Placement, freelance, consulting - which option is best for my business?
The answer lies in the problem you are trying to solve.
Permanent: investment & commitment
This is about ongoing contribution. Investing in a designer for the long term. Shaping and building them to grow with the business, developing as the business, clients and projects develop. Using previous learnings to build on and be better. The results go back into the business and designers growth simultaneously. Yes, there must be enough workload for ongoing value creation be it in executional or strategic capacity. A permanent placement is best for developing relationships with clientsas they aren't going anywhere, an extension of your business, with long term business effects. Empowerment, training and upskilling is key when permanently placing designers in your business, the rewards are for your business and designer to reap.
Freelance: independent, transactional and output based
Here we are talking about a clear and predetermined objective and outcome. There is a specific job to be done, which has an end. Less about making a business contribution and more about execution for/on behalf of the business. A project or piece of work that requires an independent autonomous way of work. You are hiring a "doer". You have specific outcomes they are hired to achieve. They are hired purely for their hard skills. Your relationship is based on the project, and this is therefore more transactional than an investment. Be clear that they are committed to the project not the business. You do not expect to train them on the job and they don't expect to develop relationships and work for company goals over project goals. Freelancers though value the business you give them and this is why they are so committed to achieving your project outcomes as for them it could lead to repeat business.
Consulting: short term investment for long term gain
A consultant is your expert/specialist/guru. Their role is to provide advice, guidance, facilitation, input into what is most often high level strategies for your business. The scope of work is often broad and extensive and can contain a few projects within it. They will provide roadmaps, ways of work, infuse, plan, scope, oversee, plan, and level of involvement in execution can vary. You hire them for their specialist skills and extensive knowledge and experience in their area of expertise. You do this because you see the problem they are solving for as critical to your business, and not one to get wrong with amateurs. An investment, but not an ongoing one, and one that often results in game changing results for your business. Often less focus is put on execution and more on advisory.
This is important: there is no superior role. The classification is more about getting closer to matching expectations for the job to be done in your business. If the problem you are trying to solve is clear, then the type of help you require will be easier to ascertain. When done correctly there is less chance of waste or disappointment.
This is why we ask questions (why are you seeking a permanent designer, what is the bigger picture, what problem are you trying to solve, why do you even need a UX designer, and so on) before we connect you. The capacity in which you hire a designer directly affects your potential of reaching your business goals. In short, we diagnose first. And then prescribe. Not the other way around.
>>> Is your business looking for designers? We'll happily facilitate connecting you with freelancers, consultants or designers looking for a full time home. Get in touch
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