Rolling Up Your Sleeves: 8 Steps to Registering as an Independent Contractor Are you ready to be your own boss?  There are many advantages to becoming an independent contractor, some of which we’ll cover today. But it’s also a big responsibility – one that you and you alone must handle. Here are some general steps you can take to make your dreams of striking out on your own as an independent contractor a reality.   Learn what an independent contractor is.  First, learn more about what being an independent contractor means. To be an independent contractor, you must have multiple clients (companies) annually. You own your business at least in part, work with your own materials, tools, and expertise, and each job you take on is considered ‘temporary’, as you will leave when your task is complete.  Pick your business name.  Now, pick a name for your business. Make it something other than just your first and last name, as you can get some good marketing in with a clever or memorable name.  Get licensed.  Next, head down to your local city or county clerk’s office and figure out whether or not you’ll require a license to operate where you live. This is especially important if you work in any type of labor/contractor field. Often, you are required to be licensed in your trade as well.  Get insured.  Whatever you do, don’t skip this step! Your career as an independent contractor could be over as soon as it begins if you get entangled in a lawsuit with a client. Check out various professional liability insurance companies to find a policy that suits your industry and individual needs.  Take care of the accounting end of things.  Decide whether or not you’ll hire an accountant. In many cases, this isn’t necessary; many independent contractors get by fine on their own with accounting software.  Make estimated tax payments.  This can be a little tricky, but do your best to come up with a ballpark figure on what you’ll make in a year. Now, you must make four estimated tax payments throughout the year. Trust us, you do not want to end up owing all at once, or end up attracting the attention of the IRS in any way.  Stay motivated.  We all lose steam, and we all find ourselves stuck in a rut from time to time. But as an independent contractor, you need to maintain the will to work and consistently formulate ways to draw in new clients. Create a routine and schedule for yourself, even when work is thin.  Enjoy the benefits.  While it can have its tough moments, being an independent contractor is incredibly freeing. You make your own hours, you dictate what you’ll be paid, and most of all, it’s your chance to do what you love for a living. Appreciate it!   Finding the right work-life balance can be difficult, but when you’re an independent contractor, you make the rules. Start off on the right foot by taking care of licensing, insurance, and accounting, and from there, the sky’s the limit....

Corporate policy formulation What are Policies? Business activities should be based on some solid principles that serve as guidelines for direction. These principles are nothing but policies which help a business firm in attaining its goal. Policy does not tell a person exactly what to do, but it does point out the direction in which to go. While objectives are a goal or an end to be sought, policies are a general rule of action which helps in attaining a  goal. Policy Statements Statements released by corporate firms generally highlight the major policies behind their action. For instance, if a firm says that, its aim is to provide the customers with products that are competitive in terms of quality, price, weight and contents, it tries to sum up the recurring problems in the industry and assures the customers that it will serve the customers in the true spirit of business. What is the meaning of Policy Formulation? Policies are generally formulated by the officials of the top management cadre, as policies reflect the mode of thought and principles underlying the activities of an organization. Policies guide a firm in the following aspects. Thinking Decision making Conduct of business Enterprise operations Problem solving So, it is evident that each policy contains two components, a “principle” and a “rule of action”. Corporate policies are statements of directions, guidance for corporate thinking, corporate behavior and action, and therefore cover a very broad area. Such policy formulations are made in the light of challenges posed from the external environment exposing the strengths and weaknesses of the organization.  The Process of Policy Formulation Process of policy formulation – corporate management – Manu Melwin Joy from...