When you cannot do everything.
WHAT TO DELEGATE FIRST
Routine work that consumes time and not judgement: updates, monitoring checks, backup verification, account creation.
WHAT TO KEEP
Client relationships, initially. Those are the business.
THE OPTIONS
A part-time assistant for routine work A subcontractor for overflow technical work A reciprocal arrangement with another provider
GIVING ACCESS
Their own accounts, not yours. Actions must be attributable.
Remove access when the arrangement ends.
WHAT TO AGREE
Exactly what they do Response expectations Whether they contact clients directly How they are paid
THE DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENT
You cannot delegate work that is not written down.
Documenting processes is the prerequisite, not an afterthought.
THE QUALITY RISK
Work done differently produces inconsistency that clients notice.
Check the first several instances.
WHEN IT PAYS
When the time freed is worth more than the cost, spent on work that generates more.
THE CLIENT PERCEPTION
Clients chose you. Introduce anyone who will contact them, rather than surprising them.
