With summer just around the corner, many of us are enjoying the prolonged daylight as part of Daylight Saving Time. But the extra sunshine has yet to produce actual, additional hours in the day. For many small businesses, that means finding alternative solutions for getting everything accomplished in the same 24-hour day. According to a survey from the Houston-based Achilles Group, these companies are increasingly outsourcing basic services so that owners can concentrate on "core" functions - or their areas of expertise.

As expected, the survey found that administrative functions, such as accounting and payroll, are regularly outsourced. Additionally, owners tend to hire outside help for information technology functions and public relations. Also worth noting, the survey found that owners outsource at least two functions.

This is good news for consultants who happen to specialize in one or more of these areas. It definitely helps validate the continued demand for a wide range of outsourced administrative services. But you might be surprised to learn who else is hiring outside support. While this survey focused on companies with 20 to 25 employees, other studies have indicated that freelancers are increasingly among those turning to other freelancers, or virtual assistants, for help on an as-needed basis. Why? For small businesses, outsourcing can help reduce costs by eliminating the need to bring on a full-time staff member with salary and benefits. For both small businesses and solo practitioners, utilizing outside resources can free up time better spent on revenue-building activities and strategic planning, and finding time for these activities are among the most common freelance hurdles. Tip: if you don't think you can afford to bring in an expert, consider bartering with your own expertise.