Research for Britain’s Brain Gain by PCG (www.pcg.org.uk), the professional association supporting freelancers, contractors and consultants, shows that there are an estimated 1.4 million freelancers in the UK. Together they apparently contribute £82 billion to GDP (Gross Domestic Product) across all sectors of the economy including manufacturing, services, finance, healthcare and education.
Drawing on these resources, Business link have provided updated guidance for businesses about ‘hiring a freelancer or outside contractor’ at http://tinyurl.com/3ykszoa
Business Link suggest that it is appropriate to hire a freelancer when:
- You need to employ someone straight away
- You need the worker to use their professional judgment about the work
- You know the type of expertise you need but you don’t have time to research and specify the job role
- The length of time needed for the particular expertise is limited or may be subject to change
This is all undoubtedly true but their reasons seem very safe and risk averse. In my experience, a freelancer can be both a breath of fresh air and a powerful boost to a business owner looking to make a step change to their business. If selected wisely, your chosen freelancer will come into the business with a new pair of eyes and a raft of relevant experience. Outsourcing is a key way for SME owners to stick to what they are good at and contract in specialists in the disciplines where they are not.
But how does it work from the freelancer’s perspective?
Yes, some professionals are forced into freelancing through redundancy or employment change but freelancing is actually a positive career and lifestyle choice, giving business specialists a variety of benefits including:
- Flexibility – the opportunity to take control, the freedom to choose when, where and how you work
- Variety – the chance to work for a wide range of clients, building on and developing existing knowledge
- Higher return – the opportunity to achieve an improved remuneration per hour, based on the perception of your added value
- Work-Life Balance – the freedom to plan your on time, improving your quality of life
As technology speeds up sourcing, and frees up new ways of working using online platforms, it is now possible to find someone to take on almost any business challenge; in fact, some companies operate as entirely virtual organisations. And the same technology empowers professional freelancers to achieve their business and personal aspirations in this brave new world. So, what are you waiting for?