Are Contract Employees the Way to Go?

July 22, 2009

An article in May 29, 2009 issues of Time magazine, titled The Way We’ll Work, predicts that approximately 40% of the workforce in 2019 will be independent contractors. This indicates that old business models are changing and to remain competitive, companies will trim employees and other expenses, using resources outside their company to meet their business needs.

This is good news for businesses – and for contractors as well. It’s much more efficient and profitable to hire someone for a specific project than to keep them permanently on staff, just as contractors can charge a premium for their services and profit directly from their expertise.

The shift to a contractor-based economic model presents some challenges, but the change is already taking place. How often does a small business have an inhouse accounting or legal department? It’s just a matter of time before - in businesses of all sizes - many functions once thought to be indispensable will be outsourced, to the benefit of everyone involved.

This change should be especially important for the advertising industry where agencies have traditionally hired - and fired - entire account teams as they add and lose clients. How much more practical and profitable would it be to have a core staff managing the accounts and contracting out the work to the best talent they can afford? 

Wise executives will evaluate their business needs and transition to an outsourcing model to remain competitive and profitable. And the employees whose jobs are eliminated? Well, they could be excellent contractors. After all, they already understand the business and the job they’re contracting to perform.

Design Services for the Direct Marketing Industry

June 29, 2009

Jeff Bacon announced today that, with more than 30 years of marketing and advertising experience, he is refocusing his career on creating great design for direct marketers. He will be specializing in print, mail, and web.

"My extensive experience in marketing gives me a unique edge as a designer," Jeff observed. "An in-depth understanding of marketing means that the design of every project is strategy-driven and crafted to achieve each client's marketing objectives.

"It's not enough that a project look great when it's finished. Every aspect of the design must contribute to successfully driving results and achieve the project's goals. That's my commitment to my clients."

Jeff will be working primarily with small to mid-size agencies and in-house creative groups.