The Expert Edge

Proposal to Withhold 3% of Independent Contractor Payments Has Cal Chamber Fuming

This news just in from the California Chamber of Commerce:

"A proposal to require businesses to withhold 3 percent of payments to independent contractors amounts to an interest-free loan to the state from small businesses, the California Chamber of Commerce has pointed out to state leaders."

“We respectfully urge you to abandon this proposal,” CalChamber President and CEO Allan Zaremberg wrote in a letter to Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento), who has been quoted in news articles as expressing support for independent contractor withholding.'"

Two PATCA Consultants Quoted in Wall Street Journal

How exciting to see two PATCA members quoted in a recent Wall Street Journal article! The story was entitled "Three Best Ways to Win a New Client."

Mike Silverman, Managing Partner of Ops a la Carte in Santa Clara, offered his advice to "go where the growth is" by focusing sales efforts on a few core industries that are stable and doing well.

PATCA President Walt Maclay, of Voler Systems, shared wisdom on the importance of partnering with other consultants to provide a wider range of services to clients.

"Many small businesses ring in the new year by taking a fresh approach to winning new clients. Whether you plan to reinvent your company or just attract an untapped demographic, there are a few ways to achieve your goals..." Read the entire article.

Senate Considering Bill Targeting Safe Harbor for Independent Contractors

Here's a post from Staffing Industry Analysts about a bill in the Senate that would cut back on a safe harbor for users of independent contractors. The bill was introduced by Massachusetts Senator John Kerry.

The Senate bill limits the criteria that establishes a reasonable basis for classifying a person as an independent contractor. This will affect the taxes paid by employers who work with contractors and consultants, and may influence their staffing decisions.

For the full story, see Staffing Industry Analysts "Bill Targets Independent Contractor Safe Harbor."

Services Sector Shows Steady Increases

It should come as no surprise to busy PATCA consultants that activity in the services sector has increased again in October. PATCA's member survey earlier in 2009 reported cautious optimism regarding future growth in consulting work, and economic indicators now show that growth has indeed occured.

According to JPMorgan's Global Services Business Activity Index, the upward trend continued in October, reaching a 22-month high. The report states that an increase in worldwide services activity has been noted for three successive months.

Additionally, growth of services activity in the US was very robust, reaching its highest point in two years and showing progress after the end of the recession in the third quarter. Countering the trend, there was a further reduction in employment during October, although the rate of job losses in the US is decreasing.

This phenomenon has been noted during previous economic cycles. As the economy starts to pick up speed, companies begin to hire contingent workers, like consultants. This is a great opportunity for PATCA members to reach out to new clients and to build stronger relationships with current customers.

Social Media Victories - Real Businesses, Real Campaigns, Real Results

PATCA's consultant seminar series features popular presenter Patrick Schwerdtfeger of Tactical Execution, who returns to share more of his most successful tips and techniques for profiting from the real-time social media conversation.

During this half-day session, Schwerdtfeger will analyze specific tactics used by actual companies in real life situations. He will deliver successful case studies where organizations have leveraged Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube to increase revenue and drive brand awareness.

The workshop is designed for consultants and small business owners who want to build their businesses using proven social media strategies. By the end of the session, participants will be well prepared to boost their internet marketing strategies with effective use of inexpensive social communication channels.

Date: November 14, 2009

Time: 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM

Place: Keypoint Credit Union, 2805 Bowers Ave., Santa Clara, CA 95051 (near Bowers & Central Expressway)

Get more information and register online.

Special PATCA Rate for ICCA Conference

The 32nd Annual ICCA National Conference will take place at the The Stanford Court, a Renaissance Hotel atop Nob Hill in San Francisco, California on the weekend of November 13 - 15, 2009.

PATCA members are being offered ICCA's special member rate for the November 13 conference and are offered group rates at the event hotel. 

See the Independent Computer Consultants Association (ICCA) 2009 Conference Brochure for more details: http://www.icca.org/images/2009Conf/ConferenceBrochure.pdf

ICCA online room reservations are $99/night, or call (800) 227-4736 or (415) 989-3500).