MBO Blog

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.

Marketing your business is an essential part in creating a brand identity, driving a steady flow of projects, and spreading the word about your services. As an independent professional, not only do you have to do great work, but you have to find it as well. Keeping your brand visible and relevant in the marketplace…

Five website strategy tips to gain real results from your personal site.

Make sure your small business operates legally with all of the required licenses and permits.

Networking with your peers may sound too easy to be good advice, but there are many advantages: hearing a new perspective, gaining industry advice, or obtaining an outside opinion about an idea you have, just to name a few. It can be easy to get caught up in the daily grind of running your own…

Professional development is a great way you can stand out from the crowd in today’s competitive business world. Your knowledge and skills can be the difference between landing the clients you want and struggling to grow your business Having knowledge and skills above and beyond the basics of your field can give you a professional…

Five tips for leveraging and engaging top independent talent for your business.

An independent contractor agreement or contract is an important part of engaging contingent talent. While your company and the contractors you work with want to get started quickly, skipping a contract can lead to a lot of future problems. Why Do You Need an Independent Contractor Agreement? Legal protection: A written contract provides legal protection…

Meet MBO’s brilliant, exceptional employees. Each month we feature a new individual apart of our unique team and give you the story behind one of their greatest strengths in both their professional and personal life.

Co-employment is an arrangement where two companies both have rights and obligations as an employer. Learn the complex risks and benefits of co-employment and best practices independent contractor engagement.

Getting consulting clients is a big part of your job when you run your own business. Identifying a target audience is a great strategy to help achieve this goal. Many independent consultants can benefit from revisiting their target clients. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refocus the target market for your business, defining…

When to consider engaging an independent contractor versus hiring a temporary or full-time employee.

The onboarding process can often make or break the experience of working with your company. Independent workers want to get to work quickly, and often that’s what you want too. A strong onboarding program can help create a good first impression and lasting relationship with your independent talent. Here are seven tips for creating a…

For more than 25 years, MBO has led the charge to keep the independent economy moving forward. And now we are thrilled to give you advice based specifically on your enneagram type. Unsure what your number is? Take the quiz from the Enneagram Institute and discover your strengths and weaknesses. As an Independent Business owner,…

Being a successful independent contractor or a Client of Choice isn’t just about doing the best work or having the best perks. It also means staying one step ahead of the curve. That’s why each week we bring you The Weekly Independent, a quick-hit digest of news of note from around the web. Kelly Beckner,…

Worker misclassification  is important to keep in mind if your business is currently using or considering using independent contractors. Managing contingent workers is quite different from maintaining a workforce of traditional employees. Specific rules, laws, and tests apply. Treating an independent contractor as an employee can result in costly legal consequences. Knowing how to reduce…

Staying productive can be tough as an independent contractor. Besides the usual distractions of a chirping inbox or the siren’s call of social media, there’s the added layer of working remotely— where there’s always something else vying for your attention. Minimizing distractions, lowering your stress levels, and staying organized will go far in boosting your…

Meet Nicole Sieslicki, Senior Director of International Services for MBO Partners. Nicole 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 Nicole to learn more about how she always works with integrity and towards goals she believes have meaning and purpose.

It is important to understand your rights and how to protect your interests when you run your own business. As an independent contractor, you dictate when, where, and how you work. You can perform work for multiple clients, and have expertise in your particular industry. Some clients you work with will be familiar with independent…

Being a successful independent contractor or a Client of Choice isn’t just about doing the best work or having the best perks. It also means staying one step ahead of the curve. That’s why each week we bring you The Weekly Independent, a quick-hit digest of news of note from around the web. The Tony…

Independent contractors provide businesses today with needed skills, specialized expertise, and on-demand talent. Building a centralized program that is designed to manage the engagement and compliance processes for independent contractors is an important part of incorporating contingent workers. An independent contractor engagement program helps minimize a company’s exposure to misclassification liability, and provides processes for…

If you’re an independent consultant, chances are, you’re undercharging in some way. It’s a common issue among independent consultants, and it can be tough to overcome. I work directly with independent business owners, helping them increase their revenue while working less. When working with my clients, we almost always find: pockets of their business where…

Remote work is common for most independent professionals—it’s part of the appeal of pursuing an independent career. But managing remote workers isn’t always easy to do. Tracking deliverables, building teams, and forming relationships online can be complicated. It’s hard to get to know coworkers on a meaningful level through a screen or a phone call….

Developing a workforce planning model is an important part of building a high-functioning blended workforce. In today’s fast-moving, technology-driven world, a strategic workforce composed of both contingent and full-time talent is key to remaining both competitive and productive. This type of flexible workforce lets you respond quickly to project demands, meet budget constraints, and stay…

Being a successful independent contractor or a Client of Choice isn’t just about doing the best work or having the best perks. It also means staying one step ahead of the curve. That’s why each week we bring you The Weekly Independent, a quick-hit digest of news of note from around the web. Given the…

Meet MBO’s brilliant, exceptional employees. This month we feature Ben Bazian, one of our unique team members and give you the story behind one of his greatest strengths in his professional and personal life.

When you start a new business you have to take on many new responsibilities, including administrative duties. As an independent consultant, you’ve chosen a field or industry where you have experience and expertise. While much of your time and energy will be spent working on projects for your clients, there is also  a fair amount…

Do you have a hunch that you’re undercharging? Most independent consultants know they could be undercharging, but aren’t sure how to pinpoint the exact ways and amounts they’re undercharging. In today’s post, I share the six questions you can ask to figure out if you’re undercharging for your work. With this knowledge, you’ll be able…

Companies today have unprecedented access to a pool of more than 51 million independent professionals.  Meanwhile, alongside continued growth in this labor market, 61% of organizations saying they expect to hire more contracting freelance or consulting workers in the next three years. However, despite these positive trends in both supply and demand, a number of…

Deciding to go out on your own and start a business is both an exciting and scary time. Going independent is a big shift from a career, financial, and mental perspective. As your own boss, you get to decide when, where, and how you work. You have the chance to build a career out of…

As more people than ever before work remotely, work-life balance is an important corporate objective to consider. Working from home can be challenging. It can be hard to stop working at normal hours, there are distractions everywhere, and it can get lonely. Whether you are managing independent contractors who work remotely, or a group of…

Being a successful independent contractor or a Client of Choice isn’t just about doing the best work or having the best perks. It also means staying one step ahead of the curve. That’s why each week we bring you The Weekly Independent, a quick-hit digest of news of note from around the web. An Entrepreneur…

Find out what it takes to be a female independent professional in 2022 and future trends of female entrepreneurs.

When you work with a big client, there’s the potential for higher-value contracts, name recognition, and steady work. Once you land that coveted contract, client relationship management will become a part of your daily routine. You’ll quickly learn that consistent, thorough, and open communication is the key to project success. By prioritizing communication with clients,…

Get MBO’s New Years Resolution Guide to kick start your path to achieving your 2022 goals.

I’ve not written any content for a while. It’s been extremely busy here and unintentionally this part of my responsibility has lapsed. Whilst I am far from a great creator of content—it always takes me longer than most to create it—I do actually quite enjoy the process. It forces me to take time and sit…

Being a successful independent contractor or a Client of Choice isn’t just about doing the best work or having the best perks. It also means staying one step ahead of the curve. That’s why each week we bring you The Weekly Independent, a quick-hit digest of news of note from around the web. A Harvard…

Meet Tasha Jones who is featured in our series on National Women’s History. Tasha is founder of Twenty39 and has a multi-faceted background in curating business and technology solutions for businesses and independent professionals.

If you’re looking to engage a top independent contractor for your next project, there are a few tips and best practices to keep in mind. Follow these simple steps to ensure project success! DO THIS DON’T DO THIS Develop job descriptions tailored to the independent contractor audience Market the project scope in addition to the…

Independent contractor agreements are a written record of the agreement between consultant and client. Not only do they provide legal protection, but they also create a sense of professionalism, encourage communication, and ensure an efficient and streamlined process to complete the project. Contracts can be as long or as short as you need. Taking the…

Hiring a full-time employee is a very different process than engaging an independent contractor. In general, full-time employees are the best option for ongoing business needs that are a core competency of your company. Independent contractors offer flexible options for project-based work, or when you need to bring on specialized expertise for a particular deliverable….

Meet Jennifer Lemmert who is featured in our series on National Women’s History. Jennifer has helped leading brands such as Marriott and Freddie Mac, build communications and outreach campaigns that have driven brand loyalty and engagement. 

Meet Melisa Liberman who is featured in our series on National Women’s History. Melisa is a business growth coach who focuses on helping independent consultants double their revenue without sacrificing their personal lives.

Read our article on women making a difference in our featured series during Women’s History Month.

Do you already know you’re undercharging as an independent consultant? Most consultants do know they could be undercharging but aren’t sure how to pinpoint the exact ways and amounts they’re undercharging. In today’s post, I share the six questions you can ask to figure out if you’re undercharging as an independent consultant. With this knowledge,…

Worker misclassification is a complex topic. It does not always have a straightforward solution. Often, misclassification can be unintentional because businesses simply do not have a full understanding of the laws regarding how to classify their workers. However, it can also be done intentionally to reduce labor costs or avoid payroll taxes. Regardless of why…

Get MBO’s New Years Resolution Guide to kick start your path to achieving your 2022 goals.

Meet MBO’s brilliant, exceptional employees. This month we feature Lisa Stoner, a Sr. Qualification Specialist who helps MBO allow independents to do the work they love, the way they want.

Being a successful independent contractor or a Client of Choice isn’t just about doing the best work or having the best perks. It also means staying one step ahead of the curve. That’s why each week we bring you The Weekly Independent, a quick-hit digest of news of note from around the web. A Nieman…

Get MBO’s New Years Resolution Guide to kick start your path to achieving your 2022 goals.

Our modern workforce includes full-time employees, temporary workers who may fill seasonal or short-term needs, and contingent workers such as freelancers, independent contractors, or consultants. This diversity of workers gives businesses many benefits including workforce flexibility, access to certain skills on-demand, and the ability to form ready-made teams when a project need arises. However, it…

If you’re hiring an independent contractor, chances are you need them to get to work quickly. But in our modern work environment where independent talent—and you—likely work from home, this can seem like a daunting task. Luckily, the reality is everyone is in the same boat. More people than ever before are WFH, and there…

Independent talent are a growing part of the workforce for many leading organizations today. Independent contractors offer companies the ability to bring a valuable set of skills to a project for a specific period of time. This approach helps to minimize employment costs and increase flexibility. But as the demand for independent workers grows—especially those…

Being a successful independent contractor or a Client of Choice isn’t just about doing the best work or having the best perks. It also means staying one step ahead of the curve. That’s why each week we bring you The Weekly Independent, a quick-hit digest of news of note from around the web. Jon Younger,…

Meet Cameron Griffith, one of MBO’s brilliant, exceptional employees. Each month we feature a new individual apart of our unique team and give you the story behind one of their greatest strengths in both their professional and personal life.

As a self-employed professional, a big part of your job is selling your consulting services. If that sounds like something that doesn’t come naturally to you, don’t worry. Finding work often comes down to the planning and effort you put into it. If you’ve already committed to building your own business, you have what it…

There are many advantages to incorporating independent contractors into your workforce strategy. Many of these benefits center around cost savings. Independent talent, for example, can offer staffing flexibility and access to skills that might be hard to find among your existing employee base. These financial factors are the motivation for many businesses today to engage…

Remote work is on the rise and is here to stay for the foreseeable future. Many independent contractors today work remotely for flexibility and cost-savings reasons. If your company engages contingent workers, you’ll likely have to implement some type of remote work policy. If you haven’t managed remote workers before, don’t worry. There are a…

Being a successful independent contractor or a Client of Choice isn’t just about doing the best work or having the best perks. It also means staying one step ahead of the curve. That’s why each week we bring you The Weekly Independent, a quick-hit digest of news of note from around the web. Given the…

In late 2017, President Trump signed into law the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), the biggest overhaul of the U.S. tax code in more than 30 years. Today, the IRS is working on implementing the TCJA. One of the major changes in the law is, as described below, a deduction for certain “qualified business…

Estimating your tax returns as an independent contractor is an important part of financial business management. If your net-earnings from self-employment are more than $400, you likely need to file an annual return and pay estimated taxes quarterly. Filing your annual tax return is pretty straightforward. Use Schedule C—this is where you will report your…

Project-based workflows are an increasingly popular way to get work done. Companies today are using workforces composed of full-time, independent, and offshore talent. In the midst of COVID-19, organizations are having to be more flexible and creative than ever before. Many have transitioned to remote work and others are experimenting with adjusting their operating models….

Being a successful independent contractor or a Client of Choice isn’t just about doing the best work or having the best perks. It also means staying one step ahead of the curve. That’s why each week we bring you The Weekly Independent, a quick-hit digest of news of note from around the web. Goldman Sachs…

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…

Independent contractors and employees are two very different pools of talent. That means there are big differences when it comes to recruiting each type of talent. In order to successfully attract, retain, and re-engage independent workers, it’s important to focus on building a recruiting strategy that is specifically designed to meet the needs of these…

Independent business owners file taxes differently than traditional, W-2 employees. If this is your first time managing taxes as an independent contractor, don’t worry. It may feel a bit complicated at first but you’ll get the hang of it soon enough! Below, we answer all your questions about paying taxes as a self-employed professional. What…

Being a successful independent contractor or a Client of Choice isn’t just about doing the best work or having the best perks. It also means staying one step ahead of the curve. That’s why each week we bring you The Weekly Independent, a quick-hit digest of news of note from around the web. A Future…

The cost of employee misclassification on independent contractors and what organizations can do to minimize risk.

Learn the 7 tools That’ll Help You Work Independently

What is Direct Sourcing? Direct sourcing is a strategy enterprises can use to find and engage independent contractors. It involves identifying candidates for an open project or role using their own internal resources rather than a third party to find talent on their behalf. How Does Direct Sourcing Happen? Managers use their own network to…

A professional website is a great lead generation tool for independent business owners. New leads can come to your website in three ways: Referrals from other websites Direct clicks from social postings or emails Organic traffic, which comes from people clicking on a link in Google’s search results To increase your organic traffic and show…

Being a successful independent contractor or a Client of Choice isn’t just about doing the best work or having the best perks. It also means staying one step ahead of the curve. That’s why each week we bring you The Weekly Independent, a quick-hit digest of news of note from around the web. A Digital…

Learn the 7 tools That’ll Help You Work Independently

How to upsell your services as an independent professional.

We are experiencing a dramatic change in the way we work. As more organizations shift to remote and flexible work options, full-time workers are rethinking their roles. The number of digital nomads is growing too. Digital nomads are people who embrace a location-independent, technology-enabled lifestyle. This allows them to travel and work remotely—anywhere in the…

Client referrals and recommendations are a great marketing tool for small business owners. Testimonials lend credibility to your company and are especially helpful for prospective clients who may be considering working with you. Testimonials often are the main driver of purchasing decisions. Like it or not, what other people say about your work is an…

Being a successful independent contractor or a Client of Choice isn’t just about doing the best work or having the best perks. It also means staying one step ahead of the curve. That’s why each week we bring you The Weekly Independent, a quick-hit digest of news of note from around the web. Chris Porteous,…

Starting a consulting business and going independent is an exciting transition. It’s a chance to be your own boss, pursue projects you’re passionate about, and control when and where you work. At the same time, there’s bound to be mistakes involved when you begin a new business venture. By proactively learning about common mistakes and…

When you run a small business, it’s important to maintain a pipeline of project opportunities. And growing your business with these new projects requires networking, marketing, and salesmanship. That sounds like a lot of work, but here’s some good news. The hustle is digital, which makes your job easier. Online marketplaces for independent professionals offer…

Outsourcing projects to independent contractors is a helpful way to meet business goals. Today’s work environment is in flux. It can be hard to get work done with a workforce of full-time employees only. Independent contractors are skilled experts in many different fields. This group of workers can help provide the workforce flexibility and project-based…

Being a successful independent contractor or a Client of Choice isn’t just about doing the best work or having the best perks. It also means staying one step ahead of the curve. That’s why each week we bring you The Weekly Independent, a quick-hit digest of news of note from around the web. In its…

5 Easy Ways to Improve Your Contingent Workforce Program Adoption Now At the last company I worked with, I was responsible for hiring freelance writers, editors, designers and, well, all things marketing related. I searched job boards and marketplaces to find the right talent, at the right cost, for the projects I had on the…

Meet MBO’s brilliant, exceptional employees. This month learn about Rebecca Michael, a Project Manager of Implementation, who helps MBO allow our clients to do the work they love, the way they want, each and every day.

When running an efficient business, it is important to manage and avoid scope creep. While it’s not uncommon for a client to request additions or changes to a project, and saying ‘yes’ can be an automatic reaction, that extra work can quickly add up and lead your project into the scope creep. What is scope…

There has never been a better—or easier—time to engage contingent workers. More than 51 million Americans are now working as independents. That number is up 34% from 2020, and it makes sense. People who work independently report being happier, healthier, and wealthier than their traditionally-employed counterparts. What’s more, some 68% say they’re more financially secure…

Being a successful independent contractor or a Client of Choice isn’t just about doing the best work or having the best perks. It also means staying one step ahead of the curve. That’s why each week we bring you The Weekly Independent, a quick-hit digest of news of note from around the web. Jon Younger,…

Independent consultants are constantly on the grind, looking for business development—and often the road to new business goes through the C-suite. Presenting business proposals to a new client or to an executive of a large company is unlike presenting to peers. Here are three tips to help you develop your content and approach and present…

If you take one look at our blog, you know that at MBO Partners we talk a lot about the value of being a leader in your field, as well as how you can brand yourself via tools like online networking, polished communication, and ongoing professional development. A professional website is a modern-day calling card; helping to…

The future of work is increasingly project-based. And, as you already know, it’s mostly remote. And many enterprise organizations are moving to a new model of hiring to accommodate the changing tides. They’ve started to hire freelancers. These independent, project-based workers bring ultra specific skills to an organization’s workforce and help them maintain a competitive…

Being a successful independent contractor or a Client of Choice isn’t just about doing the best work or having the best perks. It also means staying one step ahead of the curve. That’s why each week we bring you The Weekly Independent, a quick-hit digest of news of note from around the web. A feature…

Get MBO’s New Years Resolution Guide to kick start your path to achieving your 2022 goals.

The COVID-19 Pandemic set a new future of work in motion. People across all industries were suddenly working from home. Teams transitioned from roundtable discussions and water cooler chats to Zoom meetings and virtual happy hours. And things went surprisingly well. Productivity, for the most part, remained consistent and in some cases even improved. By…

Being a successful independent contractor or a Client of Choice isn’t just about doing the best work or having the best perks. It also means staying one step ahead of the curve. That’s why each week we bring you The Weekly Independent, a quick-hit digest of news of note from around the web. Miles Everson,…

Meet MBO’s brilliant, exceptional employees. This month learn about Michele Macera, an Executive Account Director who helps MBO continue allowing our clients to do the work they love, the way they want, each and every day.

As a hiring manager, you know first-hand the pain of the Great Resignation. This “post-” pandemic economic trend of employees resigning in droves has hit every industry. In fact, a record-breaking 11 million jobs were vacant at the end of October, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.  But people aren’t leaving the workforce…

Get MBO’s New Years Resolution Guide to kick start your path to achieving your 2022 goals.