Maybe you’ve reached the point where you need to grow, but you’re not sure you’re ready to attract more people. Or maybe you want to stay small and lean, and don’t want the hassle of having employees. Or maybe it’s just been a bad year (totally understandable in this economy!) and cash flow is down.
Whatever the reason, there is still work to be done. And today there are more ways than ever to get the job you need without hiring. Where you go depends on the type of business you have and your particular needs.
Here are some suggestions on where you can get the workers you need for the job you need to do:
1. Subcontractors and freelancers
You are not the only person doing what you do (even if you are the best!). Find some good people you can call when you have too much work and little time. However, be sure to negotiate a price that allows you to continue earning money on the job. Also, make sure you know how your customers feel about someone else doing the actual work. FYI… there are many freelance websites on the internet that you can go to to find quality people. Elance.com, guru.com, and iFreelance.com are some you can try.
2. Virtual assistants
More and more small businesses are turning to virtual assistants to help them grow and organize their businesses. VAs are independent contractors who work from home and provide a variety of professional, personal, and office support. They may perform a variety of tasks, including general administrative work, writing reports, editing, creating marketing materials, making contact with clients, developing and maintaining databases, thank you notes… the list goes on and on. Some VAs also provide personal services to clients, such as scheduling medical appointments, party planning, arranging a move, and much more. You can locate a VA through two professional organizations: Virtual Assistance U and the International Association of Virtual Assistants.
3 Time”
You can get temporary workers for just about any job you have, from answering the phone and general secretarial work, to manual labor…and everything in between. When she uses the time, she gets skilled workers, without having to pay benefits. Most temp agencies have strict screening procedures to make sure the workers they hire and send have the necessary skills to do the job.
4. Interns
As part of their university training, many bright young students are available for temporary positions. Most interns are available in the summer, but many schools offer internship programs throughout the year. Depending on the school and program, interns work for very little or for free. You, in turn, must provide valuable on-the-job training. Different colleges have different requirements, so check with the one(s) where you think you’d have the best luck for your particular type of business.
5. Friends and family
Who better to count on in difficult times than the people closest to you? Asking for their temporary help, either as a volunteer or with reduced pay, can be a great way for them to be a part of your business while giving you the help you need. Get the kids involved too! It will teach them responsibility
6.Delivery services
not even think about getting in the car and driving that brochure across town to the print shop yourself. Remember, time is money! Instead, pick up the phone and call the delivery service. Delivery services will pick up and deliver almost anything to almost anywhere. They will charge you but it is worth the price trust me. And it is a legitimate expense billable by the client. To find a reliable delivery service, look in the phone book and/or ask around to see if someone you know has any recommendations.
7. Contracted Services
When you need a specialized service on a regular basis, consider hiring him. Instead of hiring a bookkeeper, use an accountant. Instead of hiring a concierge, hire a concierge service. Garden maintenance, security, decoration, fish tank cleaning (yes, seriously!), plant maintenance, equipment maintenance, printing… they are all services you can hire.
As you can see, there are many great ways to get the job done without having to add people to the payroll. Whether you hire staff, use an alternative, or a combination of both depends on your business model and what makes the most sense for you and your small business.