What are the benefits of using a Freelance Consultant / Trainer for your next project?
Companies are often wary of employing freelance trainers when setting up a new project or contemplating a 'roll out' operation or 'change' scenario. There are however distinct advantages to using freelance as against permanent resources, and some of these are outlined as follows.
1. Financial
Although the initial costs (hourly/daily rate) of freelance trainers may seem expensive, this has to be set against the fact that there are no costs of in house benefit packages, no pensions commitment, no payment for holidays or sick time etc. Also, the cost is fixed, purely for the term of the contract, and can be budgeted into the overall project. Once the project (and contract) are completed, there are no ongoing employment costs or costs of redundancy etc.
2. Skills
Often a client does not have the requisite expert skills in house that are required to produce training quickly and effectively for a new project or roll out. It is often more cost effective to employ a freelancer who has these skills, than waiting for existing employees to gain sufficient depth of knowledge and expertise.
However, as part of the freelance contract, the client should arrange that the freelancer transfer those skills required to permanent employees for ongoing maintenance of the project after the contract has finished.
3. Focus on the project
Permanent employees often have their own personal priorities. They are concerned with day to day 'office politics', enhancing their career and promotion prospects etc. Combine this with time spent on company activities, such as meetings etc. and in most companies the actual applied working time of the average employee is only about 50% of their time at work.
Freelance workers have no interest in company politics, career chasing, internal meetings etc. and tend to focus 100% on the project they are working on. The freelancer has a fixed deadline, i.e. the end date of the contract and will normally always ensure that the work is completed to the project milestones.
4. Commitment
A freelancer is only as good as their last project. They tend to gain employment mostly by referral and it is in their interest therefore, to always do as good a job as possible on each project. There is no advantage to the freelancer in spinning out the project unnecessarily, as this would reflect on future opportunities.
This means that you tend to get 100% commitment throughout the project, as a freelancer will tend to avoid all distractions and try to complete the project ahead of milestones where possible. After all, there is normally no 'overtime' pay for the freelancer and therefore no advantage in making the work last any longer than necessary.
5. Project planning
Normally, a freelancer will commit to a project without provision for vacations or other time off. This makes it easier when setting up project plans and milestones, as the potential of employees requesting time off does not have to be factored into the project plans.
6. Desire to work
The freelancer does not have the comfort zone of permanent employment and is hungry to work.
Their motivation is normally extremely high and does not require any external stimulation, as is often the case with long-term permanent employees.
7. Up to Date Skills/Qualifications
The freelance trainer has to compete in a constantly changing marketplace for contracts of varying requirements. For this reason they tend to constantly update their skills and certifications to attract work from customers. You will often find that freelance trainers have one or more of the following qualifications ? IITT, CIPD, ITOL, ISMA or ECDL as well as accreditations from relevant vendors, and they are constantly updating them in order to secure contracts. This gives you recognised quality that you have not had to finance.
8. Work force motivational factors
Using an external expert consultant can demonstrate to your work force that the company is committed to adding value to their personal development. Using internal staff does not always create the same feeling that the company is willing to spend to increase employee skills.
Using an external consultant can provide more freedom of expression and opinion by delegates during the training sessions. Your delegates will feel less constrained by internal company politics and restrictions when discussing things with an external consultant, who they do not perceive as part of the 'company machine'. This can lead to much more open discussion and participation by delegates, which can greatly enhance the effectiveness of the training.
9. Wide ranging experience and fresh ideas
Invariably freelance consultants, by the very nature of their work, will have worked across a wide and varied cross section of industries and organisations, in both the private and public sectors. They can provide valuable 'real world' experience and ideas that your staff may not have knowledge of, due to having to focus on their normal day-to-day occupations. This can be invaluable during times of change and can promote a sense of 'thinking outside of the box' by delegates and staff that they have contact with.
Summary
So, if you are considering a new project, roll out or change scenario, think carefully about how it will be resourced. In many cases, you will find the best solution is to use freelance resources to complement your existing workforce.
Acknowledgements
Adapted from an original article by John Roberts, Director of JayrConsulting Ltd. ( www.jayrconsulting.co.uk ) and modified after valuable input and critique by co-members of TrainerBase (www.jayrconsulting.co.uk). This article may be freely reproduced / modified and used in any way, providing this acknowledgement is left in its entirety.
John Roberts is a Freelance Training Consultant and Director of jayrConsulting Ltd. www.jayrconsulting.co.uk John is an active member of TrainerBase www.jayrconsulting.co.uk and welcomes discussion on all aspects of training, learning and business development. John has delivered training events for various blue chip companies in UK, USA, India, France, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, China, Phillipines, Nepal, Brazil, Antigua, Germany, Italy, Bulgaria, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Panama, Belgium, Holland etc. etc - Comment "I hate Airports!"
Chicago limo Skokie ..How do you know when an alliance needs to be... Read More
Passion. Passion alone can make your business successful. As an... Read More
First, we need to define the different kinds of skip... Read More
Last year, trillions of dollars transferred hands on the internet... Read More
This morning, I went to take a short walk outside.... Read More
I recently met with a very successful magazine publisher who... Read More
Buying a franchise is not for everyone. This guide will... Read More
Washing manufactured homes, mobile homes, can be a lucrative and... Read More
It appears the mini-blimp indoor theme and concept is making... Read More
Why does consistency in the message have an effect on... Read More
When you feel like you're always busy working on your... Read More
We have all seen the mobile washing units cruising our... Read More
Here's why 'WHY' is such a profit-making marketing trigger."Stop taking... Read More
Many smaller businesses choose niche markets for various reasons and... Read More
You are probably hard at work promoting your business (and... Read More
Do you spend every waking minute in your business? Do... Read More
The American system of business management has been admired and... Read More
Support is critical for your small business survival. You may... Read More
As an Investment Representative you've worked hard to build trust... Read More
Do you have a Business Plan? Congratulations, but you are... Read More
Many people ask how many graphs or charts they should... Read More
Work smarter, not harderWhat is one of the best ways... Read More
If you have ever had your antique shop or mall... Read More
As small business managers, we juggle limited resources in a... Read More
You have spent considerable time pulling your business plan together,... Read More
limo O'Hare Bonfield ..Remember the cleaning business is all about time ratio to... Read More
The Federal Trade Commission is upgrading the franchise law and... Read More
The choice of financing is an important determinant of whether... Read More
Send handwritten notes. That applies whether you're a guy or... Read More
In the 2003 Auto Laundry News Survey it was determined... Read More
COLLABORATIVE NEGOTIATING:Collaborative negotiating is a win-win strategy that can focus... Read More
Has this ever happened to you... 'John, you have a... Read More
Over the years I heard the best way to learn... Read More
Every business regardless of size needs a "Business Image Manual"... Read More
Have Some Time to Yourself One of the most important... Read More
Great question!Freeing your time is an indisputably key element in... Read More
During the California Recall Election, I was very interested. Without... Read More
It's a commonly quoted statistic: 80% of all small businesses... Read More
Until the day I learned to play chess I loved... Read More
I believe the number one reason why a business will... Read More
So often small service businesses fail to exploit niches, which... Read More
Each day we hear of companies entering the franchising industry.... Read More
Doesn't it frustrate you when you've given good service, sometimes... Read More
You have spent considerable time pulling your business plan together,... Read More
Purchasing a franchise has become one of the most popular... Read More
How a donation is different from a sponsorship and what... Read More
Think of your business as a living, breathing, organism. It... Read More
When small businesses fail, the wreckage is often assigned to... Read More
Seventy percent of US households use the web when shopping... Read More
Bookkeeping?the "dreaded" word is something we all have to worry... Read More
Small Business |