I often hear in many different different business, the idea of building a team versus hiring a professional services provider and a trusted partner. A few things to keep in mind: Take into account the true cost of building a team. Understand it's your time and that is a never ending commitment. Your team may move on, resetting your resources and causing you even more time. Key team members may move on and then you really have to focus on their role and the impact on your business. In the world of small business ownership, every decision can have a significant impact on your success and bottom line. One critical decision that often arises is whether to hire an employee or partner with professional services for various business needs. Let's disect the scenario and look at both options. The Employee Hiring Scenario Let's start by considering the traditional route—hiring an employee. For many small to medium-sized businesses, hiring staff may seem like the natural progression to handle tasks like marketing, payroll, human resources, accounting, bookkeeping, and more. The Initial Salary Suppose you decide to hire a marketing manager with 2-3 years of experience. In December 2023, the average starting salary for such a position in Ontario is around $42,000 annually. This amount, however, is just the beginning of your financial commitment. Recruitment Costs Recruiting the right employee can be a time-consuming and costly process. On average, it takes about 42 days to find the ideal candidate. During this period, resources are allocated to the recruitment process, adding up to approximately $4,129. Onboarding and Ramp-Up After hiring, the employee's productivity typically remains low during the initial months. This period of onboarding and ramp-up can be conservatively estimated at one additional month's salary, which is another $3,500. Paid Time Off Your employee will likely require paid time off, which typically includes two weeks of vacation and two weeks of sick leave. This adds an extra $3,500 to your yearly expenses. Payroll Taxes and Benefits Employers are responsible for payroll taxes, employee benefits, and contributions to health spending accounts (HSAs). Factoring these in, you're looking at an additional $12,000 annually. Software and Tools To equip your employee for success, you'll need various software tools, such as CRM systems, project management tools, and design software. A conservative estimate for these expenses is $1,000 per month or $12,000 per year. Total Cost of Hiring an Employee Summing up all these costs, the true cost of hiring one employee in this scenario comes to a staggering $84,649 annually, nearly double the initial salary. The Alternative: Partnering with Professional Services Now, let's shift our focus to the alternative—partnering with professional services. Instead of hiring an employee, you can collaborate with trusted partners who specialize in areas like marketing, payroll, human resources, accounting, bookkeeping, and more. Cost Predictability One significant advantage of partnering with professional services is cost predictability. You can typically negotiate a retainer fee, which remains consistent throughout the partnership, making it easier to budget and plan for your business expenses. Expertise and Experience Professional service providers often have years of experience and a team of specialists at their disposal. They bring industry-specific knowledge, best practices, and a track record of success to your business. No Onboarding or Ramp-Up Period When you work with professionals, there's no need for an onboarding or ramp-up period. They're ready to hit the ground running from day one, delivering immediate value to your business. No Employee-Related Costs Partnering with professional services eliminates the need to worry about payroll taxes, benefits, or employee-related costs.
