Businesses streamline freelancing opportunities and lifestyles
Implications - Brands are now accommodating consumers who make their own work schedules, and are providing them with services that streamline and enhance the various processes they experience as freelancers. These services connect freelancers to networking opportunities, work spaces and payment apps – all of which have designs centralized around flexible work schedules. This emerging work culture is a reactionary response to the inflexible nature of employment in North America that has long been the norm, and is led by younger generations seeking the freedom to work without it detracting from their accustomed lifestyles.
Workshop Question - How can your brand better accommodate those seeking flexible work schedules?
Trend Themes
1. Freelancer Payment Platforms - Payment processing platforms like PayNinja will continue to grow and evolve, with potential for partnerships with other freelancing services.
2. Coworking Space-finding Apps - Location-based apps like CwSpots will become more popular, allowing remote workers to easily find work spaces and contribute to a growing sharing economy.
3. Nomad-connecting Social Platforms - With the rise of digital nomads, there is potential for further development of platforms like Knowmad Life, offering a community for remote workers and a means for travel and job opportunities.
Industry Implications
1. Freelancer Payment Processing - Companies like PayNinja signal a growing demand for secure and simplified payment processing for freelancers, driving innovation in the fintech industry.
2. Coworking and Shared Workspaces - The need for coworking and shared workspaces continues to grow, with potential for partnerships between companies like Airbnb and WeWork, fueling growth in the real estate industry.
3. Social Networking for Remote Workers - As the number of remote and digital nomad workers increases, there is potential for further development of social networking and community building platforms, driving innovation in the tech industry.
