The US freelance workforce is
currently 53 million strong, and growing fast. In fact, right now freelancers
make up 34% of our national workforce. Sarah Harowitz, executive director of
Freelancers Union says, “This is an economic shift on par with the industrial
revolution.” Are managers prepared to work with this new type of workforce?
Let’s talk about the four
major challenges managers face when working with freelancers, and discuss the
most effective ways to handle those challenges.
1. How to Manage Inefficient Communication
with Freelance Employees
When it comes to freelancers,
you are managing people who could be at their desk, poolside, or writing you
from an airplane. Tight communication between the freelancer and manager is
needed for this arrangement to work. Let’s take an in-depth look at how
inefficient communication can be avoided with freelance employees.
2. How to Create a Positive Collaborative
Environment for Freelance and Full-time Employees
Freelancers typically don’t
have the opportunity to forge personal relationships with full-time employees,
who may have worked together in the same office for years. Learn here how
managers can help relieve the anxiety that comes when freelancers and full-time
employees try to collaborate.
3. Managing Freelancers? How to Help
Freelancers Meet Your Project’s Goals and Make Deadlines
It’s inevitable that you and
your freelance employee will be somewhat disconnected. You don’t see them and
you don’t know what else they have on their plate. The good news is location
doesn’t matter. With the right tools, managers can help their freelance
employees meet their goals and hit their deadlines successfully.
4. Four Steps to Maintain Organizational
Culture with Freelance Employees
Organizational culture is
crucial in creating a workplace where employees can work together as a team and
contribute to furthering the company’s values and vision. Maintaining that
culture in a shared office space is one thing…but when your freelance staff is
scattered all over the country, maybe even the globe, that’s a different story.
Are you a manager who has
freelance employees? What have you noticed is most difficult about managing
them as opposed to employees you see in the office day-to-day? I’m very
interested in your experience.
Let’s share experiences. Leave a comment below, send us an email, or find us on Twitter.
0 comments:
Post a Comment