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When you hire an independent contractor, you’re trusting them as the professional to complete specific tasks or projects. That means they shouldn’t go through your usual employee training process. Instead, there are a few key things you can (and should) do when working with Independent Contractors.
Show Independent Contractors How You Work (Without “Training” Them)
You can show how you prefer certain tasks to be handled by sharing your Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). SOPs exist to explain how your business operates and what you expect in terms of outcomes or deliverables.
You can also share your expectations or goals for a project. But remember, contractors typically have the final say (with your input, of course) because you hired them to bring your vision to life- the right way. They’re experts in their field, which is exactly why you brought them on board.
Provide Background and Tools, Not Trainings
It’s perfectly okay to introduce contractors to your company’s mission, values, or any essential software and tools you use. Again, this is covered in your SOPs and general overview documents.
The difference here is that you’re not “training” them step-by-step on how to do their job—you’re simply letting them know how you do business and what resources are available so they can hit the ground running.
Respect Their Expertise (and Pay Them for It)
If you’re the contractor, make sure you’re compensated for any time spent learning a client’s systems. This might mean building those hours into your rate or clarifying in your contract that orientation or review time is billed. Every business you work with is unique, so factor in the effort required to understand each one.
As a contractor, you were hired because the business trusts you to produce results—so make sure you understand their overall operations at a basic level. (You’d be surprised how often people skip this step!)
Ready to Delegate the Right Way?
Before you bring on an independent contractor, take the time to ensure your processes are documented, accessible, and clear. SOPs are your best friend here. This way, everyone’s on the same page from day one, and you can focus on what you do best—running your business.
Need help setting up your processes or figuring out how to delegate effectively? Visit the Free Resource Page or learn how we can work together by going to the Strategic Growth section to view our services and pricing!
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