Why Independent Consultants Are the Future of Project Work: Moving Beyond the Day-Rate Contractor Model

I'm increasingly seeing adverts to hire day-rate contractors at ridiculously low rates because hiring managers don't have the budget to hire someone full-time at the correct rate.

Of course, there is always someone who is desperate to work who will take the job at any rate. But that doesn't mean that they are the best person to complete the work, or that they have the necessary specialist skills to get the work done efficiently. 

What is frustrating is that these hiring managers are missing a trick. 

There's a whole bunch of experienced people out there who will happily work part-time, 2-3 days per week and still get the job done in the same timeframe. 

They are called independent or fractional consultants.

They charge professional rates but organisations save money in the long-run because their years of experience make them able to work smarter and more efficiently.

They can be paid by the day, or the really clever and creative way to pay them is to ask them to deliver the outcome/project by a certain date.

The organisation gets the work done without having to worry about having a bum on a seat, managing another person's time, including them in pointless team meetings or any of the other distractions that prevent actual beneficial work from being done. 

Instead the manager can set checkpoints to make sure that the consultant is on the right track and that the desired result will be delivered on time and within the agreed budget. Very much like managing any other project. 

The end result? The organisation gets the job done at the same price with better quality and less stress. 

If you´re looking for specific skills or have a piece of work that you want to hire for let me know. My network is full of brilliant professionals and experts and I will happily connect you.

Interested in becoming a fractional or independent consultant? My Expertise Unlocked programme shows you exactly how to get started and find your first client. Find out more