You Are Now Entering the Gig Economy

Think tanks, government officials and everyone among are trying to control the gig economy. This is the freelance and contractor economy. You can find studies that claim that by 2020, in excess of 40 percent of the U.S. work force will be self-employed. I'll leave it to the experts to debate their methodologies and what percentage of our workforce is now independently employed.

However, I am going to say that by one measure, IRS 1099 (independent contractors) forms have increased in the 2000s. So too have those people who are filing Schedule C's (self-employment) on their tax forms.

The Trends and Forces

One of the most debated studies was one published by Intuit. And whether or not we are going to be at 50 percent, 30 percent or less, the actual fact of the problem is that people are heading toward a workforce that indeed will undoubtedly be much more flexible. It's on everyone's shoulders to understand the trends and changes that are happening in the hiring landscape. I think several of the points out of this particular study are absolutely on point.

Tech Generations: We live in a digital world full of technology. That means that everyone is, in fact, competing with younger generations who've had technology in their entire lives. And each generation that grows into adulthood will only be better at technology and able to adapt quicker.

Baby Boomers AREN'T Bowing Out: On the other side of the spectrum, we're surviving in a world where the more senior generation isn't bowing into retirement. Boomers are indeed pursuing new careers and starting their own businesses. They are active and they are not retiring. Basically, they are also competition.

The Rise of the Voice of Women: In a globalized world, and something that is wired and networked there exists a move for women all over the planet to defend myself against leadership roles. As stated by Booz & Company, over 870 million women around the globe are entering the workforce or starting new businesses. These women were not part of the economy that existed as late because the early 2000's.

The Glocal World: We're living in a wired and connected world. I don't believe there's any dispute about this. But as more people enter the conversations, that means the world is not going to be dominated, as it was for so a long time, by Western ideas and culture. There is going to be a greater focus on demonstrating to the world how local cultures and countries around the globe do business.

Cities Bring Opportunities: As more and more people enter the global economy they'll seek opportunities that are offered to them in urban centers. So populations will continue steadily to move to cities.

SOCIAL MEDIA: We see this time around and time again. Social media marketing, at its core, is social media. That means that more folks will be obtaining their information and work opportunities using social media (e.g. social media marketing).

Individuals Will Be In charge of Themselves: I think the most important points is this reality. Gone will be the days where workers were protected by way of a company (or government). Individuals are the masters of their own careers and opportunities. Which means that it falls on the workers, not employers rather than governments which are cutting social services, to get their own work path, health insurance and retirement.

Author of "Not Your Father's Charity: How to Dominate Your Fundraising to generate Your Success" (Free Digital Download)

� 2016 Wayne Elsey rather than Your Father's Charity. All Rights Reserved.