The Gig Economy Deserves Better

The recent passage of #AB2257 shows just how ill-conceived #AB5 was, and how little the lawmakers understood about the gig economy. I may not write laws, but I write books.  When I submit a manuscript to my editor, I am thrilled when the suggested changes  are minor; I know I have done a good job… Continue reading The Gig Economy Deserves Better

“Agency” and the Gig Economy

Deloitte Research and the MIT Sloan Management Review published an interesting report recently entitled “Opportunity Marketplaces.” Their premise is that companies should create internal talent platforms  which are employee directed and enable workers to  develop new skills and investigate new intellectually challenging corporate projects.  By providing such opportunity marketplaces, employees will be able to exercise… Continue reading “Agency” and the Gig Economy

#CoolGigCompanies – Shortlist – Scaling Recruitment in the Developing World

People often ask me why I wrote my latest book, Thriving in the Gig Economy.  It was due in part to the fact that in the summer of 2016, three different investor groups approached me for ideas about gig economy platforms.  One of those groups went on to create a very cool, platform that is… Continue reading #CoolGigCompanies – Shortlist – Scaling Recruitment in the Developing World

California’s New Ruling on the #GigEconomy

The April 30th opinion handed down by the California Supreme Court about worker classification has been described as a “seismic shift” which could cause “the end of the Gig Economy.” Those latter dire predictions suggest that the curtain is coming down on what has become a whole new stage for the future of work.  My… Continue reading California’s New Ruling on the #GigEconomy

Pricing – More of an Art than a Science

There was a great article in Medium today advocating that all freelancers adopt rush fees.  The idea is that urgent projects require special attention that may shuffle the priorities of your existing workload.  So between the extra hours and other client considerations a premium is due.  I heartily agree, not just with the premise but… Continue reading Pricing – More of an Art than a Science

Lessons in Scale for the Gig Economy

Masters of Scale, the podcast run by Reid Hoffman of Greylock Ventures and founder of several companies including LinkedIn, is one of my favorites podcasts to listen to as I walk my dog. On a recent show, he focused on the “10 Commandments of Start-up Success.” Not all of them apply to independent growing their businesses in the gig economy, but some do.  So I thought I would share them with a special spin for the freelance world.

#CoolGig Companies – Workhoppers – A Canadian Innovator in the #GigEconomy

As a student of the #GigEconomy, I seek out #CoolGigCompanies to understand the new models and ideas that are being brought to the market by entrepreneurs around the world. Here is another in my series of developments to watch in the new world of work. In 2012, Vera Gavizon and Linda Singer were two working… Continue reading #CoolGig Companies – Workhoppers – A Canadian Innovator in the #GigEconomy

#CoolGigCompanies – SamaSchool, Preparing Workers for the #GigEconomy

The Gig Economy Class Photo

There is a lot of talk right now about whether the educational system in America (and the world) is preparing workers for the increasing importance of the #GigEconomy. The Solo City Project, a 2016 study funded by the Knight Foundation, pointed out the growing need for entrepreneurial training in primary education and suggested it should… Continue reading #CoolGigCompanies – SamaSchool, Preparing Workers for the #GigEconomy

#CoolGigCompanies – GigWage – Payment Solutions for Different Clients

One of the things I like to do in profiling #CoolGigCompanies is finding entrepreneurs who see an opportunity in the Gig Economy that many others may have overlooked. Craig Lewis of Gig Wage is one of the guys. Craig spent a lot of time in the payroll world. His “aha ” moment came from years spent… Continue reading #CoolGigCompanies – GigWage – Payment Solutions for Different Clients

The Academy Awards and the Gig Economy

Since its Academy Award season, I thought  it would be appropriate to compare the Gig Economy to Hollywood.  Stephen Kasriel the CEO of Upwork  wrote an article in Fast Company last year called “Why the Future of Work will Look a lot like Hollywood.”   I agree wholeheartedly and in fact wrote a similar piece years ago… Continue reading The Academy Awards and the Gig Economy