The Expert Edge

Rutgers Study Shows 40% of NY Contract Workers Have Trouble Getting Paid.

Crain's New York published some very interesting findings from a Rutgers University Study on NY freelancers. Reprinting some excerpts here, and we're very interested in sparking some commentary from PATCA. Your thoughts?

Author Daniel Massey writes:

"...The seemingly simple process of getting paid has emerged as the No. 1 problem facing self-employed workers. A first-ever study by a Rutgers University economist shows that 42% of the nearly 900,000 independent workers in New York state reported having trouble collecting payment for their labors last year, totaling an estimated $4.7 billion in lost wages."

"...More than 400 freelancers have electronically “outed” clients they say have not paid them—ranging from political candidates to banks to media companies—via a website set up by the Freelancers Union."

"...And a legislative push in Albany seeks to provide independent contractors—the fastest growing segment of the economy—with the same rights as traditional employees. Nationwide, half of all the new jobs added in the recovery are expected to be independent workers, according to the employment law firm Littler Mendelson."

Skills Matter in Today’s Marketplace

A recent Harvard Business Review article entitled, “Higher Education Is Overrated; Skills Aren't” includes several common sense explanations for the title’s premise that “great knowledge doesn't confer great skill.”  The points made are equally important and relevant for consultants, job seekers, and small or large companies who are trying to land a new client engagement or a new job.

The article states, “While higher education itself isn't marginal or unimportant, its actual market impact on employment prospects may be wildly misunderstood. In ‘Econ 101’ terms for job-hunters: time spent cultivating your Facebook / Linked-In network(s) may be a better investment than taking that Finance elective.”

Adapting to new ways of finding and cultivating connections has value for consultants in all fields when we consider that the best sources of new clients have always been through our various referral networks. Today, those networking contacts are often found online and maintained through emails and social networking sites.

For consultants, linking to blogs, published articles, PowerPoint presentations, podcasts and webinars will help create an impression of "purported knowledge" that goes beyond their own websites and social networking.However, long-time consultants know that their “purported knowledge” matters less than demonstrating what has been done successfully for other clients.

This “vast structural shift in the human capital marketplace” has made clients much more selective in hiring consultants. According to the HBR, proven skills, the distinctions between them, and their value in landing a new assignment “aren't subtle; they're immense.”

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Contributed by PATCA member Carole Edman, of HR Manager to Go.

New Strategies to Boost SEO

iMedia Connection recently posted an interesting article about improving search engine rankings through goal-focused keyword research, optimization of internal linking structures, and creation of new content. The piece should be of interest to PATCA members who wish to take a fresh look at improving the SEO results for their websites.

The article, entitled "3 SEO boosters you're missing" by John Carcutt, provides a series of tips for precisely identifying the keywords to target and track. Getting beyond the obvious and general keywords will attract high-quality traffic, and is a better approach than simply seeking to increase the volume of traffic.

Carcutt also talks about a new Google algorithm (Caffeine) that places additional importance on the creation of new content and frequent changes/updates to a site. For the complete story, read the article.

House Passes Tax Cut for Small Business Investment

Good news came this week from Washington that may help consulting businesses to grow.

Yahoo News published an Associated Press story that included two interesting items: First, a new bill would increase tax deductions for start-up expenses by new small businesses (HR 5486). Secondly, there is a plan proposed to merge the bill with legislation creating a $30 billion fund for community banks to increase lending to small businesses (HR 5297).

The House may vote on the lending bill as early as today, and would then send the entire package to the Senate.

PATCA Joins VC and Private Equity Roundtable

PATCA has joined the VC and Private Equity Roundtable, which is comprised of about 60 venture capitalists, angel investors, and other parties who have interest in the growth of start-up companies. PATCA's role is to connect fledgling companies with consultants and share "the expert edge" on a pro bono basis.

Here's how it works: When a Roundtable member has a need for consultation with an expert consultant, a request will be sent to the PATCA office. PATCA members who have the required skills will be invited to provide advice or assistance on a pro bono basis. 

Participation is voluntary, however PATCA and its members receive valuable exposure to an influential group of investors. Past President Walt Maclay represents PATCA, and has had several opportunities to speak to the entire group about our organization and generate interest. 

Watch for more news on this program in the coming months.

SBA and Comcast Partner to Provide Free Business Training

According to the April 2010 Comcast California  newsletter on goverment affairs, the U.S. Small Business Association (SBA) is partnering to deliver hundreds of courses to the public, televised "On Demand" to Comcast cable TV customers. These courses should be of great interest to consultants, since many PATCA members have little free time for keeping up with current government programs.

The course library will include programs such as "How to become a government-certified business," and will be geared towards helping small firms to grow and succeed. Courses will be available at the viewers convenience, so entrepreneurs can focus on developing their businesses during normal work hours.

Topics will be released monthly, and can be accessed on Channel 1. Select Get Local>Connecting Businesses>US SBA, to see the list of available courses.

(Note: Courses are free to Comcast subscribers.)