There are times when a small business owner recognizes could use an extra set of hands to get the job done. These tasks can be specific to a single job, or it could be an ongoing relationship, but if the necessary abilities are something more skill-specific, incorporating an independent contractor could support a well-rounded financial plan.
Building a relationship
When bringing a contractor on board, it's important to remember that this individual is autonomous from the business. Unlike a full-time employee, a business owner can't micromanage everything the worker does. As Young Entrepreneur wrote, these people are their own bosses and will contract their services to whatever entity can pay for them.
On the positive side, this also guarantees that a job will be done, and that a business wwill only pay for a person's services when such skills are needed. It also saves the company money in avoiding training and acclimation time, which can cut down on productivity for standard workers.
Working out the kinks
While it may be easier to work in a contractor with a financial calculator than a full-time employee, it's also important that businesses do so in the right way. There are different tax forms and other filing requirements for contractors than employees, as well as a separate methods of processing payroll if the company does employ additional staff members. Such workers are also usually paid by the hour, so making sure they don't take extra time to complete tasks may be necessary. This can make it more complicated and costly to bring these individuals onboard.
When it comes to picking whether a contractor would be the best fit for a position, The New York Times recommended defining the duties a worker has to do and then seeing how much control a business wants to be able to exert over those functions. In some cases, entities want to be able to dictate how its staff act, such as when dealing with long-term customer relations or pushing sales. In other positions, though, companies may not know how best to proceed themselves, and therefore need a skilled craftsman with expertise in a specific field, such as advertising or web design. Even in these situations, setting firm guidelines before signing a contractor can be crucial.