November 2008: In this issue...

Pay-As-You-Go: A Wise Trend for Tough Times

By Ron Torch, CEO & Chief Marketing Officer - Torch Group Inc.

Every day we at Torch Group speak with hiring managers concerned about the volatility of the economy. They are uncertain about whether they should commit to making a full-time hire. The underlying problem is that regardless of the economy, they have projects that must get done - immediately and effectively. Torch Group has a solution to this dilemma, based upon a growing trend we have witnessed and promoted for years.

Corra Group (http://dailyplanet.corragroup.com), a firm that provides employee background checks, confirms this trend in a recent blog entry:

"With the economy down... employers are turning to temporary employees to handle their marketing needs. According to an article in Advertising Age, employers are using short term employees for a great range of marketing activities and positions, including brand manager, project leader, and even marketing director."

At Torch Group, we call this trend "pay-as-you-go," hiring; because it allows companies to continue to plan, develop and execute their strategic and tactical marketing plans, despite hiring freezes or even downsizing. In essence, companies can contract for assistance on a daily, weekly, monthly or even longer basis and get their critical marketing work accomplished without committing to a full-time hire during this economic uncertainty.

This last year, fully one-third to 50 percent of requests we received from employers were for consultants, freelancers and interim hires to help them complete their marketing projects.

One recent example is from a mid-size manufacturing company with two important positions to fill, but just enough dollars left in their budget for one full-time hire.

According to the HR manager: "Torch Group helped us select a full-time business development manager, and suggested we seek a suitable interim marketing consultant until the economy strengthened. Torch found a consultant who helped us discover solutions for sensitive marketing issues by creating and implementing a brand study and analysis of customer needs."

Benefits for Companies choosing "pay-as-you-go" marketing talent

• Immediate Productivity - You don't have to take the time to train an experienced contractor. They have expertise in a particular field and experience in your industry.
• Cost Efficiencies - You can reduce overhead with temporary talent; eliminating expenses such as payroll taxes, Social Security and Medicare taxes, and full-time benefits, among others.
• Time Savings - Companies save time contracting with independent talent. Unlike the search process for full-time employees that is a time-consuming and lengthy; a highly-specialized independent contractor comes in, accomplishes the project at hand, and leaves.

Benefits for Talent seeking "pay-as-you-go" opportunities

• Talent Tryout - As interim, freelance or consulting talent, you have the opportunity to work with different companies and find those that best fit your style and temperament, providing a head start when deciding on full-time employment.
• Portfolio Builder - Working as a contractor with various clients enhances your portfolio and makes you a stronger candidate for future opportunities.
• Lifestyle Option - Talented marketing professionals who choose to work on a contract basis, provides them the opportunity to work with a variety of companies and people, and allows them flexibility to pursue other interests, while providing additional income.

If you are looking for cost-effective and stress-reducing talent options, including interim staffing, contractors and consultants in this volatile economy; contact us at 440-519-1822, or email rontorch@torchgroup.com.

If you have recently been downsized or lost your full-time position and are seeking the right opportunity with one of Torch Group's esteemed clients, please register with us at http://www.torchgroup.com/talent-registration.cfm.

Headquartered in Cleveland Ohio, Torch Group is a highly specialized marketing staffing firm that provides customized marketing talent solutions to Fortune 1000 companies and organizations across North America. Torch Group's services include professional interim staffing, contract consultants, outsourced projects and full-time executive search services. The firm provides its clients with professionals skilled in strategic and tactical marketing, sales, creative and communication specialties.

For more information about Torch Group, visit us at www.torchgroup.com.

Ronald S. Torch
President & CEO
Torch Group, Inc.
. . . your source for marketing talent