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