The word self-employed or “autónomo” is a word we have heard a lot more of in recent months given the dire labour situation in Spain. The unemployment rate in Spain has reached an all time high of just over 25%, the highest in Europe, so it is no wonder that many have decided to try to take control of their lives by leaving the unemployment office behind and joining the self-employed ranks to set up their own businesses. Is that your goal for 2013?
I have received consults and queries about the use of contracts for business and all I can say is: DEFINITELY YES!
The only way to protect your interests as well as your clients’ of course is to draft a contract that outlines the nature of your agreement. This avoids confusion, misunderstandings and basically being taken for a ride by crafty “business people”. If you are entering a long-term agreement, a contract is the way to go but even if you are doing one-off projects, some type of agreement is also advised for the same reasons.
Lately I haven’t posted much or been “visible” to my virtual friends and fellow administrative consultants but this has been due to bad health (finally diagnosed so at last I can start to work through it). Now that I am putting that episode behind me, it is time to get some focus again. So many thoughts are rushing through my mind at the moment but I hope I manage to get them down so at least this post is coherent…
After neglecting my blog somewhat, I found myself asking why. To put it simply, I have been run off my feet these past few weeks on other projects and client work, so even though writing was always in the back of my mind, I never managed to find the right moment to sit down and let my mind wonder so I guess now at 11:52 pm my time is a good a time as any.
As the worldwide economic crisis continues, a new trend is emerging. A large number of adults over the age of 30 are finding themselves back in school or studying to get certified and increase their job prospects. Another factor driving adults back to school is a career change; perhaps the industry they’ve worked in for an extended period of time is no longer viable, suffering at the hands of the credit crunch so a change of direction and new skills are needed if they ever hope to re-enter the job market. There are others still who choose to go self-employed and make things happen for themselves and wish to back that decision up with further education. Whatever the reason, it is a trend that is becoming increasingly popular.
