Contractors Are Good for Business

by Dice Staff Aug 4, 2009 1 min read

Are you scared of telecommuting or working remotely? Do you fear your absence from the office makes you look like an unambitious slacker? Check out Gary Swart's op-ed piece on Earthweb, where he makes a good case for remote work.

There has been a lot of debate over freelancers within IT departments (and their role in other fields, as well) - but there's a lot of value to be gained in remote work, both as a resource and as a career choice.

Remote Worker You know what the benefits of a flexible schedule can do for you, but here are some reminders of how bringing in freelance or contracted help can serve the organization as well. When you approach your manager for a flexible, or even freelance, schedule, use Swart's ideas:

"By rethinking processes and exploring opportunities, companies can give themselves the necessary resources to keep innovating through troubling times."
"Building remote teams provides IT managers a flexible answer to maintaining cost-effective IT staffing."
"By controlling the size and skill level of the work force based on the ebb and flow of assignment needs, managers trim costs and remove the HR-related issues of in-house employees."
"Remote freelancers bring a wealth of experience and knowledge that may not be available in the immediate local area. By opening the position to remote workers, talent worldwide gains the opportunity to bring skills to your organization."
"By selecting freelancers wisely, companies gain flexible access to qualified, specialized talent located anywhere in the world and a reprieve from tightening budgets and ever-constrained resources - while providing workers the ability to work from anywhere in the world and build valuable work experience."

-- Don Willmott

There has been a lot of debate over freelancers within IT departments (and their role in other fields, as well) - but there's a lot of value to be gained in remote work, both as a resource and as a career choice.

You know what the benefits of a flexible schedule can do for you, but here are some reminders of how bringing in freelance or contracted help can serve the organization as well. When you approach your manager for a flexible, or even freelance, schedule, use Swart's ideas:

"By rethinking processes and exploring opportunities, companies can give themselves the necessary resources to keep innovating through troubling times."
"Building remote teams provides IT managers a flexible answer to maintaining cost-effective IT staffing."
"By controlling the size and skill level of the work force based on the ebb and flow of assignment needs, managers trim costs and remove the HR-related issues of in-house employees."
"Remote freelancers bring a wealth of experience and knowledge that may not be available in the immediate local area. By opening the position to remote workers, talent worldwide gains the opportunity to bring skills to your organization."
"By selecting freelancers wisely, companies gain flexible access to qualified, specialized talent located anywhere in the world and a reprieve from tightening budgets and ever-constrained resources - while providing workers the ability to work from anywhere in the world and build valuable work experience."

-- Don Willmott