There are the everyday tasks completed by staff members or freelance workers. But what about those one-off jobs that you don’t have time for, and could prove expensive to outsource?
Some small businesses may find it difficult to justify investing in marketing or IT departments, for example. Apps and websites focused on outsourcing tasks, from the mundane to the highly skilled (or both), address this problem. Time etc connects business people with virtual assistants, making delegation a little easier. Tasks include arranging travel, writing blog posts, transcription, invoicing, and managing social media accounts.
Similarly, TopTask connects business owners to London university students with relevant skill sets. Applicants are interviewed and vetted before being added to the talent pool. That means the business owner gets skilled help at an affordable price, while the student gets work experience and (probably much-needed) cash.
On a broader scale, TaskRabbit aims to help people get pretty much any job done, from painting a wall or hanging a picture to assembling flat-pack furniture. The system connects users to people who can help with laundry, delivery services, interior decoration, and repairs. So it could be a great option for getting the office up to scratch or moving bulky items. There is even an option for hiring a personal assistant—who could well be a longer-term solution to all those niggly little jobs.