Latest news with #ITfirm
Entrepreneur
23-07-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Why Forward-Thinking Companies Are Betting Big on Part-Time Talent
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. For decades, companies have concentrated their resources on full-time employees. But that model is overdue for an update. New data shows that part-time workers and independent contractors aren't just filling gaps — they're fueling growth, boosting productivity and helping businesses adapt faster than traditional employment structures allow. In a recent study conducted by my company FORE, we analyzed workforce performance at an IT firm and uncovered a surprising truth: part-time and contingent workers consistently outperformed full-time staff across key metrics — including revenue per head and speed of delivery. In fact, losing one of these high-performing contractors often costs more than replacing a full-time hire. In today's economy, where agility is critical, flexible talent might be your most underappreciated asset. Related: Ask the Right First Question When You Hire Part-Time Employees Why part-time talent delivers more Part-time workers operate like precision tools. They bring ready-made expertise, deliver clear outcomes quickly and integrate without disrupting the broader team. When speed matters, waiting weeks to hire or upskill full-timers isn't viable — but part-time specialists can start contributing immediately. They also bring a fresh perspective. Many part-time professionals work across industries and companies, which sharpens their creativity and ability to challenge assumptions. Without being entrenched in company politics or legacy systems, they often identify smarter ways of working. Their efficiency is another edge. With fewer meetings and less bureaucracy, part-time contributors tend to stay focused, outcome-driven and error-resistant. At FORE, we've seen this concentrated approach consistently lead to faster execution and lower costs. And when you're scaling — launching a new initiative, entering a market or testing a product, contingent talent offers flexibility. You can scale up or down without long-term overhead, giving your company agility in unpredictable markets. Financially, their value holds. While hourly rates may seem higher, the savings on benefits, bonuses and infrastructure typically make up for it. What you gain in precision and speed often outweighs the upfront investment. Loyalty is a two-way street Just because someone isn't a full-time employee doesn't mean they should be treated as expendable. The companies that get the most from part-time workers are the ones that invest in them. Treat them like part of the team — include them in key meetings, recognize their contributions and offer access to relevant tools. When they feel valued, they're more likely to return and deliver at a high level. Building a bench of trusted freelancers also pays off. A go-to roster saves ramp-up time and allows you to leverage their growing familiarity with your systems and culture. And don't overlook compensation. Independent workers face greater financial risks and fewer protections. Paying fair and timely rates shows respect, and keeps your projects top of mind. Most importantly, ask what they want. More hours? More autonomy? A path to full-time work? Don't assume. Ask, listen and adapt when you can. Use data to drive better decisions Smarter workforce strategies start with data. AI and analytics can help pinpoint exactly where flexible talent will have the greatest impact — from clearing recurring bottlenecks to bridging skills gaps or filling roles with high churn. Look for patterns: Are hybrid part-time workers more engaged? Are certain conditions triggering burnout? These insights not only help manage contractors more effectively but can also improve full-time retention and productivity. Related: Hiring This Type of Employee Can Protect Your Business From a Volatile Market Rethink what "workforce" means Part-time workers aren't just stopgaps — they're a strategic, scalable layer of your workforce. In a business landscape shaped by speed, specialization and constant change, they offer adaptability that full-time models often can't match. Companies that embrace flexible talent can build more agile teams, foster resilient cultures and set themselves up for long-term success. Because when you invest in people — regardless of contract type — you're investing in the future of your business. Ready to break through your revenue ceiling? Join us at Level Up, a conference for ambitious business leaders to unlock new growth opportunities.
CNA
02-07-2025
- Business
- CNA
UK's Bytes Tech plunges 27% after profit warning
(Corrects to say delayed customer decisions, not 'delayed customer payments', in paragraph 1) Shares of UK's Bytes Technology plunged over 27 per cent on Wednesday after the IT firm said its operating profit for the first half of fiscal 2026 would be marginally lower due to delayed customer decisions and longer-than-expected readjustments from internal restructuring. Trading in the first few months of the year was hurt by macroeconomic pressures, leading to deferred customer decisions, particularly among corporates, the firm said in an update to the exchanges ahead of its annual general meeting. The stock fell as much as 27.43 per cent to 369 pence, the lowest since April 2023, before paring some losses to trade down 23 per cent at 391.4 pence by 08:00 GMT. Bytes, which provides software, cloud, and AI services, is moving from a generalist sales model to specialised, customer segment-focused teams - a shift that has taken longer than expected, it said. Also weighing on its performance in the first half are changes to Microsoft's enterprise agreement program, which the company had disclosed earlier, where certain transactional incentives have been reduced. The impact of the changes are weighted more to the first half due to high levels of renewals in March and April, Bytes said. The firm posted an operating profit of 35.6 million pounds ($48.8 million) for the first half of fiscal 2025. On Wednesday, it said it expects gross profit for the first half of fiscal 2026 to be flat. In May, it had said it was "well positioned" to deliver another year of double-digit gross profit growth and high single-digit operating profit growth in financial year 2025-26. "Investors will be slightly taken aback by the more cautious AGM statement, which now flags flat year over year trends versus May guidance for double-digit gross profit growth," Jefferies analysts said in a note. ($1 = 0.7298 pounds)
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
UK's Bytes Tech plunges 27% after profit warning
(Reuters) -Shares of UK's Bytes Technology plunged over 27% on Wednesday after the IT firm said its operating profit for the first half of fiscal 2026 would be marginally lower due to delayed customer payments and longer-than-expected readjustments from internal restructuring. Trading in the first few months of the year was hurt by macroeconomic pressures, leading to deferred customer decisions, particularly among corporates, the firm said in an update to the exchanges ahead of its annual general meeting. The stock fell as much as 27.43% to 369 pence, the lowest since April 2023, before paring some losses to trade down 23% at 391.4 pence by 08:00 GMT. Bytes, which provides software, cloud, and AI services, is moving from a generalist sales model to specialised, customer segment-focused teams - a shift that has taken longer than expected, it said. Also weighing on its performance in the first half are changes to Microsoft's enterprise agreement program, which the company had disclosed earlier, where certain transactional incentives have been reduced. The impact of the changes are weighted more to the first half due to high levels of renewals in March and April, Bytes said. The firm posted an operating profit of 35.6 million pounds ($48.8 million) for the first half of fiscal 2025. On Wednesday, it said it expects gross profit for the first half of fiscal 2026 to be flat. In May, it had said it was "well positioned" to deliver another year of double-digit gross profit growth and high single-digit operating profit growth in financial year 2025-26. "Investors will be slightly taken aback by the more cautious AGM statement, which now flags flat year over year trends versus May guidance for double-digit gross profit growth," Jefferies analysts said in a note. ($1 = 0.7298 pounds) Sign in to access your portfolio
