Empowering enterprises
to engage premier independent professionals

Hiring independent contractors to build a blended workforce can result in many benefits for your company. Freelance workers give enterprises increased flexibility. By outsourcing work to an independent contractor, companies often save on the many costs associated with hiring a full-time employee. Independent contractors also give hiring managers access to in-demand skills—these are works who…

A total talent strategy focused on workforce optimization is designed to include a specific percentage of independent professionals with high-value skills. Success relies on creating a direct sourcing program that curates an independent talent pool of vetted workers. Hiring managers can tap this pool to fill project and team roles with proven workers who have…

As independent professionals become more centered in the economy and take more strategic roles in their client companies, it would be unusual if managers didn’t consider offering full-time employment to valued independents on their teams. “Locking in” such key talent can be important to employers and might be seen by them as a win-win proposition….

This is the fourth in a five-part series discussing skills critical for future success.  Other articles cover critical thinking, creativity, and communication. As digital and AI technologies continue to transform the world of work, the future workforce will need to be nimble, adaptable, and comfortable with continuous change. These attributes and the soft skills we’ve…

As the independent workforce continues to grow, so do the issues of worker compliance and misclassification. It is important for enterprises to remain informed about the latest laws, regulations, and developments surrounding these topics. Each month, we’ll bring you the latest news stories from around the web. 1. Wisconsin Finds Amazon Delivery Drivers Were Employees…

In previous direct sourcing articles, we’ve looked at using a skills assessment to build a program business case, three areas to improve understanding,  and the company functions that comprise your direct sourcing dream team.   The initiative is greenlit, leadership understands the value, and your dream team, comprised of the company functions that need to be…

Often, when an independent professional has a choice for projects between two of their clients, they will consider their experience working for each. Is it a positive work environment? Are there reasonable processes and procedures that facilitate productivity? Are there learning and skill-building opportunities? These examples often determine a Client of Choice and can contribute…

A successful direct sourcing program includes an active and vibrant independent talent community. Independents gravitate toward such a community when there are additional advantages to them and their businesses besides project work. They ask, “What’s in it for me?” to determine if spending time and energy on a given opportunity is worthwhile. Answering that question…

In any situation requiring a decision, people generally first consider the impacts on them personally. This is true for consumers buying a product or service, job seekers deciding on an offer of employment, and independent professionals selecting clients they will work with. “What’s in It for Me?” This question, acronymed to WIIFM, is important to…

There are several reasons “why” to curate an independent talent community as part of your direct sourcing program. The relationships formed between company managers and employees and community members, and between community members themselves, support a high-performing worker population that can make a significant contribution to business growth. Establish your community by leveraging touchpoints of…

Hiring independent talent as an addition to a full-time workforce is a growing strategy among companies today. With 64.6 million people working independently, there’s a lot of talent to choose from. But finding the right person who has the skillset you need and aligns with your company culture or working style can be a challenge….

In today’s talent market, in part because of the Great Realization, top independent professionals have a lot of choices in their client base. Offering skillsets that are in high demand, they look beyond pay rate to the quality of working environments and benefits that can help them grow their businesses. Being a Client of Choice…

Today’s workforce includes full-time employees, temporary workers to fill seasonal or short-term needs, and contingent workers such as freelancers, independent contractors, or consultants. Businesses benefit from this diversity of workers. Workforce diversity gives companies have more workforce flexibility, access to specialized skills on-demand, and the ability to form ready-made teams when a project need arises….

This is the fourth in a five-part series discussing skills critical for future success.  Other articles cover critical thinking, creativity, and entrepreneurship. While communication skills have always been important in the workplace, the advent of AI makes them even more significant. While some forms of communication can be taught to AI tools, others are uniquely…