How Business Owners Can Better Utilize Freelance Work

Published on: 28 May 2020 Last Updated on: 06 November 2024

Small businesses don’t always have a ton of cash or room to make costly mistakes, so every penny, every asset, every minute, counts.

Often, small businesses will turn to freelancers for certain projects where they need expert help, but that can also take a hit on your bank account, so ensuring the freelancer does good work is crucial.

Sometimes though, the freelance work falls short, leaving the small business low on funds with a deliverable that is unusable. So how do you avoid that? Let’s talk about a better way of finding freelance workers for your business.

Each freelancer can be paid differently. Some are paid upfront or given equity, others are paid a percentage of the final revenue, and some are paid when the job gets done.

Here’s the best thing a small business that is low on upstart funds can do when it comes to hiring a freelancer:

Adopt a revenue-sharing model.

What that means is the freelancer gets paid when you do. They’ll complete the project, deliver all final assets to the business owner, but they’ll only get paid if and when you start making money. There will be a percentage that is agreed upon by both parties before the project begins, and if your business starts bringing in revenue, you’ll then pay off the percentage owed to the freelancer. If your business never makes money, you do not have to pay the freelancer a dime.

Why is this a good idea?

First of all, it decreases the risk for the business by waiting to pay the freelancer until there is secure revenue coming in.

Second, with this idea in mind, freelancers can do some of their best work. They aren’t just getting paid to finish a job, there’s a higher expectation of their work. They understand that if their work is mediocre, there’s a lower chance of them getting paid. It’s in their best interest to do the best work they can, not only to help you as a business owner but to help themselves as well.

Develop a Relationship

Far too often, businesses pay freelancers for work only to be unsatisfied with the end product. Many times this is due to a lack of communication on one or both sides. To ensure that you are getting quality service delivered from a freelance worker, it’s important to have an understanding relationship. Here are a few tips on how to accomplish that:

Describe Your Communication Style

If you’re not sure what your communication style is, it’s not a bad idea to find out or develop a system that works for you. Some people have very blunt ways of communicating while others are timider. Talking about your preferred communication style with the freelancer you hired will help to avoid conflict, assumptions, and hard feelings.

Explain Your Needs

Don’t be afraid to express where there are gaps in understanding. The freelancer is there to be an expert in an area that you may not be familiar with. It’s okay to say things like, “I’m not sure I understand that, could you explain how that works?” The more you can understand the process, the better you’ll be able to communicate and get an end product you’re happy with.

Do Your Part

If you feel there are gaps in understanding, take a step back, and see if there is anything you might have left out in communication with the freelancer. Sometimes we get in our own bubble and assume other people understand what we are talking about when in reality we need to explain certain things in more depth.

Good Luck!

Some of these tips may seem like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how often business owners fail to communicate well with the freelancers they hire. If you can adopt these practices into your business model, your freelancers’ work will improve significantly and you won’t have to worry about an unfortunate loss of precious funds.

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Business Tips For Beginner Entrepreneurs

Starting a journey as an entrepreneur is an exciting and unique experience that will see you grow and develop in ways that you never imagined. However, it’s not all rainbows and unicorns, starting a journey of entrepreneurship can be daunting and testing at times. It’s a journey that requires clear focus and self-discipline. As a beginner entrepreneur, there are certain things you should prepare for and put in place before delving into your business. To help you get started we’ll share some of the most important business tips for beginner entrepreneurs. Set A Clear Business Plan One of the most important tips for any beginner entrepreneur is to ensure that you have a clear business plan and a business idea that stands out against the competition. Diving in without a clear structure can be devastating and is one of the leading causes of business failure. In order to set yourself up for success, it’s essential to put a strategy in place. Just like you wouldn’t make a cake for the first time without having ingredients and instructions laid out, the same goes for setting up a business. Before you begin, be sure to have a clear business plan that outlines your plans and goals. Outline what your values, mission, and vision are and establish what your brand stands for. The more detailed your business plan, the more sturdy your foundation will be for your business. Having clear set goals is also a great way to ease your mind as it almost gives you a step by step plan of what you’re doing which enables you to maintain focus and not stray as a result of overwhelmed and confusion. If you do find yourself losing track of your plan, you have a foundation to refer back to remind you of the purpose of your business. Persevere Whilst being an entrepreneur is an exhilarating experience, it doesn’t come without its challenges. Whilst having a strategic business plan is essential, it’s important that you prepare yourself for times when your set plans may not go exactly as expected. It’s inevitable that there will be times when you are tested and challenged, whether it be you’re waiting for a supplier or you’re waiting on documents. Whatever the challenge, the core tip here is to expect that you will face challenges and practice patience. Be clear on your goals and remember why you started the journey in the first place. Having a successful business comes down to your mindset. Determination and perseverance will be essential to the progression of your business. Set Achievable And Realistic Goals Similar to having a clear set business plan, another way to set yourself up for success is by setting yourself clear goals and realistic expectations. Setting realistic and incremental goals will make them more achievable as you’ll be able to clearly see what you need to do to achieve each step. However, setting clear goals only goes so far, the most important part of setting these goals is to practice self-discipline and be organized. Disorganization leads to chaos, being organized and being able to set priorities will enable you to work through your goals and manage a clean and effective workflow. If you find that you’re frequently struggling to meet deadlines and achieve your set goals, take another look at your plan and readjust your priorities, and set more realistic goals. Entrepreneurship is all about growth and development, no one gets it right the first time so be kind to yourself and manage your time as effectively as you can. Get Stuck In Last but not least… Get stuck in! You’ve set up a business for a reason, you have a dream or a goal you’re wishing to achieve. Believe in yourself. Becoming an entrepreneur is a continual process. Continue to learn and develop your skills by investing in yourself. Trust your idea and trust the process by diving into the deep end. Whilst beginning a journey of entrepreneurship can be daunting, it’s a journey that requires you to jump in feet first by taking measured and calculated risks. The most important tip for getting stuck in is to become comfortable with being uncomfortable. Significant moments of growth happen when we push ourselves beyond our comfort zone. Begin a journey of self-discovery and push yourself. For aspiring entrepreneurs, the top tip for you is to launch before you feel ready. There will never be a perfect moment to start, so get stuck in and make a start. Takeaway These four business tips will help you begin your entrepreneurial journey with clarity, confidence, and focus. With these four tips, you’ll be able to use your time more efficiently by setting realistic and achievable goals and managing your time and expectations. Entrepreneurship is an exciting process and a bold decision. It is a journey that will require you to bring all that you can to the table. It will test and challenge you in a multitude, but it will also provide you with rewarding and memorable experiences that you will carry with you throughout your life. Read Also: 6 Reasons Why Every Woman Should Travel Solo What Is A Good Alternative To Wearing Dentures? What to Consider When Starting A Marketing Agency

Strategies For Preventing Workplace Injuries Proactively

No company is immune to the danger of employee injury on the job. Injuries may and will occur if your business has employees, regardless of sector. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 2.8 million nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses were reported by private industry employers in 2017. These injuries have a direct impact on the employer's bottom line, with OSHA projecting total payouts for direct workers' compensation expenses to be close to $1 billion per week the same year. Workplace injuries reduce organizational productivity and raise operational expenses, eroding hard-earned earnings. However, there is a silver lining to this dismal data on worker injuries: most injuries are completely avoidable. Implementing proactive methods to address warning signals before an incident occurs is one of the most effective ways to reduce workers' compensation expenses. This post will look at techniques that any business may take to assist keep workers safe and reducing worker injury expenses. Related Reads: Claim your compensation after getting injured at the workplace. Observe and Pay Attention Observing and listening to employees is one of the most effective techniques for injury intervention. Fatigue, discomfort, and pain can all be warning signs that a job accident is on the way. Businesses should foster an open communication culture free of fear of punishment and encourage workers to discuss how they physically feel while doing their regular job tasks. If an employee expresses discomfort in any manner connected to job duties, an assessment should be conducted. Ergonomics, equipment safety, lighting, task demands, and work process flow should all be taken into account when identifying why there is pain and how to alleviate it. Observation and communication may be a fantastic method to decrease the chance of hazards, avoid future workplace injuries, and increase overall productivity. Ignorance is Not Bliss Employee education is critical in the early detection and prevention of workplace injuries. Employees should be made aware of any warning indications that their bodies are giving them before it is too late. Symptoms such as weariness and pain indicate that a procedure has to be evaluated in order to prevent additional negative impacts on the employee. When it comes to workplace accident prevention, business leaders should implement a regular instructional program. These programs should contain instruction on detecting injury warning signs, reducing injuries, and communicating early injury warning signals to management for evaluation. Ignorant is not bliss when it comes to workplace injuries; it is just ignorance. Removing Hazards Eliminates Risk "Be mindful of your surroundings!" Most individuals have heard this advice in some form or another throughout their lives. This guidance is especially useful when it comes to identifying workplace risks as an early injury prevention approach. Hazard assessments enable management to study, analyze, and evaluate the whole work environment of workers to guarantee that dangers do not contribute to future accidents. Accident prevention is critical to keeping people safe and reducing workplace dangers. Employees who operate with heavy machinery regularly (e.g., drills, the saws) will benefit from equipment protections that eliminate dangers that might result in significant accidents. Fewer risks in an employee's working environment imply a lower risk of workplace injuries. Provide Safety Equipment Personal protective equipment is required and should be enforced throughout hiring, meetings, and on-the-spot monitoring. Take the time to teach staff how to wear goggles, face protection, gloves, hard hats, safety shoes, and earplugs or earmuffs appropriately. Many factories and other entities operate with hazardous or poisonous compounds, and accidents from contact with these chemicals are not uncommon. Accidental spills represent a substantial risk to both employees and companies; even little leaks may be hazardous. Organizations should take proactive hazmat strategies to reduce risk while providing all the necessary safety tools like custom enclosure box to safeguard your electrical system from chemical incidents. Up-to-date personal protection equipment and cleaning resources can also assist employees to avoid harm. Material Handling Although it may appear to be a broad category, merely handling and storing goods and equipment is one of the most prevalent causes of workplace injury, accounting for 32% of all workers' compensation claims. Improper storage or handling procedures in factories and warehouses can harm employees and incur extra expenditures for companies. Avoid these dangerous scenarios by removing the threat before it appears: stack and wrap things, storing larger, heavier objects at the bottom and lighter items at the top. To assist prevent back injuries, stringent regulations requiring workers to pair up while lifting loads weighing more than 40 pounds must be implemented. Similarly, leave adequate space between pallets and shelving units so that employees and lift equipment may reach items without the chance of an accident. Employers should also upgrade to the most recent lift technology, which can reduce the impact of continual stress on the body from lifting and carrying large items. Consistent instruction inappropriate body mechanics will assist to establish the culture of a pain-free workplace. Conclusion Workplace injuries are simply terrible for both individuals and businesses. Early preventive efforts can have a substantial impact on productivity and the bottom line. The primary objective of any organization's safety program should be to keep its employees safe and healthy. Early preventive methods provide staff with the skills they need to keep organizations moving ahead rather than sitting on the sidelines. We can assist reduce the huge workers' compensation costs that affect businesses all over the country on an annual basis by implementing a few easy techniques. Read Also: 7 Misconceptions About Workers’ Compensation to Debunk Can an Employee Claim for a Personal Injury When Working From Home?

Make Sure Your Company Stays ANSI Compliant with these Hi-Vis Workwear Tips

Employee safety should be the top priority for any company or organization that works in potentially dangerous environments. Not just because it is the morally right thing to do, but also any violations or non-compliant practices on your part can make you subject to fines and lawsuits. Providing high visibility workwear to your employees is often step one for any company when creating safety guidelines. However, not all high visibility workwear is the same, and understanding the differences can help protect you and your employees. Continue reading the article below to learn tips and other information related to “Hi-Vis workwear” that can help your company stay ANSI compliant. What is ANSI? ANSI stands for the American National Standard Institute. They are a nonprofit organization that, as their name suggests, sets standards for equipment and other services in a multitude of industries. For construction workers or any employee who may work in a hazardous environment wearing high visibility gear is essential, so following the ANSI guide for high visibility workwear is crucial for employers. The ANSI 107 is the code for the standard requirements for high visibility workwear, so if your employer is buying safety gear for your employers, make sure it is rated at ANSI 107. Types of ANSI Hi-Vis Workwear ANSI workwear is broken down into three categories, each best suited for a different type of labor. Type O: Type O workwear provides the lowest visibility while still being ANSI 107 rated. It helps separate the wearer from their environment. Type o workwear is usually used for situations where the background environment is not complex, such as mines and other off-road sites. Type R: Has more visibility than the type of workwear used for workers in traffic areas. It helps separate the wearer from more complex environments. Type P: Offers the most visibility to the wearer. They are used for workers in complex environments with many moving pieces. Understanding Hi-Vis Performance Classes Classes are separated by how visible they make the wearer. Class 1: this is where type O High vis workwear would fit. It offers just enough visibility to meet the ANSI 107 standards. Still, it can’t be used in complex environments as it just doesn’t provide enough visibility for the wearer to separate them from their environment. Almost exclusively used in off-road sites. Class 2: class 2 high vis workwear offers Incredibly high levels of visibility and is used in worksites with incoming traffic nearby. Type R and Type P high vis workwear can fit into this class. Class 3: class 3 high vis workwear provides the highest level of visibility and is used for sites with a large amount of incoming traffic, such as busy highways or metropolitan areas. Any construction site prone to congested traffic usually requires class 3 workwear. Type p workwear is traditionally associated with class 3. However, type R can sometimes qualify. High-Vis Workwear Helps Everyone Involved Providing high vis workwear to your employees can protect you, your workers, and the general public from potentially fatal accidents. Hopefully, now you have a good understanding of selecting the best one for your organization. Read Also: How to Increase the Safety of Your Employees Things to Consider When Sourcing Employees for Manufacturing Plants 7 Best Employee Recognition Awards Ideas For 2021 What Are the Ways to Prepare a New Employee?

How Business Owners Can Better Utilize Freelance Work