WORKSHIFTER - Dispatches from the New Executive Frontier

Kelly Services released the Kelly Global Workforce Index of 134,000 people in 29  countries. We thought this spring's survey was quite interesting and we're sharing a few highlights here. To read the full report and view the related data, head over to  http://easypr.marketwire.com/easyir/msc2.do?easyirid=95BBA2C450798961.  

"Economic uncertainty has fueled a growing trend toward self-employment and entrepreneurialism with one-in-five respondents worldwide now working outside the traditional employment relationship, and 50 percent saying that they would like to do so, according to the latest survey results from workforce solutions leader Kelly Services®."

"The rise of the self-employed, often known as independent contractors or ‘free agents,' is most pronounced in North America, with 26 percent identifying themselves in this category, compared with 19 percent in Asia Pacific, and 17 percent in Europe."

"The baby boomer generation (aged 48-65) make up the largest share of this expanding group, but the desire to move to a more flexible and independent career status is shared by both Gen X (aged 30-47) and Gen Y (aged 18-29). "The economic downturn has resulted in a new way of thinking about careers and job security. Many people have watched their jobs disappear and now want to do something that puts them in more control of their career," says Kelly Services Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, George Corona. "These are often people with many years of experience, who may have been displaced and who have taken an entrepreneurial approach to marketing their skills."

"20 percent of those surveyed are working outside the traditional employment relationship as freelancers, consultants, independent contractors or free agents, comprising 28 percent of baby boomers, 20 percent of Gen X and 18 percent of Gen Y."

"Almost half of all those surveyed (48 percent) say they feel that their current skills would be sufficient to enable them to start a business, with baby boomers and Gen X (both 54 percent) more confident than Gen Y (40 percent). There is a feeling among all groups that the market demand for their skills will remain strong over the coming year."

"Many of those who lost their jobs as a result of the global economic crisis have had to reinvent themselves as independent contractors, freelancers and consultants. This self-employment trend may continue as more people become attracted by the autonomy, independence, and flexibility of working for themselves," Corona concludes.

Again, to view the survey information in detail, see  http://easypr.marketwire.com/easyir/msc2.do?easyirid=95BBA2C450798961

Hope you have a great holiday weekend!

I've been talking not only with potential independent executives/new consultants for Epoch but also many people who just want some input about how to keep themselves motivated during a long period of unemployment or during long periods in between projects, usually their first, during this recession.  One theme that kept coming through was that these folks miss the camaraderie of being fully engaged on a consulting engagement or in full time employment, often not realizing that the social aspect of working was almost as important to them as their workplace accomplishments. We talk about outplacement hoteling spaces, networking meetings, checking in with colleagues on a regular schedule, working side-by-side at a location with WiFi access, getting feedback from trusted advisers on your work/resume/bio/proposal, working at a friend's house so you both can stay structured and just generally keeping connected to people even if it is via phone or skype when not physically with them. So today, while keeping up with some on line reading, I came across one of Marci Alboher's blogs titled "Tired of working alone? Try coworking" and realized that she had developed a word for one of the ideas I've been talking with executives, consultants and freelancers about for the past year - working separately but physically together. Her blog lists some ideas for coworking, and I recommend you read it if you have the chance. Coworking...I think I'll be using that term and crediting Marci often in the weeks and months ahead! 

Last week, Time magazine did a great story on the future of work and the workforce.  If you didn't get a chance to read it, let me share what I thought was the most compelling thing for those of you working as consultants and freelancers.....they said and predicted the following:

"Employment is at a 25 year high. Work will eventually return but it won't look the same.  We will see a more flexible, more freelance, more collaborative and far less secure work world.  40% of the US workforce will rent out its skill and boomers will be working as part time coaches, strategists and consultants."

I think that's terrific news for those of you workshifters out there that wonder what the future holds. 

Whether an organization is in a cost cutting and expense rationalization mode or is in a period of innovation, success in the new global economy is about speed.  Companies will have to transform their rather slow, measured pragmatic approach to execution into a very fast paced and not always perfect method of execution.  With product and service life cycles shrinking from a historic cycle time of five years to a cycle time of under 16 months, having the right people in the right place for the right time is how companies of the future will succeed. You know longer have what used to be the luxury of taking high potential individuals and asking them to go figure things out...the world moves too fast and your competition will get way out ahead of you.

It's about engaging freelancers an entrepreneurs who have the skills and knowledge you need to get things done quickly.  Effectiveness and speed are the new guiding principles to the next generation of successful companies.  Entrepreneurs run businesses this way...it's time for large corporations to begin to engage this talent deployment model to help drive business results and manage fixed costs.

"Free Agent Matchmaking for the C Suites"

An interview with

Linda N. Stewart

-- Listen to the podcast --