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Tips for Integrating a Freelancer into a Team

It is possible to find many articles written especially for freelancers on Momenteo’s blog. This time, it is a bit different; we want to help the businesses that hire self-employed workers. Let us give you a few tips on integrating a freelancer into your team and getting a great business relationship. <h3>Reminder: why should you work with a freelancer?</h3> Several businesses decide to work with a freelancer instead of hiring a new employee for different reasons. First, the company may need a hand for a shorter period, such as for a few weeks or months, or help with a specific project. Some may also require specific expertise or a consultant. One of the most important benefits is that you only need to pay for the time worked. You do not have to worry about social charges like insurance or holidays. In sum, it is often a more flexible option. You also need to know that in many cases, a consultant’s fees can be considered a <a href="https://www.momenteo.com/blog/as-a-freelancer-what-expenses-can-i-deduct" target="_blank">business expense</a>.  <h3>Six tips for integrating a freelancer into a team efficiently</h3> After defining your needs and finding the right person for your project, how can you ensure things go smoothly? We have found six actions to implement from the beginning of the business relationship. Tell your team The first step should not be neglected: take the time to inform your team about this new resource. Explain what is expected, what the freelancer will work on, and how long. Keep in mind that you should also answer all questions and fears of your team. For example, some people might worry that freelancers could replace them. Communication is key, whether it is a multinational company or a business with only a few employees. Give access to all the tools they need to start working Next, to ensure good productivity right from the start, we suggest giving your freelancer access to all the tools they might need before they start working. Verify if the person can connect to all tools and systems to avoid losing some precious time. For example, if you work with an accountant, it would be important that this person can access your financial data and software. If you have decided to hire a community manager, you will likely have to connect them to your accounts. Name resource people Many businesses make the mistake of not naming resource people for the freelancer. Who can they contact if they have a project or invoice payment question? Do they need to address their concerns to the president, the project manager, or the accountant? It can quickly be complicated when it comes to large businesses. Consequently, tell the freelancer who will be in charge of what as soon as possible and provide different contact information. Make decisions quickly We like to read freelancers' stories and testimonies on social networks. A thing that annoys many of them is the delays when a decision needs to be made. A frequent example is when a creation must be approved by the team. Since everyone can make comments, it makes the task fastidious and adds important delays to the projects. To avoid this situation, try to make decisions quickly when possible. You could also let the resource person decide to ensure that the project moves quickly.  Have follow-ups regularly What can you do to ensure that the project goes smoothly and your freelancer understands all the aspects to consider? There are many ways to develop a productive relationship, but one of the most effective ways is to have regular follow-ups with your professional. Beware, there is no question here to ask a meeting every day since it would be counter-intuitive. Instead, plan a small meeting or follow-up on a regular basis according to your respective needs. It will be the perfect moment to answer all questions and confirm the project is moving in the right direction. Invite them to your offices Finally, the last tip we can give to help integrate a freelancer into your team is to include them as much as possible. If your professional lives close enough, why not benefit from this opportunity to invite them to visit your offices and meet your team? If you organize social events and happy hours, it could be relevant to invite them so they can understand the business culture and connect with various team members. An important thing to remember is that you cannot force a freelancer to work from your offices since it could be seen as a situation of an <a href="https://www.momenteo.com/blog/are-you-a-selfemployed-worker-or-employee-in-disguise" target="_blank">employee in disguise</a>. Although the freelancer might need to come to your office to do their work, they must always remain free to choose their working space. In conclusion, the relationship between a freelancer and a business differs from that between a company and its employees. Here, we focus more on a partnership relationship where both parties are equals. Consequently, ensuring that this partnership works well is to your advantage. To facilitate the integration of a freelancer into your team, aim for great communication and ensure your resource has everything they need to work to avoid any time loss.

Ariane