Getting ready for the gig economy

We’re not talking about preparing for a night with your favourite singer or band, but rather preparing to meet what the modern workforce has created, and is now known as, the gig economy. Startups and digital platforms like Uber, Deliveroo and AirBnB have turned traditional working on its head and instead created a world in which we can earn money by renting our homes when we go on holiday, driving our cars on the weekend and delivering pizzas in the evening. And that’s just a few of the big ones.

There are numerous opportunities for people to earn money and traditional nine-to-fives are becoming a thing of the past. Flexible working, remote working and the gig economy have created a new generation of workers, which means recruitment businesses have to adapt and evolve to keep up. The question is, are you ready for the changes and what can you be doing to ride the wave?

Posted 06/08/2019

Be open

Traditionally recruitment firms have written off the candidates who cannot fully commit to one permanent position, but as more workers adopt flexible solutions, it’s no longer feasible to turn these people away. Moreover, it’s interesting to note that candidates who have worked for themselves have a broader skill set as they’ve essentially run their own businesses. Budgeting, time management, marketing, project management, customer services and juggling multiple roles are all in their arsenal as opposed to permanent workers who might not come across these opportunities until they change job or gain a promotion. This means recruitment firms now have a broader skill set to pick from, and that’s never a bad thing.

Have the right technology

The gig economy is still in its early stages, but predictions put it’s worth at £9bn by 2020. That also means that an infrastructure will build around it in terms of technology and software, but for now it’s important to have a recruitment database that is flexible enough to manage flexible workers. Ensure your recruitment software is able to handle temp and perm. Access Recruitment CRM is designed to move candidates through your business quickly so that cash flow is always in your business. Your recruitment software should also be working to keep you up to date with legislation around the gig economy. Access Recruitment CRM ensures agencies are up to date and stay compliant, regardless of any changing laws.

Shift attitudes

As working patterns change, so too must the way we think and act. Start thinking now about what your recruitment firm needs to do to stay onto of this. For example, how you’ll measure success for flexible employees. How to move away from performance management approaches such as appraisals, to creating a culture in which individuals are responsible for their own outputs. You’ll also need to start shifting ideas around career development and partnering with your clients to create environments that are open to workers coming and going. This also lends a great opportunity to your recruitment firm as you’ll be in a prime position to provide those workers as they come and go.

PwC reported that most HR departments are failing to grasp the gig economy and the opportunities it presents. Whether we like it or not it’s here and it’s only going to become more prevalent. There is a huge opportunity for recruitment firms to take on a real consultative role with their clients. Make sure you’re not one of those businesses that are struggling to evolve with the economy.