So why this shift and why now? Work skills are changing faster than ever before just to stay in alignment with the rapidly shifting technology available today. Businesses are hard pressed to predict the types of skills they will need in six months. Rather than incurring expenses recruiting, hiring and training a full-time employee, many businesses find it more effective to hire freelancers. And, many of these freelancers work virtually.
Because technology has provided the ability for talented people to work whenever, where ever and however they like, there is now a new breed of worker, a new business model and a new job marketplace. The talented worker can demand more freedom, perform work that he or she is passionate about, and choose the companies they want to work for, rather than the other way around
The reality is that talent is in high demand, and now businesses can recruit on a global scale to find the best talent for the best price. Furthermore, the fractionalization of work creates an opportunity to outsource in a way that was never before possible.
Think of it this way:As a small business owner I need marketing help, but prefer to not hire a generalist. In the new world of work I can take the 40 hours I might have given to that person and give:
My business benefits because I’ve hired people highly skilled in those areas who are passionate about the work, rather than a jack-of-all-trades who may have some but not all the skills needed to perform a stellar job. My business benefits because I’ve got truly passionate talent, and my costs are minimized through a virtual freelancer model.
There are shifts required in current thinking and business models to maximize the talent revolution. First, define your culture as being less about location and more about performance and goals. Set key performance indicators and ensure that they are being met by all contributors – virtual and on premise. Second, infuse the culture with a healthy dose of freedom. It’s not about where your team is at what time, but rather if the job is getting done and done well. Finally, reward performance with freedom so that the culture continues to move in a positive direction.
Freedom is a primary motivator for these virtualized workers, as well as gratifying work. Taking steps to ensure your organization can maximize this global pool will certainly provide a competitive advantage while also giving you better work products and higher performance. The revolution is here, so take steps to maximize your organization’s ability to take advantage of this new world of work!
For more tips on making the most of the new world of work, visit www.newworldofwork.com. Learn more about our new book, The New World of Work: From Cube to the Cloud.
With the soulfulness of Wayne Dyer and the entrepreneurial spirit of Richard Branson, Terri is a world-class business growth expert, social impact investor, and serial entrepreneur whose purpose is to inspire potential. With her own money, Terri built a portfolio of purposeful companies, Share On Purpose, Inc., and now invests in and creates mission-driven start-ups.
In a career that spans more than 25 years, Terri has launched, owned, sold, rebranded or turned around more than 40 companies. She is known for her game-changing business models and personal transformation frameworks.
Everything she built came directly from a wellspring of perseverance and soulful resiliency, which she openly shares through her first purposeful brand, Succeed On Purpose.
