10 tips to get the most from your it contractors
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10 tips to get the most from your IT contractors
You probably employ contractors because…
Specialists know exactly how to do the job; they’ve done it before, they know the pitfalls. Often contractors are more expensive, so how do you get the most out of them?
• Time: You need to finish a project early or catch up
• Risk: A mix of permanent and contractor staff gives you flexibility
• Quality: You’re doing something new or don’t have in-house skills
10 tips to get the most from your IT contractors
Pay an Industry Standard wageBest practice for hiring in general, but more vital with contractors. They know their day rate and the industry standard. Don’t gamble and pay less…you'll get sub-standard work and high staff turnover.
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10 tips to get the most from your IT contractors
Be clear about the jobYou need to be explicit about what you want and expect out of this person and their work, otherwise there will be confusion and disappointment. Also be clear about why you want the job done, how it fits into your firm’s strategic goals.
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10 tips to get the most from your IT contractors
Test and check as normalApply the same interview techniques, tests and checks for a contractor as you would for permanent staff. You may not be working with this person for long, but they still need to be the right person with the right chemistry.
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10 tips to get the most from your IT contractors
Be flexible on time and locationThink about introducing ‘work from home’ days. Do they really need to be in the office to complete the task? And consider staggering start/finish times so they can travel off-peak or manage other commitments.
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10 tips to get the most from your IT contractors
Have a written contract or agreementIt’s more than a piece of paper; it gives freelance staff the assurance they will be paid, and gives you the chance to hold them accountable. Any amendments to the scope of work should also be in writing.
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10 tips to get the most from your IT contractors
Everyone is accountable – including youNot getting updates? Hold your contractor accountable and let them know. Are they struggling to understand your instructions? Hold yourself accountable and try to communicate better. Is the project just not working? Hold everyone accountable and be willing to accept your share of the blame.
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10 tips to get the most from your IT contractors
Pay on time, including expensesIf you want your contractors committed and engaged then pay them on time. And don’t delay on their expenses.
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10 tips to get the most from your IT contractors
Recognise they educate your staffEngaging good contractors can improve the calibre of permanent employees by promoting best practice and the sharing of expertise. So ensure you thank contractors for bringing ideas and enabling your existing staff to reach new heights.Apple for the teacher?
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10 tips to get the most from your IT contractors
Give them a LinkedIn recommendationA private thank you is always nice, but public praise can help your contractor get their next job. So consider giving them a LinkedIn recommendation or praising them via Twitter and Google+ for a job well done.
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10 tips to get the most from your IT contractors
Involve them in office lifeDon’t leave your contractors in the corner when celebrating staff birthdays, anniversaries or company achievements. By making them feel part of office life they may go the extra mile. Celebrate their birthday if it falls during the contract term.
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10 tips to get the most from your IT contractors
Contractors are an essential part of the IT/Tech landscape; they bring additional expertise, fill short-term resourcing requirements and help complete projects on schedule.
Getting the most out of them is similar to the way you get the most out of permanent staff – treat them with integrity, care and respect.
This is the philosophy that Curo Resourcing has applied to our contractors –the results can be seen in the testimonials they have sent us.
For more advice on getting the most out of IT contractors please contact Di Mabe on 0845 094 4627 or email [email protected]
10 tips to get the most from your IT contractors
Curo Resourcing Ltd400 Thames Valley Park Drive Thames Valley Park Reading Berkshire RG6 1PTT: +44 (0) 845 094 4627Skype: curo.resourcingE: [email protected]: www.curoresourcing.co.uk
Trusted provider of technical experts to Microsoft and its partnersFor the second year running Curo have been appointed as Microsoft Services’“Smart Team Freelance Partner”. This means we manage Microsoft Services’freelance programme, providing contract staff to support project delivery.
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