Guide to using freelancer support

A new book has been published to help organisations take advantage of a 'skilled, flexible and highly focused freelance talent pool'

According to research from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), 85 per cent of organisations experience resourcing difficulties.

The book, 'Talent on Tap: getting the best from freelancers, interims and consultants', aims to help organisations use freelancers in a positive way, rather than just as a recruitment plug.

Talent on Tap, by Emma Brierley, CEO of recruitment agency Xchangeteam, gives a perspective on the positive aspects of using freelancers, interims and consultants and gives readers and organisations advice on how best to access and use specialist skills in a tight labour market and how to manage a flexible workforce successfully.

The book provides a comprehensive look at how organisations can build and manage productive, long-term relationships with the best freelance consultants even when their skills are in high demand.

Freelance-friendly culture

Emma Brierley said: "One thing that is very apparent is the lack of understanding among organisations in terms of how to get the best from freelance consultants. Some believe that freelance consultants should be totally self-sufficient and require no direction at all.

"Moreover companies often call upon freelancers in times of corporate pressure. Irreversible structural, social and economic trends mean that freelance consultancy is here to stay and is the principle route to the best talent. It is important that businesses adapt to this shift and officially acknowledge the positives that freelancers can bring to their organisation and write them into their HR strategy.

"Ultimately, the key message I have tried to convey in the book is that time spent up front setting the relationship and management framework will produce huge dividends later. If you recognise the benefits of using freelancers, then your organisation needs to embrace some of the concepts required to create a freelance-friendly culture."

Talent on Tap gives advice on a wide range of issues including:

• The business case for using freelance consultants
  
• Understanding the legal framework
  
• How to select, motivate and reward freelance consultants
  
• How to measure and manage performance.

The book also includes case studies from organisations that have been hiring freelance consultants over many years, as well as views from freelance consultants themselves.

Talent on Tap is available from the CIPD for £24.99.