The gig economy, whereby flexible and temporary jobs are commonplace and businesses tend to hire freelancers and independent contractors rather than full-time employees, is thriving. Some naysayers believe that the gig economy undermines the conventional economy of full-time employees who tend to focus on developing their careers. But many from delivery service professionals to creatives that want the flexibility it offers, would disagree. Whatever your view, there are lessons we can learn from the gig economy. Let’s take a look at some of these:
1. Apps can enhance the workforce
The gig economy was made possible due to the advent of apps. Workers do not simply turn to apps to find work; they are now relying on apps so that they can be as organised as possible and achieve their goals. A lot of human resource procedures can be accomplished through the apps that have been created. This saves time for employees and managers as well. For a modern business, with employees near and far away, using an app to complete basic tasks and ensure effective communication is essential.
2. Freedom and trust go an awfully long way
One of the most important things about the gig economy is that people are left alone to get on with the tasks they are assigned. There is no micromanaging of any nature. Instead, workers are left to go about their own business. They can work in a manner that suits them and they do not have to worry about someone being over the shoulders all the time. You would be surprised by how much of a difference this can end up making. People can really thrive when they are left to their own creativity and not caged in.
3. Online collaboration can forge close connections
A lot of employers fear that remote working is going to make it difficult for teams to work together effectively, but this is not the case. You will find that a little bit of connection online can make a significant difference. People can feel connected and forge good relationships even though they are not sitting at a desk next to one another. Additionally, with the wide range of tools that are available today, it is easier to keep in contact with people than ever before.
4. Flexibility is key
One of the best things that you can learn from the gig economy is that flexibility is key. A lot of bosses are reluctant to give their workers freedom and flexibility because they fear that work will not get completed as effectively. However, you will find that it is often a case of the opposite. People tend to complete work more efficiently because they are given the flexibility and trust to work in a manner that makes sense for them. We are sure that, after COVID-19, greater flexibility is something a lot of employers will embrace.
5. A sense of mission matters
It is not all about money these days. Employees want to feel like they are a part of something bigger, and that is why a sense of mission matters. People want to feel like they are doing something good and working toward something better in life, be it promotion, or a better work/life balance. You may also want to consider providing your employees with growth opportunities and chances for professional development. It is perks like this that can make all the difference. It may be hard to believe, but not everyone today is simply looking for more money.
As you can see, there are several different lessons that we can learn from the gig economy. From delivery service professionals to freelance writers, there are a lot of different types of workers that make up the gig economy. We can all learn lessons from this sort of environment.