How Independent Contractors Transform into a Powerful ‘Company of One’

According to BOTH CEO Erik Vonk, in an Entrepreneur Channel interview on TotalPicture Radio, “The number of independent contractors, freelancers and solopreneurs has more than tripled since 1980, creating a new workforce reality”

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., May 4, 2011 — Today’s workforce dynamic has changed dramatically from previous generations’ ideal of lifetime employment. To be successful in today’s reality of independent contractors, flex and self-employed workers, freelancers, staffing employees, solopreneurs and contract talent, a solo professional must transform themselves into a “Company of One,” according to Erik Vonk, founder and chief executive officer of Back Of The House (BOTH) USA, a unique resource for independent business owners.

In an exclusive interview with Peter Clayton, producer/host of TotalPicture Radio, a popular career and leadership development podcast, Vonk said, “The number of independent workers has more than tripled from only six percent of the total workforce in 1980 to nearly 20 percent of the workforce in 2010.”

Clayton observed that many seasoned executives impacted by the recent recession were starting their own businesses. Vonk confirmed this trend: “There is enormous growth in independent contracting, freelancing and the solopreneur world… it is anticipated that more than 50 percent of people who have been unemployed during this past recession… will find their way back into the workforce as independents.”

In addition, Vonk reports that only 59 percent of the current total workforce has a “permanent job” and the statistical life expectancy of a traditional job in today’s market is less than four years, compared to 15 years in the ’80s, adding: “Although no one feels secure in their job anymore, many people do believe they can capitalize on their skills. That’s where we come in.”

As the workforce continues to change, talent needs to be prepared to take advantage of their skills within a new workforce dynamic. With BOTH, individuals become the owner/operator of a completely equipped and fully resourced “Company of One,” helping individuals set-up their company as a legal entity, and outsource its business processes, including tax support and compliance, as well as healthcare and retirement plans; back-office operational needs, such as billing and collections; and IT requirements.

“Our model gives individuals the resources and support to be productive and take advantage of the shifting workforce landscape,” said Vonk. “In a [corporate] ‘job,’ you ‘borrow’ that support infrastructure and benefits from your employer, and with BOTH, you permanently own those assets.”

Vonk explained to Clayton that, “a combination of defined benefit plans and high-end, high-deductible individual insurance programs available through the BOTH workforce model can create a more comprehensive and affordable coverage plan for individuals and families than restrictive corporate programs.”

“When people realize what they could spend over a year on accountants, attorneys, tax advice and IT geeks as an independent worker, and then use the BOTH service, they see a net savings, and a huge savings in opportunity costs as well,” stated Vonk.

“Our offering includes a hosted IT seat — a Personal Virtual Office — that enables the individual to work anywhere, 24 X 7,” said Vonk. “With all of the software and archives residing in the ‘cloud.’”

BOTH — Back Of The House — fortifies Independent Professionals individually with personalized health plans, tax and administrative assistance and general work-related tools, eliminating any need to rely or depend on workplace support or employment infrastructures. An individually owned corporate entity and a Personal Virtual Office frame the concept; ongoing Total Support is provided by a Personal Business Advisor and consists of billing, collections, accounting and tax services augmented by health & retirement plans and liability insurance. For more information, visit http://www.backofthehouse.com.

Back of The House
270 1st Avenue South
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Karin Schippers
karin@backofthehouse.com
941 545 4311

This release was published on openPR.