For Independent Professionals

Time Management Hacks for Independent Contractors: Balancing Work and Personal Life

By MBO Partners

As an independent contractor, finding ways to effectively manage your time can be a constant challenge. Many people decide to go independent for greater control over their work and personal life. They enjoy being their own boss, setting their own hours, and deciding who they work for and when. Maintaining this balance can take some…

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How to Ensure Compliance for Non-Traditional Independent Workers

By Cori McKee

As the way work gets done changes and companies continue to seek high-demand and often specialized skills, hiring managers are tapping workers from non-traditional talent pools. The most notable of these are digital nomads and members of the creator economy.   Engaging Digital Nomads Requires Extra Attention  While independent professionals pursuing a digital nomad work style…

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Gross vs Net Income: Differences and How to Calculate

By MBO Partners

The terms gross income and net income can be easily confused. Per definition, gross income is the total amount you earn, and net income is actual business profit after expenses and allowable deductions are taken out. However, because gross income is used to calculate net income, it’s important to understand how each is calculated. When…

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5 Tips for Using Networking to Grow Your Small Business

By MBO Partners

Networking can be a powerful tool as an independent professional. By building relationships with peers and industry professionals, you can find new clients, discover potential partnerships, and benefit from new ideas and fresh perspectives. Whether you are connecting with people online or offline, consider making networking a regular part of your job to help boost…

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How to Stay Organized as a Consultant

By MBO Partners

Boosting your productivity as a small business owner is never a bad thing. Two of the most valued benefits to being an independent contractor are the flexibility to work where want and the ability to work how you want. Whether you work out of a home office, leased space, or coworking facility, you’ve likely spent…

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Soft Skills in the Workplace: Top Skills and How to Improve Them

By MBO Partners

What are soft skills? Soft skills, often called people skills or emotional intelligence, are defined as the ability to interact amicably with others. They are personal attributes that can affect relationships, communication, and interaction with others. Soft skills can be invaluable to business success, but why are they so important? While soft skills can at…

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Balancing Act: Growing Your Side Hustle While Maintaining Your Full-Time Job

By Zanaba Hudson

In the dynamic world of today’s workforce, I decided to delve into the realm of side hustles for a multitude of personal reasons. Economic considerations have been a driving force for me, pushing me to explore additional income sources as a safety net amidst the uncertainties of a rapidly changing job market.  Beyond the financial…

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gifts for clients

10 Great Holiday Gifts for Clients

By MBO Partners

The holiday season is always busy and taking time to find the perfect little something for your client can be an added stress. Rather than settling for a last-minute gift card or fruit basket, take advantage of our annual holiday gift guide.  We’ve scoured the web and polled our team members to find some of…

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Ideas for Special End-of-Year Thank-Yous

By MBO Partners

It’s the time of year when we express appreciation in a big way—to family members, coworkers, clients, and the service providers who make our lives easier. Even though you might mass mail (or email) thank-yous in your business, you may have some contacts or associates who deserve a more custom message. They could be fellow…

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How to Do a Year End Business Review: 5 Steps

By MBO Partners

Conducting an end-of-year review isn’t a practice that just applies to bigger businesses—it’s a process that is valuable to freelancers and independent professionals as well. A business review gives you a chance to look back at what you have achieved, revisit your goals, and consider how to best move forward for the coming year. To…

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