In a study of NT companies that have While hiring permanent in-house staff may seem like the traditional route, outsourcing or contracting these functions to specialised professionals offers many benefits to business, government departments and national companies. From cost savings to access to local expertise, there are loads of compelling reasons why outsourcing can be a game-changer in 2025 and overcome the issue of hiring in a tight market.

Every business will have felt the skill shortage crisis across the board – not just in the Northern Territory but Australia and globally. Competing for qualified productive staff in any role within a small population pushes the cost of employing someone above what is affordable. Outsourcing is a viable solution to finding a good team of professionals when you need them.

One of the most significant advantages of outsourcing is cost savings. Hiring a full-time person involves salaries, equipment, subscriptions, holidays, sick leave and overhead costs. And that’s if you can find one.

In contrast, outsourcing allows you to pay for the services you need when you need them. The public service needs to consider outsourcing for professional services provided in the business sector, particularly at a time when the Territory Government is more than $11 billion in debt, to reduce the wage bill and the interest expenses, which are $1.6 million per day.

The flexibility of outsourcing leads to significant financial savings for all businesses. Small and medium-sized enterprises may not have the budget or need to maintain a full-time staff member but can still have the benefit of a professional team working for them when they need them.

Marketing and social media is a skilled worker shortage area. It’s also an ever-evolving field that requires specialised knowledge and skills. By outsourcing to a dedicated agency, you gain access to a team of experts who are well-versed in the latest trends, tools and strategies. Their experience across various industries allows them to bring fresh insights and innovative approaches to your marketing efforts. Hiring a creative person and putting them in a bureaucratic office is like caging a beautiful bird – and before long they will forget how to fly.

Outsourcing allows you to concentrate on what you do best – running your business. By delegating critical functions, you free up valuable time and resources that can be redirected toward core business operations. This focus can lead to increased productivity, better decision-making, and ultimately, improved business outcomes. You can trust that your marketing is in capable hands while you concentrate on delivering exceptional products or services to your customers.

As your business grows, so do your needs. Outsourcing provides the scalability and flexibility to adapt to changing requirements. For example, marketing and communications is a service-based industry, so you have the flexibility to change agencies or seek a better fit should you outgrow them.

If you need to ramp up your marketing efforts during peak seasons or scale back during quieter periods you
can. This adaptability ensures that you are never over-committed to a fixed marketing strategy, allowing you to pivot quickly in response to market trends, seasons or business developments.

Outsourcing to an agency will infuse your business with fresh ideas and innovative strategies. A diverse team brings a wealth of creativity to the table, generating unique concepts that can set your brand apart from the competition. An external perspective gives you access to opportunities and solutions that you may not have considered, leading to more effective and engaging marketing solutions.

In the digital age, data is king and it’s often hard to understand. Advanced analytics tools are available to track the performance of your marketing and social media efforts. This data-driven approach enables you to make informed decisions based on real-time insights, optimising your strategies for maximum effectiveness. You don’t need to be a marketing expert when the data paints the picture. Your agency can provide monthly reports to reflect marketing activity for your direct management or board reporting when you outsource.

Placing media can be fraught with uncertainties, from shifting consumer preferences to platform algorithm changes. Outsourcing to a specialised agency mitigates these risks by leveraging their industry knowledge and experience to make sure you are seen by the right demographic and not just signing up to a sales pitch.

Outsourcing your marketing and social media efforts to Sprout presents a strategic advantage for businesses looking to thrive in a competitive landscape. Sprout is an independent full-service agency, built on over 25 years of Territory knowledge. We started in this space three years before Facebook and have evolved to stay on top of the curve when it comes
to marketing, technology, digital
and innovation.

The longer you wait for a marketing unicorn to walk through the door, the further behind you become. And remember that hiring one person limits you to their ability – and not your needs. By partnering with Sprout, you can have access to a whole marketing team of professionals when you need them.
Consider outsourcing as a solution to the skilled worker shortage and save money. It makes good business sense.

Written by Anya Lorimer who is the director of Sprout – she has employed and trained more than 100 staff since opening the doors in 2001 and consistently finds unicorns who provide a great product and service for her clients.