I was having a one to one with a member of my business network this week and we were talking about how hard it is to find good candidates.  The candidates that I  looking for are skilled experienced people with proven ability in their professional careers. We talked about the price of taking on good professionals and how it seems to be a real sticking point for growing businesses “ I need the extra skills and expertise but we can’t afford a full time person” is something I keep hearing at the moment.

A different way of doing it.

My friend started to talk about a movement, a group of people, I am not sure what it is, what they would call themselves, but she said there is an organisation calling themselves 10-2. Why? Because they want to work from 10-2 while their children are at school so that they can maintain their skills  and their edge in their chosen field.  At first I thought…yes, well if I  had a pound for every time I have heard a woman say she wants a school hours job I would be very rich, Don’t get me wrong, I have wished the same thing myself and  it certainly addresses some of the reasons that I started my own business so that I could be there when my daughter went to school and there when she got home. I had to do that because there were so few options for me to do what I had spent my whole career becoming expert at,  and certainly not  on a part time or flexible basis.  Running my own business meant not least, that I could be situated “locally” to her school,  most of the time and didn’t need to be doing the evil 1.5 hour commute, paying for child care from 7.30 till 7.00  and everything that goes with that.

But this was different… we started to talk about a group of accomplished professional women ( can be men too!)  with a lot to offer a prospective employers locally. I realised that if businesses could be slightly and only slightly flexible, they may be able to engage a highly motivated and skilled workforce.  They would be able to tap in to a bank of skills that they may be scratching their heads to attract and recruit locally otherwise. It might be that these local employers may not have the funds to employ on a full time basis but would really benefit from having these experienced people in their teams.  It might be that they could take on two 10-2s or these 9.30-2.30s….oe 2.5 day a weekers…

How would it work?

If you consider the working hours would be 10 am to 2.00 Monday to Friday. That makes 4 hours a day for 5 days a week.  4 hours is a realistic time to get stuff done. 20 hours a week is enough to make a difference in your team, to make a meaningful contribution to your business.

There are a lot of businesses in our area who are providing  “top end” services with  global clients with whom these 10-2s would be proud to progress their careers on a part time basis. Part time doesn’t mean half a commitment, or reduced enthusiasm, or half a skill. It means a professional person in your team who works less hours – and who costs you less.  Another advantage for a smaller business, of taking on a professional for part of your working day is it creates the impression greater success as there are more of you. There are more of you but for less pay.

So the next stage is to harness this group of amazing people, whether you contact 10-2 or you consult with a sympathetic professional recruiter ( not all recruiters, will work on part time roles) who has the skill and expertise to source professionals is up to you. Better People Ltd have stacks of  experience working with growing businesses sourcing skilled professionals on a full and part time basis.

Why not contact us for a free NO obligation recruitment consultation in your business? Better People STAY PUT and add REAL VALUE.