Working with a Professional Contractor in Sewn Product Development
What Most Small Business Owners Don’t Understand
For small companies in the sewn product development space, working with a professional contractor can be a game-changer. Contractors bring expertise, efficiency, and flexibility to the table, but they also require a different approach than working with traditional employees. This blog will explore how to effectively collaborate with a professional contractor and what small business owners often overlook in the product development process.
How to Work with a Professional Contractor
Hiring a professional contractor for your product development needs is not like managing an employee. Contractors are specialists who are brought in to complete a specific task or project, often with minimal supervision. Here's how you can ensure a smooth working relationship:
Provide a Clear List of Needs
Before engaging a contractor, it's crucial to know exactly what you need. Contractors work best when given precise, actionable tasks. For sewn product development, this might include specific patterns, materials, deadlines, and other technical specifications. Creating a well-structured outline, or Scope of Work, of your project requirements ensures that everyone is on the same page from day one.
Establish Clear Communication Channels
Once the needs are defined, establish a communication plan. This could involve weekly check-ins, updates via email, or using a project management tool. When you set expectations early, you avoid unnecessary confusion during the project.
Folding into the Process of the Professional Consultant
Contractors often have their own methods and processes honed through years of experience. Instead of trying to force your company's workflows on them, it's beneficial to adapt your approach to align with their process. This doesn’t mean relinquishing control but rather fostering collaboration.
Build Trust in Their Expertise
A professional contractor is an expert in their field, which is why you’ve hired them in the first place. Whether it's complex sewing techniques, pattern drafting, or material sourcing, you should trust their judgment. Be open to their suggestions and allow their process to shape some aspects of the project. This folding into their process can result in better outcomes and fewer bottlenecks.
Project-Based Work vs. Managed Work
One of the most common misconceptions small business owners have is that contractors function like employees. Contractors are there to deliver on specific outcomes—whether that's producing a batch of prototypes or finalizing a product line—not to be micro-managed or integrated into the contracting company’s daily operations.
When working with a contractor, focus on the results, not the day-to-day operations. A project-based approach sets clear goals and deliverables for the contractor without the expectation that they will be incorporating into your work environment, such as participating in company meetings or ongoing internal tasks. If you require this, be sure to make this clear to your contractor ahead of time.
Not Your Employee: Understanding the Legal Boundaries
One major aspect of working with contractors that often goes overlooked is the legal distinction. Contractors are not employees, and it's essential to respect that boundary. They are typically self-employed or work through a consultancy, which means they have control over their working hours, tools, and methods.
The Microsoft Example of Contractor Misuse
A well-known cautionary tale is Microsoft’s misclassification of contractors. In the 1990s, Microsoft treated long-term contractors similarly to full-time employees, which led to legal issues regarding benefits, taxes, and compensation. As a result, the company had to pay millions in fines and settlements.
For small businesses, the lesson here is clear: maintain the independence of your contractors. Ensure that your contracts clearly outline their scope of work and that they are not expected to perform employee duties.
Working with an Expert: Leveraging Their Knowledge
Bringing in a contractor means you're tapping into specialized skills that may not exist within your company. You can use this opportunity to learn and grow your own understanding of product development. Professional contractors often have valuable insights into market trends, supply chain efficiencies, and innovations in sewn product techniques. When you listen and work collaboratively, you’ll learn more than you might have expected.
Feedback Loop
While contractors may be the experts, it’s still important to create a feedback loop. Share your thoughts on their work, ask questions, and maintain a collaborative mindset to get the best results.
Work with a Professional Sewn Product Development Consultant
Hiring a professional contractor for sewn product development can fast-track your projects and provide you with high-quality results. However, success comes down to how well you manage that relationship. By providing a clear list of needs, trusting their expertise, respecting the project-based nature of their work, and using communication tools to manage the process, your business can take full advantage of what contractors have to offer.
In short, treat your contractors as the specialists they are, and your sewn product development efforts will thrive.
Are you ready to move forward with your next product but need an expert consultant to guide you through the process? Contact us for more information on working with a Sewn Product Development Consultant.
