Research is time-consuming: outsource it to your Online PA and win back hours

CREATED BY SARAH HANNAFORD Published: 04/02/2026 @ 09:02AM #ResearchIsTimeConsuming #OnlinePA #VirtualAssistantUK #TenderSupport #SmallBusinessUK #AdminOutsourcing

Research is time-consuming, and it's quietly stealing your best hours. Delegate it to your Online PA and get sharper tenders, stronger proposals, and clearer evidence. You stay focused; the facts get done properly ...

Research is time-consuming, Endlessly searching, For truth and knowledge

You already know the truth: Research is time-consuming, especially when it sits alongside client work, invoicing, and everything else that keeps your business moving. You start with “just a quick check”, and suddenly you're three tabs deep, cross-referencing sources and trying to turn messy notes into something credible.

The real cost isn't only the hours you spend, it's
the momentum you lose!

When you're writing proposals and tenders, research stops being optional and becomes proof. You're expected to show you understand the buyer, the market, the risks, the outcomes, and the compliance detail, often with evidence that stands up to scrutiny.

Research is time-consuming because good research isn't guesswork; it's structured, traceable, and written in a way that matches the language your evaluator expects.

It's easy to assume this level of detail is just for solicitors and accountants, but it lands on every small business sooner than you think. If you supply IT, construction, HR, cleaning, training, marketing, catering, coaching, or any specialist service, you'll still be asked for policies, case studies, pricing context, competitor awareness, accreditations, ESG statements, and local impact. Research is time-consuming because each request looks simple until you realise it requires an accurate background, the right wording, and up-to-date references.

You can do it yourself, of course, but then you're switching constantly between deep work and admin. That context switching is where time disappears and quality slips. Research is time-consuming in a small business because you're often the decision-maker, the delivery team, and the admin team all at once, so every extra hour spent gathering information is an hour not spent selling, serving, or improving your offer.

This is where an online PA or virtual assistant
turns into a practical advantage!

With business research support, you can delegate the time-heavy digging and the disciplined organising that turns information into something usable. You get a clean pack of findings, source links, summaries, and drafted wording aligned to your tone, so you can review and approve rather than start from a blank page.

If you're wondering what you can realistically hand over, think of the parts that drain time without needing your personal judgment. Your Online PA can gather buyer and framework details, pull relevant local and industry statistics, collate policy requirements, check Companies House records where appropriate, identify comparable contract values, summarise competitor positioning, and assemble supporting documents in the format you need.

Research is time-consuming, but it becomes manageable when it's broken into defined tasks with clear outputs.

The result is simple: you stay in control of the strategy and voice, while your Online PA handles the legwork that makes your submission stronger. You'll still review everything, but you won't be stuck doing the slow, repetitive parts that don't move the business forward.

Research is time-consuming, so give it to a professional who can do it efficiently for you.

Until next time ...

SARAH HANNAFORD

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About Sarah Hannaford ...
What if I could give you time back to do the things you love doing? I have been working in Admin based roles for almost 20 years in various different sectors and levels. My passion for doing paperwork and organizing 'office spaces' makes me a really useful tool for you to have in your corner!  My goal is to provide the best quality service to all my clients, making their lives easier and giving them back freedom to grow their business. Let me handle your admin needs so you can thrive! ❤️

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