Why I Think Effective Contractor Management Is Essential

I have been debating with myself whether to apply for a new job and be a working mom again or just find a way to earn more by working from home. I have done both in the past and to be honest, I prefer to do the latter because it gives me the ability to watch over my kids and the household and still earn at the same time. I have been trying to earn from home doing some writing assignments but the income hasn’t been regular yet. The last time I had regular income doing work from home was when I had a two-month contract as a Business Analyst with a business consultancy firm. The key to being successful with this, though, is effective contractor management.

While it was nice being under contract, it definitely was not easy because of the fact that my client was located abroad. The nature of the job required constant communication between me and the client. However, the time difference played a huge impact on the work involved. I would be working while my client was asleep, and vice versa. We had meetings held through Skype. Scheduling those meeting was definitely a big challenge. There were occasions when we couldn’t agree on a specific time that would be convenient for all those concerned.

Frequent exchange of documents was also necessary. We communicated almost daily through email and had to eventually use file sharing tools online. Since there were always revisions to be made to ensure that my client’s client is happy, our deadlines constantly had to be moved. It was definitely a nerve-wracking experience because my expectations were not being met and I often felt like what was being asked of me was more than what was initially agreed upon. It definitely affected how I managed my time between work and my responsibilities at home. 

Although I was able to successfully submit my deliverables, it is without doubt that the whole process could have been managed more easily and with less stress. Managing contractors can be messy if not done properly. If ever I would be given a chance to go into a similar contract again, I would definitely make sure  that things will be handled better by both myself and the client.