MBO Blog

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…

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…

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…

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.

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.

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…

Employee misclassification can be detrimental to your business. Here are 10 main differences between independent contractors and employees that you should know about.

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…

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…