Don’t Cut It Out: 3 Examples the Middleman Is in Your Corner

People are often encouraged to cut out the middleman and do something themselves. The do-it-yourself culture has a number of advantages and does empower people to learn to do some amazing new things. However, there are plenty of cases where taking matters into your own hands isn’t a good decision. Consider these three examples of when the middleman is in your corner.

Staffing Firms

Staffing firms are another good example of a middleman who is working in your interests whether you are an employer or a job seeker. For job seekers, staffing firms connect them to companies who are looking for employees. These firms work to place candidates in a variety of different roles, from temporary and part-time to full-time positions. For companies, staffing firms reduce the need for them to actively recruit new talent. It can be incredibly costly and time-consuming for businesses to recruit on their own. Staffing firms are a potential solution because they work with businesses to understand and provide for their staffing needs. These firms typically work within a certain industry like call centers, construction, manufacturing and warehouses.

Distributors

Distributors, also known as wholesalers, play a critical intermediary role between manufacturers and retailers. While many ecommerce stores seek to cut out the middleman and go directly to the manufacturer, there are several reasons why this isn’t always the smartest decision. Distributors exist for a reason. Manufacturers typically do not like to sell in small amounts—they sell in bulk. Retail stores, on the other hand, like to buy in small amounts and don’t have a need to buy more than a few of each product. As the middleman, distributors buy in bulk and then sell smaller amounts to retailers, allowing small businesses to thrive.

Financial Intermediary

While many people choose to handle their finances themselves and see no reason to pay a middleman, a financial intermediary actually provides a very valuable service. These professionals advise both private individuals and corporations on how to manage their finances and investments over a long period of time. Because most people do not know the ins and outs of investing, financial advisors are important to ensure you will make smart investments and have as much money as possible for future expenses. A bank is technically a financial intermediary that everyone uses. We can’t do everything for ourselves, so having an intermediary help us manage our finances, investments, retirement, even our income is of great help and brings protection. For example, many people with disabilities use a financial intermediary like an NDIS Plan Management to help process their claims and make payments to their providers. This ensures their care and care for those who help take care of them. It is not always in your best interest to cut out the middleman. Think twice before doing so. Sometimes absorbing the cost of working with an intermediary can save a lot of time, money and headache in the long run. However, intermediaries aren’t all bad. We all use them. When you need an expert opinion or services you can’t do yourselves a neutral third party can make sure you’re taken care of with more pull than your own efforts.