want.

Your Actions: Create the specific, detailed steps needed to create your desired result. Give those steps along with any files, forms and checklists to the person helping you.

#3  Results and Accountability  

Start at the end. Picture what you should be holding when you get those final deliverables. Communicate those expectations. All expectations HAVE to be reasonable, clear and measurable. For example, “complete a minimum of 30 sales calls per week” as opposed to “complete sales calls”.

Accountability is not a bad word. If you are not getting results, you and your business suffer.

Your Actions: Create specific goals, quotas or outcomes. Communicate those expectations. Have consequences for results not being accomplished.

#4  The Right Person  

Determine what skill sets your position requires. Ask yourself, what do I really want someone to do? Search for a person who has those skills.

If you need someone to spend tons of time logging information, don’t hire someone who can’t sit still and chats on the phone all day.

Your Actions: Look at the tasks being performed. Decide what skill sets are needed. When interviewing, ask open-ended questions.

#5  Checking In  

While watching late night TV, I landed on an infomercial. The product tag line was, “set it and forget it”. The same rule does NOT apply to delegation. People are human. They make mistakes and they may even (gasp) drop the ball.

Set specific times to check in. Set a regular appointment time, such as Tuesday at 2pm, or at a specific spot in the process. For example, “after you have called all 50 prospects, come see me.”

Checking in allows you to stay in the loop, fix problems, educate the people working with you and be informed.

Your Actions: Set specific times to check in. Actually check in when you say you will.

#6  Delegate to Technology  

Money is tight and you desperately need help, but there is no budget. What do you do? I am constantly amazed at what technology can do. I’m not talking about 'no one can figure out how this works' stuff. I’m talking about everyday, just push a button, anyone can do this stuff. Finding what works for you could save you hours of time and money.

Your Actions: Learn some of the more intermediate or advanced features of software you already own. Incorporate it into your day-to-day workflow.

© 2005 Beth Schneider. Want to reprint this article, feel free as long as you include the following: 

Beth Schneider, Chief Infopreneur of Process Prodigy, is a business process consultant who helps solo-entrepreneurs, small business owners and network marketers who want to systemize their business to increase profits, increase productivity and grow their business without having to give up the family oriented, flexible, balanced lifestyle they desire. Beth works one-on-one with her clients, offers home study courses, and teleclass boot camps. For more information visit www.ProcessProdigy.com and sign up for your FR*EE 5-Step Process Starter Kit and FR*EE Process Tips. Also visit our family sites www.YourBusinessMachineBasics.com and www.MadeItToAMillion.com. Beth uses her natural ability to create systems and motivate people, providing streamlined, effective and consistent processes and procedures.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Beth_Schneider

Short summary
Delegation requires planned project management, taking accountability and understanding the skills invovled in the delegated tasks and projects.

Keywords and relevant phrases
accountability, communicate, delegation, expectation, interviews, job specification, objectives, outcome, project management, quota, recruitment, results, skill sets,  task requirements, technology, time management.