Adding Employees and Subcontractors
In order to grow your business, there comes a pivitol point in your business where you need to consider adding human resources in order to continue to thrive. The problem is that usually most small businesses are under capitalized. Where do you get the funds to add staff?
Consider easing a front desk employee from part time to full time. Pay competitively, but yet at the same time be prudent. Know what you can and cannot afford. Depending on the nature of your business, you may be able to get away with a virtual assistant. Keep in mind, however, virtual assistants can be pricey. Also, utilize volunteers. Dietetic students need to gain experience for internship applications. However, they will also be looking for other projects of interest, not just administrative work. Get creative.
Offer a competitive benefit package
If your employee is working at least 30 hours per week, they may eventually inquire about benefits. For a small business, an individual health insurance policy with a high deducible and health savings plan (HSAs) may be affordable for you to offer.--especially if your employee is currently healthy. Compare plans and investigate HSAs that your employee can fund and/or you can assist in funding. Do remember that benefit plans are taxable to the employer and employee. As for life, disability and retirement plans, you will need more employees to add this to the package.
Subcontractors can increase your bottom line
As you grow and cannot take on any new clients due to lack of available hours, create new business with additional professionals to take on the work load. Arrange a fee split or realistic hourly payment to compensate. Remember, there are only so many hours in a day/week. Imagine having many of you doing the same thing. Eventually, you can transition from working in your business to working on your business.
Develop an employee/subcontractor handbookAs you grow, policies and procedures are necessary for office flow along with clinical procedures and professional conduct. The more people that you add creates opportunity for personality clashes and chaos to set in and erode your business. Check references, set expectations upon hire and don't be afraid to end the relationship if it is not meeting your needs. These are just a few tips for growing your successful business!
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Are you ready to take the leap to starting your business? If so, or even if you are just contemplating this idea, don't miss out on:
Visit Product Marketplace, Booth #16
Sunday, November 7, 2010 (Just outside of the FNCE exhibit hall) Special Price on all products that day!
More information
 Connect with Beverly Price on Linkedin and join her Regisered Dietitian Business Owners Group! |
| About Beverly Price, RD, MA, E-RYT |
 Beverly Price is a Registered Dietitian, author, newspaper columnist and public speaker who made a name for herself with her unique approach to nutrition counseling. After 11 years in private practice, she sold Living Better Sensibly-- one of the largest private nutrition practices in the country- to a private nutrition consulting firm, and started Jump Start Consulting specializing in management and marketing strategies for dietitians and other health-care professionals, along with distance learning products for continuing professional education. Beverly currently operates a private practice, in Royal Oak, Michigan, where she specializes in eating disorder recovery and yoga therapy. |
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Don't miss,
Product Market Place at FNCE!
Sunday, November 7th, Boston, MA
Discount on all products at PMP | |
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What a seminar! So valuable...No dietitian should go into private practice without it!
-Lauren Balkin Cohen, MS, RD, CDN, New York, NY
 Jump Start, Getting that Jump Start, Private Practice Getting that Jump Start and gettingthatjumpstart.com are all registered trademarks of Jump Start Consulting, LLC. All articles are copyrighted and property of Jump Start Consulting, LLC. |
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