Is Your Postcode Holding Back Your Business Growth?
A few years ago, building a team often meant looking for someone who could travel to your office. Today, that is still essential for some roles. But for work that can be done remotely, could limiting your search to one area also limit your business? It is a question my cofounder, Pearl Makoni, and I kept coming back to when we started Outsource 247.
Across the UK, business owners are working hard to meet demand. An accountancy practice needs more capacity to serve its clients. A care home owner needs help with administration so they can focus on their residents and staff. An estate agency wants to keep on top of enquiries and provide a responsive service. A sole trader needs time to do the work that brings in revenue.
When a team is stretched, growth can become difficult even when opportunities are there. Recruiting locally may take time, and the skills a business needs may be available elsewhere.
At the same time, we know talented professionals in Zimbabwe and across Africa who have the qualifications, drive and ability to contribute. Their opportunities should not be determined by where they live.
That led us to ask: what if one connection could help solve both problems?
We built Outsource 247 to help UK businesses access capable support while creating meaningful careers for African professionals. For accounting work, our Academy helps prepare professionals with the practical skills and knowledge needed to support UK firms. Across other sectors, the starting point is understanding which tasks can be supported remotely, what skills they require and how that support will fit into the existing team.
This does not mean every role should be remote. A care home needs people on site to care for residents. An estate agent needs local knowledge and people who can meet clients. Many businesses value being rooted in their communities. The opportunity is to give those local teams reliable support with work that does not have to happen in the same building.
For me, the most exciting result reaches beyond the business. A UK owner gains room to grow. A professional builds a career. Their family gains new opportunities too.
What could your business achieve if the right support did not have to live nearby?
I would love to hear how other Thames Valley businesses are thinking about capacity, local teams and global talent.
- Ngwari Mandrup (Outsource 247 Director)