THE NUMBERS DON’T LIE … I’LL EXPLAIN AND YOU DECIDE
Recently I read this article from Hyam Singer, VP User Engagement at TOPTAL, that in my opinion “nailed it” on this subject.
Don’t Be Fooled: Calculate the Real Cost of Employees and Consultants
This article is a must read for employers. It outlines and delivers a hands-down argument, that should not be ignored, especially in today’s economic turmoil.
I’ve been on both sides of this question, as a former employee, as a company that hired employees, and as an independent contractor. Here are my thoughts on this subject, especially as it pertains to senior level marketing positions within our industry.
First, let’s look at retail and the looming economic factors companies are staring down today. I recently wrote extensively about this on my blog. Read The Real Retail Economy is Not in Good Shape.
It all boils down to “revenue vs. costs.” Generate more revenue while minimizing costs.
I’ve always tried to post information that will help retailers and brands do more business with less cost to compete more effectively. Lately that has been about much talk about using technology as a means to mitigate costs efficiencies, gain more leads, sell more stuff and ultimately … “make more money”.
As a marketing guy, I’ve been blessed with having the best mentors in the business, as my professional journey took me from the printing/packaging industry, consumer product marketing, agency owner, and now industry consultant.
The problem with the marketing profession today, is that most senior marketers have a job shelf-life of 18-24 months, OUCH. More on this later….
ONWARD WITH THE DISCUSSION.
According to the government’s Bureau of Labor & Statistics (BLS) the “average” median pay for a senior level marketing person is approximately $124,850/year, or $60.03/Hour. BUT that is only the base cost and does NOT INCLUDE the following.
Insurance (medical, dental, life) – Approximately (12%-15% additional)
401K/Profit Sharing Contribution – Approximately 2%-3.5% additional (Optional)
Payroll taxes (company paid portion) – Approximately 7%-9% additional, company paid portion
Any employee bonuses – Ranging from 3%-7%, depending on overall compensation package
TIME TO RE-DO THE MATH
Base Salary (Based off BLS above) –
$124,850.00
Plus 12%-15% Insurance/Benefits (AND you know these costs are only going UP) !!!
$14,982.00 – $18,727.50
401K/Profit Sharing Contribution (Optional cost depending on company)
$2,497.00 – $4,369.75
Payroll Taxes – Company paid portion
$8,739.50 – $11,236.50
Yearly Raise/Bonus (Optional)
$3,745.50 – $8,739.50
Your total investment
Base Salary – $124,850.00
Additional expenses (LOW-END figures) – $32,964.00 +26.4% added to base salary
Total $154,814.00 or $75.88/Hour, from $60.03/Hour
Additional expenses (HIGH-END figures) – $43,073.25 +34.5% added to base salary
SO, DO I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION YET? IF NOT, LET’S DIVE DEEPER INTO THIS RABBIT HOLE.
I didn’t calculate the cost of the i.e. “Learning Curve” time and the resources for this new employee’s acclimation into your culture, business systems and processes.
Think about that for a minute. Other employee’s and time/resources expended in mentoring this new employee plus all those additional direct and indirect costs, explained by the author, amortized into each employee’s “real cost”. Items such as:
Accounting fees
Advertising
Computer hardware
Computer software licenses
Conferences and trade shows
Corporate graphics and web design
Corporate taxes (property, etc.)
Dues and subscriptions
Equipment
Furniture – (Had to throw this one in there ?
Insurance (liability, workers comp, unemployment insurance, etc.)
Legal fees
Meals and entertainment
Meeting expenses
Office supplies
Overhead staff (executive, administrative)
Printing services
Recruiting (advertising and fees)
Travel
HERE’S THE REAL SHOCKER.
According to DCAA Accounting standards …
The real “ALL IN EMPLOYEE COSTS” for this person equates to $248,352.00/year or $119.00/Hour, figuring a base hourly rate of $60.03/hour and adding in all the additional costs outlined above
I know, the math is getting really obnoxious. But the math is going to get easy, very easy.
If you hire a consultant at $60.03/Hour to do the same job, that’s what you pay, plus any additional “authorized” ancillary or travel expenses.
The amount of infrastructure that a consultant uses is significantly less than that of an employee (not to mention the fact that the consultant doesn’t receive any benefits from the company).
As a result, the actual cost of a consultant is affected by G&A (General & Administrative) costs only; Fringe (i.e., benefits) and Overhead are irrelevant to the cost of a consultant.
And not to mention a couple other considerations. Check out what the Real Employee Cost Calculator and comments below from Hyam Singer – VP, user engagement at TOPTAL
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE CALCULATOR AND DO YOUR OWN MATH
Hyam also points out in his article,
“Potential financial risks. Companies tend to make hire/fire decisions much more rapidly with consultants than with employees. It is not uncommon for under-performing employees to be kept on the payroll for multiple months, throughout various stages of probation, to minimize the potential for an employee-filed lawsuit. The resulting cost to the company can be quite substantial. In contrast, companies tend to dismiss consultants with minimal if any notice when in any way dissatisfied with their performance.”
“Recruiting fees affect the cost of all employees. One obvious savings with consultants is the avoidance of often hefty recruiting fees. What may be less obvious, though, is that each recruiting fee paid drives up the real cost of all employees. Since recruiting costs are including in overhead expenses, every recruiting expense that your company incurs increases your overhead costs, which in turn raises your overhead rate multiplier, which in turns drives up the effective cost of each and every one of your employees.”
AND THERE IS MORE …
Liabilities.
When you hire an individual as a consultant, they take on all the liabilities and usually hold the client “harmless.” Consultants carry their own insurance, pay their own taxes, use their own computers, cell phones, and more. Sure, those costs are buried into our agreements, but they are minimal compared to your infrastructure.
To add to this, figure in the “ROI” of this hire. Remember in the beginning of this article I stated that most marketing people have a “shelf life” of 18-24 months?
Consider this, especially when the marketing paradigm is changing monthly. How much “real profound knowledge” does your current marketing person have? Do they adapt, change and grow with the times, or do they only practice what they knew when you hired them? My bet is that they don’t evolve, that’s why they have a short shelf-life.
SUMMARY
HERE ARE SOME QUICK DISCUSSION POINTS HELP YOU DECIDE IF YOU SHOULD BE USING US VS. THEM
No long-term employment commitment. When you hire a consultant, make sure the engagement terms are short with specific goals outlined for the term – 3-6-12 months with 30-day renewal clauses, for two reasons.
Speaking for the consultant, this gives them the opportunity to “fire you” should the synergy not work. Personally, I will not work with/for someone who doesn’t want to listen and implement needed and/or proven strategies and tactics. When clients fail to do what a consultant suggests, and then turn around and blame the consultant for not getting the job done or their investment ROI. It’s helpful to know that you aren’t locked into a long-term commitment.
A good consultant/company relationship should thrive based off synergies and exceed goals without the need for a contract hanging over their heads. Personally, I ONLY do short term contracts, usually 3-6 months with automatic 30 day renewals and 60-day “out clauses” for each. Our belief is that we want to addict you to the candy, not the medicine…with tangible results.
Yep, we want you to WANT to keep paying us, so we’ll work really hard to make sure that happens.
AND FINALLY, WHAT SHOULD YOU EXPECT TO PAY FOR A SEASONED, SUCCESSFUL CONSULTANT?
Well, that depends of course on the extent of your needs, the industry, the level of expertise needed, and the time estimated to get your results.
For us, it’s simple.
Our services range from $2,500/month – $15,000/month. Many of our engagements are in the lower end because, typically, what’s needed is to create leads through messaging, creative, PR, go-to-market strategies and tactics. As long as the company has “in-place” the systems and processes to deliver on these promises, we can deliver. If they don’t have the systems in place, then we start there first. Anyone can create a “marketing promise”, but if they can’t deliver on that promise, consumers will abandon them and it will cost 5X more to get them back.
When the consultant you want to hire has a record of accomplishment, and has had success over and over in a multitude of positions and industries, it’s probably in their DNA to be successful with a short learning curve. If not, you execute your “out clause” and you will achieve one of two outcomes: Success or disappointment, but either way, you’ve saved a ton of money…and hopefully made even more.
And one additional note regarding confidentiality and non-compete. All of our agreements protect our clients with a one year, minimum, confidentiality and non-compete clause. These clauses are standard in our industry to protect the integrity of the business relationships so information can “free-flow” for strategic purposes.
Every company and situation is different so there’s no “one size fits all” answer here. But an awareness of the factors and issues discussed in this article will help arm you to make the best financial decision for you and your team.
This article was first published on Integrated Marketing Association.
Photo Credit: perzonseowebbyra Flickr via Compfight cc
