Smart Moves: Using Automation and Outsourcing to Strengthen Your Business in a Recession

By Jenny Holly Hansen | WBN News | May 14, 2025

In good times, automation and outsourcing are smart business strategies. In a recession, they can become absolute lifelines — but only when used carefully and intentionally.

One of the biggest mistakes I’ve seen during downturns is businesses slashing costs too aggressively without considering the long-term impact. Automation and outsourcing aren’t about cutting corners — they’re about protecting quality, preserving flexibility, and keeping your core team focused on what matters most.

When used wisely, they create breathing room, efficiency, and even new opportunities to grow when others are stuck. Here’s how I approach it.

The Right Mindset: Strategic, Not Desperate

Automation and outsourcing are tools — not silver bullets.

I always remind myself:

• Automation is for tasks, not relationships.
• Outsourcing is for specialized expertise or non-core activities, not your brand’s heart and soul.

The goal isn’t to strip my business down to the bare bones. It’s to free up time, energy, and resources so my team can double down on the activities that truly drive customer value and brand loyalty.

Where Automation Makes Sense in a Recession

When money and time are tight, automation can quietly carry a lot of the operational load. Some areas where I typically look first:

1. Financial Management

• Automated invoicing and payment reminders (QuickBooks, FreshBooks)
• Cash flow forecasting tools that update in real-time
• Expense tracking apps that reduce manual data entry

2. Marketing

• Email campaigns with automated drip sequences (Mailchimp, HubSpot)
• Social media scheduling (Buffer, Later)
• Lead capture forms that automatically feed into CRM systems

3. Customer Service

• Chatbots to answer common FAQs without replacing human support for more complex needs
• Automated ticketing systems to route and prioritize service requests efficiently

4. Project Management and Internal Processes

• Workflow automation tools (Zapier, Asana integrations) that eliminate repetitive handoffs and reminders

Every minute saved through automation is a minute that can be spent building relationships, solving real problems, or innovating.

Where Outsourcing Makes Sense in a Recession

Outsourcing isn’t about dumping responsibilities — it’s about accessing expertise or scale without permanent overhead.

In tough times, I look carefully at:

1. Specialized Skills

• Website maintenance, SEO, graphic design — areas where hiring full-time doesn't make sense but quality still matters.

2. Administrative Support

• Virtual assistants who can manage scheduling, travel, customer follow-up, and other non-core tasks.

3. Seasonal or Project-Based Work

• Outsourcing to flexible contractors lets me scale up temporarily without taking on long-term commitments I might not be able to sustain.

4. IT and Cybersecurity

• Maintaining secure systems is more important than ever, and outsourcing this to trusted experts gives peace of mind without the cost of a full internal department.

How I Decide What to Automate or Outsource

Before I automate or outsource anything, I ask myself three key questions:

• Is this task repetitive, rule-based, or low-risk for automation?
• Is this task non-core to our brand experience, but still important?
• Could an outside expert do this faster, better, or more affordably than we can internally?

If the answer is yes, it’s probably a good candidate. If the task touches customer trust, brand identity, or mission-critical innovation, I keep it close to home.

Final Thoughts

Automation and outsourcing aren’t about making my business colder, or more detached. Done thoughtfully, they make it sharper, leaner, and more resilient — exactly what’s needed in a recession.

By using these tools strategically, I protect my team's energy for the work that really matters: delivering on our values, building stronger customer connections, and positioning the business to thrive once the economy rebounds.

Efficiency for efficiency’s sake doesn’t interest me. Efficiency that strengthens our mission and protects our future? That’s a smart move — recession or not.

Let’s Keep Talking:

Jenny is a business insurance broker with Waypoint Insurance. With 19 years experience, she will well versed in the technical aspects of business coverages.

She can be reached at 604-317-6755 or jholly-hansen@wbnn.news. Connect with Jenny on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-holly-hansen-365b691b/.  Connect with Jenny at BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/jennyhollyhansen.bsky.social

Let’s Meet Up:

Jenny Holly Hansen is a cohost with Chris Sturges of the Langley Impact Networking Group. You are welcome to join us on Thursday’s from 4pm to 6pm at: Sidebar Bar and Grill: 100b - 20018 83A Avenue, Langley, BC V2Y 3R4

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