Think you know all about being an independent contractor? Did you know the US government is cracking down on misclassified workers to help fill its coffers with millions of dollars in fines?
The San Jose Mercury News sheds light on the growing numbers of independent contractors at work in Silicon Valley, complex compliance issues for independent contractors, increased fines for corporations and tougher audits for contractors.
“Tech companies are nervously eyeing proposals in Washington to beef up enforcement and increase fines for violations of a complicated set of rules covering the use of independent contractors. The issue has special resonance in Silicon Valley, where thousands of engineers and programmers work as independent contractors for companies ranging from startups to some of the area’s tech giants.”
But the same issues apply to marketing and communications consultants, like those High Tech Connect represents. Anyone who wants to be a sole proprietor and start their own business providing services needs to understand the IRS has explicit rules about how you can work with your clients. Check out that IRS definition of Independent (Self-Employed) or Employee? here.
Intel said it uses “very few” independent contractors, preferring to hire employees. Cisco said it has “processes” in place to make sure its workers are “properly classified and managed in compliance with the policies set forth by the state and federal governments and their regulatory agencies.”
That’s one of the reasons companies like Cisco work with High Tech Connect to safely and legally employ independent contractors.
Ultimately, independent contractors are just as responsible for managing their business as a BUSINESS, and knowing how to operate within the laws and definitions is key to your success. Read the Merc’s article here.
We KNOW this. For the past 13 years, we’ve known marketing clients didn’t have time to sift through job board applicants, or determine who was qualified and who just lied.
Needle in the haystack
In today’s San Jose Mercury News, the former president of Monster.com, one of the leading internet job search sites, admits employment websites are too expensive for clients and isn’t fruitful for applicants. Bill Warren is now listening to his clients and starting from scratch on a new job search concept. The problem: it’s still an automated web-based system that relies on exceedingly busy clients to narrow the search using technology.
People work with people, not web-based search results. And there is no software yet that can detect real human chemistry… or b.s. Until then, clients will gladly pay high-touch firms like High Tech Connect to find exactly the right professional for the job.
On Friday, February 19, Rene Siegel and Michelle Stewart joined more than 1,775 members of the public relations community gathered on Twitter to “Help A PR Pro Out.” The intent of the online event was to use social media to leverage relationships and help those seeking jobs in the public relations industry. The High Tech Connect ladies are proud to have been the Silicon Valley market Champions, representing the geographic area. While anticipation of the event was high, how did the reality measure up? Though stories of new connections, bona fide job opportunities and even new jobs will take time to develop, here are a few great stats:
- Between the announcement on Feb 5 and Feb 20th HAPPO had more than 10,000 mentions in social media!
- More than 250 mentions of HAPPO in blogs
- More than 9,693 #HAPPO tweets
- 4,334 Tweets the day of the event
HAPPO Facebook Site
- 1,218 Fans (61 active fans)
- 84 interactions this week 43 likes, 12 comments, 51 wall posts
HAPPO Twitter handle
- 1,038 followers, 73 lists, 315 tweets, 672 link clicks
We are all looking forward to the next HAPPO event, prepared with even more open jobs and information for the PR crowd.
With nearly two decades of promoting technology products and services, Lisa Ballard has experience in an array of industries. For the last decade she has focused on public relations for a range of hi-tech clients including enterprise, database and application development software; Internet-based SaaS and other services; telecommunications; and consumer electronics. Her agency experience includes serving as senior vice president and technology practice leader for Manning Selvage & Lee, Atlanta, in addition to working with Fleishman-Hillard, Burson-Marsteller, and boutique firms specializing in hi-tech.
Prior to concentrating on public relations, Lisa was marketing director for various business-to-business software and hardware vendors where she created and implemented marketing strategies that quickly and positively impacted revenues. Lisa’s educational background of the Wharton School combined with a degree in systems engineering gives her a unique perspective from which to solve business communications challenges. She is able to quickly translate product features into competitive advantages that offer customers business benefits.
Lisa Ballard can be contacted via Twitter.
Help a PR Pro Out (HAPPO) Day is a community-based initiative to help friends and colleagues struggling to find jobs in the current economic climate. We are proudly posting bios from talented pros available for hire.
Arthur C. Clarke said, “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” For more than twenty-five years, Brian Johnson has been filling the seats in the theaters where some of the most prestigious technology companies in the world unveil their next new thing. He introduced IBM to the consumer and education markets. And he has also helped the Digital Equipment Corporation, Hewlett-Packard, Novell and was the director of corporate media relations for 3Com.
And there’s another side to this coin: For three years Brian was the CBS News correspondent assigned to cover cyberspace. He was responsible for showing people the what was happening as well as he potential and possibilities of online media. He constantly looks for new online communications media with an eye towards how these new communication tools might move prospective customers to buy, motivate industry and financial analysts to recommend, cause competitors to be concerned and make employees proud.
Brian D. Johnson, +1.925.337.8911
LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter
Help a PR Pro Out (HAPPO) Day is a community-based initiative to help friends and colleagues struggling to find jobs in the current economic climate. We are proudly posting bios from talented pros available for hire.
As the mediums and landscape change, I continue to deliver results. Adapting over the years as media outlets grow and change: print, to e-zine, to blogs, to social media
I’m a Tech PR pro with 12+ years experience. Here are some quick highlights:
- Tech areas: broadband, consumer electronics, HDTV, home networking, home theater, mobile, semiconductors, telecom, wireless
- Tech standards & industry forum experience: Broadband Forum, WHDI, HDMI, TVnet, OFDM Alliance
- Creating PR and communications strategies, campaigns and plans
- Worldwide account lead: managing & directing multiple international teams simultaneously – leading and executing PR and communication plans
- Serving as a spokesperson for press interviews and at tradeshows
- Strong understanding of Web 2.0, social media, SEO and other new media initiatives
Joe Kilmer
Online resume at LinkedIn
Help a PR Pro Out (HAPPO) Day is a community-based initiative to help friends and colleagues struggling to find jobs in the current economic climate. We are proudly posting bios from talented pros available for hire.
I am a hybrid offering, with combined experience as a copywriter, researcher, teacher and journalist. I have more than a decade of experience as a marketing communications professional, on staff at Wunderman headquarters for 8 years as a writer/editor, with experience at other agencies like Ogilvy, Draft/FCB, MRM, and Rapp Collins, as well as for smaller agencies. Time Warner, Microsoft, HP, Citibank, Genworth, American Express, Pfizer, Roche, and Johnson and Johnson are among past clients.
I teach for MediaBistro and have an MFA in creative writing, and have had clips in Publishers Weekly, Newsday, and a number of business magazines/site. Based in NYC, I am very experienced at remote work, and short-term travel and even relocating possible for the right position.
Derek Scheips: Madison Avenue Copwriting. Anywhere. (TM)
Twitter
Portfolio URL
MediaBistro Instructor
Help a PR Pro Out (HAPPO) Day is a community-based initiative to help friends and colleagues struggling to find jobs in the current economic climate. We are proudly posting bios from talented pros available for hire.
A corporate communications expert with over 20 years of progressively responsible experience; a proven track record of successfully translating company strategy and objectives into high-impact communications programs that directly impact company brand, credibility and the bottom line results.
* Outstanding staff management, interpersonal, team building and communication skills used to successfully manage and lead change for five mergers/joint ventures – MillerCoors Brewing, Molson Coors Brewing Company, HP-Compaq, Compaq-Digital and Compaq-Tandem
* Creates strategic communication and marketing programs that build and enhance corporate brand and reputation
* Concrete approach to driving worldwide communication and marketing programs that span functional and group lines and organizational levels
* Ability to inform and influence press, industry analysts, financial analysts, customers, and prospects while motivating employees
* Exceptional ability to turn complex content into simple, highly charged and effective external and internal communications
* Recognized as a high-performance leader, motivating and collaborating with key stakeholders to build consensus
My specialties: Corporation communications including internal branding; internal communications; executive communications, visibility and brand; analyst, public and investor relations; customer communications; corporate brand and reputation; high-performance and collaborative leader; led change for five mergers or joint ventures
Melanie Rice, meerice@yahoo.com
Twitter, LinkedIn
Help a PR Pro Out (HAPPO) Day is a community-based initiative to help friends and colleagues struggling to find jobs in the current economic climate. We are proudly posting bios from talented pros available for hire.
Sara Nealy is a strategic thinker with a depth of expertise in meetings, events, multimedia production and out of the box creativity.
Working in corporate environments such as AT&T Network Systems and the financial industry for Prudential Securities, she is a recognized meetings industry expert who has created and directed annual meetings, large-scale community events, investor gatherings, press launches, performing arts events, corporate awards events and live shows. Sara’s innovative marketing programs and films are targeted and honed to deliver a message and create calculated results. They are also designed to engage participants in relevant and meaningful activity and thought – purpose that feels like play. Mergers, bad news or transitions that feel like adventure.
With a background in the arts and marketing, Sara is able to find the resonant chord to build brand and give voice and presence to organizations and campaigns. Her background includes being a Director of Sales and Marketing at a top luxury resort and managing global marketing communications, advertising, e-marketing, meetings and trade shows. As a documentary filmmaker and painter, she is sensitive to the components of conceiving and designing communications that people care about. On a personal note, Sara is Marketing Chair of the Livermore Valley Opera, and resides in the East Bay. Projects? Particularly interested in corporate giving, executive meetings, and projects where passion and purpose are combined.
Sara Nealy, saranealy.com, LinkedIn
mobile: 808.987.8098, office: 925.399.5242
Help a PR Pro Out (HAPPO) Day is a community-based initiative to help friends and colleagues struggling to find jobs in the current economic climate. We are proudly posting bios from talented pros available for hire.
I’m a consummate senior High Tech PR Professional looking for part-time, contract or full-time work in the greater San Francisco area. I have more than 15 years experience in strategic public relations, marketing communications and corporate communications, especially for business-to-business and business-to-consumer high technology companies, in every vertical from semiconductors to crowdsourcing.
I have planned and managed hundreds of product launches and other outreach campaigns, resulting in increases in brand credibility and publicity of up to 1500%. I have broad-ranging experience with top-tier analyst organizations, national business media, trade and vertical industry editors and bloggers, and four years experience working with Twitter, Facebook and other social media.
Most of my big name brands are in the past, as I primarily work with start-ups and mid-size companies these days. A lot of my recent work is in the mobile wireless arena, which with Apple, Google Android and others is a pretty happening place these days. 
My personality is practical and hard working rather than flashy. I love learning about new technologies and getting results for my clients. My recent successes include a roll out of the “Nirvana Phone” concept for my client Open Kernal Labs (a small mobile virtualization company) and its partner Citrix. We got coverage in Engadget, SlashGear, VentureBeat, ReadWriteWeb and dozens of other venues; rave reviews from analysts; and Tweets and ReTweets in the hundreds. Now that’s what I call fun!
Patricia Colby, 408-828-2861, trishcolby@gmail.com
LinkedIn, Twitter
Help a PR Pro Out (HAPPO) Day is a community-based initiative to help friends and colleagues struggling to find jobs in the current economic climate. We are proudly posting bios from talented pros available for hire.
