MBO Blog

As the independent workforce continues to grow, so do the issues of worker compliance and misclassification. It is important for enterprises to remain informed about the latest laws, regulations, and developments surrounding these topics. Each month, we’ll bring you the latest news stories from around the web. 1. Federal Trade Commission Announces It Will Protect…

The US is one of the most rapidly changing labor markets – and unless you are actively hunting for a new job, you may not know much about it. Although we now live in a world where information is instantly available, we can sometimes miss the overall trends because we are constantly being informed of…

Going through a startup phase is something all small businesses experience. The startup phase is an important point in business growth. It gives you the chance to develop an idea or passion into a functioning and viable career. There will come a point, however, when you outgrow this phase and long-term success means moving on…

Working as an independent contractor isn’t always easy or straightforward. Although there are now 51 million independent professionals—and that number is expected to increase—many jobs are still created with traditional employees in mind. In order to take advantage of the independent professional labor market, it’s important for enterprises to learn where independents might be struggling…

As a small business owner, creating and implementing successful business management strategies are key to sustainable growth. There are many aspects to managing your own business, from back-office tasks like handling finances, paying the right taxes, and writing contracts, to staying organized and delivering quality work.  If there’s a particular aspect of management that you…

Spurred by the Great Realization, the independent talent population is steadily increasing. Fifty-one million professionals are currently working as independents and that number is expected to see 38% growth over the next five years. Even as this talent segment becomes a permanent part of the workforce and a component of competitive advantage, leaders are faced with…

Networking is an important part of your job as an independent professional. When you run your own business and are responsible for securing your own work, the more high-quality connections you can establish the better.   When thinking about how to build out your network, your first inclination might be to reach out to people in…

Discover the steps you can take to land your first consulting client.

Open innovation, or the use of external participants to help a company solve core problems, or challenges, has grown in popularity in recent years. While organizations do not specifically rely on one generation or another to solve challenges when using open innovation, often also referred to as “crowdsourcing,” platforms supporting this type of work most…

How Does Direct Sourcing Work? Today’s workforce environment offers more options than ever before. Remote work is now the norm, and companies are not geographically limited in their talent searches.  Hybrid work arrangements can help retain valued workers by offering more flexibility in the work week. Significant growth in the independent professional workforce, up 38%…

Millennials and Gen Z now outnumber the combined ranks of Baby Boomers and Generation X, making up 51 percent of the independent workforce. Independents fill an important need for organizations today, providing much-needed skills, flexibility, and agility.     At the same time, these two generations have found a welcome place in the independent workforce. They can…

Finding new clients isn’t easy, and if a new client doesn’t quite fit the profile of who you want to work with it can take away from the enjoyment you find in your work. In order to grow your business with minimal headaches and frustration, it’s important to find clients who align well with both…

Learn what causes independent contractor engagement risk and how to mitigate that risk.

If the words “performance review” spark dread or anxiety, you’re not alone. In the traditional world of work, performance reviews are often time-consuming sessions where employees feel scrutinized or criticized. So, why should you put yourself through this process as an independent professional?   The answer is simple: when done correctly, performance reviews can be a…

RFPs (Request for Proposals) are necessary for most marketing firms or agencies. They help set the tone and guidelines for what is expected from the company to complete an assignment. A proper RFP can set up a company’s request for consulting services. Clients will be happy knowing that they outline what needs to be delivered…

There are many benefits to starting a consulting business: flexible hours, unlimited earning potential, the freedom to choose your own clients and projects, and more. These benefits have made this career choice increasingly popular. However, not everyone who is drawn to the prospect of independent consulting may be able, or ready, to dive in with…

Modern workforces are fueled by contingent labor. The COVID-19 health crisis and surrounding economic uncertainties lit the match thrown into enterprises desperate for optimized business models. Companies plan to increase this sector to gain relevant skillsets and diverse mindsets to keep in step with an ever-changing pivot away from corporate stability to labor agility.        In…

Writing a client report is essential for communicating your progress on a project and managing and building positive relationships with clients.   What is a Client Report?  Client reports help you and your client to measure progress, identify any barriers or issues, and ensure that you are working toward the same goals.  Your written client report…

Independent contractors are more in demand than ever. But being sought after for your expertise is just one side of the coin. You also must deliver quality work that meets or exceeds client expectations. Providing fantastic customer experience is a key component to maintaining a steady stream of work.  At its core, customer experience is…

As the independent workforce continues to grow, so do the issues of worker compliance and misclassification. It is important for enterprises to remain informed about the latest laws, regulations, and developments surrounding these topics. Each month, we’ll bring you the latest news stories from around the web. 1. New Jersey Supreme Court Says forming an…

The most effective workforces today consist of a mix of full-time and contingent labor. If you’ve worked with independent talent before, you’re probably aware of how important it is to build a strong foundation to support these workers.  Independent contractors have specialized expertise in a particular industry. They are business owners who are likely to…

Client engagement is an important step in building your business. You may be an expert in your field and great at what you do, but you need clients to keep the doors open. Investing in client engagement not only helps increase sales, build your brand, and strengthen your reputation, it also helps you develop a roster of people…

A virtual talent bench allows companies to dynamically respond to ever-changing business needs. In order to remain agile and competitive in today’s fast-changing world of business, enterprises increasingly need easy access to skill-based workers.   For many, this means reshaping the conventional idea of a workforce into one that is composed of both full-time and independent…

Work needs to get done, and there’s no time to waste. You need to find a savvy, highly skilled independent professional who respects a strict budget and has the specific expertise you’re looking for.  So, where should you start looking, and how do you screen and manage independent contractors to protect your company’s best interests?…

As a full-time employee you often have access to classes, coaches, seminars, or learning and development tools from HR to help build skills and credentials. But as an independent contractor, your career development is up to you.   When you’re juggling the roles of CEO, CFO, marketing manager, and HR director, it can be easy to…

Networking is one of your keys to success in running your businesses. But for some, networking is easier said than done. While who you know is important, it’s what you do with those connections that can make a difference.  Even if industry professionals know your name and you’ve got enough LinkedIn connections to fill a…

Approach your presentation from a storytelling perspective. Stories are a powerful communication tool that engage your audience and create a memorable experience.

Engaging independent contractors shouldn’t be complicated. Yes, navigating the risk of worker misclassification can be daunting, but there are ways to simplify the process. Many businesses today engage independent talent as part of their total workforce. As the use of independent talent has become more mainstream, so has the engagement process.    Follow these eight tips…

Learn the Advantages of Engaging Independent Contractors vs Temporary Workers or Full-Time Employees

Landing your first client is one of the most intimidating aspects of going independent and starting your own business. Visions of cold calling and repeated rejection can quickly cloud your thoughts and worries about being able to find any clients at all can feel paralyzing.   These fears can sometimes scare potentially successful independent consultants away…

If you’re just getting ready to find your first consulting project or already well along on your journey, you have most likely grappled with this basic question.

Finding and keeping clients is a primary part of your job as a small business owner. Networking, communication, and growing an online presence are good baseline strategies, but your business should stand out in a more memorable way. We’ve put together a list of five creative ways you can find, engage with, and keep the…

Finding, engaging, and retaining skilled talent can be difficult in today’s work environment. There are many more job openings available than job seekers so where can companies find the people they need?  We believe the answer is self-employed professionals, a population that brings highly specialized services to the workforce. The number of self-employed individuals is…

Learn three approaches to independent contractor engagement and tips for how to best manage your independent workforce.

If your organization is not already using a marketplace to source independent professionals, you may be missing out on great talent. Freelance marketplaces—online platforms that connect independent contractors with projects—are quickly growing in popularity. As many as one in four independent contractors said that they had used a marketplace to find work in the past…

Learn how to decide if it’s time to grow your business, what to consider, and how to develop a growth strategy.

As the project-based economy continues to evolve, proper management of independent contractor talent will prove to be critical.

The modern independent consultant must be adaptable to their surroundings, particularly when client organizations change rapidly.

Building a personal brand is an important part of your identity—whether you’re an independent professional or a Fortune 100 company. From your name and logo to your company slogan and reputation, it’s how the public knows you.   As an independent contractor, you are the face of your company. Establishing a strong personal brand is essential…

Overselling is an easy mistake to make—one that can put your business reputation at risk. As an independent professional, your drive and ambition are what make your business succeed. However, it is possible that the very ambition that helps you achieve your goals can become a detriment.   When selling your services to a client, there…

The number of people working as independent professionals in the United States is steadily rising. As this workforce continues to grow, so do the number of companies tapping into this talent source.

Your ability to achieve workforce optimization is only as good as your staff’s abilities and bandwidth. When specific project needs arise—that may be highly technical or involve in-demand skills not found in your FTE population—partner with trusted, compliant, and vetted independent talent.  In order to effectively source independent talent end-to-end, it is important to establish…

Deciding to hire independent contractors can raise a lot of questions—especially if this is new territory for your company. There are many common misconceptions about the independent workforce, a 51-million strong talent pool.  One important distinction to note is that independent professionals don’t just make up the on-demand economy. Rather, this segment of the independent…

Reaching your target audience and properly communicating with them is important to growing your small business. Reaching the right audience provides visibility into the services you offer, builds brand credibility, and begins to form valuable relationships.   Here are our five tips to reach your target audience and leverage your key messaging to grow a successful,…

How to upsell your services as an independent professional.

Meet Kristian Rayner, Director of Enterprise Sales at MBO. Kristian helps MBO continue allowing our clients to do the work they love, the way they want, each and every day.

As the independent workforce continues to grow, so do the issues of worker compliance and misclassification. It is important for enterprises to remain informed about the latest laws, regulations, and developments surrounding these topics. Each month, we’ll bring you the latest news stories from around the web. 1. Class Action Lawsuits Alleging Misclassification of Independent…

What would you do if your best employee left tomorrow? Perhaps they won the lottery or decided to change careers—the past few years have taught us that anything can happen. And the thing is, this is really happening every day in workforces across the country.   High performers are leaving and moving on. If your organization…

Writing contracts is an important part of your business as an independent professional. A contract defines the work you agree to do for a client, and it also provides you with legal protection.  Contract negotiation can be an intimidating part of starting a new project but setting up this legal framework will help protect you…

What is an Independent Contractor vs. Employee? These definitions will help you understand how each type of worker is defined: Employee A full-time employee works for a single employer and that employer has a say over the work they do and how that work gets done. An employer can control the hours, location, and type…

Recent increase in tech layoffs and hiring freezes paint an interesting—yet somewhat inaccurate—picture of the current workforce environment. High-profile companies including Netflix, MasterClass, Tesla, Twitter and more have slowed down hiring and laid off thousands of employees due to fears of a recession, rising inflation, tightening of budgets, and big swings in the crypto currency market, among…

Workforce optimization: it’s something every enterprise strives for. When your workforce is agile, flexible, and fluid, it is best able to meet the demands of your business. Companies that use independent contractors as part of their workforce strategy realize significant cost savings per engagement, as well as access to top talent and accelerated business outcomes. …

Worker misclassification will always be an inherent risk when engaging independent contractors. Businesses today must decide how to handle differing worker classification laws from federal, state, and local government agencies. Because laws and regulations that dictate worker classification and use of independent contractors are ambiguous and frequently change, legal compliance is challenging. That said, companies…

Contracts are an important part of starting a new project. They provide legal protection, discuss services to be performed, and include payment terms and conditions. If you’re new to the process, you may find that drafting a contract is a complicated task, requiring specific key terms, provisions, legal obligations, and ultimately, client agreement.  As a…

More workers than ever before are choosing to work remotely. Millions of these workers are independent contractors who describe themselves as digital nomads: workers who have chosen to embrace a location-independent, technology-enabled lifestyle that enables them to travel and work remotely, anywhere in the world.   The ability to work remotely is certainly one of the…

Building long-term relationships with contingent workers is a key component of a long-term workforce optimization strategy. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many changes and adaptations to the way we work. Many organizations are allowing for remote working arrangements and as reopening continues, companies are adjusting how they manage their workforces moving forward. Companies that already…

Independent contractor misclassification can be an expensive mistake—here’s what you need to know to avoid it.

Meet Hannah Minchew, Product Delivery Manager at MBO. Hannah helps MBO continue allowing our clients to do the work they love, the way they want, each and every day.

As we discovered in our 2021 State of Independence Report, within the past year, 68% of newcomers to the independent workforce were Gen Z or Millennials. Various benefits, such as improved health and happiness, continue to make working as an independent increasingly appealing to young professionals. If you are a college student wanting to join…

A guide to the rights you have as an independent contractor.

The modern business model is changing as the job market remains competitive. It is increasingly difficult for enterprises to fill open positions and find skilled talent. As a result, many companies are turning towards project-based staffing to remain agile and competitive.  What is Project-Based Staffing?  Project-based staffing is when a company engages independent contractors for…

Implementing a direct sourcing strategy as a hiring solution has many benefits and is not very difficult as long as you follow a few best practices. Direct sourcing independent talent can provide businesses with access to much-needed skills as well as cost savings, increased output, and greater efficiency. More than ever before, the contingent workforce…

Independent contractors are an important source of talent for businesses today. As we shift towards a project-based economy, it has become easier to incorporate independent talent on a regular basis. The question is if companies will use independent contractors as part of their talent pool, but how they will engage this vital resource. Here are…

In response to this widespread challenge of COVID-19, today’s organizations are implementing workforce optimization strategies in order to achieve efficiency and cut costs. Forward-thinking companies are leveraging new technologies and adapting to flexible modes of working, such as virtual meetings and remote work. This new paradigm has highlighted the vast chasm between the traditional business…

Read these smart and effective tips for successfully managing independent professionals. These tips focus on effective communication and defining measurements for program management.

Direct sourcing helps companies easily access and seamlessly connect with top independent talent while significantly reducing costs. With direct sourcing, managers can source talent internally, rather than relying on a third-party gate-keeper or intermediary such as a consulting or staffing company to fill talent needs. At MBO, we believe direct sourcing is key to the…

Starting your project with a project kickoff meeting is a great way to lay the foundation for success and reinforce your client’s decision to engage your services. Once the contracts are signed and the budget is approved, it is time to get to work! A project kickoff meeting is a chance for everyone who will…

Marketing a small business means that you’re in charge of selling your services to the world. Marketing is a great way to grow your company. It gives your small business an identity and voice. It ensures that your services will be front and center when people search for the solution that you provide. Remember, the…

Managing your time while maintaining the freedom of setting your own schedule is a goal for anyone who is self-employed. After all, one of the biggest perks of independent work is the freedom from corporate nine-to-five days and the ability to create your own schedule. Without a set routine, however, time management can be challenging…

As the independent workforce continues to grow, so do the issues of worker compliance and misclassification. It is important for enterprises to remain informed about the latest laws, regulations, and developments surrounding these topics. Each month, we’ll bring you the latest news stories from around the web. 1. United States Supreme Court says Arbitration Agreements…

Turning down a project may not be your first inclination, but it is sometimes the best choice. If you’re new to self-employment, it can be tempting to accept every potential project that comes your way. After all, clients and the projects they provide are your sources of income. But just because an opportunity is presented…

Staying motivated can be hard if you work from home. Self-employment is many people’s dream come true. You get to set your own hours, work where you like, and be your own boss. But all that time spent alone can quickly take an emotional toll and it’s easy to lose motivation and energy when you…

Back-office management consists of all of the administrative and support tasks that need to be done to run your business. This includes filing paperwork, tracking expenses, filing taxes, and billing clients. In addition to your daily project work, business management tasks can take up a lot of your time. Luckily, there are many options available…

Building a virtual talent pool is quickly becoming key to being a best-in-class organization.  A virtual bench is a pool of independent contractor talent you’ve identified, vetted, and developed relationships with over time. Independent contractors provide enterprises with access to specialized, industry-specific skills, and are a valuable alternative to investing in a full-time resource. Tap…

Work-life balance—finding that optimal balance between work and home—is something independent professionals strive for. And with good reason. There are many benefits to finding a balance between running your independent business and living your life. Here are six work-life balance benefits to inspire you. 1. Increased Productivity The majority of independent professionals work remotely, and…

Meet Emily Stringer, Program Manager at MBO. Emily helps MBO continue allowing our clients to do the work they love, the way they want, each and every day. Read our exclusive interview with Emily to learn more about how her commitment to helping small business owners.

When you are self-employed, you’ll quickly learn that putting in long hours without seeing immediate payoff is pretty normal. The pressure of doing it all yourself can be a lot and it can be easy to lose steam. Find inspiration, keep on task throughout the day, and maintain focus on your goals by following these…

When you are self-employed, work-life balance can often feel like a hard reach. Running your own business means you have to balance the demands of multiple clients while staying on top of all of your back-office tasks and planning for the future. Without a good balance between your work life and personal life, you may…

Direct sourcing is a way to connect directly with independent contractors. Rather than using an expensive third party like a staffing or consulting firm to find talent, companies can source talent internally using their own resources. If your organization is looking to incorporate a direct sourcing strategy to engage independent talent, here are three steps…

Business credit can provide protection, value, and financial security for your company. Here’s what you need to know.

Work-life balance is important, but managing a small business is a big responsibility. It’s not uncommon to have to put work before play. Summer can be a challenging time to find a moment to relax—kids are on vacation, family and friends are visiting, or you may be gearing up for a busy fall. Unfortunately, working…

As reliance on independent professional talent becomes more common throughout a wide range of industries, companies are putting strategies in place to successfully attract, engage, and retain top talent. The independent workforce is steadily increasing, providing an indispensable source of talent for businesses. Here’s what you need to know about how independent talent can benefit…

Putting yourself before your clients, family obligations, or a looming deadline isn’t always an easy choice to make. Self-care is particularly important for independent professionals—especially if you work remotely. Self-care practices will help you to stay happy, healthy, and motivated. And that ultimately benefits both you and everyone around you. Working remotely and running your…

Gross income is the total amount you earn and net income is your actual business profit after expenses and allowable deductions are taken out. However, because gross income is used to calculate net income, these terms are easy to confuse. When you run your own business, understanding the difference between gross income and net income…

Avoid burnout with these four tips. Burnout: it’s a feeling most working adults have experienced at some point in their lives—the career that was once exciting and invigorating has become a source of exhaustion, apathy, or even dread. While this can happen to anyone, the self-employed can be particularly prone to burnout due to their…

Finding the right consultants for your projects can feel daunting if you haven’t done it before. More enterprises than ever before are supplementing their workforce with independent professional talent. Consultants provide in-demand skills and flexibility that allow organizations to work on a project-by-project basis, increasing their agility and giving them the ability to ebb and…

Setting healthy boundaries at work can be challenging as an independent professional. Here are three tips for setting your limits.

As an independent, you are out there on the front lines—especially when it comes to dealing with a client. Often there is no buffer between you and the person offering you the opportunity for a project. No manager, no HR, no accounting department—just two parties hashing out the details. Such close quarters can present many…

Meet Jennifer Runyon, Security Program Administrator. Jennifer helps MBO continue allowing our clients to do the work they love, the way they want, each and every day. Read our exclusive interview with Jennifer to learn more about how she always works with integrity and towards goals she believes have meaning and purpose.

Work-life balance when working from home can be hard to put into practice. One of the biggest benefits of working remotely is the flexibility you have, but that flexibility can easily translate into working longer hours rather than dedicating time to other hobbies, friends and family, or self-care. What Does Work-Life Balance Mean for Independent…

Clients keep your independent business afloat. Without enough work from enough clients, you don’t have much of a business. But what about having too many clients? The truth is, you can have too much work from too many clients. When each client has a reasonable expectation that they are your priority, you may quickly find…

Time and energy are two key components to running your own business. And, because you love what you do, it can be easy to put in hours of work without taking time to think about your own needs. But self-care is worth taking time for. The last thing you want is for motivation to wane…

Updating policies and practices to compliantly engage independent contractors is a major shift many large organizations are going through. Worker misclassification is a serious issue—if a company classifies a worker as an independent contractor when they should really be classified as an employee in the eyes of the law, they are liable for fines, penalties,…

Technology plays a key role in keeping your company operating smoothly—especially if you work with clients remotely. When you work virtually, one of the biggest challenges is collaborating with clients. But just because you can’t be in the same physical space as your client doesn’t mean you can’t have a great meeting. Below, we explore…

Let’s face it, job interviews rank as one of the most stressful moments in a person’s life. Many of us have had that nerve-wracking feeling the morning of our upcoming interview. Our thoughts circle around possible answers we have to general interview questions, what we are going to wear, how hard we are going to…

While your favorite apps might involve matching sets of candies, launching birds at unstable structures, or chasing around lovable pocket monsters, you don’t always have the luxury of playing the day away when you run your own business. Luckily, there’s another category of apps that are equally engaging—and can help you maximize productivity. We’ve assembled…

As an independent business owner, who you know can be equally important as what you know. To ensure a steady flow of projects, it’s important to build and maintain a strong circle of business contacts you can rely on for work and referrals. Below, Denise Thomas, owner of The Effective Communication Coach, gives her advice…

Finding a way to grow as a small business owner can be a challenge. Teaming up with another independent professional is a great solution—a partnership can bring new skills to the table, help you manage your workload, or even land that big project you’ve had your eye on. Once you’ve decided to partner with another…

The workforce of many companies today consist of a mix of full-time and contract workers. When considering whether your recruitment strategy should include independent contractors or employees, there are many rules and regulations to take into account as well as practical applications. Employees vs. Independent Contractors Employees work for a single employer, who can dictate…

Learn more about David Cho, Product Manager, who helps MBO continue allowing our clients to do the work they love, the way they want, each and every day. Read our exclusive interview with David to learn more about how he remains true to himself and encourages everyone to give their all to the work they choose to do.