In today's fast-paced business world, adaptability is key. Have you ever found yourself wishing for a skilled professional to tackle a specific project or fill a temporary role? Or perhaps you've wondered how to boost your team's capabilities without committing to long-term hires? The solution you're looking for might be simpler than you think: hiring a contractor.
What is a Contractor?
A contractor is a self-employed professional engaged by businesses or organisations to perform particular services for a set period or achieve specific outcomes set by the company. Contractors' services are as diverse as their skill sets and client needs. At Zephyr, our vast pool of IT contractors includes Project Managers, Front-End Developers, Programme Managers, Change Analysts, and Business Analysts, to name just a few.
Opting for a contractor over a full-time employee offers numerous advantages. Here are some key benefits your organisation can reap by choosing the contract route:
Fill Skill Gaps in Your Organisation
Sometimes, finding someone in-house with the specific skills you need for a project or to establish day-to-day operations is challenging. It is especially true when you only need these skills for a limited time. Hiring a contractor is the perfect solution for short, sharp requirements. Once the need for their expertise ends, you have no obligation to retain them. Their contract either comes to a natural conclusion or you provide the appropriate notice as stated in their agreement. Contractors understand and accept this aspect of contractual work.
Creates Flexibility Within Your Team
Contractors offer valuable skills, fresh perspectives, and flexibility to your business. They can cover staff on extended leave, work short-term or part-time, and their contracts can be adjusted as needed. In New Zealand's current economy, contractors help navigate evolving business landscapes by temporarily filling team backlogs and maintaining or improving productivity.
Hiring contractors reduces risks associated with long-term employment commitments. During quieter periods, you can easily adjust staffing without complex redundancy processes. This allows permanent staff to focus on core activities and strategic initiatives.
If you're uncertain about future business requirements, contractors offer flexibility without long-term commitments. When hired through an agency, contractors don't count towards your official headcount, allowing increased productivity without breaching hiring restrictions.
Add Value and Fresh Perspective to Your Team
Contractors bring considerable value to your existing team. They often take on the added risks of contract work because they're experienced and confident in their abilities. They offer fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to your organisation. With their diverse experience, they can tackle problems from new angles, providing solutions that your permanent team might not have considered.
Cost Savings
While contractors' rates may seem high, they often prove more cost-effective than permanent staff. You avoid expenses like annual leave, sick pay, and KiwiSaver contributions. The outcomes they produce and the flexibility they offer often outweigh the monetary cost. Plus, there's a finite end to the expense – when the contract ends, so does the expense.
It's important to consider the hidden savings as well. You’ll save money on recruitment, hiring processes, and payroll administration, which we all handle. With quick placement and a broad talent pool, we help minimise your business downtime and have your company on track quickly.
Specialised Knowledge and Expertise
Contractors are typically highly skilled in their chosen fields. This means they can hit the ground running without training as they have the skills you require. The only learning curve they'll face is understanding your organisation's unique systems. Given their extensive experience across various organisations, and they're usually well-versed in common software. When you go through Zephyr to find contractors, we will ensure we find the perfect fit for your company and requirements.
Why Use an Agency Like Zephyr?
Deciding to use a contractor is one thing but finding the right one can be challenging. That's where an agency like Zephyr comes in handy!
Our account managers will meet with you via Teams, in your office or over a coffee at your local café – to discuss your requirements and understand how your organisation works. This approach benefits both parties, allowing us to fully grasp your needs and match candidates to your organisational culture, ensuring we find the best possible fit.
At Zephyr, we've developed a custom-built CRM system tailored to assist our account managers in finding talented contractors that best fit your requirements. This system allows us to maintain up-to-date information on the skills and availability of our talent pool, enabling us to meet your contractor requirements efficiently.
Ready to experience the benefits of hiring a contractor? Complete the Contact Us form below or get in touch with one of our friendly account managers, Louise, at +64 (21) 446 729 | louise.laurenson@zephyr.co.nz, or Debbie, at +64 (22) 630 7090 | debbie.wheeler@zephyr.co.nz. Let's find the perfect contractor to grow your business potential!