Some Of Your Vendors Should Be Full Time Providers

McMillan Consulting’s founder started McCo part time while working for someone else. Many of our clients are micro/small businesses whose owner(s) are developing the business while earning a steady paycheck somewhere else. Additionally, many people have setup their business to moonlight and add to their regular job with no intention to leave their job. This article isn’t a knock on any of these businesses. But sometimes you need a full time vendor.

Depending on the type of business you’re running and the particular service you need. For example a graphic designer is someone that can almost always be someone with PT availability if that’s the person you want to go with. When you need a logo, brochure or other collateral designed it’s not likely that you’ll require turn around in hours. And graphic design is something that can be done from just about anywhere at just about any time. So if you really need something done today and you call your guy while they’re at work they can make adjustments on their lunch break if they have their computer with them.

Now your web designer is a different scenario. If you’re running a part time venture and have a simple informational 3-7 page site you can get away with a part time web designer. If you’re changing prices or services on a particular date, get the necessary information in the agreed upon front time and you’re good. But if your website is your sales channel or you’re in a field like law or real estate you’re going to want a full time designer. Imagine your site is designed to ship your book from a distribution point automatically when payment is received. Instead of your book being listed on your site for $20.00 it’s listed for $2.00. Now if your web designer can’t fix your site until tomorrow or the next day and you were just on a radio/TV show urging people to buy your book, that’s a ton of lost revenue. What about the lawyer who incorrectly placed information about a new law that affects many of their clients and potential clients. If the information about the law is added incorrectly, their practice can really be harmed. Yes there are disclosures on the site. But don’t we have certain expectations of professionals we’re paying $150-500/hr? The same is true for tax consultants.

While your graphic artist can always be a part time person and your web designer can be part time or full time depending on your needs, an attorney should be full time. Even if you can’t get a meeting with your attorney at a moment’s notice you need some type of response. Many legal issues are urgent. Lawsuits, notices, and other legal issues can get worse in 24hrs without any action. Most lawyers are full time professionals. Just be aware of your needs if you’re going to work with an attorney with limited availability.

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