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5 Rules for Interacting with Contractors and Other Non Employees

by Miki Saxon

http://www.flickr.com/photos/losmininos/1697182584/I started to write this a couple of hours ago as a way to vent my frustrations with a couple of clients; fortunately, I cooled down in the interim, so what follows is not a rant.

I write for many entrepreneurs, reworking executive summaries, marketing material, websites, etc., and, through discussions often help them extend and reformulate their product ideas. I enjoy it and am told that I add substantial value.

I often work on what I am told are tight deadlines, which means evenings, nights, weekends and even holidays occasionally.

And knowing how tight startup budgets can be I rarely charge for the express services—except…

The exceptions are what I call the “hurry up and wait” clients.

These are the few who talk (whine?) of tight deadlines and major penalties for missing them and then take days to reply to my questions or new drafts.

They are often the same ones who send incomplete information using “etc.” in place of the specifics they want used, which implies that I should look up the information which, for a number of reasons, I never agree to do, and forgetting delivery dates until asked—that’s usually when I find they need it in one or two days.

In a couple of instances people who knew them told me they treat all contractors the same way, since they aren’t “really employees.”

That said, here are five rules to help you get the most bang for your non-employee buck and avoid ulcers on either side.

  1. If someone is worth paying they merit your respect (chances are you couldn’t afford to have them in-house even if you needed their skills full-time).
  2. Provide them with extra-complete information, because they aren’t privy to your shared company knowledge.
  3. Specify a delivery date and if the project is also facing an external deadline, e.g., a business plan competition.
  4. Respond to questions, drafts and iterations promptly if you want your delivery date met; it is almost impossible to keep working without answers and feedback.
  5. Pay the bill promptly; if you need special consideration discuss it up front and make the arrangements before the work is done.

All the above is common sense and follows normal business etiquette. If you are incapable of any of them you should either rethink your non-employee useage or be prepared for the major damage you will do to your personal brand.

Flickr image credit: losmininos

One Response to “5 Rules for Interacting with Contractors and Other Non Employees”
  1. Outsource: communications Says:

    […] friend Miki, who writes for startups, vented her frustration with them by writing 5 Rules for Interacting with Contractors and Other Non Employees; she sends the link and insists they read it before they start working […]

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