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Have you hugged your freelancer today?Freelancers. They're no longer sketchy characters lurking on the outskirts of the workforce but a global force to be reckoned with. America's Freelancers Union estimates that one in four Americans is now a freelance worker. In the United Kingdom, the upward trend is similar, with self-employment hitting a 20-year high. 'Working for one's own account' is a trend we're seeing here in South Africa, too, with the ABSA SME Index estimating that self-employed individuals now make up 10% of South Africa's employed population, the highest level since 2009. Why this growth in the so-called Freelance Economy? Experts put it down to job losses as employers downsize in a difficult economy (I explore more reasons behind this workplace shift in this article for business owl). given that the labour absorption rate for Matrics and graduates from tertiary education institutions in South Africa is low, and that the unemployment rate stands at 25.20% and rising, freelancing will increasingly be seen as a long-term alternative to the traditional permanent employment at a corporation. Learning to get alongUnfortunately, freelancers often get the short end of the stick when it comes to business relationships. This has something to do with how they're perceived by the companies that use them as hired help there to do the donkey work cheap-cheap and then sling their hook when they're done, and by a sort of learned helplessness on the part of freelancers, who often fail to see and promote themselves - and act - as a professional business. But given that companies and freelancers will be doing a lot more business with each other, it's high time we all learned to get along and respectfully work together, for mutual benefit. Here's how... Companies...1. Don't moan and groan at freelance fees - freelancers work (hard) to turn a profit, just like you do, and base their rates on the time and skill involved in executing particular tasks. Furthermore, the more experienced and in demand the freelancer, the higher the rates s/he can command. If you can't afford the rates, it's your prerogative to move along and hire someone else. Just remember the old adage, you pay peanuts; you get monkeys! Freelancers...1. Don't be a flaky freelancer - in short, deliver. When I worked as a book publisher, I had the misfortune of working with a supremely talented designer. I say misfortune because, despite his considerable skill, one day he simply dropped off the face of the earth, leaving his deadlines (and me) high and dry. Never. Do. This. About Marie RocherFull-stack digital marketer who helps brands and businesses grow View my profile and articles... |