| v> | | | | any job you have - from answering the phone |
| There comes a time in many small businesses | | | | and general secretarial work, to manual labor...and |
| when you have to consider whether or not you're | | | | everything in between. When you use temps, |
| going to hire employees. This article gives you | | | | you get skilled workers, without having to pay |
| seven great alternatives to consider so you can | | | | benefits. Most temp agencies have stringent |
| get the work done without adding full-time | | | | screening procedures make sure the workers |
| personnel. There comes a time in many small | | | | they hire and send out have the necessary skills |
| businesses when you have to consider whether | | | | to do the job. |
| or not you're going to hire employees. | | | | 4. Interns |
| Maybe you've reached the point where you need | | | | As part of their college training, many bright |
| to grow, but you're not sure you're ready to | | | | young students are available for temporary |
| bring on more people. Or maybe you want to | | | | positions. Interns are mostly available in the |
| stay small and lean, and don't want the bother of | | | | summer, but many schools offer year-round |
| having employees. Or maybe it's just been a bad | | | | internship programs. Depending on the school |
| year (totally understandable in this economy!) and | | | | and the program, interns work for either very |
| cash flow is crunched. | | | | cheap or free. You, in turn, are to provide |
| Whatever the reason, there's still work to be | | | | valuable on-the-job training. Different colleges |
| done. And today there are more ways than | | | | have different requirements, so check with the |
| ever to get the work you need taken care of | | | | one(s) where you think you'd have the best luck |
| without hiring. Where you turn depends on what | | | | for your particular type of business. |
| type of business you have, and your particular | | | | 5. Friends and Family |
| needs. | | | | Who better to count on in crunch times than |
| Here are a few suggestions on where you can | | | | those closest to you? Asking for their |
| get the workers you need for the work you | | | | temporary help - either on a volunteer basis, or at |
| need done: | | | | a reduced wage - can be a good way for them |
| 1. Subcontractors and Freelancers | | | | to be part of your business while providing the |
| You aren't the only person who does what you | | | | help you need. Get the kids involved as well! It'll |
| do (even if you're the best!). Find a few good | | | | teach them responsibility |
| people you can call on when you have too much | | | | 6. Delivery services |
| work and not enough time. Be sure to negotiate a | | | | Don't even think about hopping in the car and |
| price that will allow you to still make money on | | | | driving that brochure clear across town to the |
| the job, though. Also, make sure you know how | | | | printer yourself. Remember, time is money! |
| your client(s) feel about someone else doing the | | | | Instead, pick up the phone and call the delivery |
| actual work. FYI...there are a lot of freelance | | | | service. Delivery services will pick up and deliver |
| websites on the internet where you can go to | | | | just about anything to just about anywhere. |
| find quality people. Elance.com, guru.com, and are | | | | They will charge you, but it's worth the price, |
| a few you might try out. | | | | believe me. And it is a legitimate client-billable |
| 2. Virtual Assistants | | | | expense. To find a reputable delivery service, |
| More and more small businesses are turning to | | | | look in the phone book, and/or ask around to see |
| virtual assistants to help them grow and organize | | | | if anyone you know has any recommendations. |
| their businesses. VAs are independent | | | | 7. Contracted Services |
| contractors who work from home and provide a | | | | When you need a specialized service on a regular |
| variety of professional, personal and office | | | | basis, consider contracting it. Instead of hiring a |
| support. They can perform a variety of tasks, | | | | bookkeeper, use an accountant. Instead of hiring |
| including general administrative work, writing | | | | a janitor, contract a janitorial service. Grounds |
| reports, editing, creating marketing materials, | | | | upkeep, security, decorating, fish tank cleaning |
| making customer contacts, database | | | | (yes, really!), plant maintenance, equipment |
| development and maintenance, thank you | | | | maintenance, printing...all are services you can |
| notes...the list goes on and on. Some VAs also | | | | contract. |
| provide personal services to clients such as | | | | As you can see, there are many good ways to |
| scheduling doctors' appointments, party planning, | | | | get the job done without actually adding people to |
| coordinating a move, and so much more. You | | | | the payroll. Whether to hire personnel, use an |
| can locate a VA through two professional | | | | alternative, or use a combination of both depends |
| organizations: Virtual Assistance U, and the | | | | on your business model and what makes the |
| International Virtual Assistants Association. | | | | most sense for you and your small business. |
| 3. "Temps" | | | | (c) Copyright 2008, All rights reserved. |
| You can get temporary workers for just about | | | | |