Smart staffing - Tips for scaling on demand

If you’re new to business, setting up a startup or you're moving towards a period of growth, you’ll want to ensure you have the right talent in place. Sometimes you might need more people, other times, less. A smart way to manage your staff requirements is to scale on demand.

Do your math

Know when you need to scale up and scale down. Perhaps you’ve got a major project coming up and recruiting a part-time staff member can be of great help. This gives you more control of your budgeting too - you can allocate funds for each project to the contractor and negotiate with them hourly or project rates to cover their input for the workload.

Delegate tasks

If you’re looking to take on more staff, be clear and specific with what you want them to manage and make sure they have deadlines for what needs to be done and when. If you're using a consultant or contractor, it’s wise to discuss KPIs, expectations and deliverables before they start.

Pick your talent carefully

As your business grows and evolves, so will your staffing needs. However, it may not be permanent staff you need, but contractors or consultants to assist with specific areas of your business. Before you take on contractors, consider the jobs that need to be fulfilled and put the word out for help to find suitable people.

Be ready to scale at any time

Have the talent in place and on call, ready to engage them on a case-by-case basis. Plan ahead, look beyond the immediate requirements of your business and plan for a future model so you can give yourself plenty of time to recruit and train staff.

Know when to say goodbye

Taking on staff per project can ease pressure and increase productivity. However, there will come a time when you no longer require the additional support. Ensure you plan ahead and clearly communicate expected timeframes with the contractor. Build relationships with contractors so you can call on them in the future; you never know when you may need their services again.