White Paper: Benefits of using freelance services
WHITE PAPER
How to improve efficiency, increase sales prospects and reduce costs:
By using freelance services
Williams Mugwagwa |-
White Paper
1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The world is a dynamic sphere which is constantly changing and evolving. This is even truer for businesses
and companies. In the last few years, the business world has seen more changes in the way it conducts its
day-to-day activities than it has in the last half century or so.
These changes have played a crucial role in shaping the face of the business world. Some
businesses have had a hard time to adapt to these new changes while some have embraced them
well. However, one fact remains true and has not changed over time – businesses need to find
ways to minimize costs, enhance productivity, and generate more sales and profit.
Over the years, the internet and social media have grown in popularity and reach. They have
become the new medium of communication and advertising. The internet has also evolved into a
“workplace,” giving rise to freelancers – an industry of online workers.
Freelancers are versatile, flexible, agile, and innovative professionals that are adding more value
to the business world. They take away some of the traditional work hassles such as telecommuting
and office politics. This results in more efficient and productive workforce that is focused on
completing its tasks on time and successfully.
This white paper aims to show how freelancers can help businesses achieve their goals. It also
goes on to show how freelancers bring a wealth of experience gained working on several projects
from different parts of the world. Freelancers have the potential of becoming saviors of the
business world.
“It's not an experiment if you know it's going to work.”
© Copyright 2017 Williams Mugwagwa. All rights reserved.
Jeff Bezos, CEO, Amazon.com
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2. INTRODUCTION
This white paper explores how freelance services can be effectively used by both small and big
companies to increase productivity & sales prospects, minimize efficiencies & costs, and at the
same time, achieve better than expected results. In the last decade or so, the way businesses
conduct their marketing, advertising, transactions and other business activities has greatly
changed. This, in turn, means that companies have to re-orient their thinking and re-align
themselves with the latest trends. As a result, businesses are forced to spend a fortune on training
or re-training so as to keep up with the latest trends. This is not an effective long-term solution
as the business world continues to change and the rate of change is even expected to double or
triple in the next few years.
Another big challenge (and blessing) is the way the internet has ironically simplified and
complicated the way businesses operate. There is no doubt that competition is rife and without
a proper and aggressive marketing plan, businesses stand little to no chance of survival. The
emergence of social media has not made things easier. As the world continues to embrace and
accept the ‘online’ life as the new normal, businesses need to adapt to this new economic and
social ideology. If not, businesses will be easily wiped off by their competitors and become
obsolete. In short, businesses need to have and maintain a strong, good, and effective web
presence.
In these turbulent and unpredictable economic times, businesses need to have human resources
that they can fully rely on. Companies need to have employees that are highly efficient and
productive if they need to achieve and maintain stability before they can even start thinking of
growing and expanding. The unfortunate reality is that many companies are paying a lot of money
to employees for hours not worked. Companies are also limiting their growth because they don’t
have qualified personnel to work on the short term projects such as a new marketing plan or the
implementation of a new expansion policy.
A paradigm shift in the way companies view freelance services is the key that will unlock the
hidden and untapped potential of many businesses. This white paper shows in a clear and concise
manner why many companies must start considering using freelance services in order to grow,
expand, stay competitive and reach their goals in a decent space of time and at a reasonable cost.
© Copyright 2017 Williams Mugwagwa. All rights reserved.
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3. BACKGROUND / PROBLEM STATEMNT
There is no doubt that at the heart of each business is the desire to increase efficiency, improve
productivity, minimize expenses & costs, and increase income. However, this is not always the case. Each
business, whatever its size, is faced by several problems and challenges. These challenges, if not properly
addressed, can reduce a business’ profit potential and in the worst-case scenario, completely break the
business altogether.
3.1 LOST TIME
According to a recent study by the Tower Bridge, “South African
companies are losing 400 hours of productive time per 100 employees
every day.” This shows that there is huge production ‘time-hole’ in most
companies and they are paying a heavy financial price for it. Businesses
are suffering from under-production and high expenditure – two
South African companies
are losing up to 96,000
ingredients that can single-handedly bring a business down to its knees.
Figure 1: Productive hours lost in workplaces in South Africa per given period
productive hours per year.
And they are paying for
this ‘lost time’.
Working hours lost
-
400
2000
8000
0
Day
Week
Month
Year
Working period
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3.2
personnel
3.2Competitive
COMPETITIVE
PERSONNEL
It is common knowledge that a business needs competitive, talented, and
highly skilled individuals if it intends to grow and be a major business force
to reckon with. Sometimes, when companies need to expand or
implement a new strategy, they need to find people with a specific set of
Without competitive,
skills. Since this may not be an on-going project, companies prefer to
skilled, and talented
assign the task in-house to someone who is less qualified and/or does not
individuals, companies are
have adequate time to complete it efficiently. This results in a half-baked
set to miss out on stability,
growth, and expansion.
cake that no one wants to eat. At the end, it’s only wasted time and effort
and a premature death of an idea that could have taken the business to
greater heights. There is a skills shortage, especially for one-time but
important projects. If companies want to keep these projects in-house,
they have to fork out a large amount of money to train their employees,
whose long-term future with the company is not guaranteed. According
to Josh Althuser, “In 2015, American businesses spent over $70 billion on
employee training.”
Figure 2: Year-over-year change in training spending US
Source: Bersin by Deloitte, 2013
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3.3
andAND
social
mediaMEDIA
3.3The
THEinternet
INTERNET
SOCIAL
The internet and social
As the internet, social media and technology continue to take multiple
leaps forward, companies have to innovate or become obsolete. It’s as
media are the new hubs of
simple as that. In order for a company to have a wider range of clients, it
activity. Companies need
must have a web presence that is appealing to its target market. Without
to actively engage
an expert to produce relevant online content that engages the clients and
potential clients on these
ranks the company high on search engines, the companies might as well
hubs.
close shop before the inevitable happens.
3.4Competition
COMPETITION
3.4
In recent years, it has become easier for anyone to open a business
anywhere, anytime. Businesses are mushrooming everywhere. This is not
a bad thing, however, it ultimately increases competition amongst
businesses. Companies simply have to improvise, innovate, and stay
ahead. If businesses do not respond effectively to this new challenge, they
Competition has made it
can be easily left behind and out of business. Many small and emerging
difficult for some
companies have closed down.
companies to stay in
business. Some companies
are struggling to make it
past their fifth birthday.
“Competition is always a good thing. It forces us to do our best. A monopoly renders people
complacent and satisfied with mediocrity.”
© Copyright 2017 Williams Mugwagwa. All rights reserved.
Nancy Pearcy
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4. SOLUTION: FREELANCE SERVICES
The human nature is known for its survival instincts. Businesses need these instincts too. Freelance
services are a direct response to some of the challenges faced by upcoming, small and big businesses.
Anyone can hire a freelancer or group of freelancers – be it an individual or company. Freelancers can play
an important role during any stage of business development, from business conceptualization to product
launch and all the way to customer service and interaction. There is no limit to what freelancers can do.
Freelancing itself is one of the most thriving industries in the world. Brian Rashid (Forbes writer and TEDx
speaker) estimates that more than half of the American workforce will be freelancers (either full-time or
part-time) by 2020. Freelancers have been hired by several Fortune 500 (or former Fortune 500)
companies including Amazon, IBM, Apple, American Express, and Xerox. In some cases, government
departments hire (or have hired) freelancers to help them on important but short-term tasks. In South
Africa, the Public Protector’s Office (during the administration of Thuli Madonsela) hired
freelancers/consultants to complete some of its in-house tasks. Freelancers serve both the public and the
private sector.
The benefits of hiring freelancers include:
4.1 COMPETITIVE SKILLS AND DIVERSE EXPERIENCE
Freelancers are highly skilled, competitive, and experienced professionals
who are constantly honing and upgrading their skills. Freelancers are
Freelancers are highly
always up-to-date with the latest trends in technology, social media, and
skilled, competitive, and
any other facet of modern life. Freelancers are also exposed to a diverse
experienced professionals.
portfolio of clients, which means that they have acquired great business
experience from working with different clients from different parts of the
world. They bring a specific set of skills and expertise that they have
acquired and refined during their eventful careers.
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4.2
Affordability
4.2{&
AFFORDABILITY
Freelancers help businesses to save money in more ways than one.
Freelancers only work on short-term projects, meaning that companies
don’t have to worry about additional costs like me medical aid and
Freelancers greatly reduce
insurance. Since freelancers mostly work remotely from their preferred
overhead expenses.
location, businesses can cut down on expenses such as office supplies,
office space, and equipment.
4.3
4.3Adaptability
ADAPTABILITY
Freelancers allow business to adapt to any new needs as they can be
employed on a need-to-basis. A freelancer can be contracted to do work
Freelancers quickly adapt
that s/he is qualified in. If the business needs changes, a new freelancer
to any new trends, giving
with the required skills can be contracted. This reduces the time and cost
businesses more
flexibility.
required to teach employees a new skill set that may be required for a
once-off project. Freelancers increase productivity while keeping costs to
a minimum. Freelancers are programmed to adapt to any required
situation and offer businesses flexibility.
4.4
andAND
efficiency
4.4Productivity
PRODUCTIVITY
EFFICIENCY
Freelancers are responsible for setting their own work schedule and
Freelancers are highly
productive and efficient.
timetable. Since they are essentially running their own business, they
don’t drag their feet. The work hard, smart, and efficiently with the aim
of producing good quality work that will attract them more work from the
same clients. This makes them more productive and efficient.
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4.5
toTO
deadlines
4.5Adherence
ADHERENCE
DEADLINES
Freelancers naturally tackle a new project with a high level of motivation.
Freelancers know how to
meet tight deadlines.
They immediately dive into the new project, working as fast and
efficiently as possible. Freelancers work swiftly and speedily to meet
deadlines. Freelancers are reliable and this helps businesses to stay on
track with their plans and missions.
4.6
fee FEE
4.6Contingency
CONTINGENCY
Freelancers are not paid the same way that full-time employees are. They
Freelancers only get paid
for work completed in
time and successfully.
are paid only if the outcome is successful and completed within a specified
time-frame. This means that companies are only paying for actual work
done. As a consequence of this, freelancers are prepared to go to any
lengths and heights to produce the best possible quality work, in the
minimum amount of time.
4.7
4.7 Innovative
INNOVATIVE
Freelancers are innovative
Freelancers are innovative professionals who spend most of their time
and can collaborate with
keeping up with the latest technology, news, and trends. Freelancers can
in-house professional to
tackle a challenge.
easily help companies fully utilize the latest technology or issues that may
be a challenge to an in-house professional.
4.8
andAND
loyalty
4.8Availability
AVAILABILITY
LOYALTY
Freelancers are service providers who run a business, and as a result, their
main aim is to attract new clients and maintain their old ones. This means
Freelancers are loyal and
that once a business finds a freelancer who is a right fit for them, they can
reliable professionals.
continually use the same freelancer as their go-to person. Freelancers are
mostly loyal to their clients since they work in a highly competitive
environment.
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4.9 WEB TRAFFIC
Freelancers can be hired on a short-term but regular basis to manage a
company’s online and social media presence. Engaging with customers
online can help to convert web traffic into sales. Freelancers are a costeffective tool for achieving this particular task.
Figure 3: A 360-degree overview of how freelance services benefit businesses
360° OVERVIEW OF FREELANCE SERVICES
Web traffic
Competitiveness
Adaptability
Experience
Loyalty
Affordability
Availability
Productivity
Innovative
Efficiency
Contingency fee
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Deadlines
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5. THE WILLIAMS -CUSTOM SOLUTION
Williams is a freelancer who provides tailor-made solutions that suit each
Williams provides custom
unique business and individual needs. Williams understands that no two
made business solutions.
businesses have the same needs, therefore each business needs a
custom-made solution that serves its purpose.
Williams’ range of freelance services includes writing (White papers,
articles, case studies, product reviews, technical writing, ghostwriting,
copywriting, online content, business/service proposals, and creative
writing), research and other business services such as market research &
Williams’ services include:
analysis.
White Papers
These range of services include online content that is engaging and easily
Market Research
resonates with the target audience. This helps to drive traffic to the client
Articles
Technical writing
Creative writing
Business proposals
and lead to more sales.
Williams has a meticulous, productive, flexible and efficient working
methodology which helps to provide quick and effective solutions.
Williams’ unique and effective approach to any project involves:
Understanding the clients’ challenges and needs
Web content
Setting a quick but realistic deadline for the project
SEO
Producing a draft that is revised and refined as necessary
Reports
Constantly communicating and updating the client on the
E-books
Newsletters
progress of the project
Delivering a working and effective solution and adhering to set
deadline(s).
Market Analysis
“Do what you promised the client in the timely fashion. If you deliver what you are promising
and ideally even over-delivering, you will continually do well as a freelancer.”
© Copyright 2017 Williams Mugwagwa. All rights reserved.
Neil Patel, CEO, QuickSprout.
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6. CONCLUSION
The advent of computers and the internet has played a crucial role in
Computers and the
internet are re-defining
the workplace
redefining the workplace. People no longer need to be confined to one
place in order to do their work. They can now work anywhere, anytime
without the hassles of telecommuting. This enhances productivity, cuts
down on lost time and adds more flexibility to businesses. This has led to
the growth of the freelance industry.
Freelancing is not only growing in popularity but also in its effectiveness.
Freelancers have helped businesses to adapt to the changing business and
technological world. They work on a project basis and paid a contingency
fee. This improves the quality of the work and the time and it takes to
complete each task.
Williams is a freelancer that offers professional and expert services to
Williams provides custom
individuals and companies. Williams provides business solutions that are
made business solutions.
unique to each challenge. In short, Williams works to add value to a
business, minimize its costs and generate more sale prospects.
© Copyright 2017 Williams Mugwagwa. All rights reserved.
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